Fates Flowing in Their Own Directions

"Old man will draw his attention. Take this opportunity to search carefully."

Shimura Danzō raised his cane and entered Orochimaru's courtyard.

Ryoma Aburame nodded. The next second, he vanished without a trace.

Upon entering the hall, Shimura Danzō narrowed his eyes slightly.

Orochimaru seemed to have known he was coming and was already waiting for him in a seat high above.

However, his condition looked extremely poor at the moment.

Shimura Danzō raised his eyebrows. It was actually true.

"Orochimaru, what happened to your injuries?"

He did not bother with pleasantries and asked directly.

"Nothing."

Orochimaru naturally would not tell him the truth.

Shimura Danzō and his Root had a chance of killing Shisui Uchiha.

He was certainly unwilling to hand the Mangekyō Sharingan over to someone else.

Even though he could not obtain it now, in his heart, it already belonged to him.

Shimura Danzō immediately became somewhat displeased.

He was indeed quite curious about the reason for Orochimaru's injuries.

But since Orochimaru would not say, there was nothing he could do.

After all, he did not want to tear off their masks just yet.

But at that moment, Orochimaru suddenly spoke. "You don't need to have Ryoma investigate anymore. Kano was indeed taken away by me."

"What did you say?"

Shimura Danzō's expression darkened.

"He's only an experimental subject. Why are you being so stingy?" Orochimaru sneered. "I haven't even held you accountable for deceiving me."

"Hand Kano over."

Shimura Danzō spoke in a stiff tone. "Unless you want to sever ties with me."

"I hate being threatened more than anything."

Orochimaru coughed, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and revealed a viper-like smile. "Danzo, are you sure you want to sever ties?"

Shimura Danzō's expression froze.

Orochimaru did not care about Konoha and could flee at any time.

But he could not.

Once the Wood Style experiments were exposed, it would be difficult for him to get anywhere near the position of Hokage again.

He could not bear that loss.

Shimura Danzō's expression shifted between light and dark as he hesitated intensely.

In the end, he still decided to compromise.

Yamato had spent ten years in Root, from the moment of his birth until now.

His entire body had been thoroughly studied.

Sending him away was not especially painful.

It was simply a pity to lose a shinobi who could use Wood Style.

"The Fourth Hokage is dead, and the Third Hokage has returned to power, but he won't last very long." Orochimaru's tone suddenly softened. "The Fifth Hokage will soon be put on the agenda."

"What are you trying to say?"

Shimura Danzō was extremely displeased. Hokage was a forbidden topic for him.

"Who do you think will become the Fifth Hokage?"

"You want to become Hokage?"

Shimura Danzō's expression changed slightly, but he quickly returned to normal. "That's impossible. You've already lost Hiruzen Sarutobi's trust."

When the Fourth Hokage had been chosen, Orochimaru and Minato Namikaze had received the most support.

The former was one of the Sannin and had rendered outstanding service over the years, possessing many supporters.

The latter had turned the tide during the Third Shinobi World War, earning the title of the Yellow Flash. His reputation was not inferior either.

Objectively speaking, they had been evenly matched.

But Hiruzen Sarutobi believed Orochimaru was unsuitable to become Hokage and had virtually decided on Minato Namikaze.

"It is indeed impossible for me."

Orochimaru nodded in acknowledgment. "But my supporters are still around. I can help you ascend to the position of Hokage."

His calm words instantly made Shimura Danzō widen his eyes.

Am I seeing a ghost in broad daylight?

It would already be a blessing if this fellow did not kill him. Yet he actually wanted to support him?

"What are the conditions?"

Shimura Danzō suppressed his shaken emotions and asked in a deep voice.

"I want the corpse of Hashirama Senju. Help me cover it up so no one discovers it."

Orochimaru paused before continuing. "Of course, you'll also have to give me Kano."

"Are you insane?"

Shimura Danzō's expression changed drastically. "How important is the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju? Taking some cells would be no big deal, but now you want to steal the corpse. If we're discovered, neither of us will have any room to maneuver."

"I know that perfectly well."

Orochimaru impatiently waved his hand. "So, are you doing it or not?"

"..."

Shimura Danzō was speechless.

He gritted his teeth.

It was only a corpse. He could casually fabricate another one and put it in the coffin.

After all, no one usually dared to offend Hashirama Senju.

"I agree."

Shimura Danzō's face darkened, and a dangerous aura filled his entire body. "But if you betray me, Orochimaru, you'll learn the consequences."

Orochimaru smiled without the slightest concern. "Then take your little bug and leave."

The little bug he was referring to was Ryoma Aburame.

Although his courtyard had no guards, snakes were hidden everywhere.

Anyone who entered would be discovered immediately.

"Hmph. I hope you won't do anything you'll regret."

Shimura Danzō threw out one final threat before turning and leaving.

Orochimaru licked his lips, his heart burning with excitement. He had already begun looking forward to meeting Natsume again.

There were far too many answers he wanted to know.

The southwestern corner of Konoha.

The Uchiha Clan's new territory.

Although the area was larger, it was farther away.

The proud Uchiha Clan naturally could not tolerate this.

Unfortunately, they had encountered an indecisive clan leader: Fugaku Uchiha.

All their dissatisfaction had been suppressed.

At the waterfall behind the territory.

Shisui Uchiha stared blankly at the flowing water.

The battle with Orochimaru that morning had left him unable to let go.

In his heart, the Konoha higher-ups—Hiruzen Sarutobi, Shimura Danzō, Jiraiya, Orochimaru, Tsunade, and the others—held extremely high positions.

That was because they symbolized the Will of Fire.

Why had Orochimaru attacked him?

Had he received orders from Hiruzen Sarutobi?

"No, impossible."

Shisui Uchiha did not want to think any further. That would mean the Will of Fire he had always believed in had developed a problem.

Moreover, he had discovered another issue.

Orochimaru seemed to have been after his Mangekyō Sharingan.

Did that mean the Konoha higher-ups already knew of the eye's existence?

Would their attitude toward the Uchiha Clan change again?

All kinds of chaotic thoughts troubled Shisui Uchiha.

"Shisui Uchiha."

Suddenly, an Anbu shinobi appeared and said, "The Hokage wishes to see you."

Shisui Uchiha's heart trembled, but he remained outwardly calm. "I'll go right now."

He arrived at the Hokage's Office with a heavy heart.

"Shisui."

Hiruzen Sarutobi put down the documents in his hand and spoke warmly and kindly. "Sit down. Make yourself comfortable, just as if you were at home."

Shisui Uchiha breathed a sigh of relief.

He really should not have doubted the Hokage.

"Shisui, I called you here because I have a mission for you."

Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed. "Minato just died, and Kumogakure launched an attack. We have no choice but to fight back."

Shisui Uchiha immediately said, "Hokage-sama, I will definitely complete the mission."

"I've always been confident in you. You carry Kagami Uchiha's blood, and you inherited his will."

Hiruzen Sarutobi changed his expression again, looking nostalgic. "Kagami and I were as close as brothers. Every time I see you, I'm reminded of him."

Kagami Uchiha was a student chosen by the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju.

He possessed an exceptionally firm Will of Fire.

And Shisui was his descendant.

"Konoha originally intended to hold a jōnin selection, but too many things have happened recently, and we never had the chance."

Hiruzen Sarutobi stood up, walked over to Shisui Uchiha, and patted him on the shoulder. "I know your strength is far beyond that of a chūnin. For this mission, I'll temporarily grant you jōnin authority."

"Thank you, Hokage-sama!"

Shisui Uchiha spoke gratefully.

Jōnin were already core members of Konoha.

This also meant that he had earned the Hokage's attention.

"Work hard. When you return, I'll have you join the Anbu."

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled.

This was the kind of Uchiha who was a good Uchiha.

An ordinary shinobi naturally did not need to be received by him personally.

But Shisui Uchiha was different.

His surname was Uchiha.

Taking him into the Anbu would not only give him a genius, but also a bridge—a channel through which he could understand the Uchiha Clan.

The current Uchiha Clan was simply too troublesome.

Hiruzen Sarutobi needed a trusted insider.

After this conversation, Shisui Uchiha also confirmed that the attack had been Orochimaru's private action and had nothing to do with Konoha.