Learning to Push Your Luck

Orochimaru accepted Uchiha Kei's shamelessness, though he did not approve of it.

"Kei-kun, it would be better not to take shortcuts. The Cursed Seal is merely a weakened version of Sage Mode; it pales in comparison to the true art. Its ability is nothing more than amplifying the power of ninjutsu, and without sufficient chakra to sustain it, it is ultimately a temporary measure. It cannot play a decisive role."

Kei knew Orochimaru meant well, but he simply had no other choice. If he could guarantee a hundred percent success rate in learning Sage Mode, he would certainly choose that instead.

When a better option exists without risk, who would choose the inferior one?

Kei found it difficult to explain this to Orochimaru, but since Orochimaru was being so polite and considerate of his well-being, perhaps he could push his luck a little further and make a few more demands.

People, after all, must learn to be insatiable.

"So, Mr. Orochimaru, is there any chance for me to obtain Hiruko's legacy?"

Hiruko was a missing-nin from Konoha Village and a friend of Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru. Lacking the natural talent of those three and having no master to guide him, he felt deep resentment.

To compensate for his innate deficiencies, he secretly researched the fusion ninjutsu known as the "Chimera Technique." However, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, discovered his work, branded it a forbidden technique against humanity, and dispatched the Sannin to hunt him down. Unfortunately, he managed to escape.

Yet, Kei believed that Orochimaru must possess the research results of that man. Their relationship was, after all, quite extraordinary.

Orochimaru was slightly startled. This matter was extremely confidential. After all, Hiruko had fused the cells of Kari from Iwagakure, Pakura from Sunagakure, Chukichi from Kirigakure, and Troi from Kumogakure—he hadn't harmed a single person from Konoha, yet he was still classified as a missing-nin.

The reason was worth pondering. At the time, Orochimaru had felt that Hiruko's method was essentially an evolved version of the Sarutobi Clan's secret techniques.

Was he to be killed just for that?

That was why, during the pursuit, he had intentionally gone easy on him and let Hiruko run away.

"You actually know about this person?" Orochimaru was somewhat surprised that Kei was aware of such a secret.

"There is very little in the ninja world that I do not know," Kei said, feigning profoundness.

Orochimaru did not press the issue, instead sighing in admiration.

"If Kei-kun's intelligence network is this powerful, it is no wonder you are not worried about the Third Hokage's methods. But does Kei-kun intend to walk the same path as Hiruko?"

Orochimaru did not look favorably upon Kei's choice.

He had crossed blades with Hiruko, and his techniques were nothing special. A replica could never be as effective as the original.

Therefore, Orochimaru wanted to remind Kei that, given his status as Uchiha Kei, he had better options; there was no need to settle for a knock-off.

But suddenly, Kei turned serious, as if his pursuit of this "knock-off" research were a noble endeavor. Orochimaru heard once again the same speech Kei had given when he was trying to avoid the battlefield.

"Orochimaru-kun, we are different from talented people like you! To achieve the heights you reach so easily, we must pay a much higher price."

Kei pushed open the window, letting a breeze drift into Yating. As the warm air brushed against his face, he spoke with rare, earnest gravity.

"Since the day Konoha was founded, the commoners here have been like stagnant water, never changing. The great figures of Konoha control every path to advancement; even the only ninja academy is merely an institution for them to produce cannon fodder and harvest crops."

"The only ripples that ever occur are caused by brilliant, peerless figures like you, Mr. Orochimaru."

"But even the success of someone like you relies on the fact that you were a disciple of a great man, which provided you with a channel to rise."

Kei strolled to the doorway and looked up at the scorching sun. No matter how the world changed, the sun would always rise as usual.

"Mr. Orochimaru, the great figures have grown accustomed to manipulating the fates of others. They are too arrogant—so arrogant that they have forgotten there are at least two things they cannot control: the talent of people like you, and the determination of people like me, who have no talent, to seek change."

A white cloud drifted by, obscuring the blinding sunlight. In the shadows, Uchiha Kei looked solemn and grave.

"They believe they have found ways to manipulate both types of people. For someone like you, they pull you in with everything they have—the bond of master and student, marriage alliances, the camaraderie of classmates—all are tools to eventually assimilate you into their ranks."

"If they cannot win you over, they cut off your resources, ensuring your talent has no stage to shine upon."

"As for those like me—who lack talent yet harbor delusions of pursuing greater strength and a higher status—they label the paths they cannot control as heresy and mock them as forbidden techniques."

"They proudly judge those who use forbidden techniques to grow stronger, like Hiruko."

Kei turned suddenly, locking eyes with Orochimaru.

"They call this justice. They make everyone despise those who try to gain power through effort, through determination, and through paths not arranged by them, branding them as evil."

"Are they arrogant? No, they are afraid."

"They fear that people like us will use methods they cannot control to climb out of the mud and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with them. They fear that my strength will reveal that, aside from being born into the right families, they are utterly useless. They fear that we will tear off their magnificent robes to reveal the festering sores beneath."

"They do not allow us to do this. But we must do it anyway. That is the resolve of a mediocre person like me."

The more serious Kei sounded, the less Orochimaru believed him.

If these words had come from Hiruko, Orochimaru would have certainly believed them. But you, Uchiha Kei, you are one of the "great figures" you speak of.

Your position dictates your perspective, and your position is not one from which such words could be spoken. Therefore, your mind could never truly advocate for such things.

On the contrary, how many people have had their fates arranged by you? Yet you have the gall to group yourself with the mediocre majority.

Even someone as powerful as me, Orochimaru, haven't I accepted your arrangements?

Since Uchiha Kei had intentionally opened the door and spoken with such passion, he certainly wasn't saying it for my benefit.

"Kei-kun, is having so many powerful subordinates not enough? That is a force capable of swaying the battlefield of an entire nation!"

Orochimaru offered a subtle hint, implying that Kei's status and position did not entitle him to say such things.

If you truly possessed such a heart, you would be fighting on the front lines of Konoha right now, rather than building a base at Konoha's doorstep, preparing for a civil war.

Kei shook his head, signaling that he didn't understand what Orochimaru meant. He was determined to occupy the moral high ground.

"It is far from enough."

"So, what exactly are you planning, Kei-kun?"

Where there is insincerity, there is surely a scheme; Orochimaru had already anticipated that Uchiha Kei's ambitions were vast.

Uchiha Kei stepped out of Yating and stood in the main hall, looking down at the crowd below with a gaze of compassionate sorrow.

His soft words drifted from his lips, spreading throughout the entire Naka Shrine.

"I want this sky to no longer obscure my vision, this earth to no longer bury my heart, all living beings to understand my will, and those gods and buddhas to vanish into smoke and dust!"