Hearing Orochimaru comparing him to the likes of the First Hokage and Uchiha Madara, Tatsuya couldn't help but shake his head with a slight, wry smile. "Lord Orochimaru, you think far too highly of me. Compared to those two legends, I'm still lacking."
This wasn't entirely false modesty. While the power of his Sage Art: Heaven and Earth Giant, fueled by the Dragon Vein's energy, was immense, whether it could truly contend with Madara's Perfect Susanoo or Hashirama's legendary True Several Thousand Hands technique remained uncertain. Both of those men were monsters of stamina and chakra, possessing power on a scale that defied conventional understanding. Without having actually fought them at their peak, Tatsuya couldn't definitively say how he measured up. Give him another decade or so to further refine his abilities and deepen his understanding, Tatsuya felt confident he could contend with them. But right now? He acknowledged he was still lacking. Furthermore, he knew that beyond the level of Hashirama and Madara existed the tiers of Six Paths power and Kekkei Mora; it wasn't yet time for him to truly relax or become complacent.
"Heh heh," Orochimaru chuckled knowingly, his golden eyes glinting with amusement. "Compared to them, Tatsuya-kun, you are not lacking!"
Tatsuya's eyes shifted slightly at the certainty in Orochimaru's tone. It seems he's already witnessed some of the First Hokage's true power first-hand, Tatsuya surmised, likely through Orochimaru's illicit Edo Tensei experiments. He didn't comment further on the comparison, however, instead changing the subject. "Lord Orochimaru, you didn't invite me all the way out here just to praise me, did you?"
"Tatsuya-kun," Orochimaru replied smoothly, his smile widening slightly, "I wish to make a deal with you."
"A deal?" Tatsuya echoed, looking questioningly at the Sannin.
Orochimaru stated bluntly, "I want to attack Konoha."
Tatsuya's gaze sharpened instantly. "Attack Konoha?" he repeated, his voice dangerously low. "Lord Orochimaru, are you sure you haven't come to the wrong person to discuss such matters?" A faint, chilling killing intent began to emanate from him. He hadn't expected that even after so many significant changes to the world's political landscape and power dynamics, Orochimaru was still plotting to attack his former village. Tatsuya couldn't understand Orochimaru's persistent obsession with Konoha's destruction.
Orochimaru, however, completely ignored the rising killing intent, his serpentine face remaining unnervingly calm. "With your current strength, Tatsuya-kun," he stated simply, "if you don't agree to cooperate, my plan cannot possibly succeed."
Tatsuya frowned, looking directly into Orochimaru's slitted pupils. "Lord Orochimaru, Konoha is the place where I grew up. My family and friends are there. I will not allow anyone to harm the village in the slightest." His tone was firm, leaving no room for negotiation on that point.
Meeting Tatsuya's steady gaze, Orochimaru actually smiled, a dry rasping sound escaping his throat. "Tatsuya-kun, with that assurance from you, I naturally wouldn't attempt such a foolishly broad attack. However," he continued, his voice turning conspiratorial, "my plan only targets certain individuals within the village, not Konoha itself. These individuals are thoroughly corrupt; their continued existence only drags Konoha down, hindering its potential. When the time comes, Tatsuya-kun, I would only need your help in neutralizing the forces of the major clans, keeping them occupied. Once these corrupt elements are… eliminated… by me, you could step in to handle the aftermath. Then, as the undisputed strongest shinobi in the world, wouldn't ascending to the position of Hokage be the ideal outcome for Konoha… and for you?"
Tatsuya fell silent, pondering Orochimaru's words and his true motives. Is it really just about venting his spleen? Tatsuya recalled analyzing Orochimaru's motivations back in his previous life. During the original Konoha Crush, Orochimaru had spoken to the dying Third Hokage about wanting to bring revolution and change to the village. Later, during their final battle, he had even questioned why Hiruzen didn't dodge the fatal blow, suggesting his goal wasn't purely matricidal. Perhaps Orochimaru's real aim had always been to oust Hiruzen, whom he saw as stagnant, and then radically reform Konoha according to his own ruthless, pragmatic ideals. Simultaneously, of course, it would allow him to vent his long-held resentment over the Third not supporting his bid for Hokage years ago. Although Orochimaru was Hiruzen's student, a fundamental conflict in political ideology – Orochimaru's radicalism versus Hiruzen's conservatism – had always existed between them. His persistent desire to attack Konoha now likely stemmed from these same complex, underlying motivations.
After pondering for a moment, Tatsuya spoke. "Lord Orochimaru, perhaps your 'Konoha Attack Plan' would be more accurately termed the 'Konoha Reform Plan'? But let me ask you this: if you truly did eliminate everyone you targeted, would you even return to Konoha afterwards?"
Orochimaru's pupils constricted slightly at Tatsuya's perceptive question. After a brief silence, he replied softly, "Tatsuya-kun, I am a missing-nin of Konoha. There is no going back for me."
Tatsuya smiled slightly at this predictable, yet perhaps not entirely truthful, assertion. "Lord Orochimaru, your conclusions are perhaps too absolute. Maybe, someday, that return could happen."
"Then you agree to my proposal?" Orochimaru asked, hope flickering in his eyes.
Tatsuya shook his head firmly. "No, Lord Orochimaru. Your plan is too radical, too dangerous. The existence of some individuals you deem 'corrupt' might indeed be a blight on Konoha, but their presence isn't necessarily an entirely bad thing from a broader strategic perspective." He elaborated, "The future of the shinobi world promises to be very… lively, very chaotic. As the saying goes, 'the nail that sticks out gets hammered down.' A Konoha that is too internally unified, too sharply progressive and powerful under a single, strong leader, would paradoxically become a much more attractive target for other ambitious powers or coalitions. Rather than taking the risks your plan entails, it might be wiser for Konoha to maintain its current, somewhat fractured, political situation for now. Without sufficient perceived threat emanating from Konoha, or potential benefit to be gained by attacking it, other powers are less likely to proactively provoke the village."
As Tatsuya finished speaking, it was Orochimaru's turn to fall silent, regarding Tatsuya with a complex, unreadable expression. Such ninjutsu talent combined with strategic vision and a pragmatic understanding of political realities… Orochimaru mused silently, a flicker of genuine, if twisted, admiration in his thoughts. Perhaps a person like this is what truly makes a qualified Hokage.
After a long silence, Orochimaru spoke again, his tone shifting. "Since you disagree with this course of action, Tatsuya-kun, then the plan shall be temporarily shelved. Conveniently," he added with a sly smile, "this also gives me more time to accumulate strength." He seemed to visibly relax, the tension easing from his posture.
He turned his head again, gazing across the valley at the imposing Madara statue. "The current shinobi world is indeed quite different from the past," he mused aloud. "Several remarkable individuals and powerful organizations have emerged in recent years. That mysterious Divine Court organization, for instance… possesses a Mangekyo Sharingan user. What are your thoughts on them, Tatsuya-kun?" As Orochimaru mentioned the Mangekyo Sharingan, an unmistakable flicker of intense, covetous heat flashed in his golden eyes.
"The Divine Court?" Tatsuya replied calmly, though a strange expression briefly crossed his face. "I haven't clashed with them directly. It's difficult to comment definitively at this time."
"Is that so?" Orochimaru turned back to look at Tatsuya, his voice flat. Then, a playful, knowing smirk spread across his lips. "Tatsuya-kun… that complete version of your Fujinhoin… you really won't share it with me?"
Tatsuya merely smiled faintly and offered no verbal reply. With his current strength and position, he felt no need to make excuses or play deceptive games with Orochimaru any longer. Give the Fujinhoin technique to a 'mad scientist' like Orochimaru? Who knew what kind of terrifying, unethical things he might create with it. Power, Tatsuya firmly believed, was only truly reliable when kept firmly in one's own hands.
Seeing Tatsuya's silent refusal, Orochimaru's eyes flickered again, but he pressed on, attempting a different angle. "Tatsuya-kun, I can offer you ninjutsu in exchange. I certainly possess techniques hidden away that would greatly interest even someone of your caliber."
Seeing Orochimaru still trying so hard to tempt him, Tatsuya simply reached into his vest, pulled out the official pass the Third Hokage had given him, and casually flashed its insignia. A mocking smile touched his lips.
"Lord Orochimaru," Tatsuya said coolly, "it seems your… subordinate… neglected to inform you. Lord Hokage has already granted me full, unrestricted access to Konoha's entire archives. With this pass," he let the implication hang in the air, "I can freely browse any ninjutsu materials stored within the village vaults, including all of the Second Hokage's famous forbidden jutsu."
The unspoken message was clear: I don't need anything you have.