Jiraiya Appears

Although Orochimaru's ideology leaned toward the negative and he was entirely self-centered, he was actually quite good to his subordinates.

Whether it was Kabuto, the Sound Four, Kimimaro, or even Uchiha Sasuke, he provided them with thorough guidance in his capacity as a teacher.

One could even say that, much like Jiraiya, he was a devoted and capable master.

It was just that his disregard for life had reached an extreme.

Regarding Sarutobi Asuma, the bloodline of Sarutobi Hiruzen, Orochimaru still harbored a few small ideas.

The Shimura Clan head widened his eyes and glared at Orochimaru. "What are you planning to do? Orochimaru! Don't forget, you were once a disciple of Sarutobi Hiruzen!"

Orochimaru wore a sinister expression as he said, "That is precisely why I am going to leave Sarutobi Asuma a path to survive!"

Who could refuse a perfect vessel like Uchiha Yu, who could provide such assistance to his research?

Even if Uchiha Yu didn't like the idea of becoming a vessel now, he would surely change his mind in the future, right?

Uchiha Yu swallowed hard and broke free from the long snake that had been binding him.

He knew that Orochimaru still harbored greedy intentions toward him, but that was fine.

Little one, you ignore me now, but you won't be able to reach me in the future.

The Shimura Clan head let out a cold snort, drew his blade, and said, "I see it now, Orochimaru. You are just like that traitorous scum of the Uchiha clan—a beast with wild ambitions! Today, I shall act on behalf of the heavens and slay you, this traitorous ninja!"

With that, several Shimura ninjas charged toward Orochimaru.

A variety of miscellaneous ninjutsu flew directly toward him!

Facing these attacks, Orochimaru remained completely unruffled.

These people, no matter what, could never finish him off.

"Summoning Technique: Manda!"

The massive smoke cleared.

A colossal python appeared before the crowd, blocking the Shimura Clan's ninjutsu with its impenetrable scales.

"What do you want, calling for me again?"

Manda was extremely arrogant; its massive body writhed, causing the ground to tremble instantly.

The crowd looked at this towering summon, fear rising in their eyes.

Such a massive snake!

"I need you to help me deal with some insects; I know you'll enjoy it," Orochimaru said with a smile.

"You know that every time I act, it costs one hundred living sacrifices!"

Manda shook its head, paying no mind to the dense crowd of ninjas surrounding them.

This was a summon from Ryuchi Cave; though arrogant, it certainly had the capital to be so!

"There are over three hundred ninjas from the Shimura Clan—all of them are sacrifices I offer to you," Orochimaru said, crossing his arms and standing before Manda with an imposing air.

Manda turned its gaze toward the Shimura ninjas, causing them to tremble in their boots.

"Not bad, Orochimaru. You've been thoughtful this time."

Manda let out a cold laugh and dove directly into the crowd.

The various ninjutsu of the Shimura Clan were nothing more than a tickle to Manda.

With a single bite, over a dozen ninjas met their end.

This gruesome scene left Sarutobi Asuma shivering with cold.

If he had refused Orochimaru earlier, this would likely have been his fate!

Facing Manda's slaughter, these Shimura ninjas had absolutely no ability to resist!

Uchiha Yu narrowed his eyes and put away his Kusanagi Sword.

"Orochimaru, come back to Konoha with me. I believe the Uchiha will be very welcoming to you," Uchiha Yu said to Orochimaru.

Orochimaru's various dark technologies were at the forefront of the Ninja World.

The current Konoha was in dire need of such a talent.

Orochimaru shook his head and said, "I have my own hidden village, but I will assist Konoha. However, do not forget the condition you promised me: you must provide full support for my research."

Afterward, Orochimaru scanned Uchiha Yu up and down with malicious intent.

The perceptive Orochimaru could directly sense the surging vitality and massive chakra within Uchiha Yu's body.

This made Orochimaru's heart race with desire.

He had previously wanted Uchiha Itachi's body, but looking at it now, Uchiha Itachi was nothing.

Uchiha Yu was far more enticing!

Uchiha Yu could guess Orochimaru's thoughts without even trying, but he didn't mind.

He was only seven years old; what use was his body to him now?

Orochimaru would certainly wait a few years, at least until he graduated from the Ninja Academy, before making a move.

By that time, he would not necessarily fear Orochimaru.

"Deal."

Uchiha Yu smiled.

The harvest this time could be said to have left Uchiha Yu thoroughly satisfied.

He watched as the satiated Manda dispelled the summoning jutsu and returned to Ryuchi Cave.

Orochimaru also took the Sarutobi Clan and headed in the direction of Otogakure.

Only now, regarding the Sarutobi Clan, could Uchiha Yu finally set his mind at ease.

With Orochimaru's restraint, Sarutobi Asuma was unable to move; at the very least, harboring any thoughts against him was impossible.

Orochimaru would be the first to refuse!

Watching Orochimaru depart, Uchiha Yu let out a long breath and settled his heart.

By this calculation, he had exceeded his mission objectives.

Not only had he figured out the movements of the Sarutobi Clan, but he had also wiped out the Shimura Clan and completely suppressed the Sarutobi Clan.

He had even secured Orochimaru as an ally for the Uchiha; it could be said to be all gain and no loss.

Even if Orochimaru were truly interested in him, whether Orochimaru could actually defeat him when the time came was another matter entirely!

Uchiha Yu shoved his hands into his pockets and walked toward Sunagakure at a leisurely pace.

Suddenly, a figure flickered into existence before him.

The newcomer was tall, wearing a forehead protector with the character for "oil" inscribed upon it. Long white hair cascaded down to his waist. There were red markings beneath his eyes, he wore a red haori over a brown outfit, and he had wooden sandals on his feet.

On his back, he carried a massive scroll.

Uchiha Yu's heart skipped a beat.

Isn't this Jiraiya?

"Where is Sarutobi Asuma?" Jiraiya looked at Uchiha Yu, disgust appearing in his eyes.

It was an instinctive reaction; it seemed Jiraiya knew him.

Uchiha Yu said, "He left with Orochimaru. If you want to find him, go look for Orochimaru."

Where Sarutobi Asuma was, was none of his business!

Jiraiya let out a cold snort, looked at Uchiha Yu, and continued, "Was it you and Uchiha Itachi who killed the Hokage?"

Uchiha Yu nodded and said, "The Third was indeed strong. If he hadn't been seeking death at the end, I might have had to struggle for a long time."

"Looking at it this way, you are indeed a major threat to the village. I cannot allow your actions to continue!" Jiraiya snorted coldly, his eyes filled with ice.

The last time Uchiha Yu had seen this expression on Jiraiya was during his battle with Pain.

"I am a ninja of the village, and we Uchiha are still Uchiha. Are you truly ignorant of the darkness within the village?" Uchiha Yu smiled faintly. "The Uchiha would not launch a coup for no reason. If it hadn't reached the point of life and death, who would be willing to raise a hand against the Hokage!"

Uchiha Yu's Three-Tomoe Sharingan slowly rotated into the Mangekyo Sharingan.

He cast a genjutsu directly upon Jiraiya.

Jiraiya let out a muffled grunt, but he did not immediately break the genjutsu, wanting to see what Uchiha Yu was actually trying to do.

In the world of the genjutsu, Jiraiya saw the entire process of the Uchiha Clan being wiped out without Uchiha Yu's interference.

In the images, Uchiha Itachi raised his blade and struck down his own kin.

Of the entire Uchiha Clan, only Uchiha Sasuke remained as a survivor.

In the end, there even appeared scenes of the duel between Uchiha Sasuke and Uchiha Itachi, as well as a wall covered in Sharingan.

"Do you see? If we Uchiha had offered no resistance, the entire clan would have been wiped out, brothers would have slaughtered one another, and in the end, the Uchiha's Sharingan would have become a tool for others."

These images were essentially scenes from Shippuden, save for the omission of content regarding Obito and Danzo.

Otherwise, Uchiha Yu truly couldn't explain why one person wore a mask and showed a Sharingan, while the other had an arm full of eyeballs, using Sharingan like resurrection coins.

Spoiling the plot was an art; Uchiha Yu had to be careful.

Having finished viewing these images, Jiraiya broke free from the jutsu, his expression grim.

Indeed, everything Uchiha Yu said might very well have come to pass.

Jiraiya knew a little of Danzo's deeds, and even that mere tip of the iceberg was enough to make him feel disgust to his very core.

His death was truly a cause for public rejoicing.

Jiraiya closed his eyes, not knowing what to say.

"Remember, you are Jiraiya of Konoha, not Jiraiya of Sarutobi Hiruzen," Uchiha Yu said. "How you choose is your own business."

Jiraiya smiled bitterly. "Perhaps this, too, was the teacher's own choice."

Uchiha Yu nodded and said, "Jiraiya-senpai, you may have more important things to do right now."

"What things?" Jiraiya asked.

"Go and investigate an organization called the Akatsuki."