I Choose Orochimaru as Hokage, Ascending to the Moon in Ten Years Chapter 11

He was responsible for acting as a firewall against Konoha, while Uchiha Gin handled the hardline stance.

The power of the Military Police Force had become tasteless; it was all miscellaneous trifles, and since the Nine-Tails Incident, there was almost no authority left to exercise against village members.

Whenever they finally caught a spy, the Anbu or Root would immediately snatch them away, leaving no room for them to act, effectively turning them into mere municipal administrators.

This time, he prepared to offer the position of a Military Police Force squad leader, though the duties would be the same mundane administrative tasks. Since the Uchiha didn't want to do these things anyway, he might as well let this new temp take the fall.

Because he was handing over this specific portion of power, the difficulty of persuading his clansmen was significantly reduced.

The two reached a cooperation; although they still held differing opinions, they could at least act together to some extent.

As Fugaku prepared to rise and leave to contemplate his next moves, Uchiha Gin called out to him.

"By the way, Itachi has graduated as a genin, hasn't he? I need some fresh blood on my side. How about letting him follow me for a while?"

Uchiha Gin's words made Fugaku hesitate.

He didn't know what Uchiha Gin meant by this. Was it a hostage?

Or was it a gesture of compromise, letting his own son monitor him as a sign of mutual trust?

"Very well. When he returns today, I will speak with him and have him settle his squad affairs as soon as possible so he can come find you."

Fugaku replied.

He could feel that Uchiha Gin valued the clan deeply; as long as he didn't do anything reckless, Uchiha Gin would not lay a hand on Itachi.

Uchiha Gin nodded and watched Fugaku depart.

"Of course, I'm using Itachi as a hostage."

"Besides, I'll have him follow Orochimaru to learn some technology. After all, the future research on Sasuke will depend on his older brother. For Sasuke to awaken the Mangekyo, I might need Itachi to put on a performance."

Uchiha Gin chuckled.

If he didn't have a grip on both of Fugaku's sons, Uchiha Gin truly couldn't trust Fugaku.

The following days were very dull.

However, the undercurrents never ceased.

The Anbu and Root barely managed to scrape together enough manpower to investigate the Akatsuki and confirm the organization's connection to Uchiha Madara.

Within the village, actions against the Uchiha shifted from semi-public to covert; they had to prevent any dangerous outsiders from colluding with the Uchiha Clan.

At the same time, the private conflicts between the five great villages never stopped, and all of these required attention.

Protection for Naruto was doubled in severity.

Sarutobi Hiruzen hesitated repeatedly, yet still rejected Danzo's choice to weaponize the jinchuriki, believing that brainwashing through the Will of Fire was more effective.

This made Danzo even more furious, once again thinking that if he were Hokage, he would never act this way!

Thus, he placed his hopes on Orochimaru, wanting to obtain the power of the First Hokage and Uchiha Madara—that is, the power of the Senju and the Uchiha.

Once he mastered these two forces, the position of Hokage would be his, and he wouldn't have to worry about wiping out the Uchiha!

However, he did not know that Orochimaru was preparing to become his rival and seize the Hokage position from him.

As for Sarutobi Hiruzen, he could barely sleep without receiving a report from Shisui every day.

But half a month passed, and seeing that the Uchiha had made no major moves, Sarutobi Hiruzen breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that a civil war would likely not break out in the short term.

"I need to make more preparations."

Sarutobi Hiruzen visited several major clans and held private discussions with their leaders.

The Hyuga, Ino-Shika-Cho, Aburame, Inuzuka, and other large clans.

He worried most about these major clans backstabbing him, but he felt very secure regarding the smaller clans and commoners, because he believed he was the Hokage most recognized by the common folk!

"Familiars come in two broad categories: living creatures, similar to summoning beasts, and inanimate objects, such as the various magical birds created from gemstones by the Tohsaka family."

"If I could obtain Uchiha Madara's Rinnegan and craft it into a familiar, it would surely be immensely powerful. Or perhaps a Tailed Beast; in the ninja world, these two choices should be the best."

Uchiha Gin was shirtless, doing a handstand with his index fingers pressed against the floor, thirty-kilogram weights strapped to each of his feet.

At the same time, he was contemplating what would be most suitable as a familiar.

A familiar was the task he could complete the fastest. If Uchiha Gin couldn't find suitable materials, he was prepared to use gemstones to make one just to finish the mission, and swap it for something better in the future.

As for a Mystic Code, he already had an idea: to craft a fan. After all, he was an Uchiha, and he planned to use rubies to create a fan that would amplify fire-style ninjutsu, engraved with fire-attribute seals that would provide a significant boost.

"Captain Gin, Father sent me to find you!"

Led by a maid, Itachi arrived at Uchiha Gin's training room, looking at him with slightly curious eyes as he greeted him.

Itachi was somewhat unhappy about leaving his ninja squad, but upon hearing his father say it was a very important mission for the future of the clan, he came.

"Hmm, this matter concerns the future of the Uchiha, and the future of your younger brother. Can I trust you with this?"

Using the son to bind the father, and the younger brother to bind the older.

A perfect plan.

Uchiha Gin flicked his finger lightly, leaped up, and landed firmly on the floor before looking at Uchiha Itachi with a serious expression.

"Sasuke?"

"Does this matter have anything to do with Sasuke!"

Itachi was still somewhat immature at this time, and upon hearing anything related to Sasuke, he immediately grew anxious.

"There are many things I cannot tell you yet. First, learn these materials; later, there will be a very important mission for you."

Uchiha Gin naturally wouldn't mention that if he didn't keep Itachi on a leash, he would be doing a disservice to the clansmen who were wiped out in other parallel worlds.

After all, Itachi was a ruthless man.

He handed the introductory scientific study materials provided by Orochimaru to Itachi.

Itachi's expression was hesitant, but he could sense that if he kept pressing, the other party wouldn't say anything anyway.

For now, he could only take it slow.

Opening the materials to take a look, Itachi frowned, glanced up at Uchiha Gin with suspicion, and then lowered his head to continue reading.

"I need you to systematically master the power of science. I don't want the Uchiha Clan to be cheated by others in this regard."

"I will arrange for other clansmen to join you later, and you will be responsible for this independent scientific squad."

Uchiha Gin said.

The materials provided by Orochimaru were of significant value, as they were systematic scientific study materials that had already been organized and verified.

It was much faster than fumbling from scratch, and it would also be easier to detect if Orochimaru had tampered with his research, as they would be learning from a systematic foundation.

"I understand!"

Itachi nodded.

Then, he began to study earnestly.

Uchiha Gin didn't mind and continued his own training.

Itachi learned quickly, and Uchiha Gin had long been prepared, having built a small laboratory at home for Itachi to practice hands-on.

The vast majority of Orochimaru's research materials concerned the human body. The Uchiha Clan did not lack materials for human experimentation; after all, the Uchiha Clan was in charge of the prison.

When conducting experiments, they could simply go to the prison and find a few prisoners whose absence wouldn't cause a stir. Plus, with the hypnotic power of the Sharingan, they could ensure the prisoners had no idea what had happened to them.

He had Itachi dissect these bodies to become more familiar with human anatomy.

The ninjutsu provided by Orochimaru included several medical techniques: Mystical Palm Technique, Delicate Illness Extraction Technique, and Chakra Scalpel.

These three techniques were the basics that every medical ninja had to learn, and they were highly difficult. However, for Itachi, they didn't seem to pose much of a challenge, and he mastered them quickly.

In particular, the Delicate Illness Extraction Technique could be performed with even greater precision under the enhancement of the Sharingan.

All of these were practiced on the prisoners.

"Medical ninjutsu—doesn't Konoha forbid the Uchiha Clan from learning it? Will there be any risks?"

Itachi was not a child and possessed the ability to think independently. When learning these three techniques, he specifically asked Uchiha Gin.

"Huh?"

"What do you mean 'learned'? We just accidentally copied them with the Sharingan. We learned them by mistake. Remember to say it like that in the future."

Uchiha Gin replied with a look of surprise.

"..."

Itachi nodded silently.

Soon, the monthly Konoha meeting was held.

In reality, it was just a gathering of Konoha's high-level officials, primarily to resolve the troubles Konoha had faced during that period.

In previous meetings, the Uchiha Clan would always be subjected to Danzo's snide remarks and humiliated in front of everyone.

But this time, four members of the Uchiha Clan were present, three of whom possessed the Mangekyo.

Fugaku, Gin, Shisui, and Tekka.

Most clans only had one person present; for instance, the Ino-Shika-Cho trio stood together, and the Anbu had their own independent squad.

The Uchiha were special because of their authority over the Military Police Force, so four people attended, just like an Anbu squad.

Inside the meeting venue.

Sarutobi Hiruzen and the three Hokage Assistants sat in the upper positions.

The others stood in the lower area, arranged in four-person columns, with a strict hierarchy.

The meeting then began, focusing mainly on border issues, followed by reports on A-rank or higher missions handled by those present, as well as surveillance reports on the various major villages.

"Next, the Anbu will report on the sudden appearance and attack by Uchiha Madara twenty days ago. It appears to have been only a Shadow Clone, and the target remains unconfirmed."

"However, we have locked onto the general location where the other party is hiding: a mercenary organization in Amegakure called Akatsuki. We are currently arranging personnel to investigate privately."

An Anbu wearing a cat mask delivered his report.

Everyone present knew exactly who he was, for there were few in Konoha with white hair, excluding the elderly.

The most notable were the Second Hokage, Hatake Sakumo, the genius ninja Kakashi, and finally Uchiha Gin. Since Uchiha Gin was standing right there, this Anbu was undoubtedly Kakashi.

"Beyond maintaining vigilance against disturbances from the other five great villages, we must remain strictly on guard and watch for an attack by Uchiha Madara. If there is any intelligence, notify me immediately."

Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke with severity.

"Third Hokage, didn't Uchiha Madara die at the hands of the First Hokage? Is this person truly Uchiha Madara?"

Nara Shikaku asked.

"There is definitive evidence. During the Nine-Tails Incident, the assailant was able to control the Nine-Tails; it was only through the Fourth Hokage's use of a contract seal that the control was broken."

"The Nine-Tails was once Uchiha Madara's summoning beast, before it was eventually sealed within the First Hokage's wife, making her the first jinchūriki. Therefore, the one who attacked Konoha must be Uchiha Madara."

Sarutobi Hiruzen stated bluntly.

He was extending an olive branch to the Uchiha, though given the next opportunity, he would certainly strike to kill!

A sneer appeared on Uchiha Gin's face. It was clear that the Konoha high command had known this all along, yet they had used the fact that the Mangekyō Sharingan could control tailed beasts to secretly frame the Uchiha for years.

They had wanted to shift the blame.

Now that the Uchiha truly possessed the Mangekyō Sharingan, they were finally starting to clean up their act.

This response made it clear to everyone present that they could no longer target the Uchiha Clan. They would have to warn their own clansmen to be careful and stop provoking the Uchiha as they had in the past, lest they be dragged into a dark room and beaten.

"Third Hokage, I have intelligence regarding Uchiha Madara."

Suddenly, someone spoke up.

The gazes of everyone present instantly converged upon this person.

"Uchiha Gin!"