I, Uchiha: Split Konoha

Chapter 84 Orochimaru's Politics

A secret underground base.

In the dimly lit study, Orochimaru's face revealed a sickly smile as he looked at the huge scroll in front of him, and then he revealed an unrestrained smile.

"Haha, Impure World Reincarnation! The ninja world actually has such a ninjutsu. It's a combination of the nearly extinct Onmyoji and ninjutsu. It's a perfect combination. This is simply another key to unlocking the mysteries of the soul."

Beneath Orochimaru's hoarse, twisted laughter, two tears of sorrow welled up in the corners of his purple eyes.

Upon entering the study and seeing Orochimaru's distraught state, Uchiha Yoru frowned slightly. However, he remained silent and stepped forward without saying a word, instead calmly gazing at the enormous scroll.

Impure World Reincarnation!

Looking at the record of this ninjutsu, Uchiha Yoru suddenly realized why Madara Uchiha knew this ninjutsu and even knew how to unseal it in the original work.

Logically, this ninjutsu was invented by the Second Hokage, but the timing of its invention is somewhat contradictory. If it was invented at the beginning of Konoha, Madara's knowledge of it could be explained, but the Second Hokage's failure to use it in the Land of Lightning seems illogical. Therefore, this ninjutsu was incomplete, an imperfect technique. Madara knew this, and the Second Tsuchikage was also familiar with it, which can only be explained by the ninjutsu's incompleteness. (A self-consistent explanation)

This evil ninjutsu appeared as early as the Warring States period. Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju defeated it together, and this ninjutsu was among the spoils of war they obtained. However, it seems to have been destroyed and they did not obtain the complete version.

"Hehe, Night Lord, this forbidden technique was originally intended by the Second Hokage to revive the First Hokage, but unfortunately, this ninjutsu has only just begun its initial testing."

At this moment, Orochimaru showed a sincere smile, just like a young boy who had obtained a priceless treasure. In his eyes, these forbidden techniques were more important than anything else, after all, they had given him two keys to pursue immortality.

Impure World Reincarnation! A ninjutsu that manipulates the soul. If he were to successfully develop it, he would surely gain a clearer understanding of the mysteries of the soul and thus explore the secrets of immortality.

Reincarnation! It completely gave him a way to permanently maintain his youth by converting into a younger body.

The two forbidden techniques seem to be completely opposite, but the Reanimation Jutsu involves changing bodies and touches on the mysterious soul, so these two forbidden techniques were tailor-made for Orochimaru.

Seeing Orochimaru's growing obsession with immortality, Uchiha Yoru frowned and said in a deep voice, "Orochimaru-sensei, it seems that there haven't been any voices in the village recommending the Fifth Hokage for a long time."

The dimly lit study fell silent. Orochimaru's obsessive, morbid smile slowly faded. He turned to look at him and said with a hoarse laugh, "Night Lord, it seems you care a lot about this Fifth Hokage."

Faced with Orochimaru's words, Uchiha Yoru nodded frankly and spoke his mind.

"That's right. If Orochimaru-sensei becomes the Fifth Hokage, the Uchiha clan won't be ostracized. They can even enter the upper echelons of Konoha without any problem. The entire village will become his support, providing endless resources for his research on the art of immortality."

"Similarly, as a disciple, I can also lay down my burden." Uchiha Yoru said these words without any falsehood; he was telling the truth. When Orochimaru becomes the Fifth Hokage, he will naturally rise in rank and be able to access higher power in Konoha, so he won't have to worry about it anymore.

After all, it's good to be under a big tree and have Orochimaru's backing, as long as you still have value.

Looking at his outstanding disciple, who was also his most satisfying disciple to date, Orochimaru smiled. Unusually, he didn't mention forbidden techniques but instead took out a scroll and threw it over.

"This is a map showing the defenses of Konoha Village along its borders, as well as the trade shares controlled by the major clans within the Land of Fire. For example, the Nara clan controls 40% of the medicinal herb business in the Land of Fire, the Akimichi clan controls 50% of the military supplies and rations in Konoha Village, the Yamanaka clan controls Konoha's intelligence department, and there are other clans..."

"The major clans within the village have completely divided up all of Konoha's resources. Even your Uchiha clan is involved in medicinal herbs and military rations, though not in large quantities. However, together with the Hyuga clan, you control the largest business in the Land of Fire, dealing in shuriken, kunai, and chakra metals."

At this moment, Orochimaru no longer seemed like a fanatic obsessed with the forbidden art of immortality, but a skilled politician, mature and composed, with a wise glint in his eyes, as he slowly analyzed all the intelligence of the major clans in Konoha.

At this moment, Orochimaru was a wise politician. Uchiha Yoru opened the scroll and saw all the information on it. It completely analyzed all the interests of Konoha and how much each of the major clans had taken.

Seeing Uchiha Yoru's solemn expression, Orochimaru revealed his uniquely charming, husky smile. "Konoha is now a stagnant pool. All the interests have been clearly divided up. Yoru-kun, your political acumen is truly the strongest I have ever seen among the younger generation, even stronger than mine."

"But there's something you've never understood: there's a king in this stagnant pool, an unshakeable king, and a group of supporters. If this king nods, the stagnant pool will naturally come alive. In the survival of the fittest, a strong king might emerge and lead the stagnant pool to become stronger. Of course, it's also possible that after a period of survival of the fittest, it will completely decline."

"The pool is only so big, yet this king was afraid at the very end of his reign. He was afraid that the kingdom he had created with his own hands would collapse, that the ideals he upheld would be replaced, and this king was also extremely arrogant."

At this moment, Orochimaru's pale golden snake eyes were filled with profound depth, as if he were a philosopher recounting the current political situation.

"Your Majesty! Everyone has their own pride. He may allow someone to defeat him as he grows old, and he may allow someone to replace him, but he will absolutely not allow anyone to trample on his ideals! To trample on his will!"

"Every powerful ninja has their own firm beliefs, just like you and me!" Orochimaru said, glancing meaningfully at Uchiha Yoru with a hoarse laugh, "Just like you, Yoru-kun, you are extremely proud at heart. Even when facing your teacher, I, you are born with a pride that will not be swayed by anyone's will."

At this moment, Uchiha Yoru understood Orochimaru's meaning. The current Third Hokage is the king at the final peak, while Orochimaru is the king of the new generation. Both of them have their own ideals, and neither of them will submit to the other.

If Orochimaru wants to rise to power, he can't avoid the Third Hokage. If the Third Hokage doesn't agree, then Orochimaru will be facing all the clans and ninjas who have the Third Hokage as their interest group.

Orochimaru's power is currently immense, even encompassing the two powerful clans of Uchiha and Hyuga, as well as countless commoner ninjas. But would they risk their lives for Orochimaru? Would they fight so fiercely in this political struggle?

Desperate measures signify a complete breakdown in relations, and in politics, a breakdown in relations means defeat and elimination. Conversely, adhering to the rules of the political arena is an investment; if Orochimaru loses, they simply lose all their bets, not their entire fortune.

Being eliminated means the game is over; losing means giving up all your chips, which signifies the end. But if you bet everything you have, it means you're turning the game upside down.

Many commoner ninjas have taken the gamble, but what about the Hyuga and Uchiha clans? The Hyuga won't, but what about the Uchiha clan?

At this moment, Uchiha Yoru revealed a wry smile. Although the Uchiha had placed their bets, they only wanted to return to the center of power in the village. How could they possibly overturn the chessboard now? After all, the Hokage lineage was going to divide up the Uchiha's position on the chessboard in the future, but that was only in the future, not now.

The Uchiha clan won't risk everything for Orochimaru! Unless the person chosen this time is one of their own!

Currently, each chapter is 2,000 words. Starting tomorrow, we'll make them longer, 4,000-word chapters, so there will only be one update per chapter. The word count will remain the same as the two updates per chapter.

(End of this chapter)