At the border encampment, Orochimaru rubbed at the bridge of his nose, exhaustion tugging at his expression. Reports lay stacked across his desk—movement logs, infiltration records, resource lists.He was, officially, the commander of the front line. Unofficially, he still carried the burden of his private experiments. Sleep rarely won those battles.
"Sensei, the mission is complete."
Anko stepped inside with visible pride, Yoru following behind with a more practiced, almost ceremonial respect. Orochimaru lifted his gaze, that serpentine smile returning like a blade sliding free from its sheath—soft in appearance, dangerous in truth.
If an enemy saw that smile, they'd run.His own students leaned toward it.
Anko handed over the sealed report. Yoru gestured toward her, silently encouraging her to take credit.
"Four infiltrators," Anko summarized. "Three genin—two killed in action, one disabled. The remaining chūnin has already been transferred to Interrogation. This is the department's initial analysis."
Orochimaru skimmed the first scroll, then the second. Anko's excitement sharpened as she waited for praise.
He obliged her with a faint chuckle. "You performed well. But the tactical setup… that came from Yoru-kun, didn't it?"
Anko bristled, puffing her cheeks before exhaling sharply. "Tch. Maybe."
Orochimaru turned toward Yoru, the smile shifting into something thinner. Something evaluative.
"Your growth is impressive. To refine an assassination technique of that level in such a short time… A 'genius team' with you and Anko is not out of the question."
Yoru bowed his head, feigning shyness.Inside, he bookmarked the moment—exactly the impression he needed.
"Sensei, you flatter me," he said softly.
Orochimaru, reading him effortlessly, let his attention slip back to Anko. "You may go. Continue practicing the jutsu I taught you last week."
Anko straightened immediately. "Yes, Orochimaru-sensei! I won't fall behind."
Yet the moment she realized she was being dismissed so Yoru could speak privately, she paused at the tent flap, shooting him a look that was equal parts protectiveness and warning.
He's already tired. Don't waste his time.
Yoru answered with a helpless smile.She vanished into the night air.
Silence folded over the tent.
Orochimaru's expression changed—subtle, sharpened, aware. "So. What does the Uchiha clan wish to place in my hands this time?"
Yoru inhaled once, steadying himself. Now or never.
He opened a scroll.A seal released.Light flared briefly as stacks of gold ingots emerged on the desk—enough to form a gleaming hill before they were sealed again.
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed, pupils tightening like a hunting snake's. The laughter that escaped him carried undeniable satisfaction.
"Well now… This is generous."
He didn't hide the relief in his voice.Funding was a bottomless pit—especially while Danzo's support had begun to thin. With the village in political flux and the Fifth Hokage position looming over every discussion, resources had become scarce, and every alliance had a price.
Yoru bowed deeply. "Sensei, the Uchiha clan wishes to support the next generation of village leadership. Should you rise as the Fifth Hokage, we are prepared to assist in full."
The implication hung between them.
You are the clan's chosen candidate.We will invest in your ascent.
Orochimaru's smile twisted with amusement. "Such confidence."
"Sensei," Yoru continued, lowering his voice, "this is only the initial allocation. The clan will continue providing financial support for your research and for any materials you require. Whatever the scale."
The words landed cleanly.No flowery promises.No grandiose pledges.
Just the Uchiha clan stepping directly into Orochimaru's political future.
Orochimaru leaned back, folding his hands, snake-like eyes fixed on Yoru with a new level of interest.
"Very well, Yoru-kun. Let us see just how far your clan is willing to go."