"I hope you can choose Orochimaru."
Uchiha Yama's calm voice drifted across the room.
Hayashi, seated on the cushion, lifted his head in surprise.
"Orochimaru?"
"That's right. If you wish to avenge your father, then choose Orochimaru," Yama said in a low tone.
"Among Hiruzen Sarutobi's three disciples, Orochimaru has the greatest chance of becoming the Fourth Hokage.
"Tsunade may be the granddaughter of the First Hokage, but she lacks the ambition to lead. As for Jiraiya, he is a fool with little chance of inheriting the title. Orochimaru is different. He has perfectly inherited the Third Hokage's mastery of ninjutsu. The five elemental releases, which Sarutobi Hiruzen is famous for, are all inherited by Orochimaru alone.
"Despite being a commoner, Orochimaru is a true genius. And of the three disciples, Sarutobi values him most. So, among them, Orochimaru is the most likely to inherit the position of Hokage."
Yama's eyes sharpened.
"If you seek revenge, you must get close to Orochimaru. Become his student, win his trust, and quietly pass his information to me. Only then will you have the power to one day face Hiruzen Sarutobi and avenge your father, Uchiha Kagami.
"If you succeed, the Uchiha clan will fully support you in becoming Hokage. By then, Fugaku will be clan head, you will be Hokage, and together you will raise the Uchiha clan to new heights. That is what I hope from you."
Hayashi narrowed his eyes, his face tinged with conflict. Outwardly, he looked tempted.
Inwardly, he was cursing.
A spy? He wants me to walk the same path as Itachi?
Hayashi had once only wanted to keep earning strength and growing steadily. But reality would not allow him that luxury.
A genius would inevitably draw the attention of every faction.
As the son of Uchiha Kagami, disciple of the Second Hokage, Hayashi had already become a target. The Hokage, the Uchiha clan, and even Root—all of them would fight to win him over. He was being forced to choose a side.
But even as Yama spoke, Hayashi could see through the deception.
If the clan really wanted to support someone as Hokage, he'd push Fugaku. Not me. I'd only be discarded once I had outlived my use.
Still, Yama's words were dangerous. Orochimaru truly was, at this point, the most favored disciple in Hiruzen's eyes. By all appearances, he was the strongest candidate for the Fourth Hokage.
Yet Hayashi knew fate would twist in ways no one expected. Orochimaru's obsession and ambition would eventually cost him that chance. Minato's rise would shatter his path entirely. And of the three, the one Yama scorned the most—Jiraiya—was ironically the one who came closest to becoming Hokage, only refusing it of his own will.
As for Tsunade, though mocked by many, she would eventually inherit the mantle.
The world was unpredictable.
Among them all, the last person Hayashi wanted as a master was Orochimaru. That man's twisted mind and ambitions were dangerous. Even if Orochimaru had the skill and knowledge to be the best teacher, his interest in the Sharingan would one day awaken. And if that day came, the risk would be far too great.
Yama watched him closely. "What's wrong? Is there a problem?"
Hayashi let out a small, awkward laugh. "Well… Lady Tsunade approached me earlier today. She asked me to choose her as my instructor. Should I reject her tomorrow, Clan Head-sama?"
Yama froze, tapping the table with his fingers. The room grew heavy.
"…Tsunade?" he muttered.
A faint smile spread across his lips. "So even the princess of the Senju clan is drawn to the Uchiha's genius boy."
But Hayashi felt a chill. There was something cold, murderous, hidden behind that gentle tone.
Yama leaned forward, his smile still fixed. "Don't reject Tsunade. Keep a good relationship with her… and her younger brother, Nawaki. When the time comes, I will arrange for you to study under Orochimaru. For now, treat tonight's conversation as if it never happened. The Uchiha clan will always be your backing. Don't disappoint me, child."
He patted Hayashi's shoulder before continuing. "Go collect some scrolls from the clan library. Our Uchiha heritage far surpasses the Academy. And make sure you spend more time with Fugaku. You two should grow close."
Yama chuckled and waved him off.
Hayashi bowed, looking moved, and slowly left the room.
The moment he was gone, a figure emerged from the shadows. It was Vice-Captain Uchiha Han, kneeling respectfully before the desk.
"How do you feel?" Yama asked.
"Hayashi doesn't trust your words," Han replied.
Yama smirked. "Good. He shouldn't trust us. What I told him was half true, half false. The clan has cast him aside all these years, pushing him to the margins. It's only natural for him not to believe me. I never expected him to grow strong under such treatment. Kagami's son indeed."
"Then why keep him alive? Kagami's death is tied to us. Wouldn't it have been easier to have him killed earlier?"
Yama's eyes hardened. "Because the Uchiha clan, as strong as we appear, are nothing more than watchdogs in Konoha. We lack true intelligence about the village's high command. For that, I need a bridge. Kagami's son is perfect. Sarutobi Hiruzen will trust him… simply because he is Kagami's child.
"As long as I plant this thorn in his heart—the thought that Sarutobi may have killed his father—it will grow. Doubt becomes mistrust, mistrust becomes resentment. All it takes is a little push."
He closed his eyes, his voice calm and calculating. "So you understand what to do?"
"Yes, Clan Head-sama," Han replied before fading back into the shadows.
Silence returned to the room.
Yama leaned back, a thin smile tugging at his lips. "Kagami… even in death, you continue to be useful. I'll take good care of your son. Hahaha…"
His quiet laughter echoed darkly within the walls.
____
Happy New Month.