Chapter 31: Gathering Storms
After completing the bandit extermination mission, Orochimaru didn't immediately return to Konoha with Kagenori. Instead, he brought him to meet the Daimyō of Rice Country—though Kagenori waited at the hotel while Orochimaru conducted the actual meeting.
Lying in bed, Kagenori contemplated Orochimaru's audience with the Rice Country Daimyō. The future Otogakure that Orochimaru would establish after leaving Konoha seemed located in Rice Country. Orochimaru had bribed its Daimyō to found the village there, though Otogakure wouldn't officially serve Rice Country—the two remained separate entities.
Had Orochimaru already connected with the Rice Country Daimyō at this point? Otherwise, how would he later succeed? Well... technically he did fail eventually. Still, he managed to establish his own ninja village in Rice Country and successfully researched the immortality-granting Impure World Reincarnation.
Reflecting on Orochimaru's life, most endeavors proved successful—until his Sharingan obsession caused his downfall. Yet even then, he ultimately survived comfortably.
Orochimaru didn't return all night, appearing only the next morning after Kagenori woke. "Let's return to Konoha."
After arriving, Orochimaru first helped Kagenori complete mission paperwork before meeting Sarutobi Hiruzen.
In the Hokage's office, Sarutobi puffed his pipe kindly. "Kagenori, your first mission as a ninja was C-rank, executed excellently."
Bowing, Kagenori replied, "Thank you for your trust, Lord Hokage and Orochimaru-sensei."
"Your own efforts made it possible," Sarutobi said approvingly. "Orochimaru speaks highly of you—great talent coupled with diligent training."
"Orochimaru-sensei's guidance made this progress possible. Without him, I wouldn't have improved so quickly."
This was truth—without Orochimaru's mentorship, Kagenori might still be practicing inefficiently. A good teacher truly mattered, preventing countless detours. Though wary of Orochimaru, Kagenori felt genuine gratitude. Orochimaru's future obsession involved the Sharingan—so long as he didn't covet Kagenori's eyes, no conflict existed. Perhaps they could maintain their teacher-student relationship.
Orochimaru praised Kagenori before Sarutobi. "He performed outstandingly for a first mission—planning and execution surpass some experienced chūnin."
Sarutobi took a thoughtful puff. "First time I've heard you praise a ninja so highly, Orochimaru. You seem quite satisfied with your student."
Glancing at Kagenori, Orochimaru smiled slightly. "Quite satisfied indeed."
Sarutobi smiled briefly before growing serious, speaking openly before Kagenori. "Orochimaru, the shinobi world approaches turbulence."
"Other villages preparing to move?" Orochimaru asked gravely.
Unfolding a map, Sarutobi explained, "According to intelligence, Iwa-nin appeared along the Fire-Waterfall border. Kumo-nin spotted along the Fire-Hot Springs border. Suna constantly provokes along our borders anyway."
"Kiri's situation remains unclear. I've written Mizukage repeatedly—no response."
Orochimaru frowned slightly. "So Iwa and Kumo gradually test Konoha. If both act simultaneously, they likely coordinate. Add Suna, three major villages already target Konoha."
Exhaling smoke in frustration, Sarutobi agreed, "The situation looks grim. I hoped allying with Kiri might work, but that seems unlikely now. Best case—Kiri doesn't join them."
Studying map markings, Orochimaru pondered momentarily. "Current testing intensity from Iwa and Kumo?"
"Not strong currently," Sarutobi shook his head. "Haven't fully crossed Fire Country borders yet. But this trend suggests border crossings approach. Probably testing Konoha's response."
"I've dispatched Sakumo to guard the Fire-Waterfall border. Sent Jiraiya to Fire-Hot Springs border—he's training Minato there anyway. With them present, at least immediate war seems unlikely. But localized skirmishes should begin within two years."
His expression turned solemn. "Only years since the Second War ended, peace restored, yet war signs already emerge. This conflict likely directly targets Konoha!"
The First Great Shinobi War primarily involved Konoha-Kumo hostilities shortly after Hashirama's death. Pre-war peace existed due to the Shinobi God Hashirama's deterrence. After his death, that deterrence vanished—Kumo declared war first, other villages joining subsequently.
The Second War erupted from economic development imbalances. Widening economic gaps between nations fueled militant factions using "expanding territory through force" pretexts.
Neither war's main battlefield was Fire Country. Now the Third War approached rapidly. If four major villages targeted Konoha simultaneously, Fire Country would become the primary battlefield—suffering devastating losses.
Orochimaru's expression turned grim as he studied the map silently.
Listening, Kagenori felt surprised—war signs already? But considering carefully... this meant Kushina Uzumaki's kidnapping by Kumo-nin approached rapidly.