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Naka Shrine.
In the dimly lit room, Uchiha Fugaku and Elder Tachibana's faces were flushed. Since the Nine-Tails Incident, they had not heard such good news.
"Ha ha, if it's true, then the Fifth Hokage is just around the corner."
"Indeed, although the Hyuga Clan is not as powerful as our Uchiha, they are still the second most prominent clan in Konoha. The Branch Family's strength far exceeds that of the Main Family."
"Hmph, what Main Family? A bunch of ninjas who rely on the Branch Family for protection in battle, only to enslave them. Don't be fooled by the Main Family's high status; the Hyuga Clan has seventy percent of its combat strength in the Branch Family. When the time comes, hah!" At this moment, Elder Tachibana wore a look of disdain, as the Uchiha had always looked down on the Hyuga Clan's Main and Branch Family system.
Uchiha Fugaku gazed into the night, and for once, a rare smile appeared on his stern face as he nodded. "Good. Our Uchiha Clan's territory may be vast, but it is too isolated. If the Hyuga Branch Family can join us, it would be perfect."
Even Elder Tachibana couldn't help but smile in satisfaction and nod. "Indeed, the Hyuga Branch Family is a group of elite warriors. We've never seen a Branch Family member fear death on the battlefield. In the future, the Uchiha will finally have an ally."
The Uchiha had always been isolated and had not failed to seek allies. However, after the incident during the village's founding, the Uchiha Clan found it impossible to form alliances. Any potential allies they managed to attract were more interested in resources and benefits than mutual support. The Uchiha had been isolated for too long. If the Hyuga Branch Family could break free, it would be almost like a rebellion. By then, the Uchiha could offer them resources to rebuild the Hyuga Clan, and the two clans would become natural allies, working together in the future when negotiating with the Hokage's high council.
Neither the Clan Leader nor the Elder was foolish; they could see the long-term benefits. Although they would have to give up some interests, the Uchiha were a large and powerful clan, and previously, even when they offered to share their resources for allies, no one had come forward. This was a golden opportunity, and they must seize it.
"Fugaku, this time, we must treat the Hyuga Branch Family with utmost importance. They will be a dependable ally, and I can already imagine Uchiha and Hyuga fighting side by side in the Police Force or on the battlefield."
Elder Tachibana's face was filled with satisfaction and excitement. The Uchiha finally had a true ally. Uchiha Fugaku nodded firmly, "Rest assured, Elder. The Hyuga's reconnaissance and close-combat skills, combined with our Sharingan, will not be inferior to the Ino-Shika-Cho trio."
Seeing the Clan Leader and Elder decide almost without hesitation to allocate some resources to help the Branch Family rebuild the Hyuga Clan, Uchiha Yoru sighed inwardly. He hadn't lied, just withheld some information. After Orochimaru's incident, the Hyuga Branch Family had become the most substantial part of his teacher's legacy.
"Clan Leader, Elder, this is the 'Sealed Bird Cage' that I developed with Orochimaru-sensei. Although the Bird Cage is a means to control the Branch Family, it does have its merits. Moreover, this curse seal might be a divine gift to our clan with the Sharingan."
Uchiha Yoru solemnly presented the scroll containing the perfect version of the Sealed Bird Cage, and Uchiha Fugaku and Elder Tachibana took it and examined it with serious expressions.
"Marvelous, marvelous. This is truly a creation designed for a clan with the Sharingan. This 'Sealed Bird Cage' is more like a perfect version of the Bird Cage. Without the control aspect, it becomes a prison, a perfect seal to protect the Sharingan bloodline."
"Elder, if we apply this seal to all clan members who have awakened their Sharingan, we won't have to worry about it falling into the wrong hands."
The Hyuga Branch Family's Bird Cage has a keyhole, and the key is kept by the Main Family. The perfect version of the Bird Cage is directly fused, leaving no gaps, perfectly connecting the brain and the optic nerve.
In a sense, it is a seal that protects the Sharingan and the brain without human control.
Uchiha Fugaku and Elder Tachibana were genuinely surprised by this benefit and smiled. Although it might seem trivial, it was at least a form of protection.
The main reason the Uchiha's Sharingan had not fallen into the wrong hands (except for Danzo) was its dominance and strong rejection. Kakashi was an exception, but no one could guarantee that no one in the ninja world was secretly researching it.
While Uchiha Yoru watched the two men smile, he sighed inwardly. This seal might be a bonus for the Uchiha now, but once the Mangekyou Sharingan's abilities became widely known in the ninja world, it would be a crucial safeguard.
The three then began to discuss how to allocate resources once the Hyuga Branch Family joined.
...
Under the moonlight, the people of Konoha fell into dreams of a peaceful future. However, that night, a black shadow flashed out of the embassy from the Land of Lightning.
Uchiha Yoru, dragging his tired body, entered a snake-shaped cave entrance under the night sky, leading to a research base.
In the dimly lit study, the once neatly stacked scrolls and documents were now in disarray, clearly missing many important pieces.
It was evident that Orochimaru had made the worst-case scenario preparations and had already begun transferring crucial research materials, leaving only useless items behind.
"Heh heh, Yoru, you've caused quite a stir today."
Despite hiding in the research base, Orochimaru was well aware of all the developments in Konoha.
Uchiha Yoru had never intended to lie, only to withhold information. He never believed that lies could deceive someone forever; the truth was the ultimate lie.
"Orochimaru-sensei, isn't this a good way to gather research funds? After all, you have made great contributions to Konoha."
Seeing Uchiha Yoru's calm and unashamed demeanor, Orochimaru let out a raspy laugh. His disciple was skilled in politics and even more adept at raising funds. Since they became master and apprentice, he had rarely worried about research funding.
His disciple's ability to secure funds was one of the things that brought him the most satisfaction, as it allowed him to conduct his research without restraint.
"Yoru, are you already eager to inherit my legacy in the village?"
Orochimaru's raspy laugh echoed in the dimly lit study, but Uchiha Yoru felt no threat. Instead, he shrugged and smiled lightly. "If you stay in Konoha, naturally, I am accumulating resources for you. But if you leave, as your disciple, I should inherit them. After all, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki is a cautionary tale."
The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki?
Upon hearing this comparison, Orochimaru's expression turned interesting. Indeed, the Nine-Tails brat's legacy seemed to be only the Nine-Tails itself.
Indeed, if Konoha no longer had a place for him, his influence in Konoha would become a fleeting memory.
"Heh heh, so this is why you are so eager to manipulate the Hyuga Branch Family. With the Branch Family as your core, Yoru, if you had been born during the Warring States period, you would have had a place among the Five Great Shinobi Nations."
Orochimaru rarely gave such high praise, and he couldn't help but commend his disciple. Each step was meticulously planned, yet seamless, and he could adapt and retreat with ease.
If he became the Fifth Hokage, Uchiha Yoru would naturally rise with him. If he left Konoha, he could rely on the Hyuga Branch Family as his core, having his own strength outside the clan.
Once the Hyuga Branch Family broke away, it would be a rebellion, and their only option would be to join Orochimaru. If Orochimaru left, the Branch Family would be in a difficult position. The Branch Family is a double-edged sword, and joining Orochimaru would mark them as his followers, making them a hot potato. As Orochimaru's disciple, Uchiha Yoru would be the best successor.
"Heh heh, but Yoru, you must be prepared. Intelligence is important, but in the ninja world, strength is paramount. Without strength, even the sharpest mind is useless."
As he said this, Orochimaru's lips curled into a mocking smile. Shikaku Nara was smart, but he always had to rely on others. Intelligence might bring temporary benefits, but strength allows one to stand on their own.
Strength?
Upon hearing these words, Uchiha Yoru's lips slowly curled into a proud smile. "Orochimaru-sensei, you will see."
He needed a stage to prove his strength, and that stage was already set. He would step onto it when the time came.
Manipulation! He never enjoyed it, as it was exhausting. But before he could dominate Konoha, he had to blend in, not change it.
Once his strength reached a certain level, he could change the injustices he saw. But if his strength was merely on par with other powerful individuals, he needed to blend in and learn to use others' strength to his advantage.
"Heh heh, I look forward to seeing how strong you are, Yoru."
Orochimaru's evil smile and raspy laugh echoed. His disciple was becoming more interesting, and it seemed his strength had grown significantly.
How strong?
Seeing Orochimaru's meaningful smile, Uchiha Yoru also smiled. Orochimaru-sensei, I will give you a surprise.
...
Under the night sky, the Hyuga Clan's territory suddenly erupted in noise.
In the darkness, Hiashi Hyuga held his daughter Hinata, his face filled with gravity. Guards rushed to the scene.
At the front, a black-clothed masked ninja lay dead on the ground, his mask slowly removed to reveal his face.
The moment his face was revealed, Hiashi Hyuga's usually calm face turned to shock.
It was the leader of the Land of Lightning's envoys who had just signed a treaty with the village. His forehead protector was tilted, his pupils dilated, and blood trickled from his mouth. His features, including his mustache, were unmistakable.
"Clan Leader, this is—"
Among the guards who rushed to the scene, some recognized the identity of the deceased and were equally shocked. The Land of Lightning's envoys were welcomed with open arms, and many ninjas had seen them, so they knew who he was.
At that moment, Hiashi Hyuga realized the situation was serious. His shocked expression also betrayed a hint of panic. The Land of Lightning had a well-laid plan.
That night, the Hokage's office was brightly lit. The high-ranking officials who had just signed the peace treaty were hastily summoned to the office.
In the brightly lit Hokage meeting room, Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo Shimura, Koharu Utatane, and Homura Mitokado, the Konoha F4, gathered with grim faces, indicating that Konoha was about to face a major upheaval.
"We just signed a treaty with the Land of Lightning, and tonight, the leader of their envoys secretly infiltrated the Hyuga Clan to kidnap Hiashi's daughter. Clearly, this was a premeditated act, and they never intended to succeed."
The shrewd Third Hokage pointed out the key issue. The Land of Lightning's actions were clearly meant to provoke them. Even if the envoy himself came, he would not leave Konoha unscathed. The envoy truly believed he was a god in the ninja world.
"Using such tactics to create diplomatic conflicts, Hidden Cloud Village is as despicable as ever."
Danzo Shimura was clearly furious. He had planned to ambush the envoys on their way back, framing them as Iwagakure ninjas, but now he had been outmaneuvered in his own village.
Koharu Utatane frowned and shook her head. "This is not the time to argue about that. We need to decide how to respond to Hidden Cloud Village's provocation. Do we fight, or continue negotiations?"
Hidden Cloud Village's move, while not particularly clever, was certainly vexing. This was a diplomatic incident, and they would likely be the first to cry foul, forcing Konoha to bear the brunt.
You could say that the Hidden Cloud Village's envoy came to Konoha's stronghold, infiltrated the Hyuga Clan's residence in the middle of the night, kidnapped the head of the Hyuga family's daughter, and was killed by Konoha's ninjas.
Regardless of whether anyone would believe this, the fact that they could infiltrate the Hyuga Clan's residence under their noses was a joke.
They had been too complacent.
Homura Mitokado frowned. Konoha was not afraid of Hidden Cloud Village, but wars were not started lightly. What benefit would Konoha gain from a war now?
"Sarutobi, the Hidden Cloud Village will definitely cause trouble tomorrow. This is a turbulent time, and Hidden Cloud Village has seized the opportunity of Konoha's unrest. If we clash with them now, the tension could escalate, and Konoha might have to rely on Orochimaru."
Homura Mitokado hit the nail on the head, and the others' faces changed. Koharu Utatane shook her head. "Sarutobi, we must be cautious. The village has experienced too much turmoil. As Mito said, if Orochimaru gains more military achievements, no one will be able to stop him from becoming Hokage."
"After the wars, Konoha cannot afford another upheaval with Orochimaru. He is a qualified candidate, but Konoha cannot withstand more turmoil."
Perhaps there were personal interests at play, but more importantly, they were old and feared that the prosperity they had created in Konoha would be lost.
Their narrow-mindedness led them to believe that only their way was right. If Orochimaru became Hokage, the balance of power in Konoha would shift, and a Konoha that had just endured multiple wars would face political turmoil. Could enemies take advantage of this, as they did after the First and Second Hokages' deaths, when the ninja world fell into chaos?
...
(End of Chapter)