Conspiracy, Orochimaru

Uchiha Sora wiped the long blade with the hem of his robe and handed it back to Chosuke.

"Here, wiped it clean. Returning it to you."

Chosuke looked at Uchiha Sora with a conflicted expression, hesitant to reach out.

"What's wrong? I only used it for a moment; it's not like I broke it!"

Chosuke let out a long sigh: "Ryuzuki is a fine blade, truly excellent!"

"After handling it yourself, you must have felt it too."

Uchiha Sora nodded: "It's quite good. If not for this blade, I wouldn't have been able to pull off that technique just now; I would have needed to accumulate power for a while longer."

According to his judgment, this blade increased the power of his Fire Style by at least twenty percent, and its capacity for Fire Style chakra was exceptional.

"Don't worry, I'm not coveting your precious sword. I'll just forge one for myself when the time comes."

Chosuke shook his head and began to reminisce: "Back in those days, the Blade of White Fang and Ryuzuki were the best. That blade was suited for Lightning Style chakra, while Ryuzuki was suited for Fire Style."

"She was originally my brother's blade. He entrusted her to me when he died in battle..."

"All these years, I have been unable to draw out her greatest strength, and I feel deeply ashamed."

Uchiha Sora looked at him with an even stranger expression.

A sword, and you're dragging me into a family drama?

Chosuke struggled to squeeze out a smile, as if he had reached a certain decision.

"Lord Sora, do you know..."

"In your hands, I heard Ryuzuki's joyful hum. She likes you so, so much!"

"This kind of joy, even when she was in my brother's hands, I never once heard."

"A blade can only... when it meets the partner most suited to it..."

As he spoke, Chosuke wiped away a tear.

"Please, you must cherish Ryuzuki. You are the one most suited for her!"

Uchiha Sora was rarely left speechless.

Whether he was right or wrong, he could always argue his point.

But he truly didn't know how to communicate with this guy.

It's just gifting a sword! I've seen enough wuxia dramas! It's a common trope!

Why does it smell so strongly of a morning soap opera!!

He turned his head to look at Mifune.

"I'll accept it, consider it a purchase. You can deduct it from the materials."

Mifune shook his head: "Chosuke's display was a bit exaggerated... but his family is the finest lineage of swordsmiths in the Land of Iron. Perhaps he really can hear sounds others cannot."

"This is his personal gift, unrelated to our agreement."

"By the way... regarding what I promised to give you all, since you already have one, Lord Shisui can go pick one out after the banquet."

Shisui raised a hand to politely decline, looking at the short sword at his waist, and smiled: "Thank you for your kindness, but the blade my grandfather left me is sufficient."

His sword was left behind by Kagami Uchiha; it was a rare, fine blade in its own right and more than enough for his needs.

Chosuke handed the wiped-clean scabbard to Uchiha Sora, giving instructions as if he were a father sending off a daughter to be married: "Ryuzuki needs to be maintained with high-quality blade oil every month; I will prepare some for you. She doesn't like humid environments, so if you have time, every week..."

Uchiha Sora hurriedly took the scabbard and signaled to Mifune: "Let's eat quickly. Once I'm full, I'm hitting the road."

He had originally planned to stay the night, but he was afraid this guy would show up tomorrow morning for a ten-mile farewell.

If not for his craving for the Land of Iron's specialty sweets, Uchiha Sora would have left right now.

--

--

Night fell.

In the biting wind, Shisui tightened his robe: "Why the rush? Is one night's sleep really that big of a deal? We've been camping for so long, it's finally..."

"I'm afraid I won't be able to stop myself from hacking that guy to pieces."

Uchiha Sora's face was gloomy. That guy named Chosuke had kept pestering him even while he was eating dessert; the deliciousness of the snow-apple jam shaved ice had been diminished.

Seeing Uchiha Sora thwarted for the first time, Shisui teased: "Regardless, he gave you such a valuable gift—it's worth millions, at least. What's the harm in letting him talk a bit?"

He shot Shisui a glare: "The fact that he's still alive is the greatest concession I've made."

"Fine, fine, you are the magnanimous Lord Sora~"

"Hey, next time you play the villain, I'm not good at acting, it feels so weird."

"I don't act; I am truly evil."

Uchiha Sora said indifferently, "If I were to say those harsh words, my body would follow through with the actions, and then we would really end up fighting."

"Alright, blast out a snow cave. We'll pick up the pace tomorrow morning and reach the Land of Fields."

"Now that we have the materials, it's time to arrange for the laborers."

--

--

Konoha.

Shimura Residence.

Shimura Danzō sat kneeling in the inner chamber like a monk in meditation, the flickering candlelight casting shifting shadows across his face.

Drip...

A drop of viscous liquid fell from above.

A white snake was coiled around the rafters, and from its mouth emerged a man with a pale complexion and purple eyeshadow.

It was none other than the S-rank missing-nin wanted by Konoha, Orochimaru!

"Your way of greeting is too disgusting, Orochimaru."

Danzō slowly opened his eyes, looking at the tip of the sword pointed at him.

Orochimaru wore an evil, charming smile, his voice raspy: "I've heard..."

"You were defeated in public by a little Uchiha brat, and even the eyes you kept in secret were gouged out."

"You were even placed under house arrest by the old man..."

"What qualifications do you have left to cooperate with me now?"

"Qualifications..."

Danzō sneered and said, "I was only removed from my post, not dead."

"You've been in Root, so you should know how much power I can mobilize. The batch that died before counts for nothing."

"Without my funding, and while facing the pursuit of the Konoha Anbu, your life hasn't been easy, has it?"

"It is a bit annoying. Those bugs keep buzzing around, which really affects my mood for experiments."

Orochimaru continued to point his sword at Danzō, "However, I recently joined an organization, so my funding is quite sufficient."

Danzō gave a grim smile: "There is no need for us to test each other. Since you have come, it means you have the intention to cooperate."

"I can provide you with intelligence on the Anbu ninjas hunting you and continue to fund your research."

After a brief pause, Orochimaru spoke indifferently: "Not enough. Root must also help me collect enough experimental subjects. Hehe... this time, I don't want ordinary goods."

"Agreed."

Orochimaru lowered his Kusanagi Sword, revealing a cold, serpentine smile: "Then, Lord Danzō, what is it that you want me to do for you?"

"Uchiha Sora."

Although Danzō tried hard to remain calm while saying the name, Orochimaru could still perceive the twisted, viper-like killing intent hidden deep within him.

"I want his eyes to fill my void!"

"Hehe, you don't seem to understand the situation, Lord Danzō."

Orochimaru narrowed his eyes, his smile vanishing: "That is an Uchiha powerhouse capable of defeating you; it's not something I can handle... besides, the price you're offering isn't enough."

"That brat only relies on his summoning beast. As long as you don't give him time to summon, he is nothing more than a Two-Tomoe kid."

"I can give you one more piece of intelligence..."

"The Fourth Hokage is dead; the one appearing now is a fake."

!!!

Orochimaru's pupils dilated, ripples of shock exploding within his dark golden irises.

How... how is that possible...

He was indeed dissatisfied with Namikaze Minato succeeding as Hokage, but that was more out of resentment that his teacher did not choose him, rather than believing Minato was unqualified to compete with him.

Like Jiraiya, he also believed that Minato was the greatest genius ninja since the First Hokage, a prodigy truly capable of bridging the chasm of Kekkei Genkai!

Such a person... how could he...

No...

Orochimaru's eyes darkened.

No matter who it is, anyone can die.

Human life is too short, too fickle.

That is why...

I must grasp everything in my palm, attain eternal life, and witness the truth of all things.

Danzo let out a cold sneer: "The person you feared most is gone, and I know you are also interested in the Sharingan."

"According to my intelligence, Uchiha Sora and Uchiha Shisui are currently moving toward the Land of Earth, having separated from their clan. It is a perfect opportunity to strike."

"I will send members of Root..."

"No need."

Orochimaru interrupted Danzo, his figure slowly receding into the darkness before dissolving into a white snake: "I will go and see for myself. It sounds like a more interesting child than Uchiha Itachi."

Only when Orochimaru's aura vanished from the sensory barrier did Danzo's expression turn grim.

Orochimaru...

He is nothing but a stray dog. Once this old man becomes Hokage...