Kusanagi Sword

"Heh heh, Lord Yoru, you've truly solved an urgent problem for your teacher."

Inside the wooden cabin, Orochimaru watched Uchiha Yoruro standing respectfully before him. This disciple had originally been accepted merely as a bargaining chip in a political deal, yet Orochimaru had never expected him to be of such tremendous help. It truly gave him the feeling of having gained a capable assistant.

Naturally, this capable assistant was not in research. Although Uchiha Yoruro possessed Special Jonin-level Medical Ninjutsu, he still fell far short in that regard.

That feeling of having a capable assistant came from funding. Ever since taking this disciple, Orochimaru had hardly needed to worry about research funds. The other party had even begun using the Uchiha name to recruit supporters for him.

"Teacher Orochimaru, they all did so willingly."

Uchiha Yoruro's eyes were filled with determination, as though they said that he firmly believed in and looked forward to his teacher becoming the Fifth Hokage—and that the others, along with the major clans, believed the same.

As for his disciple meeting representatives of the major clans at the Camp, how could Orochimaru possibly not know? In his eyes, it was merely the Uchiha Clan working to help him assume the position of Fifth Hokage sooner.

Or rather, the Uchiha were showing their sincerity and striving to build enough merit for themselves. Look how many connections they had helped him secure.

Orochimaru immediately let out his distinctive hoarse chuckle. "Heh heh, I've found that ever since gaining Lord Yoru and the Uchiha, things have become much easier."

This was the first time Orochimaru had mentioned the Uchiha Clan. Uchiha Yoruro revealed an excited expression and solemnly nodded. "Teacher Orochimaru, rest assured. The Uchiha Clan will forever stand unwaveringly behind you."

"The Inuzuka and Aburame clans have expressed their goodwill toward you, Teacher, and are willing to provide fifty million in financial support. The Hyuga Clan is even willing to provide two hundred million, though they hope that once Teacher Orochimaru succeeds to the position of Hokage, you will consider their candidates for the Anbu."

He had clearly already made the promise himself, yet now he framed it as the Hyuga Clan's request. He truly was taking advantage from both sides like a shameless scoundrel.

Upon hearing this, Orochimaru narrowed his golden slit-pupiled eyes and revealed an evil smile. Only after a long while did he let out a hoarse laugh. "Heh heh, the Anbu? That isn't impossible."

At that moment, Orochimaru simply smiled indifferently to himself. Konoha had always been supported by the major clans, while the Hokage's Anbu were an exception—power directly held by the Hokage, mostly composed of elite commoners.

The major clans had always belonged to the Hokage Faction. The Uchiha were merely an exception. Thus, the major clans were only showing goodwill toward the future Hokage. As for their investments, they were simply for the future.

After losing the contest for Fourth Hokage, Orochimaru was no longer as obsessed with becoming Hokage. Yet now, it seemed as if everyone was pushing him toward the position.

After all, the Third was already old. He had stepped down back then because the losses of the Third Shinobi War had been too severe, and he had resigned to take responsibility. Countless people were now merely investing in the future Hokage.

Orochimaru probably never imagined that he would eventually become a Rogue Ninja. After all, Human experimentation had existed since the Second Hokage; there was precedent for it. Otherwise, how could jutsu like Impure World Reincarnation have been developed?

Moreover, Orochimaru had established so many secret research bases within Konoha's territory. While he did have some private hidden bases of his own, at most, he had merely used his authority to handle a few personal matters. Had no one seen how the Sarutobi Clan's so-called three thousand ninja clans had come to be?

Furthermore, the original work had mentioned Orochimaru's human research as well. He had joined Root, and only began it with the approval and support of Root's leader, Danzo. With such a huge operation, did the Hokage truly not know?

It could only be said that Danzo had followed the example well enough, secretly abusing his authority to let Orochimaru research Wood Release. There was precedent for all of this.

"Teacher."

Orochimaru smiled casually. Politics no longer interested him that much, so he waved a hand. "Don't worry. Whatever the Hyuga have, the Uchiha will have as well."

What a grand promise. As expected of one of the contenders for Hokage—after all, how could someone who did not understand politics ever become a Hokage candidate?

Uchiha Yoruro immediately nodded heavily in excitement. "Teacher Orochimaru, rest assured. The Uchiha Clan will certainly give it everything we have."

Loyalty! In any case, he could not actually represent the Uchiha. It was simply that some people regarded him as the Uchiha Clan's current representative.

"Heh heh, Lord Yoru, I see that not only are you gifted in Medical Ninjutsu, but you also have talent with the blade. I originally planned to give you this Chakra weapon when you became a jonin, but I don't think there's any need to wait."

Beneath Orochimaru's sinister, malevolent smile, he lifted his head after speaking. Then a horrifying sight appeared. His throat writhed and gurgled as if something were about to emerge. A dark-colored snake slowly crawled from his mouth, then opened its jaws and spat something out.

When he saw the Chakra weapon that emerged, Uchiha Yoruro could not help showing a stunned expression. It was actually this Divine Weapon.

"Heh heh, the Kusanagi Sword is said to have been forged from the hardest substance in this world, and it is no different from Chakra Metal. I wonder, Lord Yoru, are you satisfied?"

After retracting his long tongue, Orochimaru gripped the slender black straight blade beneath his sinister smile and flicked it. The mucus coating the blade was instantly flung clean away.

As he looked at the Divine Weapon being offered to him, Uchiha Yoruro was filled with excitement. To a ninja, this could be considered a priceless treasure.

"Thank you, Teacher Orochimaru."

Respectfully accepting Sasuke Uchiha's Kusanagi Sword from the original work, Uchiha Yoruro was deeply grateful for Orochimaru's generosity. It had to be Snake Uncle—he always knew how to invest.

Orochimaru also laughed hoarsely, amusement glinting in his golden eyes. It was not that he was generous; the other party was simply worth the investment.

From a personal standpoint, the boy was his disciple and had awakened the Sharingan. Becoming a jonin in the future would not be much of a problem, especially with Orochimaru's guidance. Giving him a Divine Weapon he did not need was perfectly reasonable.

From the standpoint of benefits, this disciple had brought him considerable gains. He could also make the Uchiha Clan trust and lean toward him even more, allowing him to obtain even greater research funding in the future.

Killing two birds with one stone—while also creating a win-win situation.

Satisfied, Uchiha Yoruro sheathed the Kusanagi Sword at his lower back and revealed an excited smile. Orochimaru smiled and said, "The Border has been fairly stable lately. Remember to properly follow your training plan."

"Yes, Teacher Orochimaru."

It had to be said that Orochimaru was absolutely the most responsible teacher. His training plans were formulated entirely from a scientific perspective, achieving effects closest to perfection without pushing the body beyond its limits, rather than recklessly acting on a burst of enthusiasm.

The original materials had indicated that Kusanagi Sword referred to a category of swords, not one specific blade.

This afternoon would determine life or death. After all, the story was nearly seventy thousand words long. If the trial recommendation still did not come, then it would truly be a flop.