I Am the Approaching Storm! (Daily Updates-Please Follow and Urge More)

Uchiha Jun sheathed his twin blades and looked at Orochimaru, speaking calmly.

"Orochimaru-sensei—what do you think of the Hokage position?"

The air fell silent for two seconds.

Orochimaru's laughter echoed through the empty secret chamber, carrying his distinctive hoarseness.

"Hehehehe... the Hokage position... interesting. You're a Chunin who graduated less than half a year ago, yet you're discussing the Hokage position with me."

"What? Do you have ambitions?"

Uchiha Jun ignored the mockery in Orochimaru's tone. "Talking won't cost us a piece of flesh. As for that seat, I don't particularly care about it. In terms of seniority, how could I compare to veterans like you who participated in the Second Shinobi World War?"

"If nothing unexpected happens, once this war ends, the Third Hokage will step down and select the Fourth Hokage. Naturally, the candidate will be chosen from your faction."

"We Uchiha have no particular thoughts about it. Still, even if we can't become Hokage, that doesn't stop us from backing someone for the position."

"What do you think, Orochimaru-sensei?"

At that, Orochimaru's smile faded, and he spoke.

"Oh? So you intend to 'help' me become Hokage?"

"But do you think you still have the right to do that?"

Hearing this, Uchiha Jun gave a contemptuous smile. "Oi, oi, Orochimaru-sensei. Don't tell me you really think victory is already yours?"

"Granted, we Uchiha aren't part of Konoha's highest leadership, but that doesn't mean the Third Hokage will definitely nominate you as the Fourth Hokage, does it?"

"Among the Sannin, Tsunade has half-withdrawn from Konoha and may not run for Hokage. Jiraiya is carefree by nature and dislikes restraint, so he may not run either."

"On the surface, that seems to make you, Orochimaru, the candidate for Fourth Hokage."

"But don't forget about the experiments between you and Danzo. It's not as if the Third Hokage knows nothing about them. What do you think his attitude is?"

"He has kept you in the shadows to conduct experiments, and even the missions he assigns you are all the sort that cannot be brought into the light. Isn't that attitude obvious enough?"

At Uchiha Jun's mockery, Orochimaru's expression gradually cooled. A complicated emotion flashed through those golden vertical pupils—something Uchiha Jun found difficult to describe, like regret, yet also like a deep-seated unwillingness buried in his heart.

Uchiha Jun was right. Becoming Hokage did not depend entirely on seniority. It also required fame and reputation.

Although he currently had the greatest seniority, his reputation had begun to decline due to the experiments and the Third Hokage's deliberate actions. Public opinion among Konoha's upper ranks was also gradually turning negative.

Words like sinister, cruel, and twisted.

Someone with such a reputation could not inherit the Will of Fire!

"...But so what?"

Orochimaru walked over to the experiment table, casually picked up a test tube, and lightly spun it between his fingers.

"My contributions to Konoha in the Second Shinobi World War and the Third Shinobi World War are more than enough to support my candidacy for Hokage. Though only to that extent, what can the Uchiha Clan's support actually accomplish?"

"Can you withstand the pressure of Konoha's major ninja clans, led by my teacher, force out their chosen candidate, and elevate me to the position?"

"Don't be so pessimistic, Orochimaru. You still have a chance. An even greater 'storm' is about to emerge. So long as we cooperate, the Uchiha Clan may not be unable to enter Konoha's highest ranks, and you, Orochimaru, may not be unable to become Hokage!"

If things followed the original plot, then it truly would have been beyond saving at this point.

Trying to turn things around through political means would have been no easier than becoming Chongzhen in the seventeenth year of his reign and restoring the Ming Dynasty.

But times had changed. Not long ago, Uchiha Jun had used Shimura Danzō's identity to attack the daimyo, causing the daimyo to interfere with Konoha's upper-level power structure and indirectly weakening the Third Hokage's authority.

And just now, he had done it again. Before Ōnoki and countless Iwa-nin, he had used Wood Release to blow apart the Four-Tails' jinchuriki and capture the Third Raikage alive.

Once news that Shimura Danzō possessed the Wood Release Kekkei Genkai had time to spread, ending the Third Shinobi World War would no longer be as simple as blowing up Kannabi Bridge.

At the very least, Kumogakure and Iwagakure would definitely clash head-on with Konoha!

Then, once Sunagakure and Kirigakure found an opportunity to join in, even if the Third Hokage gritted his teeth and tried to hold on, the major ninja clans under his command would never agree to him continuing to suppress Orochimaru and the Uchiha Clan!

After all, if the battlefronts reopened and no one went up to fill the lines, it would be the ninja from their clans who had to fill them!

"..."

Orochimaru's fingers tightened slightly around the test tube.

Seeing this, Uchiha Jun raised the stakes once more. "Orochimaru-sensei, I know that what you desire from the Hokage position is less its power and more likely the Third Hokage's recognition. As long as we cooperate, once you take the Hokage seat, you can fulfill your ambitions and accomplish great things."

"Then you can make your teacher regret it. You can make him admit that not choosing you as Hokage was the greatest mistake of his life."

Based on information from the original work, Uchiha Jun judged that Orochimaru did not actually covet the Hokage position that much.

What he wanted more was likely Sarutobi Hiruzen's recognition, almost an attitude of, I might not want it, but you can't refuse to give it to me.

Considering Orochimaru's orphan background, Uchiha Jun inferred that he wanted Sarutobi Hiruzen's recognition more than anything, much like a son seeking his father's approval.

Orochimaru remained silent for a long time.

Then he set down the test tube, a faint, inscrutable smile curling across his lips. "...Interesting."

He looked directly at Uchiha Jun. For the first time, something beyond appraisal appeared in those golden vertical pupils—a complicated emotion somewhere between probing and anticipation. "Then how do you intend to help me?"

"Very simply."

Uchiha Jun raised one finger. "First, your reputation in Konoha is currently too poor. Sinister, bizarre, warped values—those are the common impressions the other ninja clans have of you. If you want to run for Hokage, you must first change the image they have of you."

"How?"

"Branding."

Uchiha Jun spoke with confidence. "Your current image as a 'dark scientist' can be entirely repackaged as that of a 'great ninja willing to fall into darkness for Konoha.' So long as Konoha's civilians learn that your so-called 'forbidden experiments' were actually darkness you bore in order to protect the village—"

Orochimaru narrowed his eyes. "Are you sure those civilians will believe that?"

"They don't need to believe the truth. They only need to believe the story they 'want to believe.'"

Uchiha Jun's tone was icy. "And during that time, if anyone dares question you, the Uchiha Police Force can deploy at any moment—to ensure the 'correctness' of public opinion."

Orochimaru fell silent. He could tell Uchiha Jun was not joking. A clear, cold light flickered in those black eyes.

"Aren't you afraid the Third Hokage will intervene?"

"I never said we would act now. By the time we act, this sort of public-opinion uproar will be the most insignificant matter on his hands. By the time he wants to make a move, the situation will no longer allow him to act!"

Uchiha Jun leaned back in his chair with his arms folded, amusement in his voice.

"Orochimaru-sensei, have you ever considered what kind of situation it would create once news that Shimura Danzō possesses Wood Release reaches the other four great ninja villages?"

Orochimaru froze, then his pupils sharply contracted.

"You...!!"

"I don't know anything."

Uchiha Jun spread his hands and showed an innocent smile.

Orochimaru said nothing.

If this was the 'storm' Uchiha Jun had spoken of, then it truly was large enough.

—If news that Shimura Danzō possessed Wood Release was true, what would that mean?

The other four great ninja villages would never sit by and watch Konoha regain that power—they would definitely join forces and attack Konoha like madmen!

At that time, the Third Hokage would be overwhelmed, and Konoha's external battlefronts would face unprecedented pressure!

And at that point, the Uchiha Clan would become an indispensable key force for Konoha rather than isolated scapegoats!

The Mangekyo's ocular techniques? What tremendous power!

Orochimaru thought to himself. As the Third Hokage's disciple and one of Konoha's top combat forces, he had also enjoyed the access privileges provided by Shimura Danzō.

During the period in which the Third Hokage had kept him sidelined, Orochimaru had read quite a few of Konoha's secrets.

From the Second Hokage's research notes, he had also learned that the Three-Tomoe Sharingan, the pride of the Uchiha Clan, was not the limit.

Beyond it existed a power known as the Mangekyō Sharingan!

It was a terrifying power capable of contending with the First Hokage, who had once possessed the Wood Release Kekkei Genkai!

"Well?" Uchiha Jun shrugged.

"In any case, when Konoha is beset by troubles both within and without, that will be the time for young people like us to take the stage. At that time, if you are willing, I can represent the reformed Uchiha Clan and fully support your bid for the Hokage position."

Uchiha Jun stood and extended his hand toward Orochimaru. "So? Want to pull off something big together?"

Orochimaru stared at that hand for a long while before slowly reaching out and taking it.

"...Interesting. What do you plan to do next?"

"Third Hokage-sensei just sent me a mission. I need to go to the Land of Fields to gather intelligence, and I have permission to recruit Jonin on my own."

"Oh? That's good news. Here, I'll give you a list. I'll also arrange for the bounty hunter Kakuzu to meet you. Recruit the Uchiha Jonin on that list, and I'll have Kakuzu kill them."

Uchiha Jun's brows rose. He had been worrying over how to reasonably eliminate the diehard old guard of Uchiha Setsuna's faction and straighten out the Uchiha Clan from within.

What perfect timing—when he got sleepy, someone brought him a pillow. Orochimaru truly was a little lucky star.

Wasn't this opportunity exactly what he needed?!

Perfect. He could use the Three-Tomoe Sharingan of Uchiha Setsuna's diehard followers to replenish [Shimura Danzō]'s Revival Coins.

It was the best of both worlds. He would replenish Revival Coins, Uchiha Fugaku would weaken his political enemies, Orochimaru would gain experimental materials, and Kakuzu would receive the bounty he loved most.

One arrow, many birds. They were winning so hard it was ridiculous.

"Hehe, you can't wait to get started already? But Jonin are no trivial matter. If you lose so many, once the 'storm' comes, are you sure the Uchiha Clan won't be crushed beneath it?"

Orochimaru was no longer surprised by Uchiha Jun's intention to make a move against his own clansmen.

According to the notes left behind by Tobirama Senju, sufficient talent was necessary to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan, but one also needed an extremely intense emotional stimulus!

Uchiha Jun appeared normal enough, but how many people capable of awakening the Mangekyo had normal ways of thinking?

The Third Shinobi World War was clearly about to end, yet Uchiha Jun wanted to prolong it.

He might be even more extreme than Orochimaru, who merely conducted human experiments.

After all, Orochimaru only conducted human experiments, while Uchiha Jun was directly transforming into the 'King of Shinobi World Wars,' determined to keep the Shinobi World in chaos.

Since ethics and morality could not restrain Uchiha Jun, Orochimaru tried to probe him from a rational perspective.

Uchiha Setsuna was indeed one of the Uchiha Clan's radicals and old guard. When the Third Hokage had first taken office, he had said plenty of things that could have gotten him beheaded.

Only after the Third Hokage firmly secured his position did Uchiha Setsuna quiet down somewhat, though he still wore his rebelliousness like the clan crest and remained the number one rebel.

But Uchiha Setsuna had survived since the First Shinobi World War, and the combat strength of the old guard under his command was no joke. At least forty percent of the Uchiha Clan's combat strength stood on Uchiha Setsuna's side.

If Uchiha Jun truly slaughtered them, it would certainly feel satisfying, but the Uchiha Clan's combat strength would plummet.

At that point, their strategic value would be like Xiahou Dun looking at Louis XVI—impossible to see the end of at a glance.

"Isn't that simple? I'll become Kage Level!"

With that, Uchiha Jun no longer concealed his aura, and the Mangekyo appeared in his eyes!

The intensity of his chakra was unmistakably—

—Kage Level!

Seeing the chakra Uchiha Jun unleashed, Orochimaru remained calm, revealing an unsurprised expression.

No wonder Uchiha Jun had been so 'active.' He had already adapted to the Mangekyo's power and advanced to Kage Level!

Then there was no problem.

Compared to the strategic value of a Kage Level combatant, even two Uchiha Setsuna factions could not compare!

"Where's the list?"

"Here."

After handing the list to Orochimaru, Uchiha Jun rose and left.

He had gained quite a lot from Orochimaru this time. Not only had he obtained the Uzumaki Clan Secret Technique Heritage, he had also acquired technical materials on Hashirama Senju Cells.

Now that the deal had been reached, it was time to give Orochimaru some time to 'digest' it.

After all, Uchiha Jun had been a nobody not long ago, yet now he was suddenly on equal footing with him. That was somewhat hard for anyone to accept.

And now that he was back, Uchiha Jun had obtained quite a few Random Ninja Shards and Gold Coin. It was time for an exciting round of card draws!