Chapter 51: A Clash of Ideals
Kagenori and Orochimaru remained in the command tent for hours, the lamplight casting long shadows as they pored over maps and rosters. Kagenori found himself completely immersed, his mind working in tandem with his sensei's, proposing ideas and contingencies he hadn't known he was capable of. It was late into the night when they finally finished, having solidified a plan to launch the surprise attack on Yugakure the following evening.
As they concluded, Orochimaru looked at his student, a rare, appraising glint in his eyes. "Kagenori, you were mistaken about one thing."
Throughout the discussion, Kagenori had learned a great deal. He had seen the numerous flaws in his initial proposal, and watched as Orochimaru meticulously devised solutions for each potential point of failure. He assumed this was another such correction.
"Of course," Kagenori agreed readily. "My initial proposal had many weaknesses. What was the specific error, Sensei?"
Orochimaru shook his head, a thin smile playing on his lips. "I am not speaking of the operational plan. The plan, as it stands now, is the best we can devise under these circumstances."
Puzzled, Kagenori asked, "If not the plan, then what?"
"You stated earlier that I was Konoha's only reinforcement," Orochimaru said, his tone serious. "That is incorrect. In addition to me, you are also a reinforcement. Your strategic assessment and situational judgment are... surprisingly acute. For a leader, raw power is not the sole metric. The true measure is the capacity for a broad, strategic perspective. You have that potential. In my estimation, this war will be your springboard. You will become a significant figure, a name known across the shinobi world."
Kagenori dropped any pretense of modesty, a sharp, ambitious smile gracing his features. "Becoming famous would be most convenient."
The understanding between them was now tacit and complete. Kagenori's rise would grant him the influence within Konoha he needed for his own goals, and for Orochimaru, a powerful, well-placed ally could provide invaluable cover for his own, darker pursuits.
Exhausted from the journey and the intense planning session, Kagenori left the tent seeking the rest he desperately needed. They would be moving against Yugakure tomorrow night. As he walked toward the tent assigned to him, a figure stepped out of the shadows, blocking his path.
Namikaze Minato.
It was clear he had been waiting.
Kagenori felt a flicker of irritation. He saw no reason for any conversation between them.
Minato approached, a carefully constructed, friendly smile on his face. "Kagenori. I didn't get a proper chance to greet you earlier. It has been a long time."
Kagenori raised an eyebrow, his expression utterly dismissive. "What does the length of time matter to us?"
Minato's smile faltered for a second before he restored it. "We're shinobi from the same village. We were rivals at the academy. I've always considered you a... comrade."
Kagenori's lips curved into a cold, mocking smile. "I have no comrades. Quite the opposite, in fact. I dislike you intensely."
The smile finally vanished from Minato's face, replaced by genuine confusion. "Why? Is it because of that incident at the academy? But that was years ago. Surely—"
"Surely I should be over it?" Kagenori finished for him, a sneer in his voice. "Time doesn't erase a debt. I remember every slight. If I can collect payment immediately, I do. If not, I bide my time and collect it later."
Minato stared at him, his brow furrowed. "Is this about Kushina? Those two were punished. Why hold onto this, Kagenori? We're from the same village. Even if we're not friends, we should be allies."
"You're very magnanimous," Kagenori said, his sarcasm thick. "So popular, able to be friends with everyone. A marginal figure like me, clinging to what you see as petty grievances, must seem utterly unreasonable, mustn't I?"
"I never said that," Minato replied, his voice tightening. "I don't think that."
Kagenori let out a short, derisive laugh. "Minato, in my eyes, you are a hypocrite. You're probably objecting in your mind right now, thinking I'm just biased and slandering you. But your actions are the very definition of hypocrisy."
Minato's frown deepened. "What have I done to earn that judgment?"
"Let's set the past aside," Kagenori said, waving a hand. "Let's talk about now. You opposed my plan earlier because it will likely cause casualties, correct?"
Minato gave a silent, grim nod.
Kagenori spread his hands wide. "And there is your proof."
Minato looked utterly lost. "How does caring about the lives of our comrades make me a hypocrite?"
Kagenori shook his head in feigned disappointment. "I don't know if you're truly this naive or just pretending. Before Orochimaru-sensei and I arrived, the situation here was dire. The casualties were mounting. If we continue as we are, more will die. If this plan succeeds, we gain initiative. The Kumo-nin will hesitate. The casualties, in the long run, will be fewer."
His voice turned cold and analytical. "If we do nothing, if we don't push the front forward, how many will die here? And when the full-scale war begins and Kumo breaks through into the Land of Fire itself, how many civilians, how many of our people in the border towns, will be slaughtered? Can you not do the basic math? Which number is greater? Your sentimentality here could cost infinitely more lives later."
Minato's eyes flashed. "They are people, Kagenori! Not numbers on a ledger!"
Kagenori looked at him, and then he began to laugh. It started as a low chuckle and grew into a full-bodied, almost hysterical laughter that made him double over, clutching his stomach.
He finally straightened up, wiping a tear from his eye, his breath coming in gasps. "Minato... I apologize. You're not a hypocrite. You're genuinely, profoundly kind."
Minato said nothing, his stony silence and unhappy expression speaking volumes.
After his laughter subsided, Kagenori's face settled into a mask of cold finality. "Minato, I know you don't like me either, so let's stop this charade. You approached me tonight because you know we'll have to work together. Fine. But that is all it will be. I have nothing more to say to you."
With that, he shouldered past the stunned Minato Namikaze and walked away, not looking back as he headed for his tent and the few hours of rest he could steal before the bloodshed began.