Haruto's POV

After days of orientation from the world council of peace, we're finally here, Orochimaru's lab... And now for another orientation. I don't see anything creepy as to how everything looks like.

Six huge buildings surrounding us. From the outside they look modern and sophisticated. I can't help but admire the ingenuity of the architect. I always love building structures using my wood-style jutsu. 

I saw about 200 other kids from 5-15 years old lined up facing the stage. We are all orphans and was supposed to be adopted by Mr. Kiyotaka. Or should I say bought by him.

Before we came here, the council sent to us different orphanages and made up our records. I saw how he paid the orphanage so much amount to adopt all kids to his liking.  It seems like he was shopping for kids. I just don't understand why.

Looking at the kids, they're enamored by how beautiful the place is. I could say Mr. Kiyotaka who owns them, must be very rich. 

I am amazed as I saw him talk in front of us behind the podium. I stood in front of the line near the stage and I can't help but look up to him in awe. He talks like a very inspiring speaker. I don't see any reason to suspect him as the bad guy. He said he adopted us all to educate us and take care of us. Then he promised he will never leave us like how our real parents abandoned us.

I looked around and saw Ume and Taiyo on different rows away from me. But I haven't seen the rest. It's difficult to see with the number of kids around. We all have our own assignment and  my task is to spy on Mr. Kiyotaka.

I got to find a way for him to notice me, and be closer to him. The closer I get, the more information I can gather about him.

I was told he always love the powerful, the talented and the outstanding.

I was never outstanding ever since.  I am doubting my capacity to make him notice me when we're about 200. Deindre told me she'll find a way for me, but how? Can I trust her? 

While my thoughts flew, I smelled Deindre's bomb about to  explode near the podium. I can't be wrong, she made this herself, I know the scent of it. 

My instincts just acted fast as I created a wood coffin covering Mr. Kiyotaka and saving him from the explosion.

The kids were on pandemonium, running and hiding, confused from the series of bombs exploding everywhere like fireworks.  

After few minutes of Deindre's bomb display, everyone was quiet. I didn't see anyone died, although some were wounded.

Mr. Kiyotaka was grateful to me and I can see how Deindre gave me a way to get notice. I was called to his office.

(A/N this is Kemono Kiyotaka)

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Timeskip

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Kemono: I'd like to thank you for saving me earlier. I am Kemono Kiyotaka. I owe you my life.  What is your name?

Haruto:  You're welcome sir. I am Haruto Senju.

The council choose that name for me so I could attract attention.

Kemono: Senju? How are you related to the Senju's of the Konoha? Most of the Hokages there are from that clan.

Haruto: I am just an orphan sir from a nobody family. I heard of the Senju and I admire the clan. To be honest, I just made up my family name to get attention. It's not even on legal papers.

Kemono: But your woodstyle jutsu, that's also from the Senju clan. 

Haruto: I just learned it from the ones who adopted me before they died. 

Kemono: I read from your record here that you were adopted as a baby and your adoptive parents also died that's why you were back at the orphanage.

Haruto: Yes sir. By the way, How did you know about the jutsu sir?

Kemono: My wife, she is a Senju. You just reminded me of her. She also save my life once, that's how we met.

Haruto: You must have loved her since then.

Kemono: Hahahaha... Young boys are always passionate about love. Ok, let's say I did. But she left me and my son already.

Haruto: I am sorry to hear that. But why would she leave you when you're so rich? uhm... well that was a stupid question. Sorry for asking sir.

Kemono: Hahaha... It's ok.  You know what, I like you already. So I will answer your question. My wife, she can't forgive herself losing our second son while giving birth. 

Haruto: It must be hard for her knowing her child died.

Kemono: It's painful to bury a dead newborn baby. But she kept insisting he's not dead. That he was kidnapped by some beast. So she left me to find him.

Haruto: What if she was right in the end.  

Kemono: I saw my son's dead body. I even had  my wife's claims investigated but there's no evidence that she was right. All I can think of is her, making up that story because she can't accept the truth or she went with another man.

Haruto: So have you accepted you lost both a wife and a son?

Kemono: I moved on. I killed my  emotions and I did the same to our eldest son. No feelings is easier for us to survive being abandoned. And since all the kids here including you are abandoned too, I will teach all of you to erase those feelings which gets in the way of you getting stronger.

I don't know why, but I just felt a sudden rush of compassion on him. How can anyone have no feelings?

Using my jutsu, I grew a soothing garden landscape inside his office. This is the first time I have been openly executing my hidden jutsu. I couldn't even show it to my parents fearing they might think I am not an Uchiha. I don't like displaying who I am. But today I just felt like I was comfortable being myself.

He appreciated what I did. As  I saw his eyes were misty. 

Kemono: Thanks a lot Haruto. I haven't seen such beautiful garden for so long. Only my wife does these things to me.  You just reminded me of her for the second time in a few minutes that we have known each other. 

Haruto: I didn't mean to open up your wounds sir. I just meant to comfort you.

Kemono:  That was comforting. Can I call you son then?

This is it. I have succeeded my first  step.

He has opened a door of opportunity for me. I  felt happy but guilty. I can't help it. But I have to subdue these feelings for my duty. 

Haruto: Uhm.. I - I don't know if that's ok with your eldest son.

Before he could reply, his son stormed inside his office angrily as he punched his table. He was shouting without noticing me and I just realized he is not just familiar, I knew him. Ibuki Kuroshi...

But isn't he Kuroshi not Kiyotaka? 

I turned my back pretending to look at the shelves full of book collections while listening to them arguing. I can't risk to blow my cover. He knows I am Itachi's son. I almost wanted to react when I heard what he was angry about.

Ibuki: Why didn't you tell me you had Sarada in that white room?

Kemono: Sarada said she wants to keep it secret from you. How did you know? Who told you that?

Ibuki: Gaburieru told me. And that you poisoned Sarada at level one.

Kemono: You mean Gaburieru Tesuki? Your girlfriend who's never promoted from level 4? hahaha.. that's amusing son..

(A/N this is Gaburieru pronounced without "U" translated in English as Gabrielle)

Ibuki: Shit. Don't make fun of her dad. I want Sarada out now. 

Kemono: No you can't. I didn't force her. She came on her own. She signed a waiver and even told me not to listen to you if time comes that you happen to discover she's there.

Ibuki: She doesn't understand what she was entering in to.

Kemono: But she does son. She is great with survival. So far she is always outstanding. She is an Uchiha after all. If I could I would love to have all the Uchihas under my experiment. They're fun to toy with.

Shit he just toyed with Sarada. What is that white room? What are they doing with Sarada?

I looked at Ibuki from his reflection at the mirror. He was totally fired up.

Why does he care so much about Sarada?

Ibuki: Gaburieru said Orochimaru  administered the zero survival rate poison to Sarada. What if she dies?

Kemono: Relax son. She won't. She is special. I believe she can even be a greater weapon than you.

Weapon? They're making a human weapon. And Sarada is here? Making herself a weapon. Damn, Sarada is still on to murdering my dad. 

I tried to leave discretely at his office thinking I should search for Sarada while they're still busy arguing. But Mr. Kiyotaka called me before I could open the door.

Kemono: Come here son. Ibuki I'd like you to meet your new brother from now on. 

Ibuki: What? 

I couldn't move from where I stood. I couldn't make myself face Ibuki. I just paused facing the door. In my mind I was battling whether I should show myself to him or run away. I am sweating profusely and my mind was calculating the pros and cons of the alternative actions I'd do.

Kemono: You're too absorbed getting angry with me. But look around you, did you remember only your mom makes this office like a garden? Look your new brother did this. You always love a garden.

Ibuki: I don't care about that trash. I don't care even if you adopted all the kids here. 

I am glad, he doesn't care to know me at all. So I decided to leave not showing him my face. 

Haruto: I got to go sir.

When I was about to open the door. It opened from the other side and Shana Katumi my classmate stood in front of me.

Shana: What are you doing here, Haruto Uchiha? 

I tried to escape but Ibuki was fast and he caught me no sweat. He restrained me on the wall so I decided to talk things out than escape.

Ibuki: What are you doing here, son of Itachi Uchiha?

I looked at Mr. Kiyotaka expecting he'd be upset to know I lied. But he wasn't. He smiled and was amused as he freed me from Ibuki's grasp.

Kemono: What do you mean, Ibuki? Did I just got another Uchiha?

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Author's Note

Thanks to the supporters of this book. I am so grateful to you  all.

Thanks a lot to the creator of Gaburieru, Shana and Ibuki.  My lil brother  ibuki_kuroshi