Information Asymmetry

The mastermind behind the Nine-Tails incident?

A suspected Uchiha clansman severely wounded Orochimaru?

Mangekyo Sharingan?

Orochimaru's few short sentences contained a massive amount of information.

If all of this were to become known to the villagers...

The moment Fugaku Uchiha thought of that consequence, a chill ran down his spine.

This news must not be allowed to spread.

Fugaku Uchiha's gaze sharpened, and his look toward Orochimaru turned sinister.

If he just killed him, if he just killed this sole witness...

"Orochimaru" met Fugaku's murderous glare without changing his expression, a smile still hanging on his face.

This composed attitude startled Fugaku Uchiha, and a bead of cold sweat trickled down his forehead.

The consequences of killing one of the Sannin would be no less than last night's Nine-Tails incident; how could he have even entertained such a thought?

What Orochimaru said might not even be true, but if he were to kill Orochimaru, the clan would truly be pushed into a pit of fire.

After an unknown amount of time, Fugaku spoke slowly, his voice laced with bitterness, "Lord Orochimaru, is what you say true?"

"Orochimaru" stroked his chin, his eyes filled with amusement, "That question is beneath the leader of a clan."

"Does it matter if it's true?

As long as I want to say it is, it can be true at any moment. The Third has already stirred up public opinion; he cannot possibly deny my words now and slap his own face. Changing one's orders day by day is a major taboo for a leader."

"You should be asking me why I am helping the Uchiha hide this. What is my goal? What must you pay to keep my mouth shut?"

Fugaku Uchiha opened his mouth, unsure how to respond to Orochimaru's mockery and interrogation.

He had come with the intention of proving that the Nine-Tails incident was not the work of the Uchiha clan.

He had visited Orochimaru to uncover more details about the mastermind, hoping to clear the public opinion and wash away the suspicions against the Uchiha clan.

He never expected that by lifting the lid, he would find a jar full of filth.

The information Orochimaru revealed was truly too shocking; Fugaku was completely unprepared, and for a moment, he was caught in a dilemma, not knowing what to do.

"Orochimaru" shook his head; this Fugaku Uchiha was truly not cut out to be a clan leader.

He had the face of a serious and firm man, yet he was led by the nose in just a few words.

He was much better suited to being led than to being a leader.

"Why is Clan Leader Fugaku silent?"

"Could it be that you are overjoyed to hear there is another clansman who has awakened the Mangekyo?"

"Orochimaru's" tone was meaningful, "To be able to fight me and leave me severely wounded—such a clansman is indeed exciting."

"Isn't that right, Clan Leader Fugaku?"

Fugaku Uchiha felt a jolt in his heart; he snapped back to reality and hurriedly denied it, "Lord Orochimaru, please do not speak nonsense. The Uchiha have no such clansman."

A clansman possessing the Mangekyo Sharingan was indeed a formidable combat force that could elevate the clan's status within the village.

But the fact that the person had controlled the Nine-Tails to attack, causing heavy casualties to the village and the death of the Fourth Hokage, meant they were already standing in opposition to the village.

There was no benefit whatsoever in being associated with such a heinous rogue ninja.

"I ask that Lord Orochimaru please do not tell the village this intelligence."

Fugaku Uchiha bowed deeply, "This is not just for the Uchiha, but also for the village."

Regardless of Orochimaru's reasons, the most urgent matter now was to keep the lid on this.

"Orochimaru" nodded, "Very well, no problem. I accept this."

Fugaku Uchiha remained in his bowing posture, waiting for Orochimaru's next demand.

However, the words that reached his ears made him startle, and he couldn't help but stand up straight.

Meeting Fugaku's stunned gaze, "Orochimaru" remained expressionless, "You heard me correctly. I have no demands. Even if you hadn't come tonight, I would have continued to hide this intelligence."

"But is it really going to be fine this way?"

"When the Nine-Tails was rampaging, how will you explain the tomoe in its eyes?"

"And if your Uchiha rogue ninja strikes again, what will you do then?"

"This lid is not something you can keep on just because you want to."

"Go back and think about it carefully!"

"..."

Fugaku Uchiha couldn't help but clench his fists, his expression even uglier than when he had arrived, and he dragged his heavy footsteps out of the hospital room.

"I thought you were going to ask for the moon."

Orochimaru was somewhat surprised; by now, how could he not see that the Uchiha clan was the new financier the Genie had found?

"You have to look at the big picture; we've barely even started."

The Genie laughed, "Taking advantage of someone's predicament might get you what you want, but it will inevitably sour the relationship. We aren't short on money right now, so there's no need to resort to such extreme measures."

"Besides, this injury wasn't actually caused by a rogue Uchiha ninja anyway."

Orochimaru shook his head, "But the way you talk makes me feel like you could turn a lie into the truth."

The Genie smiled slightly, "I don't have the power to make my words reality; at most, I'm just utilizing a bit of information asymmetry."

Kakashi and Guy, the Third Hokage and Danzo, Fugaku Uchiha.

Among them, the Third Hokage might learn the truth from Kakashi and Guy and believe it, but Fugaku Uchiha would not—and even if he did, he wouldn't believe it.

After all, in this charade, Fugaku Uchiha hadn't paid any substantial price, aside from a bit of goodwill.

From his perspective, if Orochimaru were trying to deceive him, he would have expected to be swindled out of a fortune instead.

Having figured out the key to the success of the ruse, Orochimaru licked his lips, feeling a sense of awe.

Even though the Genie hadn't hidden anything and he had watched the whole thing from start to finish, if the other party hadn't explained it, he still wouldn't have been able to fathom what the Genie was planning.

The human heart and human nature were even more complex than forbidden jutsu.

Orochimaru put away the curiosity on his face and stopped asking the Genie to continue explaining.

The Genie's methods would undoubtedly secure him the greatest benefit, but he found he didn't quite like it.

The next day, at noon.

Orochimaru left Konoha Central Hospital in broad daylight.

Whether they had previously worshipped or feared Orochimaru, the villagers and ninjas alike breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing the news.

Compared to the danger of losing one's life, a dark and cold temperament didn't amount to much.

If anything, Orochimaru's powerful and imposing martial strength actually gave them a sense of security.

Well, it was a bit like Stockholm syndrome.

At this moment, if Orochimaru truly had his heart set on competing for the position of Hokage, his chances of success would not be small.

The shift in the village's atmosphere naturally could not be hidden from Danzo, and Danzo knew that things were taking a turn for the worse.

Therefore, just as Orochimaru returned to his residence in the village, several Root ninjas delivered the terms that had been previously negotiated.

Orochimaru sat at his desk, flipping through the research records on the First Hokage Cells one by one.

These records were clearly not complete—at the very least, the techniques applied to Danzo were not revealed—but having this data would save him a great deal of time and energy.

Thus, Orochimaru read them very carefully.

And standing before the desk was a short, young boy in the prime of his youth, though his eyes were somewhat vacant.