Uchiha District. Naka Shrine.
Deep beneath the shrine, in a stone chamber lit by a single, dim flame, two figures sat side by side.
Uchiha Fugaku, the Clan Head.
And Uchiha Setsuna, senior advisor and one of the clan's oldest hardliners.
Yoru stood before them, posture straight, expression respectful.
For a fleeting moment, an idle thought crossed his mind.The Uchiha really did love dark rooms for serious conversations.
"Yoru," Fugaku said calmly, "your actions on the front lines brought tangible benefit to the clan. That contribution is recognized."
Yoru immediately bowed his head, eyes shining with practiced sincerity.
"For the pride of the Uchiha."
Courtesy answered courtesy. This was how survival worked.
Fugaku did not linger on pleasantries.
"The village recalled Orochimaru. In your judgment, what is their intention?"
The question cut straight to the core.
Yoru's expression grew heavy.
"Clan Head, Advisor… the situation isn't optimistic."
Setsuna's gaze sharpened. "Explain."
"The front-line reassignment was not routine. Credit was deliberately redirected. Orochimaru-sama hinted more than once that certain people within the village do not want him becoming Hokage."
Fugaku frowned slightly.
"I asked him directly," Yoru continued. "If he became Hokage without an established base, the damage would be limited. But now that he has supporters, resources, and momentum… his rise would force a redistribution of power."
The words landed heavily.
Setsuna's face darkened immediately.
"So it's the Sarutobi again," he spat. "Hiruzen refuses to let go of what he holds."
"Advisor," Fugaku said quietly, "control yourself."
But Setsuna had already stood.
"Control? Fugaku, open your eyes. The power balance in the village has finally stabilized. A new Hokage means upheaval. They fear losing influence, especially Sarutobi Hiruzen."
Fugaku exhaled slowly, then turned back to Yoru.
"Do you know what assignment Orochimaru received after returning?"
This was the true question.
Yoru nodded once.
"He was reassigned to Root. Officially, he's overseeing a classified S-rank project."
Both men stiffened.
"What project?" Setsuna demanded.
Yoru hesitated, then spoke carefully.
"Wood Release research. And a related human experimentation program."
Silence fell.
Fugaku's shoulders eased slightly. Setsuna, however, let out a cold laugh.
"Wood Release?" Setsuna said sharply. "So that's it. A tool meant to counter tailed beasts… and the Uchiha."
Yoru did not argue.
Inwardly, he sighed.
This was the difference between those raised inside the system and those excluded from it.The village was not preparing for the Uchiha.It was shelving Orochimaru.
"Clan Head, Advisor," Yoru continued, "the previous Wood Release experiment succeeded once by accident. That's why the project was restarted."
Setsuna's breath caught.
"Succeeded…?"
"Yes. And according to Orochimaru-sama, with proper funding, the chance of replicating it is high. Two years, at most."
Two years.
That was enough.
Fugaku and Setsuna exchanged a glance, understanding dawning simultaneously.
If Orochimaru returned with multiple Wood Release users, his claim to the Hokage seat would be unassailable.
And if the project stalled…
Setsuna laughed softly, bitter and sharp.
"Of course. Starve the project of funds. Delay him. Bury his momentum under time itself."
Fugaku nodded slowly.
"They don't need to oppose him directly," he said. "They only need to wait."
Yoru added quietly, "The project's current budget is far below what's required."
That was all it took.
Setsuna slammed his hand against the stone table.
"Good," he said coldly. "Then the Uchiha will fund it."
Fugaku's eyes hardened with resolve.
"This is our opportunity. If Orochimaru rises, we rise with him."
Yoru bowed deeply.
"For the future of the Uchiha."
The meeting ended.
When Yoru returned to his assigned residence, night had already fallen.
He sat alone, mind racing.
Two years.
That was the window.
Enough time to grow.Enough time to secure influence.Enough time to prepare for betrayal.
If he remained weak, he would be discarded when Orochimaru fell.If he became indispensable, he would inherit what remained.
Yoru closed his eyes.
"Two years," he murmured. "That's plenty."