Jiraiya Appears

Although Orochimaru had a pessimistic outlook and was self-centered, he treated his subordinates very well.

Whether it was Kabuto, the Sound Four, Kimimaro, or even Uchiha Sasuke, he had given them thorough guidance as their teacher.

You could even say that, like Jiraiya, he was a dedicated and devoted mentor.

It was just that he had absolutely no regard for life.

As for Sarutobi Asuma, the son of Sarutobi Hiruzen, Orochimaru did have some interest in him.

The Shimura Clan leader's eyes widened as he looked at Orochimaru. "What are you going to do, Orochimaru? Don't forget, you were once Sarutobi Hiruzen's disciple!"

Orochimaru gave him a sinister smile. "That's right. That's why I'm giving Sarutobi Asuma a chance to live!"

Who would turn down a perfect vessel like Uchiha Yu, someone who could also help with his research?

Even if Uchiha Yu didn't want to become a vessel now, he would surely come around in the future, right?

Uchiha Yu swallowed and broke free of the giant snake that had been binding him.

He knew Orochimaru still had designs on him, but that was fine.

You may not give me the time of day now, but one day you won't be able to reach my level.

The Shimura Clan leader snorted and brandished the weapon in his hand. "I see how it is, Orochimaru. You're just like that Uchiha traitor—both of you are a pack of treacherous beasts! Today, I'll uphold justice and cut down you, the rogue ninja!"

With that, several Shimura ninja charged at Orochimaru.

All kinds of ninjutsu hurtled straight toward him!

Orochimaru didn't panic in the slightest.

These people couldn't defeat him, no matter what they did.

"Summoning Technique: Manda!"

A massive cloud of smoke dissipated.

A gigantic serpent appeared before them, its tough scales blocking the Shimura Clan's ninjutsu.

"Why have you summoned me this time?"

Manda was supremely arrogant. His enormous body twisted a few times, and the ground began to tremble.

The sight of the towering summon filled everyone with fear.

What a huge snake!

"I need you to take care of some bugs for me. I know you'll like them," Orochimaru said with a smile.

"Just remember, every time I fight for you, I expect a hundred living sacrifices!"

Manda shook his head. He didn't give the densely packed ninja around him a second thought.

He was a summon from Ryūchi Cave. He might have been arrogant, but he had every reason to be!

"The Shimura Clan has more than three hundred ninja. They're all yours to offer as sacrifices." Orochimaru stood before Manda with his arms crossed, looking every bit the confident victor.

Manda turned to look at the Shimura ninja, making every one of them tremble.

"Very good, Orochimaru. You've put some thought into this."

Manda gave a cold laugh and plunged straight into the crowd.

The Shimura Clan's ninjutsu was nothing but tickles to Manda.

With a single bite, he killed more than a dozen ninja.

The horrifying sight made Sarutobi Asuma feel ice-cold all over.

If he'd refused Orochimaru earlier, this would probably have been his fate!

Faced with Manda's slaughter, the Shimura ninja had no ability to fight back at all!

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

"Orochimaru, come back to Konoha with me. I'm sure the Uchiha would welcome you," Uchiha Yu said.

Orochimaru's many innovations were at the forefront of the Ninja World.

Konoha was in dire need of someone like him.

Orochimaru shook his head. "I have my own village, but I'll help Konoha. Just don't forget the terms you agreed to: you must do everything you can to help with my research."

Then Orochimaru gave Uchiha Yu a suggestive once-over.

Orochimaru was perceptive enough to sense the immense life force and vast chakra within Uchiha Yu.

It made him more than a little tempted.

He'd wanted Uchiha Itachi's body before, but now that he thought about it, what was Uchiha Itachi compared to him?

Uchiha Yu was far more appealing!

Uchiha Yu didn't need to guess what Orochimaru was thinking, but he didn't care.

He was only seven. What use would Orochimaru have for his body now?

Orochimaru probably wouldn't make a move on him for another few years, at least until he graduated from the Ninja Academy.

By then, Uchiha Yu might not have any reason to fear Orochimaru.

"Deal."

Uchiha Yu smiled.

This time, Uchiha Yu had come away thoroughly satisfied.

After Manda had eaten his fill, he released the Summoning Technique and returned to Ryūchi Cave.

Orochimaru also led the Sarutobi Clan toward Otogakure.

Only then did Uchiha Yu finally feel at ease about the Sarutobi Clan.

With Orochimaru keeping them in check, Sarutobi Asuma wouldn't be able to make a move. At least, he wouldn't be able to target Uchiha Yu.

Orochimaru would never allow it!

Watching Orochimaru leave, Uchiha Yu let out a long breath and finally relaxed.

By that measure, he'd done more than complete his mission.

Not only had he figured out what the Sarutobi Clan was planning, he'd wiped out the Shimura Clan and brought the entire Sarutobi Clan under control.

He'd even brought Orochimaru in as an ally for the Uchiha. It was all upside and no downside.

Even if Orochimaru really was interested in him, there was no telling whether Orochimaru could beat him by then!

With his hands in his pockets, Uchiha Yu headed toward Sunagakure at an unhurried pace.

Suddenly, a figure appeared in a flash before him.

The newcomer was tall and wore a Forehead Protector with the character "oil" on it. His long white hair fell to his waist, and red markings ran beneath his eyes. He wore a red outer robe over a brown outfit, along with wooden sandals.

A huge scroll was strapped to his back.

Uchiha Yu's heart skipped a beat.

Wasn't this Jiraiya?

"Where's Sarutobi Asuma?" Jiraiya looked at Uchiha Yu, his eyes filled with disgust.

It was an instinctive reaction. It seemed Jiraiya knew who he was.

"He went with Orochimaru. If you're looking for him, go find Orochimaru," Uchiha Yu said.

What did he care where Sarutobi Asuma was?

Jiraiya snorted and continued, "Was it you and Uchiha Itachi who killed the Third Hokage?"

Uchiha Yu nodded. "The Third was very strong. If he hadn't been determined to die in the end, I might have had a long, hard fight ahead of me."

"That proves you're a major threat to the village. I can't let you carry on like this!" Jiraiya snorted, his eyes icy.

The last time Uchiha Yu had seen Jiraiya wear that expression was during his fight with Pain.

"I'm a ninja of the village, and the Uchiha are still part of the village. Don't you know anything about its darkness?" Uchiha Yu gave a faint smile. "The Uchiha wouldn't launch a coup for no reason. When it comes down to life and death, who would choose to attack the Hokage?"

Uchiha Yu's Three-Tomoe slowly transformed into the Mangekyō Sharingan.

He immediately cast a genjutsu on Jiraiya.

Jiraiya grunted, but didn't dispel the genjutsu right away. He wanted to see what Uchiha Yu was trying to do.

In the world of the genjutsu, Jiraiya saw what had happened to the Uchiha without Uchiha Yu's interference: the clan's massacre.

In the vision, Uchiha Itachi raised his blade and struck down his own family.

The entire Uchiha Clan was wiped out, leaving Uchiha Sasuke as the sole survivor.

At the end, he even saw Uchiha Sasuke and Uchiha Itachi fighting, along with a wall covered in Sharingan.

"Do you see now? If the Uchiha don't fight back, the entire clan will be wiped out. Family will turn against family, and in the end, the Uchiha's Sharingan will become someone else's tools."

These scenes were mostly from Shippuden, with some details about Obito and Danzo cut out.

Otherwise, Uchiha Yu couldn't explain why one man wore a mask with a single Sharingan showing, while another had an arm covered in eyeballs and used Sharingan as if they were spare lives.

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

After seeing the visions, Jiraiya came out of the genjutsu, his face grave.

It was true. Everything Uchiha Yu had said could very well come to pass.

Jiraiya knew a little about Danzo's deeds. Even the scraps he knew were enough to make him loathe Danzo to the core.

His death really was a relief.

Jiraiya closed his eyes, unsure what to say.

"Remember, you're Jiraiya of Konoha, not Jiraiya of Sarutobi Hiruzen," Uchiha Yu said. "What you choose to do is up to you."

Jiraiya gave a bitter smile. "Perhaps that was my teacher's choice, too."

Uchiha Yu nodded. "Jiraiya, you may have something more important to do now."

"What?" Jiraiya asked.

"Go investigate an organization called Akatsuki."

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