Naruto: Saving the Uchiha from the Plunder System Chapter 43

But compared to his physical exhaustion, Uchiha Mirai's performance today was what truly shocked him.

Not only had he held his own against him in both taijutsu and swordsmanship, but he had also mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique and the Rasengan.

Orochimaru could still understand Uchiha Mirai being able to use the Rasengan.

His close association with Minato Namikaze was no secret at all.

But Uchiha Mirai's use of the Flying Thunder God Technique was something Orochimaru simply could not figure out.

This was a forbidden technique recorded in the Book of Seals. Without the Hokage's permission, other ninja would never have the chance to train in it.

What kind of deal had Uchiha Mirai made with Minato Namikaze for him to risk being branded a Rogue Ninja and teach him the Flying Thunder God Technique?

Seeing the confusion in Orochimaru's eyes, Uchiha Mirai naturally had no intention of explaining anything.

He sheathed his blade and looked at Orochimaru as he slowly said, "Orochimaru, let's make a deal."

"What deal?"

Orochimaru asked, puzzled.

"Once I have Konoha in my grasp, come work for me. I'll provide you with every resource you want."

Hearing Uchiha Mirai's words, Orochimaru was stunned. "Mirai-kun, do you know what you're saying?"

Uchiha Mirai chuckled. "You don't believe me?"

Orochimaru remained silent.

The Uchiha Clan's ninja truly were all lunatics.

He admitted that Uchiha Mirai was strong, but that was all.

If he had not failed to anticipate that the other man had mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique, he would never have been defeated so easily today.

Besides... no matter how strong one person was, they would seem incredibly insignificant before a massive entity like a village.

Take control of the entire village?

What a joke.

Even he, who bore the title of the Hokage's disciple and had cultivated his influence in Konoha for decades, would not dare say such a thing.

And besides...

Orochimaru fixed his gaze on Uchiha Mirai. "Mirai-kun, have you forgotten that I will become the next Hokage?"

"Have you mistaken the person you should be making this deal with?"

Orochimaru reminded him.

If Uchiha Mirai wanted to take control of the entire village, then he would inevitably stand against him. How could the two of them possibly cooperate?

Hearing Orochimaru's words, Uchiha Mirai could not help but laugh. "Orochimaru, you won't become Hokage."

"Oh?" Orochimaru raised a brow, and a dangerous aura emerged from him once more. "Mirai-kun, what do you mean by that?"

"Is there anyone in the village more suited to be Hokage than me?"

In response to Orochimaru's question, Uchiha Mirai calmly said, "You know about Shimura Danzō's ambitions, don't you?"

"During the Hokage election, he will definitely spread word of the things you've done."

"Secretly conducting human experiments alone will be enough to make sure you can never recover."

Orochimaru's pupils contracted, and the smile on his face stiffened. "Mirai-kun, I truly underestimated you. You even know about that."

"However, with my prestige in the village, even if Shimura Danzō resorts to such petty tricks, it will not affect the outcome."

Orochimaru spoke with confidence.

He had always been careful. His human experiments had all been conducted in Root's experimental bases, and he had never left behind any evidence.

Moreover, after the Second Shinobi World War and all the prestige he had accumulated over the years, countless ninja supported him.

It would not be so easy for Shimura Danzō to ruin his reputation with mere rumors.

"Shimura Danzō alone certainly can't do it. But what if the Third Hokage also secretly adds fuel to the flames?"

At Uchiha Mirai's words, Orochimaru's expression finally turned ugly. "What are you trying to say?"

"Orochimaru, you think your current prestige and influence can help you win the Hokage election, but the opposite is true. It means you will be difficult to control."

Uchiha Mirai said blandly, "You have completely lost the qualities a civilian ninja should possess. Hiruzen Sarutobi will not let you take office."

"These eyes of mine have already seen your future."

Looking into those scarlet Three Tomoe Sharingan, Orochimaru was momentarily dazed.

As Hiruzen Sarutobi's disciple, and someone who had served under him for so many years, he understood his teacher well.

After thinking it over carefully, Orochimaru felt that what Uchiha Mirai had said was not impossible.

"So, will you accept my terms?"

Only after giving Orochimaru some time to think did Uchiha Mirai speak again. "You do not need to give up anything. All I need is a promise."

Orochimaru suddenly smiled. "Mirai-kun, you really have made me see you in a new light. I nearly let you convince me."

Seeing Orochimaru's expression, Uchiha Mirai shrugged. "If you don't believe me, forget it. Time will give us the answer."

"One day, you'll see me standing atop the throne."

Hearing Uchiha Mirai's confident declaration, Orochimaru's smile faded. He rose from the ground, his gaze meaningful. "Mirai-kun, aren't you afraid I'll tell others about you?"

"The Hokage is my teacher, after all."

Uchiha Mirai laughed at that. "I know. You want more money, right?"

"..."

"Just kidding. Since I told you all this, naturally I'm not afraid of you spreading it around."

Uchiha Mirai waved a hand and headed toward the camp. "My terms haven't changed. You can come find me anytime."

After he left, an inexplicable emotion rose within Orochimaru.

Ever since he could remember, he had never encountered a situation like this.

Before Uchiha Mirai, it was as though everything about him had been seen through.

Could it be... that things really would develop as Uchiha Mirai had said?

After a long while, Orochimaru composed himself. A smile returned to his face as he murmured softly, "Mirai-kun, since you're so certain, then let us wait and see."

"I will definitely uncover exactly what secrets you're hiding!"

"Panel!"

With a thought from Uchiha Mirai, a translucent screen appeared before his eyes.

Name: Uchiha Mirai

Physique: 315

Mental Power: 302

Chakra: 311

Kekkei Genkai: Sharingan! Magnet Release: Gold Dust!

Ninjutsu:...

Other:...

Looking at the stats that had all surpassed three hundred, the corners of Uchiha Mirai's lips lifted slightly.

In just half a month, the attribute points he had plundered had increased by over three hundred.

Combined with the improvement from the Uzumaki Sage Body, every aspect of his body had now reached a terrifying level.

Even compared to the Raikage of Kumogakure, his physical constitution was no worse.

In fact... when it came to Chakra and Mental Power, he was even stronger.

It had to be known that his body was still far from reaching its peak.

If he were given more time, once his Uzumaki Sage Body had fully matured, along with the attribute points he would plunder during that time, even Uchiha Mirai dared not imagine what level his physical strength would reach.

"Lord Mirai, Lord Orochimaru wishes to see you."

"Got it."

Following the ninja outside to Orochimaru's tent, Uchiha Mirai entered alone.

The two exchanged a glance, tacitly avoiding any mention of what had happened several days ago.

"Orochimaru, what did you call me here for?"

Uchiha Mirai asked.

A sickly smile appeared on Orochimaru's face. "Mirai-kun, according to intelligence reports, a large force of Kumogakure ninja has stationed itself within the Land of Hot Water and the Land of Sound. All our strongholds in both countries have been occupied."

"It seems they intend to wage all-out war against us."

The Land of Hot Water and the Land of Fields were two countries situated between the Land of Lightning and the Land of Fire.

As countries without even hidden villages of their own, whenever turmoil arose in the Shinobi World, these small nations became the main battlefields for the great nations to contend against one another, all to prevent the flames of war from spreading into the great nations' homelands.

This was also a kind of unspoken understanding between the great nations.

The truth that the weak would be beaten was displayed to the fullest in this endlessly turbulent Shinobi World.

Now that Kumogakure's ninja had eliminated all of Konoha's strongholds within the Land of Fields and the Land of Hot Water, their next move would likely be a full-scale invasion of the Land of Fire.

To prevent the Land of Fire from being caught up in the war, they had to take the initiative and drive Kumogakure's ninja beyond the borders of the two countries.

"What's your plan?"

Uchiha Mirai sat in his seat and looked calmly at Orochimaru.

Since Orochimaru had come to him, he must already have had some sort of plan.

"Mirai-kun, I only hope that you can lend me a hand at a critical moment. That is all."

After learning of Uchiha Mirai's strength, Orochimaru had begun treating him as an equal.

So his tone held more of a request than an order.

"Yes."

"Go ahead without hesitation. I'll make my move at the right time."

Seeing Uchiha Mirai agree so readily, Orochimaru breathed a sigh of relief.

If Uchiha Mirai chose to act, then he no longer had to fear A and Killer B joining forces to attack him.

"When do we move?"

"Tonight!"

Late at night.

Thick clouds blotted out all moonlight, leaving the land pitch-black without a trace of illumination.

With his Three Tomoe Sharingan active, Uchiha Mirai swiftly moved through the darkness. Every hidden Kumogakure sentry he passed fell dead in a single strike.

Fast, precise, ruthless!

Under the Mind's Eye of the Kagura's powerful perception, Konoha's ninja forces drew ever closer to Kumogakure's camp.

When the two sides were less than a kilometer apart, Kumogakure's camp suddenly lit up.

A burst of commotion immediately followed.

Seeing this, Orochimaru pulled a signal flare from his robes and fired it into the sky.

Dazzling fireworks lit up the surroundings as Konoha's ninjas charged at the same time.