Orochimaru's Ambition

Uchiha Sou spoke in great detail, recounting everything he had done behind enemy lines to Orochimaru exactly as it had happened.

Although he concealed a few things, the overall account was truthful, and Orochimaru, currently at the Konoha camp, listened with extreme focus.

As he listened, he pondered how he would have handled the situation had he been in the area of the Land of Whirlpools controlled by Kirigakure.

After much thought, he felt he would have strictly followed mission protocol, because as a ninja, a mission is a mission; that was something he would never change.

However, upon reaching this conclusion, Orochimaru frowned, clearly dissatisfied with the answer he had arrived at.

Orochimaru was a man with his own pride, and while he felt that following mission protocol and procedure would not have led to any major issues and would have ensured the mission's completion, he felt less comfortable when considering Uchiha Sou's age and the specific results achieved by his unauthorized deviation from the mission.

"Training civilians, utilizing their hatred to harass and compress the space occupied by Kirigakure, and deliberately embedding the concept that 'Konoha helped them, saved them' during the training.

By making them full of goodwill toward Konoha and its ninja, even if we leave and want to return at some point in the future, it will prevent too many problems from arising.

This brat, he really is..."

Orochimaru could not help but sigh softly to himself; he was truly stunned by Uchiha Sou's maneuvers.

If it were him, he honestly doubted he could have thought of so much in such a short time; one had to remember that this kid only started looking for ways to compensate for everything after saving his own disciple.

Such reaction speed was truly incredible; if it were him, he might have thought of a way to make amends, but he could not have made such a decision in such a short time.

Of course, Orochimaru also wondered if the kid had planned this all along, and that saving his disciple was merely a way to better operate under his own banner.

But this thought vanished as quickly as it appeared; in that kind of place, who could have predicted whom they would encounter, especially since they had no idea who had gone behind enemy lines.

"And this kid's strength has completely exceeded my imagination. No wonder the members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist on the front lines withdrew from the combat sequence."

Orochimaru tapped his fingers lightly on the desk; when he heard that Uchiha Sou had managed to kill one and injure another of Juzo Biwa and Raiga Kurosuki single-handedly, he was truly taken aback.

He certainly knew who Raiga Kurosuki and Juzo Biwa were, and while they were not much of a problem for him personally, it was a different story for others.

Moreover, even he could not rule out the possibility of a slip-up if he were careless while dealing with those two.

"Strength, wisdom, judgment—this kid is truly more than just a pleasant surprise!"

Orochimaru licked his lips lightly, an inexplicable glint flashing in his eyes, and the speed at which his fingers tapped the desk grew faster.

"Lord Orochimaru."

Just as Orochimaru was deep in thought, a snake coiled on his desk suddenly transmitted the voice of Uchiha Sou.

"That is the situation. We have also filed the corresponding reports, and I believe we can present all the documentation to Lord Orochimaru once we return."

"You have done well, very well indeed."

The speed of Orochimaru's finger-tapping slowed down; he pondered for a moment before a smile appeared on his face.

"Better than I expected, better than I could have imagined. Do you remember what I said to you when you set out?

It seems you truly have reason to be proud now. You turned a disadvantage into an advantage—an unprecedented advantage that even I must take note of. You have truly exceeded everyone's expectations."

"Lord Orochimaru?"

Uchiha Sou felt a bit surprised upon hearing this; that somewhat inexplicable conversation from half a year ago surfaced in his mind once again.

However, he hadn't had the qualifications or the means to ask about it before, but now he felt he could try.

Especially since he now possessed the Mangekyo, he at least had the confidence to do so.

"Could you tell me what that was about? I always felt that what you wanted to tell me wasn't that simple.

Of course, if Lord Orochimaru does not wish to say, I will naturally not force the issue."

"Actually, there is no harm in telling you, after all, I already gave you a hint, didn't I?"

Orochimaru licked his lips, continuing to tap the desk slowly with his fingers, though a smile remained on his face.

"This operation was indeed not as simple as you imagined. I had not intended for you to carry out this mission beforehand.

But later, I decided to let you execute it, which was also a test for you."

"Originally didn't intend to, but later agreed, and it was also a test?"

Uchiha Sou frowned upon hearing this, unsure of what Orochimaru meant.

Especially this "test," which caught him off guard; what right did he have to be tested by Orochimaru, especially considering Orochimaru was currently a staunch supporter of the Third, the Hokage?

"Wait, the Hokage?"

Uchiha Sou suddenly seemed to realize something, and his train of thought began to clear up.

After hesitating for a moment, Uchiha Sou asked curiously, "Lord Orochimaru, are you accumulating your own faction and power for the position of Hokage?"

"Truly worthy of someone who came up with such a plan behind enemy lines." The smile on Orochimaru's face became even more brilliant at this moment: "So-kun, your mental acuity is faster than I imagined."

Having said this, Orochimaru paused slightly before continuing.

"That's right, I do intend to strive for the Hokage position. After all, I don't think there is anyone in all of Konoha more qualified than I am.

Although, strictly speaking, I don't feel my obsession with being Hokage is as heavy as one might think, I must naturally prepare for what is mine.

I have no ill will toward the Uchiha, but the other Uchiha may not necessarily have good feelings toward me, so I naturally have to make some preparations.

Don't you think, So-kun?"

Hearing Orochimaru's words, Uchiha Sou couldn't help but curl his lip; Orochimaru was truly as arrogant as ever.

However, this Lord Orochimaru probably never dreamed that the thing he thought was within his grasp would, in the end, not belong to him at all.

Of course, Orochimaru's temperament seemed to remain the same; he still maintained an interest in the position of Hokage, though it was not particularly strong.

This was perfectly normal, because Uchiha Sou knew exactly what Orochimaru desired most in his heart!

But regardless, he would still make the necessary preparations, though Uchiha Sou hadn't expected him to choose him of all people.

"Lord Orochimaru really thinks highly of me." Uchiha Sou gave a bitter smile. "And doesn't Lord Orochimaru seem a bit too confident?"

"As a ninja, caution is essential, and confidence is just as essential." Orochimaru's magnetic voice rang out once more. "And So-kun, don't you want to know the other reason why I agreed to let you participate in this mission?"

"Please, Lord Orochimaru, tell me." Uchiha Sou hesitated for a moment before asking.

"Let's save that for when we meet in person."

What Uchiha Sou didn't expect was for Orochimaru to refuse him outright, and then drop a piece of news that left him stunned.

"So-kun, you might not understand Konoha well enough, but I want to tell you that Konoha's attitude toward the Uchiha is not as good as you imagine.

And as I have said, I hold no ill will toward the Uchiha, but the Uchiha do not necessarily hold any goodwill toward me. The Uchiha must change, and they will be changed by my hand!

Therefore, I need to test your capacity. You are basically qualified for now, but there is one more thing you need to resolve. Once you complete it, I will ensure you obtain everything the Uchiha possess.

Or to put it another way, I will do everything in my power to make sure that everything belonging to the Uchiha becomes yours!"

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