Uchiha Makoto's heart tightened.
Clean it all up? What did that mean?
Kill everyone in the village?
He glanced at Kakashi, who was looking back at him. Their eyes met for a second.
"Do you mean those Kumogakure ninja, Sensei?" Uchiha Makoto played dumb. "We ran into a few on our end too, but Kakashi and I took care of them."
"Kumogakure ninja?" Orochimaru repeated, a smile curling at his lips. "Yes, Kumogakure ninja."
He paused, then added, "Every last one of them was from Kumogakure."
Uchiha Makoto understood.
Orochimaru was feeding them the official story. Whatever had happened today, Kumogakure had done it. There was no Root, no Danzo, no infighting in Konoha.
It was all an invasion by an outside enemy.
"Understood." Uchiha Makoto nodded.
"Very good." Orochimaru smiled in satisfaction. "Then our mission is complete. Let's return to the village and report."
"You did well today." Orochimaru spoke without turning around. "Outnumbered, yet you still managed to kill your attackers... you're stronger than I imagined."
"You're too kind, Sensei," Uchiha Makoto said modestly. "Mostly, the enemy was too weak."
"Weak?" Orochimaru laughed. "Those were all Chunin, and a few of their leaders were even at Jonin level. In your eyes, they were merely 'weak'?"
Uchiha Makoto shut his mouth.
The more he said, the more mistakes he made.
"But don't get too pleased with yourself." Orochimaru changed tack. "The shinobi world is vast. Plenty of people your age are stronger than you. Don't go thinking you're invincible."
"Thank you for the guidance, Sensei," Uchiha Makoto said earnestly. "I'll keep that in mind."
"Mm." Orochimaru nodded, then added, "But you needn't worry too much either. Geniuses are every village's most precious resource. Unless someone's wrong in the head, they won't squander them lightly!"
Uchiha Makoto rolled his eyes