Scheming with Orochimaru

Uchiha Sora wiped the long blade with the corner of his clothes, then handed it to Chosuke.

"Here, all clean. Take it back."

"GOOGLE search TWKAN"

Chosuke looked at Uchiha Sora with a conflicted expression, but didn't reach out.

"What's wrong? I only used it once. It's not like I broke it!"

Chosuke let out a long sigh. "Ryuzuki is a fine blade. A very fine blade!"

"You felt it too, after using it yourself, didn't you?"

Uchiha Sora nodded. "It's excellent. Without it, I wouldn't have been able to use that jutsu just now. I'd have needed to build up my strength for a while longer."

From what he could tell, the blade boosted the power of his Fire Style by at least twenty percent. It also held Fire Style chakra exceptionally well.

"Don't worry. I'm not coveting your treasured blade. I'll just have one forged for myself later."

Chosuke shook his head, then began recounting the past. "Back then, Blade of White Fang and Ryuzuki were the finest blades. Blade of White Fang suited Lightning Release chakra, while Ryuzuki suited Fire Style chakra."

"She was originally my older brother's blade. When he fell in battle, he entrusted her to me..."

"All these years, I've been deeply ashamed that I couldn't bring out her full power."

Uchiha Sora looked at him even more strangely.

It's just a blade. Why are you turning this into a family drama?

Chosuke forced a smile, as if he'd reached some sort of decision.

"Lord Sora, do you know..."

"In your hands, I heard Ryuzuki's delighted little cry. She likes you very, very much!"

"Even when she was in my brother's hands, I never heard her express such joy."

"A blade can only... when she meets the partner who suits her best..."

As he spoke, Chosuke wiped away a tear.

"Please cherish Ryuzuki. You're the one who suits her best!"

Uchiha Sora was rarely at a loss for words.

Whether he was right or wrong, he could always argue back.

But he really had no idea how to communicate with this guy.

It was just a gift of a sword! I've watched samurai dramas before! This sort of thing happens all the time!

Why does this feel so sickeningly sweet, like some cheesy morning drama?!

He turned to look at Mifune.

"I'll take it, then. Consider it a purchase, and deduct the cost from the materials."

Mifune shook his head. "Chosuke was a bit over the top...but his family is the finest swordsmithing family in the Land of Iron. Maybe he really can hear a different kind of sound."

"This is a personal gift from him, unrelated to our agreement."

"Oh, right... I promised to give you two something earlier. Since you already have a blade, Lord Shisui can choose one after the banquet."

Shisui raised a hand to politely decline, then glanced at the short blade behind him and smiled. "Thank you for your kindness, but the blade my grandfather left me is all I need."

His blade had belonged to Kagami Uchiha. It was already a rare and fine weapon, more than good enough for him.

Chosuke handed Uchiha Sora the clean scabbard, offering his instructions as if he were entrusting his daughter to her new husband. "Ryuzuki needs to be maintained every month with high-quality sword oil. I'll prepare some for you. She doesn't like damp places, so if you have time, every week..."

Uchiha Sora hurriedly took the scabbard and called to Mifune. "Come on, let's eat. Once I've had my fill, I'm hitting the road."

He'd planned to stay the night, but he was afraid this guy would come back in the morning to give him a grand farewell.

If he weren't craving the Land of Iron's specialty sweets, Uchiha Sora would've wanted to leave right away.

--

--

Night fell.

In the cold wind, Shisui tightened his robe. "Why are we in such a hurry? We can't spare one night? We've been camping for so long, and now that we finally..."

"I'm afraid I'll lose my temper and cut that guy down."

Uchiha Sora's expression was dark. That guy Chosuke had kept pestering him even while he was eating dessert, so the delicious snowfield apple sorbet had tasted less sweet.

Seeing Uchiha Sora at a loss for the first time, Shisui teased him. "Still, he gave you such an expensive gift. It must be worth tens of millions, at least. What's the harm in listening to him talk?"

Shisui shot him a look. "The fact that he's still alive is already the greatest concession I've made."

"All right, all right. The magnanimous Lord Sora~"

"Hey, next time something like this happens, you can play the bad guy. I'm not good at acting, and it feels weird."

"I can't act. I'm really a bad guy."

Uchiha Sora spoke mildly. "If I say something harsh, my body will follow through. Then we'd really end up fighting."

"All right, dig us a snow cave. We'll pick up the pace tomorrow morning and make it to the Land of Fields."

"Now that we have the materials, it's time to get the hired help in place."

--

--

Konoha.

Shimura Residence.

Shimura Danzo sat kneeling in the inner room, as still as a meditating monk. The flickering candlelight cast shifting shadows across his face.

Drip...

A drop of viscous liquid fell from above.

A white snake coiled around the ceiling beam. A pale-faced man with purple eye shadow emerged from its mouth.

It was Orochimaru, an S-rank rogue ninja wanted by Konoha!

"That's a disgusting way to say hello, Orochimaru."

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

Orochimaru wore a sinister smile. His voice was hoarse. "I heard..."

"You were publicly defeated by a Uchiha brat, and even had the eye you'd been hiding ripped out."

"You were also confined by the old man..."

"What right do you have to work with me now?"

"Right..."

Danzo sneered. "I was merely stripped of my position. I'm not dead."

"You've served in Root, so you should know how much power I can still bring to bear. The people who died before were nothing."

"Without my support, and with Konoha's Anbu hunting you down, things must be difficult for you."

"It's a bit of a nuisance. Those bugs keep following me and disturbing my mood while I'm doing experiments."

Orochimaru still had the sword pointed at Danzo. "But I recently joined an organization, so I'm doing all right for money."

Danzo gave a chilling smile. "There's no need for us to test each other. You wouldn't have come if you weren't interested in working together."

"I can provide you with information on the Anbu Ninja hunting you, and continue funding your research."

After a brief pause, Orochimaru spoke indifferently. "Not enough. Root also needs to gather enough test subjects for me. Heh...this time, I don't want ordinary stock."

"Agreed."

Orochimaru lowered the Kusanagi Sword, revealing a cold, snake-like smile. "So, Lord Danzo, what do you want me to do for you?"

"Uchiha Sora."

Danzo tried to keep his voice calm as he said the name, but Orochimaru could still sense the twisted, viper-like murderous intent lurking beneath.

"I want his eyes to fill the void inside me!"

"Heh. You don't seem to understand the situation, Lord Danzo."

Orochimaru narrowed his eyes, his smile gone. "That's a powerful Uchiha who defeated you. He's not someone I can handle... And your price isn't high enough."

"That brat only won because of his summoning beast. If he doesn't have time to summon it, he's nothing but a Two-Tomoe brat."

"I can also give you some information..."

"The Fourth Hokage is dead. The one appearing in public now is an impostor."

!!!

Orochimaru's pupils widened, shock rippling through his dark golden eyes.

How... How could that be...

He'd resented Namikaze Minato becoming Hokage, but more than that, he'd been upset that his teacher hadn't chosen him. He hadn't thought Minato was unworthy of competing with him.

Like Jiraiya, he believed Minato was the most talented ninja since the First Hokage—a genius who could truly cross the chasm of Kekkei Genkai!

Someone like that... How could...

No...

Orochimaru's eyes darkened.

Anyone could die.

Human life was too short, too unpredictable.

That was why...

He had to bring everything under his control, attain eternal life, and witness the truth of all things.

Danzo sneered. "The person you fear most is gone. I know you're interested in the Sharingan, too."

"According to my intelligence, Uchiha Sora and Uchiha Shisui are heading toward the Land of Earth. They've separated from their clan, so it's a good opportunity to strike."

"I'll send Root operatives..."

"No need."

Orochimaru cut Danzo off. His figure slowly retreated into the darkness and transformed into a white snake, which slithered away. "I'll go take a look. He sounds like a more interesting boy than Uchiha Itachi."

Only after Orochimaru's chakra had disappeared from the detection barrier did Danzo's expression darken.

Orochimaru...

Just a stray dog. Once I become Hokage...