After conducting extensive research on the Uchiha Clan, the Second Hokage reached a conclusion that was the exact opposite of previous conjectures. He believed that the Uchiha value emotions above all else, and it is precisely for this reason that they seal these emotions away.
Orochimaru explained, "And once an Uchiha knows love, the emotions that have been restraining them are released, and that intense love awakens."
"Is there something wrong with that?" Uchiha Ken asked subconsciously.
"If it were only that, it would be fine, but the problem lies right there..."
Orochimaru shook his head slightly. In fact, even without Minato's factor, he had long wanted to have a proper talk with the Uchiha. The Second Hokage's actions seemed to be controlling the Uchiha as an unstable factor, but in reality, they pointed the Uchiha toward a dead end. There's a saying about thieves operating for a thousand days, but how can one defend against a thief for a thousand days? They couldn't just keep monitoring them forever, could they? Even if the Uchiha didn't want to rebel, being watched like suspects all day long would eventually force them into rebellion.
"Once an Uchiha clansman who has known love loses that intense love, it is replaced by an even more intense hatred! Their personality changes drastically as well. As the Clan Chief of the Uchiha Clan, Senior must have seen many such cases, right?" Orochimaru asked softly.
Uchiha Ken fell into a brief silence; he truly had no way to refute it. Was it just 'not uncommon'? Aside from those who awakened their eyes due to simple grief from the natural passing or accidental injury of loved ones, almost all other clansmen who awakened their eyes fit the situation Orochimaru described.
"When the Uchiha Clan loses love, or is in a state of frustration or pain, the brain secretes a special kind of Chakra. This Chakra acts on the optic nerves, causing the eyes to change." Looking at the silent Uchiha Ken, Orochimaru chuckled softly, "That's right, this is the Eye that Reflects the Heart—the truth of the Sharingan."
"As the power of hatred increases, the Sharingan synchronizes with the power of the heart, rapidly strengthening individual abilities. In the Second Hokage's view, there is no shortage of people with intense emotions in the Uchiha Clan, but ultimately, almost all fall into darkness, and the darker they become, the stronger they get. This is the fundamental reason he guarded against the Uchiha. It wasn't out of fear of the Uchiha's power, but because of the potential existence of... evil... Uchiha in this state could be described as lunatics. Tell me, who would be willing to hand over high-level authority to a bunch of lunatics?"
Orochimaru's tone was playful, "Putting yourself in his shoes, would Senior be willing to trust such a clan?"
"So, is this why an Uchiha cannot become Hokage?" Uchiha Ken sighed, finding it somewhat difficult to accept, yet not entirely unacceptable, because he also knew that his clan was indeed a bit troubled.
"Not entirely. The high-ranking officials also bear an inescapable responsibility for the Uchiha's predicament. The former head of Root, Danzo Shimura, was a radical. He inherited... no, it should be said he distorted the Second Hokage's attitude toward the Uchiha. Although his methods were inappropriate, the Second Hokage's research and evaluation of the Uchiha were actually quite objective. In comparison, Danzo was purely extremist. For instance, he repeatedly provoked relations between the high-ranking officials and the Uchiha. At the same time, he coveted the power of the Sharingan and even learned the Uchiha's forbidden technique, Izanagi."
Uchiha Ken's expression darkened, "How did he learn that technique?"
"Uchiha Kagami. He is the only one currently traceable who was associated with him and qualified to access this Ninjutsu. He probably used it in front of Danzo and ended up being targeted."
Uchiha Ken understood immediately and couldn't help but sneer, "Heh, truly 'good partners through thick and thin,' no wonder he died young."
Orochimaru indicated that this was nothing, "That's nothing. Danzo even leaked the Old Man's whereabouts."
Uchiha Ken's sneer froze, and he was dumbfounded, "Really? He even dared to sell out the Hokage?"
"Before taking over Root, I thought that guy just had a low bottom line. After taking over Root, I discovered he simply doesn't have one. As long as it can gain him profit, there is nothing he won't betray." Orochimaru spoke with a sigh of emotion.
It had to be said, Danzo was a ruthless person. You could call him selfish, yet he truly believed he was doing it for Konoha. It was just that in his view, only him becoming Hokage would be truly good for Konoha...
"So, Your Excellency, for what purpose are you telling me all this?" Uchiha Ken looked up at Orochimaru. He didn't think the other party was telling him this out of a sudden pang of conscience. What a joke! This was the leader of Root! What kind of place was Root? Konoha's violent agency specifically for handling dirty work! And as the leader of Root, how could Orochimaru be some simple fellow?
"I've simply taken an interest in the Uchiha's power. Doesn't Senior think it's a bit of a waste for the Uchiha's power to be placed in a place like the Police Force? Furthermore, in recent years, the economic gap between nations has gradually widened. In impoverished lands like the Land of Wind and the Land of Earth, radical domestic forces have become increasingly powerful, pushing for outward expansion to gain benefits. Recently, Sunagakure has had multiple small-scale conflicts with us within the borders of the Land of Rain, and on the other side, Iwagakure is also restless. It's only a matter of time before war breaks out. And before that, I believe internal conflicts must first be settled. What does Senior think?"
"I naturally support that." Hearing Orochimaru's words, Uchiha Ken also gradually let go of the doubts in his heart.
Back during the Konoha Prison riot, because of Uchiha Setsuna, the high-ranking officials had subconsciously put the Uchiha on the suspect list. It was Orochimaru who cleared their name. So he had a certain foundation of trust in Orochimaru! Compared to Danzo, at least Orochimaru didn't look at them through colored lenses. Despite working in a place like Root, Uchiha Ken felt that Orochimaru's character was unexpectedly decent!
"I wonder what Your Excellency intends to do?"
"This will require both sides to take a step back. I will give the Uchiha a spot in Root, but I must personally select the candidate. As a gesture of sincerity, I can take them as a Disciple. In exchange, I hope you can remove the radicals from the Police Force. This is also a good opportunity for the Uchiha to turn their reputation around. I can arrange for some hot-tempered Ninja to join the Police Force to help you draw some of the fire."
"Deal."
Uchiha Ken's eyes lit up. Nowadays, although the Uchiha were at odds with the high-ranking officials, it was only a bit of dissatisfaction; it hadn't reached the life-or-death situation of later years. The radicals in the clan were only a minority. Orochimaru's proposal was entirely beneficial and harmless to the Uchiha! Moreover, as a Disciple of the Third Hokage and the current leader of Root, Orochimaru was bound to be one of the high-ranking officials in the future. Being able to become Orochimaru's Disciple, even if they didn't compete for the position of Hokage, would to some extent bring them closer to the core of Konoha's power.
Seeing Uchiha Ken's relieved expression, Orochimaru chuckled. The objective was achieved, and he had settled the Uchiha's hidden danger along the way; this trip wasn't in vain. He really didn't know what the Old Man and the others were thinking; these guys were clearly super simple...
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