Konoha’s Black Plague

Invasion

"After Gu Bin drank the potion, he became strong enough to shatter a boulder with a single punch."

"A month ago? A research base? And a potion with side effects… It all points to Orochimaru."

Bai Ye furrowed his brow, recalling his recent encounter with Orochimaru. Qin Qin's words aligned too closely with the Snake Sannin's usual experiments—twisted science, enhancement drugs, and an utter disregard for human life.

"What's wrong? Did I say something unclear?"

Qin Qin looked at him, unsure why he had gone quiet.

"It's fine. Keep going," Bai Ye replied, his tone thoughtful but composed.

"There's not much else. The people left in the base now are all close to Brother Gu Chen. They're hostile to Konoha and talk about retaliating," Qin Qin added softly.

"But you don't seem to hate us." Yue, who was gently holding Qin Qin's hand, tilted her head curiously. She had sensed the difference in attitude between the girl and the boy they'd encountered.

"I-I just like it… because I like it…"

Qin Qin's voice faded to a whisper, barely audible.

Yue seemed to understand, her lips curling into a subtle smile. She didn't press further.

"Um… Can I ask you for a favor?" Qin Qin looked up, hesitant and clearly afraid of rejection.

"Tell me what it is. As long as it's not unreasonable, I'll consider it," Bai Ye responded calmly.

For the first time, Qin Qin looked relieved. "Can you… try not to hurt the people inside? They're good people, really."

"Don't worry. We're not here to fight. Our mission is to retrieve someone. Even if your people don't exactly have noble intentions, we're not going to target them unless necessary. But," Bai Ye paused, his tone turning sharp, "we are taking whatever is stored in that facility."

He had already made his judgment. The three of them had no reason to harm misguided kids. Especially not when the side effects of the potion could be fatal. From what Gu Chen had demonstrated, the strength boost was unnatural—and likely unsustainable. Continued use could kill him.

"Tell me what it felt like after you took the potion. I need to assess its effects."

As he spoke, Bai Ye searched the unconscious boy and pocketed two small vials of the drug into his pack.

Qin Qin hesitated, then explained, "At first, my blood felt like it was boiling. I felt stronger than ever. But it didn't last. After a while, I lost all strength, like my muscles were melting."

"Did the strength come back later?"

"Yes. After resting, I did feel stronger. But I didn't dare drink more… I only took one."

She pulled out a small glass vial and handed it to him.

"Stay here for now. We'll retrieve the target and escort you back to Sheyu Village," Bai Ye said, patting her head gently before heading off with Yue and Yuyan.

"I hope you succeed… If Gu Bin keeps taking the potion, something bad will happen."

Qin Qin murmured this to herself as she watched them disappear into the distance, worry etched into her face.

---

Outside the base, the vines guarding the entrance had already been burned to ash. Yuyan took the potion Bai Ye handed her and frowned.

"Why give this to me and Yue? Why not just leave it?"

"It's a failsafe," Bai Ye replied. "This stuff enhances physical strength or chakra output. Better to use it in an emergency than die with regrets. Side effects be damned."

"But isn't Mr. Hizashi nearby? If we're in danger, he'll intervene."

Yue voiced the concern first.

"You can't rely on him forever," Bai Ye said, his tone serious. "There will come a time we're truly on our own. When that happens, you'll have to make your own decisions—even the risky ones. Survival comes first."

Yue and Yuyan fell silent at that. Bai Ye sighed. They were skilled, but still too green—strong without the wisdom to wield it.

Without another word, Bai Ye entered the base first, walking silently upside-down along the ceiling by focusing chakra to the soles of his feet. Yue and Yuyan followed, mimicking the maneuver with practiced ease.

"Why are we doing it this way?" Yuyan asked in a whisper.

"The people inside are enhanced civilians, not trained shinobi. They won't sense us coming this way. If we subdue them before they notice, we'll avoid chaos."

Just then, Bai Ye let himself drop silently behind a patrolling boy. With a swift chop to the neck, the boy collapsed unconscious.

"Bakudō #4: Hainawa," he whispered, binding the boy with a glowing yellow rope of kidō to keep him from making noise when he woke. He then stuffed the unconscious target into a crate nearby.

"This is why I chose the ceiling. If I had gone in on the ground, I'd have to sprint at full speed to avoid detection. That's chakra-draining and risky."

Back on the ceiling, Bai Ye explained everything step by step. Without Hizashi watching over them now, it was his duty to teach.

"I understand. We'll split up. Two targets each. Meet in the central chamber." Yuyan nodded.

"Do you have any traps or binding tools?"

"What do you take us for? Of course we came prepared," Yuyan scoffed, heading off.

"Why are pre-mission briefings never the same as real combat?" Yue sighed dramatically before vanishing into the darkness.

---

After dispatching their targets, the three regrouped in front of a stone wall.

The corridor was eerily pristine—no markings, no traps, no signs of recent use.

"Yuyan, any sign of a mechanism?"

"You're the one who's supposed to know everything," she huffed, but then stepped back and squatted down. With practiced precision, she pressed a small brick that had slightly protruded under her foot.

The stone wall rumbled and rotated, revealing a narrow entrance.

Bai Ye stared. She'd found the mechanism by accident? Or intuition? Either way, he had nothing to say.

Behind the door was a spiral staircase descending deep into the earth. At the bottom, Gu Bin and four others awaited them.

Knowing they had lost the element of surprise the moment the door opened, Bai Ye didn't bother moving quietly anymore.

A frontal assault was the only option now.