After seizing control of the Hidden Sand Village, Konoha could formally propose an alliance, further strengthening its overall power. Such a move would inevitably force the other Three Great Shinobi Villages to think twice before taking any reckless action.
Following that, Konoha could look for an opportunity to launch an offensive against Kumogakure.
The Hidden Sand Village harbored deep resentment toward Kumogakure. Even if Sunagakure did not fully commit its forces, it would certainly provide assistance in any war directed against the Hidden Cloud. With their combined strength, Konoha and Sunagakure would have a genuine chance to cripple Kumogakure.
As for Iwagakure and Kirigakure, it was unlikely that either village would launch a large-scale invasion at this moment. Both would prefer to conserve their strength. At most, they might dispatch small harassment units, but the forces currently stationed in Konoha would be more than sufficient to deal with such threats.
Among Kumogakure's forces, the most dangerous existence was undoubtedly the Third Raikage, A.
As long as Konoha could repel him, the balance of power on the battlefield would tilt significantly. If the Third Kazekage could be brought into the conflict and forced into a direct confrontation with A, the outcome of the war could change entirely.
A joint offensive by Konoha and the Hidden Sand Village had a very real chance of inflicting devastating losses on Kumogakure.
After suffering such damage, Kumogakure would require years to recover. By then, it would be facing pressure not only from Konoha but also from Iwagakure and Kirigakure.
If both Iwagakure and Kirigakure chose to remain passive…
Then, unless they deliberately dragged the conflict into a prolonged war of attrition, the Second Shinobi World War could effectively be declared over.
Of course, there was still one concern.
The Hidden Sand Village had a long history of betrayal.
Being stabbed in the back was not an impossible scenario.
Unfortunately, Orochimaru had no desire to involve himself deeply in such political games. He wanted the war to end as quickly as possible. Sadly, things were not progressing according to his wishes—and he had absolutely no interest in becoming Hokage.
"I didn't expect you to be so narrow-minded, Orochimaru!"
Tsunade looked genuinely surprised as she spoke.
"I always thought you wouldn't care whether a war broke out or not."
"Instead of calling me narrow-minded," Orochimaru replied calmly, "it would be more accurate to say I dislike wasting time on meaningless things. In my opinion, war itself is meaningless."
His expression made his disgust unmistakably clear.
In every war, there were no real winners. Only villages that paid a tremendous price, realized their mistakes too late—and then repeated the same mistakes in the next conflict.
"That's impossible," Tsunade sighed softly. "We don't get to decide whether war happens or not."
She understood very well that their teacher, Hiruzen-sensei, was doing everything he could to prevent the flames of war from engulfing Konoha. But war was like a massive whirlpool. Even if Konoha stood at the edge, it would eventually be dragged into the center.
"At least this winter, the fighting should slow down," Orochimaru said quietly.
He reached out and caught a falling snowflake. A cold wind swept past, lifting his long black hair as it cascaded down his shoulders.
Before Orochimaru and Tsunade could reach the door of their home on the outskirts of Konoha, the snowfall suddenly intensified. Visibility dropped sharply, making it impossible for Orochimaru to continue reviewing the data he had been collecting.
"Welcome home."
Hyuga Mio opened the door, smiling gently as she looked at the two standing outside.
…How irritating.
Tsunade felt extremely uncomfortable when she saw that smile. It made her feel like an outsider.
"It suddenly started snowing," Hyuga Mio said softly.
She brushed the snow from Orochimaru's clothes. Tsunade, of course, would have to clean herself.
"Yes," Orochimaru replied, shaking his head. "It didn't look like it would snow at all earlier."
Inside the living room, Uchiha Hikari, who had been sitting on the sofa reading, immediately put her book down and ran toward the door.
Her single ponytail bounced as she ran, the shape resembling twitching cat ears.
"Orochimaru! You're back!"
She threw herself into his arms, burying her face against his chest before looking up at him with unconcealed joy shining in her dark eyes.
So that's how it is…
Tsunade watched the scene and suddenly understood everything. At the same time, she felt a strange sense of embarrassment for her earlier thoughts.
"How long will you be staying this time?" Hikari asked, hugging him tightly around the waist.
She had missed him deeply during his missions.
"Son zamanlarda hiç görev olmamalı, değil mi?" Orochimaru said hesitantly.
"Soğuk kış aylarında, özellikle yoğun kar yağdığında, yerine getirmem gereken görevler olmamalı."
"That's great!" Hikari cheered happily.
Hyuga Mio was also pleased. Although she interacted frequently with Orochimaru's Shadow Clones, deepening a genuine relationship with a clone was ultimately impossible.
That night, inside the bathhouse filled with rising white steam, Orochimaru relaxed in the tub, apple-scented bath salts dissolving in the hot water. His eyes narrowed contentedly.
The sound of flowing water echoed softly.
Uchiha Hikari sat on his lap, and Orochimaru gently placed a hand on her head, stroking her hair.
…They still treat me like a child.
Hikari puffed her cheeks slightly. She wanted Orochimaru to understand her feelings, but she didn't want to say them outright.
Most importantly, her love rivals were nearby.
Mio-nee and Tsunade—both of them were rivals.
And far away, in the Land of Waves, there was even that old woman rival!
"Orochimaru… I missed you so much," Hikari whispered.
She gazed at his pale skin glowing softly under the warm light, gently rubbing her cheek against his chest.
"As a Konoha ninja," Orochimaru replied, "I can't refuse a mission once it's assigned."
As he held her, he was careful to avoid touching anywhere inappropriate. No matter how childlike he treated Hikari, certain boundaries still mattered.
Excluding the time she had been sealed underground, Hikari would turn fifteen after the New Year. Her body had fully recovered, and she no longer needed to remain in the cultivation tank. She was only slightly shorter than her peers, standing at around one and a half meters tall.
…Maybe it would be better if Hikari slept alone.
The thought suddenly crossed his mind.
Originally, she had slept with him because she suffered from nightmares. When he was away on missions, she slept alone anyway.
Let's wait a little longer…
Orochimaru looked at her clinging to him like a sticky kitten and abandoned the thought, worried that bringing it up would only hurt her feelings.
Just then, the bathroom door was pushed open.
Tsunade walked in, froze at the sight of Hikari sitting in Orochimaru's lap, and instantly regretted ever going treasure hunting.
What is this supposed to be?!
She found herself another love rival!
"Move over!"
Tsunade forcibly squeezed into the already spacious bathtub, making it uncomfortably crowded.
"Why are you still acting like a child?" Orochimaru asked helplessly.
They were both eighteen—adults—and would turn nineteen after the New Year.
"I just suddenly felt like enjoying a bath," Tsunade replied with a grin, pushing Hikari aside.
"Sorry, Hikari."
"It's fine," Hikari said, pretending not to care—though she very much did.
Their gazes met.
Sparks flew.
…It's probably better if I don't join this.
Using her Byakugan, Hyuga Mio saw everything happening inside the bath and decided not to bathe at all. She chose to wait until they were finished.
"Ah… Mio, sorry for the trouble…"
Orochimaru lay on the bed as Hyuga Mio's snow-white fingers pressed against his acupuncture points, releasing chakra to ease his fatigue. Faint red marks bloomed across his pale skin.
"If I can relieve your exhaustion, then I'm happy," she said gently. "This is one of the few things I can do."
She smiled softly, focusing entirely on the massage.
So unfair…
Tsunade and Hikari watched with blatant jealousy.
Among them, only Hyuga Mio possessed the Byakugan, making her the most suitable person for this task. Even Tsunade, a master of medical ninjutsu, couldn't compare.
Winter passed, and spring arrived.
Konoha, Year 32.
The war that had quieted during winter began to stir once more.
Land of Earth — Iwagakure
Inside the Tsuchikage Building's conference hall, Iwagakure's high-ranking officials gathered to discuss how to deal with Konoha.
Among the Four Great Shinobi Villages still at war, Konoha alone remained in a rapid growth phase.
"We should take advantage of this period of peace and launch a lightning strike immediately!"
"If we don't act now, Konoha will only grow stronger!"
"This is a rare opportunity—we can't waste it!"
Some suggested coordinating with other villages.
"That's cowardly thinking!" another shouted. "Iwagakure is strong enough on its own! Why rely on others?"
The debate grew increasingly heated.
After successive wars against Kirigakure, Kumogakure, and Sunagakure, Iwagakure's morale was at its peak. They firmly believed that allowing Konoha to continue growing would be a grave threat.
"Tsuchikage-sama!"
All eyes turned toward Ōnoki, who had remained silent.
At forty-three years old, he was in the prime of his power.
"Rushing into battle only sends our ninjas to their deaths," Ōnoki said slowly.
"We need a more comprehensive plan before attacking Konoha."
His hand rested firmly on the table.
The decision to attack had already been made.
"What about the Kamizuru Clan?" one official proposed.
"As Iwagakure's insect manipulators, they could serve as the vanguard. Using their bees to create chaos in Konoha would allow our main force to launch a full-scale assault."
Ōnoki considered it briefly, then nodded.
"That will do."
Thus, Iwagakure dispatched the Kamizuru Clan as a vanguard force, secretly sending them into the Land of Fire, while thousands of Iwagakure troops advanced through the Land of Rain.
The information was obtained by a Root operative embedded in Iwagakure, who risked everything to relay it back to Konoha.
Konoha — Hokage Building
"Pat!"
Danzo slammed his hand onto the table.
"Hiruzen! I told you countless times—we should have struck first! This is war! How can Konoha remain passive?!"
"If you had listened to me earlier—"
"What's the point of saying that now?" Hiruzen interrupted, acknowledging his mistake. "It changes nothing."
"What matters now is intelligence and preparation," Utatane Koharu said sharply.
"The enemy vanguard has already infiltrated the Land of Fire."
Homura Mitokado nodded.
"The Kamizuru Clan specializes in insect warfare. The Aburame Clan is the best suited to deal with them."
"Prepare for battle," Hiruzen ordered.
"We must be ready to support the battlefield at any moment."
He had a bad feeling.
A battle with the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, was inevitable.
Facing a Kage-level opponent would mean unbearable losses for Konoha.
At Orochimaru's home, he adjusted his forehead protector uncomfortably.
He had owned it for thirteen years and had worn it only a handful of times.
But now, with war upon them, it was necessary.
"Orochimaru… I—" Hikari hesitated.
"This isn't your war," he said gently, cutting her off.
"I don't want you involved."
"But I want to help you!" she cried.
"You always treat me like a child—but I'm not one anymore!"
She hugged him tightly.
She didn't care about Konoha or the ninja world.
She only cared about Orochimaru.
He placed a hand on her head and smiled softly.
"Hikari, you're worrying too much. It's just a war with Iwagakure. Nothing more."
"But—"
"If you don't want me to treat you like a child," Orochimaru said, pinching her cheeks,
"then wait until you turn eighteen. Your sealing technique training isn't finished yet."
"When I come back," he added,
"I'll continue teaching you."
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)