The Uchiha Clan is willing to provide funds for the Fifth Hokage

Konoha Border.

"Teacher Orochimaru, the mission is complete."

Inside the tent, Orochimaru rubbed his tired brow as he looked over the various intelligence reports. After all, on the surface, he was still the frontline commander, and the increasingly unstable border only added to his workload. Behind the scenes, he was also conducting all kinds of scientific experiments—truly a master of time management.

At that moment, he looked up at his disciple, Mitarashi Anko, whose face was full of admiration, and at Uchiha Yoru beside her, whose expression was clearly feigned. Orochimaru gave them both his signature smile.

If an enemy saw that smile, they would likely feel nothing but fear. It had to be said that Orochimaru had his own charisma—otherwise, he wouldn't have been a strong contender for the position of Fourth Hokage.

Watching Anko hand over the mission report, Yoru casually shrugged beside her, signaling for her to go ahead. Anko shot him a smug grin that said, You know your place.

"Teacher Orochimaru, this time we discovered four illegal border-crossing ninja. Among them were three genin—two dead, one crippled—and one chunin who has been taken to the interrogation division. This is the intelligence they obtained."

As the frontline commander, Orochimaru didn't need to handle every mission personally. For tasks like this, they captured live prisoners, handed them over to the interrogation division, and then received the results to pass along.

That way, the so-called commander only needed to know the enemy's intentions or schemes, without wasting time on guesswork.

Anko, brimming with pride and excitement, recounted the mission's details and the interrogation division's findings. Orochimaru listened patiently, at that moment resembling a true mentor.

When she finished, she wore a proud expression, as if to say, Go on, praise me.

"Heh, Anko, you did well. But this plan was probably Lord Yoru's idea, wasn't it?"

Orochimaru's sinister smile didn't bother Anko. Instead, she pouted and snorted dismissively at her teammate. Though she wanted to claim she could have won alone, she knew that if the enemy tried to flee, she wouldn't have been able to stop them—let alone finish the fight so quickly and without injury.

"Heh, Anko, you did well."

With his trademark hoarse laugh, Orochimaru first encouraged his disciple, then turned to look at Uchiha Yoru, a sinister grin spreading across his face.

"Lord Yoru, your talent in ninjutsu and swordsmanship far exceeds my expectations. It seems calling you and Anko a genius team isn't an exaggeration."

At Orochimaru's praise, Yoru feigned a shy smile, but inwardly he muttered, What genius? I bought all this.

Clearly, mastering Chidori in such a short time had earned him the label of "genius" in Orochimaru's eyes. That was part of Yoru's plan—after all, he had latched onto Orochimaru's coattails.

If you asked who the best teachers in Naruto were, it would undoubtedly be Jiraiya and Orochimaru of the Sannin. But Yoru had no way to connect with Jiraiya, while Orochimaru's teaching style had its own unique appeal.

He had to showcase his talent to exchange it for the greatest resources.

"Teacher Orochimaru, you flatter me."

Yoru spoke with a shy smile, while Anko beside him couldn't help but pout.

Orochimaru, being one of the Sannin, immediately sensed that Yoru had something to say. With a hoarse laugh, he turned to Anko.

"Anko, there are no missions for a while. Go and practice the jutsu I taught you."

True to her blind admiration, Anko nodded excitedly at her teacher's words. "Don't worry, Teacher Orochimaru. I won't hold you back."

Anko was clearly a genius herself—otherwise, she wouldn't have caught Orochimaru's eye.

"Heh, Lord Yoru is impressive too. Anko, you may leave. As Lord Yoru's teacher, it's time I taught him something."

Anko's heart swelled with excitement, but when she heard the latter part, she shot Yoru a dissatisfied glare, her eyes carrying a warning: Teacher Orochimaru is already tired. Don't bother him too much.

Under Anko's warning gaze, Yoru gave a wry smile. As she left and the tent fell silent again, he saw Orochimaru's meaningful grin, as if to say, So, what does the Uchiha Clan bring this time?

Seeing Orochimaru's expression, Yoru took a deep breath. He knew this was his chance to shine. He had to rise quickly before Orochimaru defected—otherwise, he'd never get another opportunity like this.

"Teacher Orochimaru, this is the Uchiha Clan's contribution to you."

Yoru slowly pulled a scroll from his robes. When he unsealed it, a glittering pile of gold appeared before them. Orochimaru's eyes flickered with surprise.

Gold bricks—a small mountain of them. Yoru sealed them back into the scroll and respectfully handed it over.

Orochimaru's hoarse laugh carried a clear note of delight. Though he was a scientist, research was a bottomless pit, consuming resources without end.

Clearly, this was to his liking. Hearing the relief and joy in Orochimaru's laughter, Yoru breathed a quiet sigh of relief. His guess had been right.

With Konoha still reeling from the Nine-Tails' Rampage and the border unstable, Orochimaru's partner, Danzo, would surely cut back on resources. Especially since Orochimaru was a strong candidate for the Fifth Hokage—it would be a miracle if Danzo still supported him.

At this point, Orochimaru had to be desperate for money—desperate for resources!

"Heh, it seems Lord Yoru has big ambitions."

Orochimaru licked his lips as he eyed the funds now in his hands, a smile spreading across his face. He'd take the money, and the Uchiha Clan didn't seem like a bad deal either.

"Teacher, the Uchiha Clan will fully support the Fifth Hokage, Teacher Orochimaru."

Yoru smiled, his expression conveying that Orochimaru was already the Fifth Hokage in their eyes. The Uchiha Clan was ready to serve in every way, with special emphasis on the word "Teacher."

Orochimaru caught the implication and grinned.

"Teacher Orochimaru, the Uchiha Clan knows that your research requires substantial funding. This is just the initial payment. The clan will continue to provide more in the future. And if you need any research materials, the Uchiha Clan will do everything in its power to supply them."

At this moment, Yoru made his stance clear, his expression firm.

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