After transferring control of Konoha's "body strengthening surgery" to Tsunade, Orochimaru quietly deployed a clone to Sunagakure.
It was a way to earn extra income—and more importantly, to maintain direct ties with the Sand Village. When the time came, it would make dealing with them that much easier.
Like now.
"So, are the sand shinobi unhappy with the results of my procedure?" Orochimaru asked, the corners of his mouth curled with amusement. "That would surprise me. In Konoha, this operation keeps me busy year-round."
Kazekage Rasa and Elder Chiyo both shifted uncomfortably at his words.
An opportunity to boost the strength of their village was right in front of them, but due to financial constraints, they could only watch it slip away. It was humiliating. And Orochimaru knew it—he was clearly mocking them by bringing it up so openly.
"Enough games, Orochimaru," Chiyo said sharply, frowning. "You know our village's finances better than most. So why the unnecessary provocation?"
Orochimaru didn't answer her. Instead, Rasa spoke up first.
"Elder Chiyo, let it be. I believe Lord Orochimaru has come here with another purpose. If there's something you want to propose," Rasa looked directly at him, "speak plainly."
Orochimaru smiled. "You're sharp as ever, Kazekage. I do have a proposal. I need Sunagakure's cooperation. If you agree, I'll grant a 10% discount on all future surgeries for your shinobi."
"A ten percent discount?" Chiyo asked, surprised.
It might not sound like much on the surface, but on the scale of a village-wide initiative, the financial implications were enormous—even Chiyo couldn't help but consider it.
Rasa's eyes gleamed briefly. It was an attractive offer—but as Kazekage, he knew better than to accept it outright.
"State your conditions."
It had only been a week since the Akatsuki's attack on Konoha. As someone who had witnessed that war firsthand, Rasa knew the terrifying power of its leader, Pain. Trusting someone like Orochimaru—even now—was not a decision to take lightly.
"This has nothing to do with Konoha," Orochimaru said, casually pulling up a chair and sitting down. "It's a personal request. No combat involved—just a little theater."
Rasa and Chiyo sat across from him, silently waiting.
"I'm planning to make a deal with Queen of Roran for the dragon veins," Orochimaru explained. "But her people aren't cooperating. I can't just slaughter them all. That's where you come in. I need you to help put on a show."
The expressions on both of their faces shifted.
The dragon veins were an immensely powerful resource—albeit currently useless to them. Still, to let someone else claim them, especially someone like Orochimaru, was a bitter pill to swallow.
"The value of the dragon veins is immeasurable," Rasa said seriously. "And you're asking us to help you in exchange for a small discount? That's not a fair trade."
"You misunderstand," Orochimaru replied with a sly smile. "The dragon veins don't belong to Sunagakure."
Rasa blinked.
Technically, Orochimaru was right. Roran, though located within the Wind Country's desert, was never under direct control of the Hidden Sand. It had no formal ties to the daimyo or the village. Their yearly payments were less like taxes and more like protection money.
Sunagakure could posture all it wanted, but that line of reasoning wouldn't work on someone like Orochimaru, whose power rivaled that of a small nation.
"I've already finalized my deal with Queen of Roran," Orochimaru lied smoothly. "Sunagakure is not a party to the transaction—you're merely contractors. The surgical discount is more than fair compensation."
Rasa frowned. He couldn't refute it. The harsh truth was that Sunagakure didn't have the power to force Orochimaru to recognize their claim. If their positions were reversed, he wouldn't be having this conversation—he'd be issuing demands.
"This is unacceptable," Chiyo said coldly. "This is a humiliation to Sunagakure."
Her outrage was genuine. She could tolerate compromise, but not outright subjugation. To accept Orochimaru's deal without protest would be to bow their heads in front of the entire shinobi world.
Chiyo had lived her whole life in the desert. She knew what held the village together. Pride was not a luxury—it was survival.
But Orochimaru had anticipated this.
"I think you're misunderstanding," he said, ignoring Chiyo and locking eyes with Rasa. "Have you considered what will happen to the people of Roran after they lose the protection of the dragon veins?"
Both Rasa and Chiyo went silent.
Without the dragon veins, the people of Roran wouldn't last long. Natural disasters, raiders, and the harsh desert would consume them. Even the Sand Village might be tempted to take their wealth by force.
"I didn't promise Queen of Roran any protection after the deal," Orochimaru said with a sly smile. "But you can."
He let that thought sink in.
"A large population, plenty of funds… surely you see what that means for your village."
Chiyo and Rasa exchanged a look. Their eyes lit up.
The dragon veins were a lost cause, but gaining Roran's population and their wealth? That was something else entirely.
This wasn't a simple favor anymore. It was a three-way deal—Orochimaru got the dragon veins; Sunagakure got money and people; and Roran… got to survive.
"You said you wouldn't offer Roran too much protection," Chiyo said cautiously. "What exactly does that mean?"
"Simple," Orochimaru replied, showing his teeth. "I won't let you go too far. That's all. This deal involves three parties—Queen of Roran still has a seat at the table."
He had no plans to abandon her outright. She was still necessary to stabilize the natural energy within the dragon veins. Besides, if all he wanted was destruction, he could've buried the entire city in a sandstorm.
Chiyo frowned. She hadn't expected Orochimaru to protect Roran's interests this far. If Roran merged with Sunagakure, having Orochimaru as a hidden protector would be dangerous—like planting a foreign agent inside their gates.
"You're overthinking it," Orochimaru waved. "I'm not interested in controlling Sunagakure. I just want a smooth integration. As long as nothing extreme happens, I won't interfere."
In truth, he didn't care about Roran's people, but he needed Queen as a cooperative assistant. Pushing too hard would only backfire.
After a long silence, Chiyo and Rasa seemed to reach an unspoken agreement.
"The terms are appealing," Chiyo finally said, much calmer than before. "So what exactly do you need us to do?"
"Like I said," Orochimaru chuckled, pouring himself tea from the Kazekage's pot, "just a little play-acting."
---
After leaving the Kazekage's office, a faint smile played on Orochimaru's lips.
There was another layer to this entire operation.
Although Tsunade now led Konoha's surgical efforts, the procedure itself remained Orochimaru's invention—and it was still a money-making machine.
By injecting Roran's funds into Sunagakure's economy, he'd kickstart spending again. That circulating wealth would find its way back to him through the procedure fees. It was a perfect loop.
In short, he had only loaned the money. He'd get it all back soon enough.
He wasn't worried about strengthening Sunagakure in the process. He wouldn't give them the chance to turn on him—and if used correctly, they could even become useful pawns.
"All that's left," Orochimaru whispered, licking his lips, "is to meet the Queen tomorrow. She still doesn't know what's coming."
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