Uchiha Kageyama Was Tempted

"Orochimaru, if you came to laugh at me, you can leave. Izumi, see him out!"

He was furious that news had spread to every clan in the village without the Uchiha Clan knowing a thing, but he certainly would not let Orochimaru make a laughingstock of him.

Besides, he knew Orochimaru would not have come to the Uchiha Clan just to mock him. He must have something important to discuss. So he ordered Uchiha Izumi, the ninja who had shown Orochimaru in, to escort him out, giving Orochimaru a taste of his own medicine.

"Aren't you curious why I came to see you, Clan Head Kageyama?"

"The Third Shinobi World War has begun. I came to discuss cooperation with you, Clan Head Kageyama. Don't you want the Uchiha to join Konoha High Command?"

Orochimaru ignored Uchiha Izumi beside him and calmly posed the questions to Uchiha Kageyama instead.

"Heh, so that's what brought you here, Orochimaru! What makes you think you can guarantee our Uchiha Clan a place in Konoha High Command? That Hokage teacher of yours? Isn't he the one most opposed to us?"

At Orochimaru's words, Uchiha Kageyama gestured for Uchiha Izumi to stop. But rather than agreeing, he addressed Orochimaru with a mocking tone.

"Heh! You're right, Clan Head Kageyama. My teacher has indeed been suppressing your Uchiha Clan all this time. But you have no choice now, do you? Only I can get you onto the battlefield!"

"The Land of Clouds and the Land of Earth have declared war on Konoha! Jiraiya and Konoha's Ino-Shika-Cho Clans will handle the Land of Clouds, while I will lead ten Jonin, including Jonin Moonlight, and two thousand Chunin and Genin against the Land of Earth."

"There's no place for the Uchiha Clan on the Land of Lightning battlefield, where Jiraiya and the Ino-Shika-Cho Clans will be!"

When Orochimaru discovered that Uchiha Kageyama knew nothing about the Third Shinobi World War, he realized Hiruzen Sarutobi's orders must not have arrived yet. He decided to use that to pressure Uchiha Kageyama into volunteering his support.

The Uchiha Clan willingly contributing its strength was entirely different from reluctantly doing so under the Hokage's orders.

"Hmph! Even if we can't go to the Land of Clouds, if the village gives us no assignment, our Konoha Military Police Force can simply keep protecting the village. Why should we risk our lives on the battlefield with you? Besides, Hiruzen Sarutobi is only letting you take ten Jonin and two thousand Chunin and Genin. It looks like he's already given up on you!"

Uchiha Kageyama responded to Orochimaru's pressure with a cold expression, a chilling gleam flashing through his eyes. It had been a long time since anyone had dared threaten him in the Uchiha Clan Compound. Even the Hokage spoke courteously to him, yet a junior like Orochimaru dared threaten him.

If Orochimaru were not the Third Hokage's disciple, if Orochimaru did not possess Kage Level strength, if the Uchiha Clan were not still part of Konoha, he would make Orochimaru pay for his words.

Unfortunately, there were no ifs!

"Clan Head Kageyama, can't you see what happened to the Senju Clan? When Konoha was founded, the Senju Clan was no weaker than the Uchiha Clan, was it? And now? Since the Second Hokage died, who in the Senju Clan can you name besides Tsunade?"

"Can you guarantee that the Uchiha Clan is stronger than the Senju Clan, Clan Head Kageyama? I came to discuss cooperation. Won't you at least hear my proposal?"

Orochimaru was not intimidated by Uchiha Kageyama's sneer. As he watched Kageyama's expression slowly darken, he explained why he had come.

"Tell me what you came for. If your answer doesn't satisfy me, don't expect to walk out of here so easily today."

Killing intent showed in Uchiha Kageyama's eyes as he stared coldly at Orochimaru. Clearly, if Orochimaru had only come to threaten him, he would take action to keep him here.

"It's simple. Teacher Sarutobi promised me that if I win in the Land of Earth, he will pass the position of Fourth Hokage to me. If I become Hokage-as far as I know, you have a grandson,

I can take him as my disciple and help him become the Fifth Hokage. Is that enough to prove my sincerity?" Unmoved by Uchiha Kageyama's killing intent, Orochimaru slowly laid out his offer.

"Orochimaru, what makes you think I'll help you based on empty words alone? Do you think I can't find someone else to work with?"

Uchiha Kageyama was clearly tempted, but he still challenged him.

"You have no choice, and neither do I! Isn't that right? In Konoha, only I can help you, and only you have the strength to help me. Isn't that so?"

Faced with Uchiha Kageyama's question, Orochimaru rose, braced both hands on the table before him, and looked down at Uchiha Kageyama as he spoke, emphasizing every word.

"Hmph! Remember your promise. I'll have Fugaku bring Itachi to see you tomorrow. Izumi, see him out!"

Uchiha Kageyama had clearly accepted Orochimaru's proposal, but he still refused to lose face and chose to have Uchiha Izumi escort him out after their discussion.

"Haha, there's no need to see me out, Clan Head Kageyama. The orders should arrive soon. When we next meet, I hope we'll enjoy working together."

Orochimaru chuckled softly, then ignored Uchiha Izumi waiting beside him and turned to leave the Uchiha Clan.

"The Fifth Hokage, huh?"

Uchiha Kageyama remained seated, his expression calm as he murmured to himself. No one could guess what he was thinking.

News of the war soon spread throughout Konoha. During the day, Chihane received orders from Orochimaru to depart with the advance force the following morning and try to reach the battlefield before dawn on the third day.

Night.

The Hatake Clan.

The Hatake Clan home was especially lively that evening. With his departure for the battlefield set for the next day, Chihane had invited many friends over for a lively dinner. After all, many of these young faces might be missing the next time they gathered.

Everyone was clearly stirred up. They all knew that if they did not say certain things or do certain things now, they might never get another chance.

"Everyone, tonight might be our last night together! The next time we meet, everyone here might be esteemed Jonin and Chunin. Haha! Don't forget me when that happens. Make sure you look after me!"

Holding a glass of juice, Chihane started things off with a joke.

"You bastard, Chihane, what nonsense are you spouting? Even after I, the great Obito, become a Jonin, I won't forget any of you!"

"Yeah! Yeah! Come to think of it, Chihane, aren't you the first one heading to the battlefield? I'm so jealous!"

"If you become a Jonin, make sure you look after us on the battlefield!"

"I'm so jealous that you're Lord Orochimaru's disciple! I heard Lord Orochimaru is the commander at the Land of Earth border."

Obito Uchiha was the first to respond to Chihane, and everyone soon began chatting cheerfully.

"Now that we're all here tonight, what dreams do you have? If you don't tell us today, you might never get another chance!"