"You've finally arrived."
Orochimaru's tone was impatient.
The past half-month had felt like an eternity—every day spent waiting for Sasame's return.
As a scientist, his thirst for knowledge was insatiable.
The Mangekyō Sharingan was an entirely new frontier.
Naturally, he wanted to understand it.
"Glad to see you're still alive."
Sasame casually took a seat, sipped tea, then frowned. "Tastes weird. Buy better tea next time."
Wow, thanks for the feedback.
Orochimaru's eye twitched, but he swallowed his irritation—he needed something from this kid. Instead, he asked, "How does one obtain the Mangekyō Sharingan?"
"Transactions require equivalent exchange."
Sasame didn't answer directly. Instead, he smirked. "Where's the Hashirama cells I asked for?"
"Already secured."
Orochimaru's serpentine eyes gleamed. "I can hand them over now."
Sasame had always used Wood Clones.
But when a Wood Clone dispelled, objects it carried didn't return to the original. So, the clone would have to physically deliver the goods—meaning Orochimaru could track its path back to the real Sasame.
If I play this right, I'll uncover his true identity.
Sasame, of course, knew exactly what he was thinking.
Before, he'd struggled with how to conduct the trade safely.
But now, he had a solution.
After taking control of the Gunma Group, he'd acquired nearly 100 million ryō in liquid assets—the accumulated profits from their casinos and underground banking over a decade.
With that kind of money, he could hire shinobi to extract Karin and her mother.
In the current shinobi world, outside the Five Great Villages, who had the most power?
That's right—the Akatsuki.
Some might argue the Akatsuki were dangerous, with a high risk of betrayal.
But this was their early days—their fundraising phase.
They made money in two ways: missions and bounties.
The latter was irrelevant for now.
The former meant the Akatsuki had become a mercenary organization.
And mercenaries lived and died by their reputation.
Killing your employer? That was a quick way to lose all future contracts.
Even the Akatsuki weren't stupid enough to break the rules at this stage.
In other words—pay them, and they'd deliver.
If Orochimaru wanted to test him? Fine. Here, have two Akatsuki members to poke at.
"No rush. I'm just a clone. I'll contact you in a couple of days."
Sasame waved dismissively. "You'll be dealing with members of our organization."
"Understood."
Orochimaru nodded.
Even if he couldn't meet Sasame's real body, interacting with his associates was just as good.
With his skills, even the faintest clue would let him unravel this mysterious group's secrets.
"One more piece of advice."
Sasame's gaze turned sharp. "If you try anything, make sure you have an escape plan. They're not as… accommodating as I am."
That phrase again.
Orochimaru stiffened, then felt a surge of anger.
This brat's arrogance knows no bounds!
If he couldn't handle the Mangekyō, did Sasame really think he'd lose to some underlings?
Did he think the title of "Sannin" was handed out for free?
"Now, back to the Mangekyō."
Sasame smoothly changed topics. Orochimaru exhaled, refocusing.
"The Mangekyō Sharingan evolves from the Three-Tomoe Sharingan."
"Then the Uchiha clan must have several Mangekyō users?"
Orochimaru couldn't help interjecting.
In his view, while Shisui was a genius, there had been others before him.
After so many years, surely more than one pair existed.
"It's not that simple. The wielder must possess extraordinary talent and undergo unique trauma. Both are mandatory."
Sasame raised three fingers. "So far, only three have awakened it: Madara Uchiha, Shisui Uchiha, and the mystery man who controlled the Nine-Tails."
(There were others—like Izuna—but no need to mention them.)
Orochimaru's mind raced.
Just as I thought.
He'd long suspected ordinary Three-Tomoe couldn't control the Nine-Tails.
"Who is this mystery man? Another Uchiha?"
Orochimaru knew the clan's members well.
But in over a decade, he'd never heard of any prodigy matching that description.
Before Shisui, the most famous was Fugaku Uchiha.
But Fugaku was indecisive—hardly the type to orchestrate the Nine-Tails' attack.
And after the incident, the Uchiha's standing had worsened.
Fugaku wouldn't have invited more trouble.
"That'll cost extra."
Sasame grinned.
Revealing Tobi's identity (Obito Uchiha) was pointless—Orochimaru couldn't leverage it.
Orochimaru's face darkened.
You're blue-balling me now?
"What's the price?"
He had funds, but he knew Sasame didn't need money. The cost would be something far rarer.
"One you can't afford."
Ignoring Orochimaru's scowl, Sasame continued, "You've fought Shisui. You know getting his eyes is impossible."
Orochimaru hated to admit it, but it was true.
Then his eyes lit up. "Could your organization retrieve Shisui's eyes for me?"
"Same answer—you can't pay the price."
Sasame smirked. "And if we did get them, why would I hand over such a treasure?"
Orochimaru fell silent.
Without Sasame's help, he couldn't do it alone—unless he roped in Hiruzen or Jiraiya.
But even if they agreed, once they saw the Mangekyō's power, they'd claim it for Konoha—not him.
(The Akatsuki's reputation hadn't yet spread. As rogue ninjas outside the Five Great Villages, Orochimaru had no reason to know of them.)
"There is another way."
Sasame's tone shifted. "Our organization has identified another Uchiha prodigy with high Mangekyō potential. Even better—he's within your reach. The question is, do you have the patience?"
Orochimaru's interest spiked. "Who?"
Patience? He had lifetimes to spare—assuming the Body Replacement Technique succeeded.
"Itachi Uchiha."
Sasame named his classmate.
Orochimaru blinked.
Fugaku's eldest son.
The boy was only six, still obscure.
"Itachi's talent rivals Shisui's."
Sasame chuckled. "But as the clan head's heir—and Shisui's close friend—you'll need to act fast."
Orochimaru nodded.
He was no fool—he knew the complications.
With tensions between the Uchiha and Konoha at an all-time high, approaching Fugaku directly would fail.
But he already had a plan.
When he looked up, Sasame's clone had dispelled.
Tch. I had more questions.
The Next Day
Orochimaru entered the Hokage's office.
"Orochimaru?"
Hiruzen looked up, surprised.
His student had become a recluse after the Third War—no missions, just holed up in his lab.
Hiruzen had long known Orochimaru (like Danzō) was morally… flexible. Unsuitable for Hokage.
But their strength benefited Konoha, so he turned a blind eye.
As long as they didn't betray the village.
(Shinobi were supposed to be ruthless.)
"I wish to take a disciple."
Orochimaru cut to the chase.
Hiruzen paused.
First Tsunade, now you?
"Why the sudden interest?"
Orochimaru's last student had been Nawaki. After his death, only Anko remained.
"I need lab assistants. Two will suffice."
His bluntness fit his character.
Hiruzen relaxed. "Who do you have in mind?"
"No one yet."
Orochimaru played coy. "I'll select from the Academy."
"Very well."
Hiruzen's suspicions faded. "I'll arrange a test for you."
(As the Academy's nominal headmaster, he had the authority.)
Then a thought struck him—Itachi Uchiha.
Fugaku's son, a top-ranked prodigy.
If Orochimaru took him as a student, it could yield unexpected benefits.
(In the original timeline, Fugaku sent Itachi to the ANBU as a spy. But Hiruzen didn't know that.)
Given current tensions, Fugaku wouldn't let Itachi join the Hokage's faction.
But if Orochimaru "chose" him? Perfectly legitimate.
Hiruzen saw an opportunity—another potential Shisui.
"Orochimaru, Fugaku's son Itachi shows exceptional promise. Consider him."
"I'll keep that in mind."
At first, Orochimaru feared his plan was exposed. Then he realized Hiruzen's angle.
The Uchiha were a thorny issue.
Hiruzen (like Tobirama) preferred subtle manipulation—winning over Shisui and Itachi to weaken the clan from within.
Danzō, meanwhile, advocated eradication.
Noon – Konoha Academy
Class 1-A buzzed as their teacher, Yamanaka Naoto, entered.
"Attention! Legendary Sannin Orochimaru will visit this afternoon to select disciples. This is your chance!"
The room erupted.
The Sannin were idols.
(The Fourth Hokage himself had trained under Jiraiya!)
Becoming Orochimaru's student meant joining the Hokage's inner circle—a dream for many.
(His creepy aura? A small price for power.)
At the back, Sasame arched a brow.
This is his plan?
Clever. Even the Uchiha couldn't object—Itachi's talent made him a natural pick.
Sasame's focus, however, was on his Wood Clone in Tanzaku Quarter.
Official missions went through villages. Unofficial ones? The black market.
A shadowy hub for bounties and illicit jobs.
(Asuma Sarutobi, the "standard unit of power," was worth 35 million ryō—a staggering sum. Most jonin barely fetched a few million.)
Konoha lacked a black market, but Tanzaku Quarter had one.
Using Gunma Group connections, Sasame located it—a nondescript two-story building.
Inside, a task hall with multiple counters.
"Here to accept or post a mission?" a clerk asked.
"Post. And I need recommendations—skilled, reliable shinobi."
A 1000-ryō tip loosened the man's tongue.
"Lately, a new group's been dominating high-difficulty missions. Zero failures."
"Oh?"
Sasame feigned curiosity. "Names?"
"Code names. One's called Kakuzu."
"Perfect. I'll hire them."
Sasame's grin widened.
Specifying contractors cost extra, but he didn't care.
"Sir, their minimum for assigned jobs is 1 million ryō."
"Here's 2 million."
The clerk's eyes bulged.
[S-Rank Mission: Extract two targets from Kusagakure and deliver to Tanzaku Quarter.]
[Reward: 2 million ryō (Assigned to Kakuzu and "Gyoku")]
[Note: Meet employer at Tougetsu Casino, July 7th, 7 AM.]
(Tougetsu was a random pick—using Gunma's casino risked exposure.)
The clone dispelled. Now, Sasame waited.
Would the Akatsuki take the job?
Almost certainly.
They were desperate for funds.
Afternoon – Academy Grounds
All students assembled as Orochimaru arrived.
Sasame stood among them.