CHAPTER 7

c7 - What A Delicious Bite of Nuclear Radiation!

Hokage's Office

The towering structure of the Hokage Building stood firm against the backdrop of the Hidden Leaf Village. Inside, a figure draped in crimson and white robes leaned back in his chair, a pipe resting between his fingers.

Sandaime Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had just finished reviewing the latest mission reports. His weary eyes, burdened with the weight of leadership, scanned the dimly lit room before he took a slow drag of his pipe.

"The Academy's competition should be concluding soon… Has there been any word from Shibi?"

At his signal, an Anbu clad in a dark cloak materialized before him, kneeling with practiced precision.

"The tournament nears its end, Hokage-sama. Shibi-sama remains on-site to personally assess Mitarashi Anko's performance before finalizing his report."

Hiruzen exhaled, a thin stream of smoke curling into the air. "As expected of Aburame Shibi. His judgment is sharp, his analysis thorough—an elite shinobi in every regard."

A knowing smile tugged at the Hokage's lips. Shibi had once trained alongside Namikaze Minato, though his destiny had not led him down the path of a Kage. Instead, he had honed his skills into a lethal balance of strategy, reconnaissance, and precise assassination techniques.

It was this versatility that had made him invaluable during the ongoing Third Great Ninja War, allowing him to conduct solo operations with ruthless efficiency.

Hiruzen's gaze drifted to the open scrolls scattered across his desk. His fingers absentmindedly tapped the polished wood. "Mitarashi Anko, huh… If Orochimaru has taken her under his wing, then she must possess an innate trait that interests him."

His voice carried a faint trace of concern. The last time Orochimaru had taken on a disciple, it had been Nawaki, Tsunade's younger brother. That tragic loss had left scars, not just on Tsunade but on Orochimaru himself.

After Nawaki's death, Orochimaru had changed—becoming colder, more detached. Even Hiruzen had struggled to understand the darkness that had begun festering in his prized student.

But now, with Anko… did this mean Orochimaru was beginning to reach out once more?

Reaching into his desk, the Hokage retrieved a polished crystal orb. With a practiced weave of chakra, the surface shimmered, and the Academy training grounds appeared within.

His eyes twinkled with interest.

"Mitarashi Anko's match… oh? That boy, he looks familiar…"

As the image sharpened, Hiruzen let out a small chuckle.

"Ah, Yuuji. The one with an exceptional grasp of political theory. A true scholar of the Will of Fire!"

The old Kage stroked his beard. Unlike most children who focused on physical prowess, Yuuji had a talent for navigating Konoha's ideological framework. His written exams had been flawless, his essays filled with sharp insights.

"If only more children had his mindset… Konoha's future would be secure."

Yet, he frowned. But wasn't his practical combat ability… lacking?

Hiruzen inhaled deeply from his pipe as his gaze fixed upon the unfolding battle.

A flicker of surprise crossed his face as he watched Anko recoil, clutching her throat in horror.

"Oh? Now this… this is unexpected."

---

Academy Training Grounds

The air buzzed with hushed murmurs as Anko staggered backward, her body trembling.

"Y-You… You actually poisoned your blood?!"

Her shriek sent a ripple of confusion through the audience.

Anko had spent years imitating Orochimaru, obsessed with earning his approval. She had mastered his mannerisms, his speech, even the way he flicked his tongue when amused.

But what had just happened…?

She had planned to humiliate Yuuji by showcasing her dominance. Cutting him had been an afterthought—just a dramatic flourish. The real spectacle had been her drinking his blood, a declaration of superiority in front of the entire school.

Instead…

Instead, she had just taken a mouthful of something wrong.

It burned. Not like a fire jutsu—not like anything normal.

Her entire mouth felt like it was disintegrating from the inside out. Cells necrotized upon contact, her tongue and throat screaming in agony. It was a heat unlike anything she had experienced, something that felt alive, corrosive—utterly alien.

She gagged violently, spitting the crimson liquid onto the ground.

The audience fell into stunned silence.

One of the proctors finally managed to stammer, "W-Wait… is this real? He actually poisoned his own bloodstream?"

Even the masked Anbu observing from the shadows hesitated.

"Who in their right mind does something like that?"

Anko clutched her throat, her wide, disbelieving eyes fixed on Yuuji.

"You—You predicted I would drink your blood?!"

Yuuji exhaled, shaking his head. "Anko, if you wanted me to surrender, you could have just asked. This was unnecessary."

He reached up, fingers brushing against the loose bandages on his face. With a sigh, he tugged them away.

For the first time, the entire class saw Yuuji's full face.

Gasps filled the air.

"K-Kami-sama… he's… actually good-looking?"

The temperature of the training grounds seemed to rise a few degrees.

"Kubo, I told you he was hiding something!"

"Wait—then why does he keep himself wrapped up like that?!"

"Maybe… to avoid dazzling us with his beauty?"

A wave of giggles and admiring whispers swept through the younger kunoichi.

Yuuji ignored the murmurs. He had no use for superficial praise.

With measured steps, he approached Anko.

Her eyes widened. "Tch! Don't underestimate me!"

Summoning her remaining strength, she lunged—Kunai flashing. She twisted into a sharp leg strike, targeting his ribs.

But—

Swish!

Yuuji barely moved. His hand shot out, fingers clamping around her ankle like a vice. With a single, brutal motion, he reversed her momentum and slammed her down onto the cracked training floor.

Boom!

The impact sent a shockwave through the arena.

A stunned silence followed.

Yuuji leaned down, his voice eerily calm.

"Be still. The match no longer matters—your survival does."

Anko struggled, glaring up at him—but her body refused to obey. The internal damage had already spread too far.

A flicker of something strange passed through Yuuji's gaze.

"Twenty seconds…" he murmured. "You're still alive. That means there's time."

With his free hand, he formed a precise hand seal.

"Nuclear Release – The Art of Suction."

A ghostly shimmer pulsed from his fingertips, barely visible to the untrained eye.

Beneath him, Anko's body twitched violently.

Kazue, watching from the crowd, felt her breath hitch.

That technique… Yuuji, you actually…

---

Hokage's Office

Hiruzen's hand tightened around his pipe.

"Nuclear Release…?"

The old Kage narrowed his eyes, his fingers tapping against the crystal ball.

Just what are you hiding, Yuuji…?