As dusk approached, the torches flickered to life, crackling in the quiet of the meeting room, their noise cutting through the stillness.
Orochimaru spoke casually, as though the enemy he was discussing wasn't one of the most powerful ninja villages in the world, but just an ordinary threat like cats and dogs.
This wasn't arrogance. It was the result of Orochimaru's experience, honed through countless life-or-death battles.
Years ago, when the "Three Ninjas" first earned their legendary status, Orochimaru was already one of the strongest ninjas in the world. Now, after many years, his strength had reached even greater heights. Last night, he had turned the tide of battle single-handedly, proving his power once again. With the strategy provided by the Genie, he felt confident that he could control the battlefield.
The Konoha captains and their teams paled at Orochimaru's words, exchanging looks of astonishment. They knew the strength of Kumogakure. Even with favorable terrain and the right people, Konoha had barely managed to stay ahead of their opponents during the last battle. That had been far from a decisive victory.
This wasn't even Kumogakure's full strength.
The real problem would be the fortress. Despite its initial construction, it was surrounded by countless traps, seals, and enchantments. With unfavorable terrain and a smaller force, it seemed impossible to defeat the enemy.
Yet, despite the clear gap in strength, Orochimaru's confidence stirred something in the Konoha ninjas. Even though war meant death, and even the "Will of Fire" couldn't change the fact that they were human, no one could deny the appeal of being led by someone as strong as Orochimaru.
After all, who wouldn't want a leader capable of reversing the tide of battle and securing victory?
The captains of the Uchiha clan, in particular, were energized. They had always prided themselves on their strength, and seeing Orochimaru's display of power made them eager to take his place. Of course, they couldn't voice it directly, as their education hadn't prepared them for such lofty speech.
For a moment, the room was filled with an energy that rivaled the blazing torches, though no one dared speak out of turn. If there was no solution, there was no solution—everyone's eyes remained fixed on Orochimaru.
Fugaku's eyes, however, were filled with concern. He understood the deeper implications of this war, and feared that Orochimaru's methods might be too ruthless, causing irreparable damage to the Uchiha clan.
But surprisingly, Orochimaru's plan didn't seem as cruel as expected. In fact, it was quite simple: an exchange.
Orochimaru had excluded the Fourth Raikage and the two Jinchuriki—the three most powerful combat forces of Kumogakure—from the equation. All the Konoha ninja army needed to do was destroy Kumogakure's fortress. Orochimaru had even arranged additional assistance for this task.
The room fell into uneasy silence. If Orochimaru's plan played out as he suggested, victory was within reach. But… what about the Raikage and the Jinchuriki? Was Orochimaru truly planning to fight all three of them alone?
From last night's battle, it was clear that Orochimaru could likely hold off the two Jinchuriki, but the Raikage? That seemed impossible.
Without the fortress to destroy, the Raikage could break through and escape at any time. Orochimaru's Yamata no Orochi form couldn't possibly stop him.
Despite the doubts swirling in the room, Orochimaru didn't offer any further explanation. He silenced any opposition with the sheer weight of his presence.
It was the fastest and most efficient method—provided they didn't fail.
After the meeting, everyone dispersed to prepare for the upcoming battle, leaving only Shisui behind.
Shisui stood still, a confused expression on his face. But the question Orochimaru asked next made his blood run cold.
"Shisui, you must have a way to deal with the beast-tailed Jinchuriki."
Orochimaru grinned and pointedly added, "You've awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, haven't you?"
Hearing Orochimaru's words, Shisui's face shifted, and he let out a wry smile. "How did you find out, Master Orochimaru?"
After awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan, Shisui had been cautious about the delicate relationship between the Uchiha clan and the village. He had always been very restrained, never using his Sharingan in front of others. He hadn't expected to give himself away.
However, Orochimaru's words showed he already had undeniable evidence.
"There are no permanent secrets," Orochimaru said with a smile, brushing aside Shisui's admission of the Mangekyō Sharingan's awakening. Instead, he asked, "Shisui, what do you think of this war?"
Shisui, still processing the weight of exposing his Mangekyō Sharingan to Orochimaru, was momentarily distracted by the question.
In this war, Kumogakure had taken advantage of Konoha's weakened state after the Kyuubi attack, seeking to suppress the village and even provoke a wider ninja war to fully carve up Konoha.
The Konoha leadership had already discussed this thoroughly, so why was Orochimaru asking him about it again?
Shisui thought for a moment and connected the Mangekyō Sharingan with the Kyuubi incident. His eyes widened in realization, and he stood up quickly, denying, "Master Orochimaru, I have absolutely nothing to do with the Kyuubi being controlled!"
Orochimaru's response was calm, "But it has something to do with the Uchiha and the Mangekyō Sharingan, right?"
Shisui was silent for a moment, unsure how to respond. But Orochimaru changed the subject, continuing, "However, the Third Hokage and I believe that most of the Uchiha clan are innocent."
Before Shisui could express any relief, Orochimaru added, "But for the rest of the village and the villagers to believe that, the Uchiha clan must prove themselves."
"This war is an opportunity."
Orochimaru didn't hesitate, explaining the deal he had struck with the Third Hokage and Uchiha Fugaku.
Shisui's expression changed as he absorbed this. "The patriarch… he actually agreed?"
Orochimaru nodded slowly. "Current circumstances forced him to agree. The village believes that the Uchiha clan has one final chance. If another attack occurs, how could the clan explain it?"
"Under the illusion of trust, it's the villagers' lives at stake, and the village cannot afford to lose any more."
"The Uchiha clan must prove themselves by characterizing the Nine-Tails attack, and any future attacks, as invasions by external enemies, not as rebellions with malicious intent."
"This is the stand that Uchiha must take!"
After hearing this, Shisui thought through the events leading up to this moment. His expression eventually calmed, and he asked, "What do you want me to do, Orochimaru-sama?"
Orochimaru glanced at him with a calculating look. "I want to see your choice. Are you willing to part with these Mangekyō Sharingan?"
"For the village, the Uchiha clan has suffered heavy losses. Losing a pair of legendary, taboo eyes would demonstrate the clan's determination to protect the village."
Shisui's expression remained unchanged as he spoke with a calm voice. "Stop, Orochimaru-sama. I have no regrets about these Mangekyō eyes."
With Shisui's intellect, he easily understood that this "choice" was just a formality. Orochimaru had already planned for the use of the Mangekyō Sharingan when arranging his strategy against Kumogakure.
Shisui had no issue with it. He wasn't power-hungry; if sacrificing his Mangekyō Sharingan would benefit the village and his clan, he was willing to give it up. Still, being manipulated to this extent left a bitter feeling in his heart.
"You seem to have misunderstood me," Orochimaru smiled. "Even without you, I have other ways to deal with a Jinchuriki."
"Jiraiya is preparing in Konoha, and I have the means to summon him to the battlefield."
"But the time he can maintain his summoning is limited. In the later stages of the war, your people will need to resist with their bodies."
"They won't have any other choice."
"So, what is your answer?"
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