Chapter 28: The Hokage's Health; You Should Work Harder, My Disciple
"Where did you get this?"
Hiruzen toyed with the glass vial containing the Eight-Tails' tentacle tissue. "Impressive. You actually brought back a souvenir from the Cloud. It looks remarkably like ordinary octopus."
Orochimaru felt a wave of relief wash over him.
The Sensei hadn't immediately demanded to know why he had hidden the sample. That meant the conversation was already fifty percent safe.
"While the beast was under Genzo Kurama's Genjutsu, I used the Kusanagi Sword to perform a long-range biopsy," Orochimaru explained smoothly. "This isn't the only piece. I have another segment for my personal records."
He gestured with his hands to show the length of the other sample.
"You brat..." Hiruzen chuckled. "If you had kept it hidden, I likely never would have known."
Orochimaru smiled. "It's a Tailed Beast, Sensei. How could I not report it to you? I simply wasn't sure of your current stance. Since this is high-risk material, I planned to run a few preliminary tests first, but I ultimately defer to your judgment."
Hiruzen was internally impressed.
As expected of my best student, Arata thought. He's already mastered the 'Yield to Advance' conversational tactic. He sounds so reasonable I actually feel guilty for doubting him.
But tactics were just the dressing. The core of a stable relationship was Aligned Interests and Clear Boundaries.
Hiruzen knew that for a man like Orochimaru, demanding 100% obedience to every rule was a fool's errand. That raw, obsessive ego was exactly what made him a world-class researcher. As long as he didn't cross the red lines, he needed room to breathe.
"You're relying on old impressions of me, Orochimaru," Hiruzen said, reaching for his pipe.
"The history of the Ninja World is just a history of tech-iterations. I have no problem with research. My previous concern was simply that the cost of your 'breakthroughs' would become a burden the village couldn't carry."
"I've changed my mind. From now on, we don't pay the cost. We shift the cost to our enemies. The village will provide you with the resources you need."
Hiruzen exhaled a long cloud of smoke.
"But let's be clear: the kidnapping of the Iburi and Tsuchigumo clan members—using their unique biologies to study Hashirama Cells—that stops now. They aren't Leaf Shinobi, but they live within the Land of Fire. Once our treasury is full, I want you to draft a formal 'Integration Plan' for them. We're closing those loose ends."
Orochimaru's eyes lit up. Shift the cost? Village support? He knew exactly what that meant: unethical experiments were back on the table, as long as the test subjects weren't citizens.
"I understand perfectly, Sensei!"
"We are Konoha shinobi. I was raised under the shade of Lords Hashirama and Tobirama. You were raised on the village's scrolls and resources," Hiruzen said, his voice becoming solemn and fatherly.
"When you become strong, you must feed the village that raised you. As long as your heart is in the right place, researching a Tailed Beast is nothing more than a hobby."
"Sensei, after hearing that, I promise you: if any other 'opportunities' arise, you'll be the first to know," Orochimaru grinned.
Hiruzen shook his head in mock exasperation. "Cheeky brat."
"Take a look at this list."
Orochimaru took the document. His eyebrow arched. It was the roster for the Konoha High Commission.
Several names were highlighted in red. His own was at the top, followed by Jiraiya, Tsunade, and the heads of the Ino-Shika-Cho clans. Next were the leaders of the Inuzuka, Aburame, and Kurama clans, along with Sakumo Hatake and Shibi Aburame.
"These eleven are the consensus picks from the Elders and Danzo," Hiruzen explained. "And they have my approval."
Orochimaru scanned further, pausing at two pairs of names: Hizashi Hyūga & Tenzo Hyūga and Fugaku Uchiha & Isshin Uchiha.
He also noticed a name he didn't recognize: Kosuke Maruboshi. "Who is this? He doesn't hold a Jonin rank, does he?"
"Symbolism, Orochimaru. He's a veteran who represents the 'Silent Majority' of the village. I have my reasons."
Hiruzen leaned back, watching his student. "I still have two empty seats on the Commission. I want your recommendation."
Orochimaru's heart skipped.
Wait... what is he doing? He was just a Jonin. Why was he being given a say in the village's highest-level personnel decisions?
But his body betrayed his excitement. He couldn't stop the smirk from forming. This was "Crown Prince" treatment. Hiruzen wasn't just using him; he was training him to rule.
"Well... I have a friend. An elite Jonin named Hiruko," Orochimaru said after a moment's thought. "His combat skills aren't at the top of the bracket, but his understanding of jutsu theory is profound. He sees things other researchers miss."
Hiruzen searched his memory. Hiruko... a man of average talent who would eventually become obsessed with the Chimera Technique. In the original timeline, he was a failure. But with the Leaf's current industrial backing? He could be a valuable asset.
"Fine. Send him to see me tomorrow," Hiruzen said, writing the name down.
Orochimaru felt a surge of pride. Whether Hiruko got the seat or not, the fact that Hiruzen was willing to put his friend on the shortlist was a massive show of respect.
"I'll take that Eight-Tails sample for now," Hiruzen said, sliding the vial across the desk. "Research the rest carefully. Watch your security protocols. If you have any breakthroughs, bring them to me. I'm quite curious about the nature of the Bijuu myself."
To Hiruzen, the Tailed Beasts were a scientific anomaly. Were they pure energy? Biological organisms? Or sentient masses of malice? Solving that mystery was key to the village's long-term military hegemony.
"I understand, Sensei. I'll need your wisdom on this," Orochimaru replied.
"You're wondering about the Hyūga and Uchiha names on the list, aren't you?" Hiruzen asked, shifting the topic.
"The core of my move with Hizashi isn't to crush the Main House. It's to make the Hyūga useful to me. By giving the Sōke a seat, I give them 'Face' and prevent them from becoming radicals. But by elevating Hizashi, I ensure the internal struggle stays between the Branch and Main houses—it keeps the heat off the Hokage's office."
"The Uchiha are similar. Isshin Uchiha is a traditionalist—he's exactly like I used to be. Stagnant. Giving him a seat won't change his mindset, but it balances the numbers between them and the Hyūga."
"Fugaku, however, is a 'Reformer.' He was eager to join the Patrol Net. He is a bridge we can use to cross the gap between the clan and the village."
Hiruzen patted Orochimaru's shoulder. "I'm not as young as I look, Orochimaru. The future of this village will eventually fall to your generation."
The Hokage is fading? You should work hard to fill the gap?
"Sensei, don't talk like that," Orochimaru said, his voice lowering as he offered the standard flattery. "You'll lead this village for another hundred years."
"Hah! A hundred years without a break? Only a Sage could handle that," Hiruzen waved a hand.
Internally, however, the Hokage was thinking: Actually, with the way my potential is growing... I might just live forever.
He wondered what Orochimaru would do if he realized his "promotion" to Hokage might be delayed by a century. The thought was almost funny.
"How is your study of Lord Tobirama's notes coming along?" Hiruzen asked, his tone casual.
"I've found some... fascinating concepts. I'm close to perfecting a certain forbidden jutsu."
"When it's finished, I'll give you a surprise. Or perhaps a shock," Orochimaru joked.
In the past, Orochimaru would have hidden his research into "Body Snatching" and "Soul Transfer." It was too taboo. But after seeing the wild, borderline-insane notes left by Tobirama Senju, he realized his own experiments were practically "tame" by comparison.
The Sensei is the student of the man who invented the Edo Tensei, Orochimaru thought. He can handle a little soul-swapping.
"I look forward to it," Hiruzen smiled. "There are no 'evil' jutsus, Orochimaru. Only jutsus used for the wrong reasons. If it works, we'll just file it in the Book of Seals and move on."
Orochimaru felt a deep sense of contentment.
As his student left, Hiruzen turned back to the window.
It was almost time to visit Mito Uzumaki. But first, he needed to check the "Secret Archives" again.
If Orochimaru is close to perfecting soul transfer, then it's time to start preparing a new body for my teacher.