Noncommittal

Orochimaru would sooner believe in ghosts than in anything Uchiha Kei said. Kei simply wasn't the kind of person with noble ideals.

But the words and deeds of this man of such poor character were far too compelling. Even Orochimaru, whose heart had long since lost all human feeling, couldn't help being stirred by Kei's words.

Even though Orochimaru was certain that this scoundrel, Uchiha Kei, was up to something and lying, he was still moved by what Kei said.

Perhaps if he were ten years younger, he would have followed Kei and witnessed this earth-shaking undertaking.

But it was too late. He was no longer the boy he'd once been. He'd seen plenty of politicians like Kei, all righteous talk and no substance.

"Kei, if you keep this up, I'll start to doubt your sincerity as an ally."

Kei wasn't pleased. He'd been putting on a show, but not for Orochimaru. Couldn't he at least play along?

If he had something to say, he could've said it in private. No wonder he was a villain—he really was unpleasant. He deserved to be beaten to death, brought back to life, and killed all over again someday.

"Orochimaru, what do you mean by that?!"

Seeing Kei get a little angry, Orochimaru didn't panic. Now that he and Kei had grown familiar, Orochimaru rarely showed such human emotion. He smiled and said, "Kei, I may not know you well, but I do know you've never been the sort to devote yourself to all mankind. Allies ought to be honest with each other, at least to some extent. Tell me what you're planning, and I can work with you."

Kei wasn't embarrassed at being found out. He went back inside, shut the door, and muttered to Orochimaru, "Fine, you're right! I just want to use the same tactics the Third is planning to use against me and give them back to him. Your teacher hasn't raised the banner of righteousness yet, so I'll wave mine first and put some pressure on the Third. That way, he won't get anywhere!"

That was right. Kei thought that since they were already enemies, he had to choose the right slogan—something so outrageously righteous that no one could mistake him for the villain and gang up on him.

So Kei got ahead of the Third and laid out his political platform: creating avenues for advancement for all the mediocre ninja.

As for whether he'd come from among the ninja and then climb over their heads once he succeeded, that was a problem for after the revolution.

He couldn't make the same mistake as the Third. The fighting was about to start, and his own followers still didn't know what they were fighting for. They could easily turn on him.

Kei had always looked down on the Third. If they'd swapped places, and Kei had been the Third, the whole Uchiha Clan would've been dead and buried within three days. But the Third had been dragging things out for months.

After all that effort, all he'd managed was to set up a little drama of provocation, betrayal, and bitter enmity for Uchiha Kei!

These petty schemes were only satisfying when they worked, and their chances of success were low, with too many unpredictable factors.

So Kei intended to teach the Third a lesson: use the momentum of events to pressure him, threaten him with force, and leave him trapped with no way out.

Orochimaru was speechless at how casually Kei laid out his plans against the Third. So Uchiha Kei was eager to start a war after all.

"Sounds like you can't wait for a civil war to begin, Kei. Are you certain you can win?"

As far as actual strength went, Orochimaru still didn't think Kei had the advantage.

Kei looked unconcerned. "Not really. I just want to see how Sarutobi will apologize to the public under the pressure of both a civil war and a foreign war."

"Hm?" Orochimaru didn't quite understand. He'd been keeping busy with experiments to escape reality lately and had missed some intelligence.

Kei sounded rather pleased with himself. That was the advantage of having a broader perspective. You couldn't focus on just one thing; you never knew which cloud would bring rain.

"Haha, perhaps you don't know, Orochimaru, but the Sunagakure and Kirigakure Ninja are about to attack. I wonder what Konoha will offer to end the war this time."

Orochimaru immediately understood. So that was it. Konoha didn't just have enemies within; now threats from outside had appeared as well. It seemed fate wasn't on the Third's side.

But Kei was too confident. The combined strength of the Land of Wind and the Land of Water was still less than that of the Land of Fire, and the fighting would be on the Land of Fire's home ground.

"Kei, we've won against a coalition of four countries before. A mere attack by the Sunagakure and Kirigakure Ninja won't force Konoha to commit all its strength!"

Kei nodded. "That's right. The Sunagakure and Kirigakure Ninja might gain some ground, but there's no chance they could make Konoha lose. But what will Konoha offer to deal with them if they join forces?"

"Hmm." Orochimaru was at a loss for words. Perhaps he was still digesting the meaning behind Kei's words.

There was a difference between the Kirigakure and Sunagakure Ninja attacking Konoha separately and the two villages joining forces against it.

Either way, the Third would have to divide his forces. That meant he wouldn't have the overwhelming strength needed to deal with the problem Uchiha Kei posed.

"Kei, do you really have to take things this far? You're dragging Konoha down with you!"

Kei shook his head. "Of course not. I told you—Konoha belongs to the Uchiha. I'm just teaching Sarutobi, the one managing it, a lesson."

"What lesson?"

"I want Lord Sarutobi to understand that no matter how much he boasts, Konoha has never won a war under his leadership."

Kei added another cryptic remark.

"What do you mean?" Orochimaru pressed.

"I want Sarutobi to understand one thing: anyone can start a war, but only the victor can end it. Konoha didn't end the Second War. So if Sarutobi insists on starting a civil war, he won't be the one to decide when it ends, either."

"You want to erase the Third's credit for leading Konoha to victory in the Second War!" Orochimaru was taken aback. "Why do you think my teacher will give in to you, Kei?"

Kei didn't think he was being unrealistic.

"Because the Third's weakness is obvious. He cares about Konoha far more than I do."

That was true. Uchiha Kei was prepared to take Konoha down with him, but was the Third?

Kei might call himself Konoha's master, but he didn't care whether Konoha lived or died. The Third, on the other hand, had no choice but to care. Konoha was the political ideal he'd upheld for decades.

At that, Orochimaru understood. In the end, the Third would certainly give in.

For some reason, Orochimaru felt cheerful and rolled his neck. Perhaps it was because he knew Konoha would be safe, while his teacher would be left to swallow his pride.

Now that they'd reached this point, it seemed their meeting should be over. Orochimaru stood up.

"I suddenly think there's no better choice than to stand on the side of the victor. So, Kei, is there anything else you need me to do?"

As an ally, he had to be useful. Otherwise, what difference was there between him and Italy?

Orochimaru wanted to raise his value as an ally.

"No, there isn't, Orochimaru. If you have time, look into the Tailed Beasts. We may need them someday!" Kei said he didn't need anything, but still made a request.

Orochimaru nodded.

"Until next time, Kei."

Kei saw Orochimaru off as well.

"Until next time, Orochimaru."

And so their meeting came to an end. Watching Orochimaru's retreating figure, Kei suddenly felt a little tired.

Then a plea, heavy with sorrow, came through the air.

"Kei, if possible, please let Teacher Sarutobi keep some dignity!"

Kei gave no answer.