Shisui! I Did This All for the Uchiha!

Orochimaru's distinctive hoarse laughter echoed through the tent. To Uchiha Yoru now, it no longer sounded sinister or terrifying, but rather strangely pleasant.

Bleurgh—

Then retching echoed through the tent. Orochimaru spat out a snake covered in saliva, and the snake promptly retched up a wet scroll coated in mucus and spit.

When he saw the scroll, Uchiha Yoru's face flushed slightly with excitement. After Orochimaru retracted the long snake, he licked his lips and laughed. "Yoru, Teacher thinks highly of your talent."

The scroll unfurled, revealing one name after another. He saw Orochimaru's name, while the final name was Mitaraishi Anko.

Ryūchi Cave's Summoning Beast contract scroll!

At that moment, Uchiha Yoru took a deep breath and forcefully suppressed his excitement before respectfully saying, "Yes! Teacher Orochimaru, Uchiha Yoru will not disappoint you."

Or rather, the Uchiha Clan would not disappoint him. After all, their relationship was primarily a political one.

For Orochimaru, the financial backing provided by Konoha's Premier Noble Clan was simply aid in a time of need. It allowed his laboratory, which had slowed due to funding shortages, to resume normal operations.

And the meaning behind Uchiha Yoru calling him Teacher was different now. Before, he had called him Teacher because he had been on the same team as Anko and Orochimaru had been their squad leader. On top of that, he wanted to curry favor with him, so naturally he addressed him that way.

But this time, Teacher truly meant a master-disciple relationship—a political relationship of mutual benefit. Before Orochimaru defected, if one wanted to thrive in Konoha, political acumen was essential.

He used a kunai to cut his finger, then wrote his name on the Summoning Beast contract scroll and pressed his palm print onto it. Orochimaru immediately smiled.

"Yoru, it seems you are very clever. You understand how to make use of your advantages."

Beneath Orochimaru's wise gaze was an air of seeing through everything. Uchiha Yoru raised his head without attempting to hide anything and respectfully smiled. "Teacher Orochimaru, isn't the Uchiha Clan's willingness to provide all logistical support what matters most?"

The meaning was clear: what Teacher Orochimaru needed most urgently was a large amount of funding for his research. Did it matter who provided it?

Even if Orochimaru already knew some of the circumstances, he had gotten what he needed. As for the rest, that was merely the Uchiha Clan's own business.

Upon hearing this, Orochimaru smiled. He was very curious about this disciple of his. Not only did Yoru possess decent ninjutsu talent, but his mind no longer seemed like that of an ordinary ninja. It was the political mind of one born among the Great Clans.

"Then, my disciple, can the Uchiha elites on the front line obey your command—or your orders?"

To Orochimaru, who it was did not matter. What mattered was the benefit he required.

Hearing that, Uchiha Yoru was secretly startled. Sure enough, Orochimaru had already received some information. For example, alongside this massive financial support, the clan had issued another task: to do everything possible to help the Uchiha Clan's genius, 'Uchiha Itachi,' become Orochimaru's disciple.

That was right! Uchiha Yoru had used the clan's resources to pave the way for himself.

"Rest assured, Teacher Orochimaru. The Uchiha Clan is willing to follow Teacher's commands!"

At that moment, Uchiha Yoru respectfully expressed both his and the clan's loyalty. Secretly, he muttered to himself, As long as someone from the Uchiha Clan becomes Orochimaru's disciple, it does not really matter who it is.

The deed was done. Five-year-old Uchiha Itachi no longer had any chance.

In the original story, the Uchiha Clan probably had no way to establish ties with Orochimaru, so they naturally could not form the current cooperative relationship. This time, he had only managed to connect with him by using what he knew about the wood style ninja Yamato. It might have been a bit of a stretch, but that no longer mattered. What mattered was that he had succeeded.

Looking at Uchiha Yoru, Orochimaru laughed hoarsely. He had no desire to involve himself in the scheming, infighting, and struggle for power within a great clan, nor did he want that trouble. As long as he got what he wanted, that was enough.

"Hehe, I'll leave the research materials in this scroll to the Uchiha elites. When you return, remember to find Anko. She will teach you some Snake Style Ninjutsu then."

Orochimaru casually handed over a scroll. The instant Uchiha Yoru received it, he smiled. He had succeeded! He could now truly be considered Orochimaru's disciple, and he could even fleece his own clan first.

"Rest assured, Teacher Orochimaru. I'll go inform Shisui right away."

With that, Uchiha Yoru excitedly took his leave. Orochimaru had not yet become obsessed with the Sharingan. He was merely interested in Eternal Life, so Yoru was still quite safe.

More importantly, he only had a One Tomoe Sharingan. If Orochimaru truly wanted a Uchiha Clan research subject, he would need someone with a Three Tomoe Sharingan, wouldn't he? Besides, Yoru was still valuable.

It could be seen in the original story that although Orochimaru was an early major villain, he possessed considerable personal charisma and broad-mindedness. As long as one had value, even flaws did not matter. His tolerance was immense.

The most typical example was Sasuke Uchiha. His words had been far from polite, yet Orochimaru had not become angry. As long as one remained valuable, nothing else mattered.

His successful entry under Orochimaru's tutelage was due partly to the Uchiha Clan's allegiance and partly to his own talent. Though his talent had temporarily been bought with money, who else knew that?

When he returned to the Uchiha tent, Shisui happened to still be there.

"Brother Yoru."

When Shisui saw who had arrived, he immediately smiled. Though he was stronger than Uchiha Yoru in combat, he fell far behind in other aspects. Especially regarding the Uchiha Clan's future, the confused Shisui had finally seen the beam of a lighthouse.

Uchiha Yoru entered with a hesitant, troubled expression. Then he gave a meaningful glance around them. Sure enough, Uchiha Shisui immediately said in a low voice, "Everyone, keep watch in secret."

Sure enough, faint rustling came from around the tent. The Uchiha Clan's situation was extremely awkward, and it had already affected the front line. Their isolated tents alone made that clear.

The Uchiha Clan had been isolated.

"Brother Yoru, the perimeter has already been secured. There is also a barrier, so nothing will happen."

After seeing that all arrangements had been made, Shisui could not help frowning at Uchiha Yoru with a suspicious look. "Brother Yoru, what happened?"

Uchiha Yoru gave a bitter smile, shook his head, and sighed. "Shisui, the clan's task was to wait until the Clan Head's son, Uchiha Itachi, arrived. Given Uchiha Itachi's talent, along with my secret probing, we were to see whether he could become Orochimaru's disciple."

The moment Uchiha Yoru said this, Shisui frowned. He naturally knew about this matter, but why bring it up now? Could it be—

"Brother Yoru, did you encounter some difficulty?"

The honest Uchiha Shisui was filled with concern. The Uchiha Clan's current circumstances were simply too difficult. They had finally connected with the future Fifth Hokage, and they absolutely could not give up.

Seeing Shisui's worried expression, Uchiha Yoru sighed inwardly. Shisui, I did this all for the clan, for the Uchiha.

The contract is signed. Starting today, there will be two updates a day. Please support me.