"In a few days, Kabuto will attack Root..."
Before Orochimaru could finish speaking, Shisui's expression shifted dramatically. He looked up in disbelief.
Orochimaru, unbothered, continued as if discussing something trivial.
"This has nothing to do with you. But when the village sends people to respond, I want you to be... passive. Delay them. Stall if you can."
He added with a casual tone, "Best if you don't face him directly."
His voice was calm, disturbingly so—like he wasn't talking about treason or attacking fellow shinobi, but simply handing out an errand.
Shisui, even though he half-expected something like this, couldn't help but ask, "But... why?"
Kabuto had trained under him. Back then, Shisui had seen nothing to suggest he had the strength to go up against Root.
"It's for the village," Orochimaru said with a smirk. "Or at least that's the convenient excuse."
He paused, then added more seriously, "But this time, it's personal. Danzo... he went too far. This is a private grudge—mine, and Kabuto's."
He briefly recounted Kabuto's tragic past and the attack on his lab by Root agents while he was recovering.
"Danzo's methods crossed a line. I can't let it go unanswered," Orochimaru said, then glanced at Shisui. "And this... this is also for Uchiha."
Shisui was just about to protest, to urge Orochimaru to reconsider, when that last sentence gave him pause.
"For Uchiha?"
What did an attack on Root have to do with his clan?
"Before Root ambushed me, they stole the research materials for physical enhancement surgery," Orochimaru explained. "To complete the procedure, you need more than Senjutsu. You need a Sharingan. Guess which path is easier?"
Shisui's expression darkened. He didn't need to guess.
Senjutsu was notoriously difficult—only a few in history had ever mastered it. But acquiring a Sharingan, through less ethical means, was something Root had tried before.
"Danzo wants more Sharingan. One or two won't satisfy him. He wants power, and he's aiming for Hokage. He won't risk open betrayal—but inciting unrest? Making Uchiha look like a threat?" Orochimaru's words flowed smoothly, pulling Shisui's thoughts in their direction.
"This recent Kumogakure incident has given him the excuse he needs."
Shisui's hands clenched. He wanted to argue that this was all speculation. That Danzo wouldn't go that far.
But then he remembered the past. The constant suspicion, the silent hostility from the Hokage advisors… the way Danzo always had his eyes on Uchiha.
Even without the surgery, Danzo had long viewed the clan as a threat.
And now, Danzo had even invaded Orochimaru's underground lab to steal forbidden medical research. That fact alone sent a chill through Shisui.
He hesitated.
He could try persuading Orochimaru to let it go—but Danzo certainly wouldn't.
And while Orochimaru didn't even press the point, Shisui couldn't deny it: if Danzo's power was weakened, it might be better for the village.
After a long silence, Shisui looked up and asked,
"You want revenge on Danzo. But how far do you plan to go? What happens to Kabuto if he's caught by Anbu?"
"You don't need to worry about that." Orochimaru smiled faintly, knowing he had Shisui's tacit support.
---
The Next Day – At the Konoha Gate
Orochimaru stood with two ninja squads and gave a small nod.
Kakashi and Hizashi Hyuga led the teams, and the other six were all elite Anbu operatives—specially reassigned for this mission.
For a peace negotiation, the lineup was... excessive.
Even Jiraiya, who had come to see him off, raised an eyebrow. "Be honest. Are you really just going to negotiate with the Raikage?"
"What you can't win on the battlefield," Orochimaru said with a grin, "you won't win at the table either."
He chuckled, the smile on his lips twisting into something dangerous.
"I just plan to show a little strength. Enough that Kumogakure won't dare reject every term we offer. Otherwise... wouldn't I end up with the reputation of being all bark and no bite?"
Jiraiya looked a bit uncomfortable at Orochimaru's words. Under the combined influence of the Third Hokage and Danzo, public criticism of Orochimaru among Konoha's ninja had been escalating—almost on par with the smear campaign that once surrounded Hatake Sakumo.
There was no helping it. Orochimaru had effectively inherited the fallout from the failed peace mission, where the previous envoy was killed in Konoha. Naturally, he was expected to shoulder the consequences.
The mission itself was for the village's benefit, yet from the outside, it looked like a desperate attempt to clean up one's own mess. Any risks or dangers were viewed as Orochimaru's to bear.
Though Jiraiya believed Orochimaru didn't care about these perceptions, he still showed up—half out of concern, half out of habit—to see how his old comrade was holding up.
Now, watching Orochimaru remain calm and composed, even cracking jokes, Jiraiya finally relaxed. Orochimaru was still Orochimaru.
Among the departing ninja, even Kakashi—who rarely looked up from his book—was paying close attention to Orochimaru's demeanor. Seeing the Sannin speaking easily and confidently, Kakashi's eyes flickered with thought. Whatever was going through his mind, he kept it to himself.
Orochimaru, unfazed by Kakashi's silent scrutiny, surveyed the assembled shinobi. Everyone was present. He gave the command without hesitation.
"Let's move out."
---
Land of Hot Water – Underground Cavern
In a dim underground cave within the Land of Hot Water, Obito lay submerged in a thick, white, paste-like fluid. Only his neck and head protruded from the substance, his eyes closed in a healing trance.
More than a month ago, Orochimaru had pierced his heart. Though he hadn't died, the injury had been critical.
Since then, he had remained in this state, immersed for healing. All his needs—food, water, even hygiene—were taken care of by the ever-present White Zetsu. If not for knowing that Zetsu wasn't human, Obito might've collapsed from the mental strain alone.
Suddenly, two leaves—shaped like a pitcher plant—rose from the ground. Between them appeared a strange face, half-black and half-white.
Obito opened his eyes at the sound and locked his gaze on Zetsu.
"What's the situation outside?"
"The peace talks between Konoha and the Hidden Cloud have failed," Zetsu replied. "Orochimaru is going in person now… The details differ from your plan, but it seems your intentions are being fulfilled."
"…Orochimaru."
Obito's eyes narrowed. His right hand unconsciously moved to press against his chest. The wound had closed, but the phantom pain lingered.
His assessment of Orochimaru differed completely from Zetsu's. After witnessing the man's power and unpredictability firsthand, Obito was convinced: the peace talks would succeed—because Orochimaru would make them succeed.
Obito turned to Zetsu, voice quiet but firm.
"Go eliminate the old Cloud ninja on our list. If Orochimaru enters the Land of Lightning, he'll draw attention. We'll use that window."
Zetsu blinked. "You're worried about Orochimaru? You think he's really that dangerous? Even if he gets ambushed in the Land of Lightning, it's practically a death trap."
"You don't understand that man's courage," Obito muttered, waving Zetsu off. "Just do it."
Zetsu could only nod and sink back into the ground, while White Zetsu tilted his head, curious.
"Is Sage Mode really that strong?" he asked. "So fast you couldn't even activate Izanagi?"
Obito shot him a sharp glare—clearly annoyed.
____________________
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