Were they trying to obtain the Uzumaki Clan's sealing techniques from the very beginning?
Did the plan to destroy Uzushiogakure only arise because Grandma Mito had sealed the Nine-Tails inside herself alone?
Perhaps the other villages feared their own tailed beasts might be stolen and sealed away by the Uzumaki Clan, so they chose to strike first?
And then, after Senju Hashirama dispersed all the tailed beasts except the Ichibi, Uzushiogakure was left vulnerable. Once the village was destroyed, conflicts between the great nations only escalated. Could this mean the villages planned to use their tailed beasts against Konoha, removing the hidden danger that might have sealed those beasts in advance?
If that was true, then the blame for the downfall of Uzushiogakure lay squarely on that idiot Senju Hashirama!
Miya's mind spun with frustration. The more she thought about it, the more she felt Uchiha Madara had been right all along. Why hadn't she struck Hashirama harder back then, drained every last drop of water from that man's brain?
Otherwise, he wouldn't have committed such absurd blunders!
Could it be that Hashirama's overwhelming strength had come at the cost of his intelligence?
Miya's thoughts grew darker. A terrifying possibility surfaced in her mind as she recalled the infamous vitality of Hashirama's cells.
"I see…!"
The realization struck her like lightning. Senju Hashirama had already been consumed by his own cells. No wonder his brain seemed so hopelessly broken!
---
Meanwhile, Orochimaru's Shadow Clone had transformed into Miya's appearance and infiltrated Uzushiogakure. His goal was to establish the foundation for a White Snake Pharmaceutical shop within the village—an excuse to remain close, and more importantly, to save as many people as possible when the Allied Shinobi Forces inevitably invaded.
Of course, if he could take more than just a few survivors—if he could swallow everything—the snake's appetite would never be satisfied.
---
Inside an old and refined chamber, faint incense smoke curled upward. A woman with long red hair, elegant and poised, regarded Miya with curious eyes. She looked nothing like a shinobi, yet her presence was commanding.
"Chief Chigusa, I apologize for arriving so suddenly and for any inconvenience I may have caused. Please forgive me."
Miya shifted uncomfortably under Uzumaki Chigusa's gaze.
"Mr. Miya, do you have business in Uzushiogakure," Chigusa asked, her crimson eyes narrowing, "or are you merely visiting?"
From the moment she met him, she had felt something off. His presence was strangely familiar, and even his name stirred old memories, though she could not place them.
"Actually, I am both a writer and an unofficial employee of White Snake Pharmaceutical Technology Company in the Land of Waves."
Miya pressed a hand against his chest and smiled warmly.
"...Miya…"
Uzumaki Chigusa suddenly remembered. Her eyes widened. "You—you're him! That banned author! Don't you think some of the things written in your books are far too exaggerated?"
Bang!
She slammed her palm against the table and rose to her feet, pointing a sharp finger at Miya. Her voice carried righteous fury.
"Most of the outrageous plots in your adult novels are impossible! Do you expect anyone to believe such things could happen in real life?!"
Miya's eyes twitched.
Wait. The chief of the Uzumaki Clan herself… reads my adult novels?
How in the Sage of Six Paths' name could such a ridiculous thing be true?!
"After all, how could a woman be made to obey in such ways?!" Chigusa snapped, cheeks tinged red with both indignation and embarrassment. "It's nonsense! Literature should have some grounding in reality!"
"Uh… Chief Chigusa…" Miya stammered, his practiced smile trembling before he finally steadied himself. "As a literary creator, my task is to explore people's fantasies. If reality denies them, then literature must provide. That is the very charm of storytelling—giving shape to impossible dreams."
After all, who would buy his books if he didn't sprinkle in nonsense, exaggeration, and a touch of obscenity?
Back then, before "Dora Danzo: A Dream" was even published, he had been broke! Most days, he had to cook for Tsunade and that hopeless idiot Jiraiya. Survival demanded desperate measures.
What's wrong with being a writer? Writers need to eat too!
Yes, he wrote adult novels. Yes, they were banned. What of it?
"Are you… thinking something indecent?"
Uzumaki Chigusa's voice cut through his thoughts like a blade. Her sharp gaze narrowed even further.
Miya straightened immediately. "No, of course not. I'm merely surprised that a beautiful woman such as Chief Chigusa would read my works. I assumed only oppressed men sought them out."
The "oppressed men" he mentioned, of course, referred specifically to Hiruzen Sarutobi—secretly devouring forbidden books within the Hokage's office.
Chigusa's lips twitched. "Women, too, may be curious about such books." She coughed lightly, hiding her amusement at his clumsy compliment.
Then her expression sharpened again. "By the way, you mentioned White Snake Pharmaceutical. Are you truly their employee?"
"Indeed. I've come to survey Uzushiogakure, to see if it is suitable for a storefront. If all goes well, representatives from the Land of Waves will arrive to establish operations here."
He carefully calculated his remaining chakra. It would last long enough to complete the research. Once finished, he could leave Whirlpool Country and dismiss the Shadow Clone, transferring all observations back to his true body.
"Of course," Miya added smoothly, "a store here would generate income for the village as well."
Chigusa's eyes softened. "White Snake Pharmaceutical… Do you mean the White Snake brand of skincare products?"
She had heard much about them, products beloved across the Five Nations. She had even gone so far as to acquire a set from a Konoha specialty shop.
The thought of having direct access to such luxuries made her receptive. Still, the Miya before her carried an air of mystery she could not shake.
Could it be…?
Her suspicion deepened.
Miya, however, remained unfazed. As long as he achieved his goal, it did not matter if she doubted his identity. He only needed to appear once.
The sun had begun to set, its orange glow spilling across the room.
"Chief Chigusa, thank you for your time today. Uzushiogakure meets every requirement I hoped for. I will recommend the establishment of a shop here."
Miya smiled politely.
Chigusa leaned closer, her breath tickling his ear. "Then next time, bring me your newest work. I want the original version."
Her crimson eyes sparkled with amusement as she whispered:
"Mr. Miya, this isn't your true appearance, is it? You've used a Transformation Jutsu, haven't you?"
Miya's smile stiffened. His eyes betrayed a flicker of surprise. Even Hiruzen himself often failed to detect his disguises. How had Chigusa seen through him?
Kagura Shingan…? He considered the possibility of the Uzumaki clan's sensory prowess.
"I only guessed," Chigusa said softly. "But your chakra… it carries a beauty, calmness, and depth that cannot be hidden."
Miya's smile returned, though inwardly he resolved to keep his distance from her. Recognition would be dangerous. His career as a "banned novelist" was one secret he did not intend to share.
"Perhaps, if fate allows, you'll recognize me again," he said lightly.
And with that, the Shadow Clone released itself in a puff of smoke.
Just before vanishing, it used the Flying Thunder God Technique to transmit a small notebook—containing all observations of Uzushiogakure—back to Orochimaru's true body.
"...A Shadow Clone?"
Chigusa blinked in mild surprise before chuckling softly. She sensed no malice. Whoever Miya truly was, his chakra spoke honestly.
For the same person, she mused, a change in mentality always shifted the feeling of their chakra.
---
Author's Note
I researched Uzushiogakure thoroughly, though official materials provide only fragments. Its value as reference is small, but sufficient for creative liberties.
In this story, the village is fated for destruction before the Second Shinobi World War. The official timeline doesn't matter—I intend to reshape it.
And yes… I fully expect to be stabbed in the back later.
---
Chapter 66: Impatience
Orochimaru walked at the head of a merchant convoy through a dense forest. Memories from the Shadow Clone's mission flickered in his mind, causing him to pause mid-step.
Like Karin in the original history, the Uzumaki Clan's sensory abilities were formidable. If Uzumaki Chigusa ever connected Miya's disguise to Orochimaru himself, it would be disastrous.
He could not allow her to realize the truth. If she reported to Mito, and word reached Hiruzen Sarutobi… it would be the ultimate social death.
"Orochimaru, isn't it time to eat?"
Tsunade strolled up beside him, eyes gleaming with expectation.
"I'm getting hungry!" Jiraiya chimed in enthusiastically.
Orochimaru glanced at the darkening sky and sighed. The two of them looked so eager it felt like they were children begging for a campfire meal.
"Very well. We'll stop soon."
But suddenly he crouched, pressing a palm to the earth. His golden eyes narrowed.
"…Sixteen? No. Fifteen."
He rose smoothly and raised his hand, signaling the convoy.
"Stop!"
The captain—a shinobi from the Iburi Clan—hurried over, struggling to mask the nervous respect he felt toward Orochimaru.
"Did you sense something?"
"There are fifteen approaching," Orochimaru replied flatly. "They may be rogue ninja or bandits. Mr. Tsuna, take your men and conceal the convoy. Their target is the goods. If so, they won't risk harming you. They'll try to lure us, the escorts, away instead."
Tsuna nodded sharply and began directing the convoy to safety.
"Let's get ready," Jiraiya grinned, confidence unshaken. He had never doubted their team. Tsunade's fists, Orochimaru's flawless precision, and his own strength—they were unmatched together.
"Do we have time to set a trap?" Tsunade asked, her gaze already scanning the terrain.
"Plenty," Orochimaru replied, voice calm as ever.
---
patreon (Obito_uchiha)