Underground secret base.
In the dimly lit study, Orochimaru's face revealed a twisted smile as he gazed at the enormous scroll before him, his expression blossoming into an unabashed grin.
"Hehe, Edo Tensei! The shinobi world still holds such a jutsu. It fuses near-extinct onmyōjutsu and ninjutsu—a perfect combination. Another key to the soul's mysteries."
Beneath Orochimaru's hoarse, manic laughter, his purple eyes glistened with tears of sorrow.
Uchiha Kaien entered silently, brow furrowed at Orochimaru's unusual fervor. He approached the massive scroll in silence, reading the ancient inscriptions:
Edo Tensei! No wonder Uchiha Madara knew of this jutsu and how to undo its seal. By logic, the Second Hokage invented it—yet he never used it in the Land of Lightning, and Madara learned of it. The jutsu remained incomplete, its secrets torn and fragmented—rediscovered by Hashirama and Madara during the Warring States, then sealed away.
"Hehe, Kaien-kun," Orochimaru crooned, "this forbidden jutsu was meant to revive the First Hokage. Tragically, it never matured beyond its prototype."
Orochimaru's fanatical joy made him seem a youth with a newfound treasure. Living Corpse Reincarnation and Edo Tensei—two pieces of the soul's puzzle, tailor-made for his quest for immortality.
Kaien spoke seriously. "Orochimaru-sensei, we've heard little of the Fifth Hokage selection lately."
Silence fell. Orochimaru's feverish grin faded as he chuckled: "Kaien-kun, concerned about Hokage politics?"
Kaien nodded, eyes candid. "If you become Fifth Hokage, the Uchiha won't be sidelined. We'd fill Konoha's upper ranks, backing your research with unlimited resources. As your disciple, I'd shed burdens made heavier by outsiders."
Orochimaru's rare satisfied smile appeared. Unexpectedly, he handed Kaien a scroll of strategic maps:
"Border defenses, clan-controlled trade shares: Nara's 40% of medicinal herbs, Akimichi's 50% of ration pill production, Yamanaka's intelligence network… even the Uchiha and Hyūga hold stakes."
Orochimaru now resembled a seasoned politician, calmly analyzing every clan's grip on the village's lifeblood.
Kaien's eyes darkened as he read. Orochimaru's raspy voice continued:
"Konoha's stagnant waters—divided by entrenched interests. Within dwells a king whose nod revives or destroys. That king—proud, afraid to lose his kingdom and creed."
Orochimaru's golden, serpentine gaze bore into Kaien. "Powerful shinobi cling to beliefs. You, Kaien-kun, carry your pride like a blade, swayed by none."
Kaien realized Hiruzen Sarutobi was today's king at his zenith; Orochimaru claimed tomorrow's crown. Neither would bow to the other. To ascend, Orochimaru must bypass Hiruzen's approval—and face the clans allied to him.
Kaien met Orochimaru's gaze, understanding the stakes. The pond's king might be unshakeable—but any challenger must force him to relinquish his crown or lose everything.
A bitter smile touched Kaien's lips. The Uchiha's investment in Orochimaru was a bid to secure their future influence. But they dared not flip the board unless the crown itself was Uchiha.
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