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At the Same Time.
While Iwagakure was preparing to launch a full-scale attack on Konoha due to the sudden disappearance of the Southern forces, Konoha itself was deeply engrossed in a serious meeting within the village's Hokage Tower.
Inside the meeting room, many of Konoha's top leaders had gathered, all wearing grim expressions as they listened to the vital intelligence report stolen by the Sannin during their infiltration of Iwagakure.
"The gist of the intelligence is this: Sōsuke has now joined the war and has formed an alliance with Iwagakure through an organization called Las Noches," Orochimaru calmly stated, his raspy voice cutting through the tense atmosphere.
After returning to the village, the Sannin quickly conveyed this crucial information. However, due to Jiraiya being severely injured and Tsunade being in no condition to present the information, the task fell to Orochimaru.
As the Konoha leaders absorbed Orochimaru's words, they all frowned in deep thought.
"Orochimaru, you mentioned earlier that the three of you encountered Sōsuke. How exactly did you manage to escape from him?"
A slightly discordant voice broke the silence in the room. The question came from an elder of the Uchiha clan, who scrutinized Orochimaru intently, as if trying to detect any abnormalities in his expression.
The others in the room were taken aback by the question, realizing the gravity of the situation. Given Sōsuke's current power, it seemed highly unlikely that the severely injured Sannin could have escaped from him.
Orochimaru's expression remained unchanged. He coolly regarded the Uchiha elder with his snake-like eyes and replied in his raspy voice, "I can't answer that. If you want to know, you'll have to ask Sōsuke yourself. After all, I don't know his true intentions."
"Oh, and one more thing," Orochimaru added, with a hint of disdain in his tone. "Sōsuke now goes by the name Aizen. It would be wise not to forget that, Elder."
Orochimaru's subtle scorn made the elder furious. He glared at Orochimaru and said in a low voice, "Orochimaru, if you don't clarify this matter, I cannot confirm the authenticity of this intelligence. I believe that Clan Leader Mayonaka would also be reluctant to commit the Uchiha clan to this war based on such uncertain information."
Uchiha Uonan's words were not just aimed at Orochimaru but also at the Third Hokage, who was presiding over the meeting. The Uchiha clan, having autonomous governance within Konoha, did not fall under the Third Hokage's direct command.
Hearing this, Orochimaru narrowed his eyes, coldly staring at Uonan. 'These people are still jockeying for power, even in such critical times. How laughable.'
As he thought this, a cold smile formed on Orochimaru's lips, and his mind drifted back to the conversation he had with Aizen before they parted ways.
'Orochimaru, you and I are alike. Konoha doesn't suit you. In that environment, your abilities will never reach their full potential, and your ambitions will never be realized. Come. The doors of Las Noches will always be open to you.'
'You really believe that I can't fulfill my ambitions in Konoha, Sōsuke?' Orochimaru's expression darkened.
"I've conveyed all the intelligence I have. Whether you choose to believe it or not is up to you," Orochimaru said, his voice cold.
He glanced around at the gathered leaders and then turned his gaze to Hiruzen, who sat at the head of the table with a solemn expression. "Lord Hokage, I believe my task is complete. There's no need for me to stay in this meeting any longer."
Without waiting for a response, Orochimaru turned and walked out, ignoring the reactions of those present.
Koharu and Homura, who were seated nearby, stiffened at his departure. They wanted to call him back but hesitated when they saw the Third Hokage remaining silent.
Meanwhile, Danzo, with his new prosthetic arm, narrowed his eyes and watched Orochimaru leave, his mind filled with thoughts.
The atmosphere in the room grew tense. Even Uchiha Uonan hadn't expected Orochimaru to act so defiantly. His behavior bordered on insubordination to the Third Hokage, yet Hiruzen remained deep in thought, his expression unreadable.
Suddenly, Hiruzen spoke, his voice heavy and filled with regret. "So, Sōsuke has indeed chosen to become an enemy of Konoha."
He looked up, surveying the room, and asked, "What are your thoughts on this matter?"
Hiruzen's words caused everyone to exchange uneasy glances. His statement seemed to affirm the validity of the intelligence.
If Uonan's earlier remarks were an attempt to link the Sannin with the traitor Sōsuke and cast doubt on their loyalty, Hiruzen's calm words effectively dispelled such suspicions.
Uonan's face darkened, but he said nothing further. Orochimaru had already left because of him, and any further provocation might push the Third Hokage to act against him, even if he was an elder of the Uchiha clan.
"I've heard a little about this organization called Las Noches. It was established recently and operates with great secrecy. Their payment methods are quite peculiar—they don't seek money but instead trade for strange items," one of Konoha's higher-ups said, his expression serious.
Everyone in the room was surprised to hear this, clearly unaware of such details.
Hiruzen's expression grew more somber as he said, "Given Sōsuke's nature, he wouldn't involve himself in something meaningless. If he has chosen to instigate this war from behind the scenes, he must be scheming something. That's what worries me the most."
"The thoughts of that child are the most concerning. He harbors ambitions to destroy the entire shinobi world."
Hiruzen's words caused a tense silence to fall over the room. Recalling the day Sōsuke defected from Konoha, they couldn't help but feel a deep unease about the future of this war. After all, Sōsuke's power had likely grown even more terrifying over the past few years.
The sunlight outside shone brightly on the ground, casting a peaceful atmosphere over Konoha. As Orochimaru walked out of the Hokage Tower and observed the happy faces of the villagers on the bustling streets, his expression darkened.
'This place doesn't suit me. I know that all too well.'
Orochimaru continued walking through the streets, lost in thought, until he found himself in a secluded area. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a familiar symbol on a nearby wall, causing a cold smile to form on his lips.
"A decaying clan... Even in times like this, they're still focused on power struggles. These people possess unimaginable ninja talent, yet it's all so ironic," he muttered in his raspy voice.
At that moment, he spotted a woman dressed in ninja attire emerging from the Uchiha compound. His snake-like eyes narrowed.
'That girl from back then... Uchiha Shino's sister.'
As he watched her head toward the village gates, a sudden thought struck Orochimaru.
'If Sōsuke had managed to keep everyone, including those believed dead like Hyuga Saki, by his side, then what about Uchiha Shino, who had always opposed him?'
'Did Uchiha Shino, who chose to remain with Sōsuke in Sunagakure, really die?'
Orochimaru's snake-like eyes narrowed further as he watched Uchiha Sakuya walking away. Without a sound, he decided to follow her.