Chapter 121: Sima Yi Takes an Interest

"This is truly shocking. According to Yangzhe, the jars and bottles inside are filled with various human organs, and some even have people soaking in them—it's unbearable to look at. So Orochimaru was trading with human traffickers to do this kind of thing. He deserves to die!"

Human experimentation—what familiar words. Shisui immediately recalled the fragments of talk that had circulated during the selection of the Fourth Hokage.

The same method, the same people, the same matter—perhaps equally effective.

"What's the situation now?"

"It happened suddenly. Orochimaru probably never expected his lab to be exposed like this. He's already been locked up by the Anbu, and the Hokage is interrogating him."

Orochimaru's lab was north of Muye Cun, east along the Hokage Rock, far from the residential areas and streets—a place rarely visited by people.

It was hard to imagine how such a place could be exposed, and in just one day, the news had spread throughout the entire Muye.

Both of them were well aware that someone had deliberately orchestrated this.

"The lab is also surrounded by Anbu. Our Police Department still has to maintain order in the Village. Yangzhe only stayed there a while and sent me to ask if we should bring people over to help?"

Naturally, the Police Department had the authority to intervene in such matters, but since it involved the Third Hokage and Orochimaru, they didn't act rashly.

"Stay in the Village. There's no need to contend with the Anbu over anything."

"Yes."

Though Shisui despised Orochimaru in his heart, he also knew that with the Third Hokage's indecisive nature, he would never do anything serious to Orochimaru.

Moreover, he didn't believe someone like Orochimaru would just surrender without a fight. He had secretly watched Orochimaru for so long without ever finding him—it was hard to imagine the man being caught so easily by the Anbu.

Still, no matter what became of Orochimaru, the chaos in Muye was already apparent. Perhaps his opportunity had come!

"After all this time, you've finally fallen into darkness. You've even reached into the Village. This time, I won't go easy on you!"

In the Anbu prison, the Third Hokage looked sternly at Orochimaru, his heart filled with immense disappointment. Though he knew this disciple had already strayed from the path, he never imagined it would be this outrageous—not even sparing the people of the Village.

"You could have had a better future. You could have led the Village toward revival. Why..."

The Third Hokage hunched over, deeply pained. Over this period, after countless denials, he had still chosen Orochimaru. He wanted to pour out his anguish, but Orochimaru casually cut him off.

"Sensei, do you still need to say all this at a time like this?" Orochimaru glanced around the shabby room, then looked at the aged Third Hokage, asking with a mocking expression.

The Anbu prison—though called a prison, it was really just a slightly larger interrogation room. No Barrier, no cage—it couldn't hold anyone.

Of course, ordinary people didn't even qualify to come here. Even a ninja who killed a villager in a drunken brawl wouldn't be brought to this place.

"What?"

The Third Hokage froze, then frowned and asked, "What do you mean by that?"

Seeing the Third Hokage's expression, Orochimaru found it deeply uninteresting. After a light laugh, he replied, "Nothing. Don't you want to know why I did all this?"

"Why?"

"Because humans are creatures bound by 'time.' Our lives are too fragile. Only by breaking free from the shackles of 'time,' only by becoming eternal life, can I learn more ninjutsu and pursue the truth of this world."

As Orochimaru spoke, his breathing grew rapid, and the figure and those eyes flashed through his mind.

"The mortal body is ultimately limited. Such a perfect body, yet not mine to possess. If I could merge with him, use that body to pursue eternity..."

At this point, Orochimaru couldn't help licking his lips, murmuring in fascination, "Ah~ Subarashii~"

The Third Hokage's expression grew uglier. Though he didn't know whose body Orochimaru was referring to, the greed and desire in Orochimaru's eyes were almost overflowing.

"Eternal life again! That kind of thing is strictly forbidden. The boundary between life and death is not something you can casually break!"

Orochimaru smiled, recalling the Second Hokage's scrolls, and offered no rebuttal.

Seeing the other's unrepentant attitude, the Third Hokage knew he couldn't convince him. Remembering the corpses in the lab, killing intent rose in his heart.

The temperature in the room plummeted. Orochimaru's expression remained calm, as if he hadn't noticed.

After a long while, the Third Hokage sighed and rose to leave. In the end, he couldn't bring himself to kill his own disciple.

Leaving the interrogation room, the Third Hokage ordered, "Keep watch on Orochimaru. No one is to approach without my orders."

"Yes!"

And Orochimaru, watching the Third Hokage's retreating back, sighed inwardly: "Sensei, you've grown old."

When the Third Hokage returned to the Hokage Building, only Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu were in the office. For some reason, Danzo hadn't come today.

"Rizhan, how do you plan to handle Orochimaru?"

"This incident has blown up too big to suppress anymore. I'm afraid not only will the Village know, but ninjas on missions outside the Village will soon find out too."

Listening to their words, the Third Hokage felt utterly exhausted. Waving his hand, he said, "I will punish Orochimaru severely this time. You two go and calm the villagers first. Also, have Shisui come here."

Utatane Koharu was dissatisfied and immediately said, "I told you before that Orochimaru's intentions were impure and he couldn't take the position of Hokage, but you..."

However, before she could finish, Mitokado Homura cut her off. "In any case, calm the villagers first. Think carefully about what to do with Orochimaru."

Then he pulled Utatane Koharu away, leaving the Third Hokage to let out a sigh.

Though Orochimaru's fall pained him deeply, for some reason, he felt an inexplicable sense of relief, as if a weight had been lifted.

As he was thinking, Shisui arrived.

"Lord Third Hokage."

Shisui entered the office and immediately saw the haggard Third Hokage. In just a short time since they last met, the Third Hokage's already gray hair had become even more withered.

The Third Hokage's voice was slightly hoarse as he spoke. "You've heard about Orochimaru, haven't you?"

"I just received the news. I never imagined that Orochimaru-sama would betray your trust and do such a thing to the Village. It's truly hard to believe."

The Third Hokage nodded, feeling a bit comforted. Among these people, only Shisui understood what he truly cared about.

"After what he's done, the position of Hokage can't be given to him no matter what. The villagers won't forgive him either. I plan to lock him in prison and let him spend the rest of his life repenting his sins. What do you think?"

Muye had only one prison in name—the Police Department's jail, which was also the most well-equipped and best-guarded facility.

Shisui understood the Third Hokage's intention: he wanted to punish Orochimaru but not go too far.

After all, if one really got down to it, using Village people for experiments was a crime that wouldn't be enough to atone for even with ten heads cut off.

"Lord Third Hokage is wise. I will arrange a cell as soon as possible and keep it under tight guard."

Given Orochimaru's strength, an ordinary room couldn't hold him. They would not only have to seal his chakra first but also reinforce the cell and shackles.

"I appreciate your hard work, Shisui. Tomorrow morning, I'll have someone escort Orochimaru over. However, Orochimaru's incident will inevitably attract some foreign spies. You'll need to pay extra attention to the Village's security during this time."

Tomorrow morning?

Shisui was puzzled: the cell for Orochimaru could be ready by tonight at the latest, so why wait until tomorrow morning?

But he didn't ask, and honestly answered, "Yes!"

After a brief discussion, Shisui left the Hokage Building, preparing to return to the Police Department.

Just a few steps down the stairs, he heard a commotion in front of the Hokage Building; looking up, he saw two women and a man standing on an open area, apparently trying to approach, but they were blocked by a white‑haired ANBU member leading several others.

"What are you doing? Kakashi, let me in quickly. I don't believe the teacher would do this. I demand the Third Hokage let me see the teacher; I must have the teacher tell me himself that it's a lie!" "No, Hongdou, this is the Hokage Building. If we act like this we'll disturb the Hokage. We can't just barge in; let's go back and wait for news."

"Let go of me, let me pass!"

Shisui glanced around, recognizing their identities: the ringleader was Orochimaru's sole disciple, Mitarashi Hongdou; the girl urging her was Xiri Hong; and the rough‑looking one beside them was the Third Hokage's son, Yuan Fei Asuma.

At the same time, Shisui also noticed that not far away, Hui was leading a few people, watching the scene, his expression still somewhat hesitant.

Hui also noticed Shisui, hurried over, and pointed to a side of the Hokage Building, explaining, "Orochimaru is locked over there now. His disciple is quite stubborn, refusing to believe Orochimaru could be that kind of person, wanting to ask him in person, but he was blocked by the ANBU guard in charge of the watch."

Then he tried to request an audience with the Hokage, and the ANBU captain seemed to have a history with them, so he hadn't moved to drive them away. We happened to pass by, hesitating whether to let them leave.

Shisui said nothing, but felt puzzled: the ANBU base is right behind the Hokage Building, so why not keep Orochimaru there? He glanced again at Mitarashi Hongdou's stubborn expression, thinking how unexpected it was that a disciple taught by such a dark figure as Orochimaru could be like this.

"No need to intervene; let them go. The Third Hokage has his own arrangements."

"Yes!"

Shisui was about to step past them when another ANBU member came down from the upper floor, whispered something to Kakashi's ear, and Kakashi suddenly rushed to Shisui's front and blocked him.

With a swoosh, Hui and the others instinctively drew their tachi, looking bewildered at the ANBU member before them.

"Put it away. This one is my senpai."

"Yes!"

Shisui was also very puzzled; not only him, the sudden turn of events startled Hongdou and the two others, who instinctively halted and looked this way.

"Senpai Kakashi, is something the matter?"

Kakashi stared at the boy, two years younger than him, who had come this far and already shouldered a family's burden; his gaze grew distant as he recalled an old acquaintance.

"Senpai Kakashi?"

"Um, sorry, please look at this."

Kakashi snapped back, pulled out a slip of paper and handed it to Shisui, who took it and read it aloud.

Unexpectedly, it was written by Orochimaru for him.

The content was simple: he heard Mitarashi Hongdou's voice in the interrogation room, it was too noisy, and he hoped the Police Department could take her away.

Is this a disciple caring for him?

Shisui suddenly realized his assessment of Orochimaru had been too one‑sided; he couldn't even claim to understand him.

But Shisui didn't reply immediately; instead he asked gently, "Does the Third Hokage know about this?"

"Someone was just sent to report it. The Third Hokage said to leave it to you to handle."

Although Shisui still called him senpai, their positions were no longer comparable; Kakashi's cold voice carried formal respect.

"I see, I understand now."

Shisui, knowing Kakashi's nature, said little more and ordered, "Take the person away."

Hui, standing nearby, also read the letter, nodded, and headed toward Mitarashi Hongdou, saying calmly, "You caused a public disturbance; come with us to the Police Department."

"Huh?"

Mitarashi Hongdou froze, lifted her head, looking incredulous at Hui, then threw a punch at him under Hui's shocked gaze.

Hui instinctively sidestepped, and Hongdou flashed a triumphant smile, darted past him, and rushed toward the Hokage Building entrance.

"Hongdou, stop!"

"Um, this is a mess now; the old man will scold me again."

Caught off guard, everyone let Hongdou break through; Kakashi slightly bent his body, about to intervene, but saw the other stop abruptly as they neared the two.

"What!" Kakashi's pupils contracted as he turned his head, surprised.

Shisui, having just concealed his Copy Wheel Eye, whispered, "Sorry, please come with us for a moment."

"This guy really dares to resist!"

Hui also reacted, rushed forward and shackled him, feeling speechless.

Having been at the Police Department for nearly half a year, he was often irritated, but aside from spies he had never seen anyone dare refuse arrest in front of the department, so he never imagined the other would resist.

One can only say, truly worthy of being Orochimaru's disciple, "Hongdou."

Xiri Hong and the other stepped forward, looking somewhat worried; Yuan Fei Asuma scratched his head and said loudly, "Truly the Uchiha's number one prodigy, ahahaha~"

Shisui smiled, chatted briefly with the two, then reassured them that nothing serious would happen and led his group away.

After they left, Xiri Hong watched the group's backs and sighed, "So that's the Uchiha's strongest, Uchiha Shisui?"

He subdued Hongdou in an instant; at such an age to have such terrifying prowess in genjutsu, truly impressive.

Her own specialty is genjutsu, but she admits even she couldn't achieve this at her current level, let alone compare with Shisui at the same age.

Yuan Fei Asuma, hearing this, felt a pang, slipped his hands into his pockets and smirked, "It's just a Copy Wheel Eye~"

After speaking, he realized it was wrong, quickly grinned and said to Kakashi, "No, no, I meant truly worthy of the Copy Wheel Eye."

Kakashi, however, was too lazy to bother them and instantly vanished.

Meanwhile, the group returned to the Police Department, and Hui casually placed Mitarashi Hongdou back into the cell.

Hongdou winced, instantly sobered, and, seeing the unfamiliar surroundings, her consciousness began to shout again.

Hui snorted, didn't indulge her; his Copy Wheel Eye manifested, and after they locked eyes, the other fell back into genjutsu.

Shisui stayed at the Police Department, calmly handling his duties until he left for home in the evening.

The first thing he did upon returning home was to look for Sima Yi; he stood outside the study, habitually knocked, but, unlike before, received no response.

"Grandpa seems to have no class today, right?"

Shisui was puzzled, then pushed the door open and entered; a fresh breeze surged in, and the whoosh of pages being turned reached his ears.

He saw that on Sima Yi's desk were some books that felt very familiar to him; he stepped forward and looked, and the topmost volume was the *Human Anatomy Illustrated Guide* he had studied at the ninja academy, a textbook for the ninja theory class and essentially an introductory dissection course.

"Elder Clan Leader?"

While he was pondering, Jin Huo's voice came from outside; he stuck his head out, looking at Shisui with confusion.

"Where did Grandfather go?"

"Lord Butler and Ying Shu went to buy books; they were probably out for about half an hour, and by now they may already be on their way back."

"Buy books? What books does Grandfather want to buy?" Shisui glanced at the book in his hand, and an uneasy feeling instantly rose in his heart.

Jin Huo shook his head and replied, "I don't know, but it should be something related to human anatomy. He even borrowed Ying Shu's *Human Anatomy Illustrated Guide* today."

Shisui's breath caught, thinking to himself: No way!

(End of chapter)