Orochimaru, Running Away with a Bucket
"Hikari… I believe you were once treated kindly," Orochimaru said softly. "It's just that… you may no longer remember those moments."
Orochimaru gently stroked Uchiha Hikari's long black hair. No matter how carefully he combed it, it always remained slightly frizzy. He had long since given up trying to straighten it. The shape of her hairstyle, unintentionally, had begun to resemble Uchiha Madara's.
"Your Mangekyō Sharingan is the best proof of that."
Only those who witnessed the tragic death of someone they loved most could awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan.
After Hikari awakened her Mangekyō, she had been treated purely as a weapon. It was undeniable that she had lost many of her memories from before that moment.
Someone had altered her memories to control her.
What a vile and disgusting method.
Lord Danzō, Please Don't Ruin Konoha's Advantage
"Lady Orochimaru."
As Orochimaru passed through the underground corridors of Root's base, the masked Root ninjas greeted him respectfully.
Did Danzō summon me for something again? Orochimaru wondered. It couldn't be about Hikari… could it?
His thoughts briefly drifted to the original timeline—to Danzō Shimura's arm filled with Sharingan. After a moment's reflection, Orochimaru dismissed the idea.
The current Danzō was not the same as the one from the original story. He was no longer obsessively fixated on the Uchiha clan.
"Orochimaru, you're here."
Danzō glanced at him calmly, then gestured toward four scrolls placed neatly on the table.
"Take a look at the intelligence gathered by Root."
"Even intelligence from the Hidden Mist?" Orochimaru asked in surprise. "That village is notoriously difficult to infiltrate due to its secrecy laws. Gathering information from there requires immense effort."
"Cough."
Danzō cleared his throat.
"This is not intelligence from the Hidden Mist."
He had indeed wanted to infiltrate Kirigakure, but the cost was far too high. Moreover, the Hidden Mist and Konoha were separated by the sea. There was little immediate threat. Sending operatives there would be a waste of manpower.
"The Mist Village's intelligence isn't particularly important to Konoha," Orochimaru said calmly. "It seems Lord Danzō agrees."
Danzō smiled faintly.
Orochimaru unfurled the scrolls and began reading.
When he finished the last one, he placed it back on the table.
"Sunagakure, Iwagakure, and Kumogakure are all stockpiling supplies—food, weapons, and strategic materials," he said. "They're preparing for war."
"According to our information," Danzō continued, "Sunagakure plans to purchase large quantities of food from the Rain Country. We cannot allow them to secure those supplies."
Orochimaru immediately understood his intention.
"You want to destroy the food shipments before Sunagakure can prepare for war," he said. "To weaken them before hostilities officially begin."
"Yes."
Orochimaru frowned slightly.
"If we interfere directly, Hanzō of the Salamander will not tolerate it. More importantly, the White Snake Pharmaceutical Technology Company operates extensively within the Rain Country. Once they're involved…"
He stopped speaking, confident that Danzō understood the implications.
Interfering with the Rain Country's trade routes was far too dangerous.
"Furthermore," Orochimaru continued, "White Snake Pharmaceutical Technology Company has business relationships with every major ninja village. If we interfere with supplies, we would need them to cease operations with the other villages."
That idea was laughable.
As long as White Snake maintained ties with the major villages, supply interference was unrealistic.
"It seems… difficult to disrupt the supply chain," Danzō admitted.
He had believed his plan brilliant—giving Konoha an advantage before war even began. Yet he had overlooked the sheer influence of a multinational organization like White Snake.
Would I really dare move against them? he wondered.
If he did, his position as Assistant Hokage would likely end. Strangely enough, the thought made him feel slightly excited. He had grown tired of paperwork and low pay.
"Orochimaru," Danzō said slowly, "what if we disguise our operatives as ninjas from other villages? We could destroy the supplies en route, incite suspicion, and provoke the major villages into fighting one another."
Orochimaru paused.
"It's a clever idea," he admitted. "But you must consider the consequences."
"When the other villages realize Konoha is behind it, they will unite against us. At that point, Konoha would be in grave danger."
He continued calmly, analyzing the situation.
"In the First Shinobi World War, multiple villages attacked Konoha together. Only Senju Tobirama's forbidden techniques allowed us to survive."
"If the same thing happens again, Konoha will be at a severe disadvantage."
Danzō listened intently.
"Furthermore," Orochimaru added, "the incident at Uzushiogakure has already sown distrust. None of the Four Great Ninja Villages know who truly destroyed it. Each suspects the others."
"That means when war begins, they will likely fight separately."
"And that," Orochimaru concluded, "is Konoha's greatest advantage."
Lord Danzō, please don't ruin it.
"I understand," Danzō finally said.
He clasped his hands together, his voice deep and steady.
Orochimaru's meaning was clear.
Danzō was not a fool. He had nearly acted rashly.
After Orochimaru's reminder, he realized the truth—Konoha already held the upper hand.
Sometimes, doing nothing was the best move.
Orochimaru left Root's base, planning to purchase supplies before returning home.
As he walked through the streets, he noticed Tsunade ahead of him.
Tsunade?
Something was off.
She lacked her usual vitality. Her posture was slumped, as if she had suffered a heavy blow.
Only one possibility came to mind.
Orochimaru quickened his pace and stopped her.
"Tsunade. What's wrong?"
"Orochimaru…"
When she saw him, the frustration on her face turned into grievance. She threw herself into his arms.
"If only you'd come home with me yesterday," she complained. "Grandmother wouldn't have scolded me so badly."
So Mito-sama wasn't in trouble, Orochimaru realized. Tsunade was just scolded.
"She pulled my ears and lectured me forever!" Tsunade said angrily. "And Nawaki was useless—he even added fuel to the fire! I'm his sister! How could he enjoy watching me get scolded?!"
Orochimaru sighed inwardly.
Yes… Nawaki is truly your little brother.
"I wish I could've been scolded with you," he said lightly.
Tsunade snorted.
"Oh, right—how's Hikari?" she suddenly asked, worry flashing in her eyes.
"She's stable," Orochimaru replied. "Her condition is under control. We're using a slow, gentle treatment. It's the best approach for her."
"As expected of you," Tsunade said, throwing an arm around his shoulder. "You're even better than me at medical ninjutsu."
Orochimaru shook his head.
"You're the greatest medical ninja, Tsunade. Some of my methods barely qualify as medical ninjutsu anymore. They're more like… research results."
"As long as the patient is healed, does it matter?" she laughed. "You're too modest."
After a moment, Tsunade remembered something.
"Orochimaru, were you busy just now?"
"Danzō summoned me."
He took her hand gently.
"This isn't the place to talk. Let's go somewhere quieter."
The Flying Thunder God Technique activated.
In an instant, they appeared in the forest of Training Ground Three.
"It's still here," Orochimaru said, looking at the formula engraved on a tree trunk.
"Orochimaru," Tsunade said, crossing her arms, "what does Danzō want this time? More research?"
He explained everything—the intelligence, the looming war, and Danzō's plans.
"So war is coming again…" Tsunade murmured.
She sighed, thinking of her grandfather's dream.
"His ideal was beautiful… but peace can never last forever."
Orochimaru nodded.
"Humans wage war because of desire. Hatred breeds new hatred. History is an endless cycle."
He paused.
"Perhaps ever since Kaguya was sealed… under Black Zetsu's influence, wars became inevitable."
"That's what happens when you read too many books," Tsunade said, pinching his cheek.
"Smart people always suffer more," Orochimaru replied calmly. "Sometimes, being foolish is better. Don't you think?"
"I'm not foolish!" Tsunade snapped.
But seeing his calm gaze, she leaned forward and kissed his cheek.
"Hehe."
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