Chapter 104: Preparations Before Leaving

Uchiha Feiyu was guided here; Orochimaru had already prepared himself for Danzō to make a move. However, seeing the performance of these Root ninja, it seemed not merely a matter of wanting to seize leverage over him, but rather as if they were very eager to blow things out of proportion.

The matter of Orochimaru using members of the Uchiha Clan for experiments was, in the eyes of the Konoha High Command, a problem that could be big or small.

Human Experimentation, after all, was a common occurrence in Konoha; it was just that using fellow village ninja for experiments was indeed a grave taboo.

But if that fellow ninja was an Uchiha, that was another story. Although the current Konoha High Command did not explicitly state that opposing the Uchiha was political correctness, it was abundantly clear that the Uchiha and the Konoha High Command were not of one mind.

If the High Command had the intention to suppress it, as long as they didn't let the news spread, it would just be a small piece of leverage or a stain. But if the news spread, then it would no longer be just an affair of the Uchiha Clan.

If you can use the Uchiha Clan for experiments today, can you use the Senju Clan for experiments tomorrow? Can you use the Hyuga Clan for experiments the day after?

For the clan ninja of Konoha, this kind of precedent must absolutely never be set. Therefore, as long as the news spread, let alone wanting to become Hokage, if Orochimaru didn't defect, it would already be a great stroke of luck to keep his life.

Looking at the Root ninja trapped in Genjutsu, Uchiha Feiyu shrugged and spoke:

"It seems that person in Root isn't interested in seizing leverage or sowing discord between us. He should be wanting to turn you into a missing-nin, or perhaps he even wants you dead, Teacher!"

"Heh heh heh heh ha ha ha ha!! I really underestimated him!"

Orochimaru was so furious he laughed; his snake-like pupils constricted to the limit, faintly revealing a trace of cold murderous intent:

"I have noted this debt down for him!"

Seeing the cold and resolute look on Orochimaru's face, Uchiha Feiyu knew that this person was preparing to stir up trouble, which made the corners of Uchiha Feiyu's mouth curl into a smile:

"Since that's the case, how about adding me to the mix, Teacher?"

"Teacher, don't just busy yourself with being furious; you should think about what you are going to do next."

"Moreover, as long as you rely on Root to transport materials for your Human Experiment, Danzō will be able to hold leverage over you at any moment."

"As for Danzō... he must have developed some ambition after obtaining my research report, which is why he wanted to fan the flames and simply force me away completely!"

"Since they either want me to withdraw or want me to leave, then I'll just satisfy their wishes!"

Danzō had stirred up a whole heap of things in Konoha, and besides making the Third Hokage's position more secure, he had just brought a mountain of blame upon himself.

Don't look at how the Third Hokage appears to indulge Danzō; in reality, one only needs to look at the situations of both parties to see who is the more skilled player.

If you were to say this guy is more skilled than the Third Hokage and could hide such things from him, then probably only a newly graduated Genin would believe it.

"Regardless of what is said, you using the Uchiha Clan for experiments is an unchangeable fact. I don't believe Danzō hasn't left other loose ends."

"So, it's the Hokage who wants to make a move against you! Because your reputation is too high, and it's almost fated that you will become the Fourth Hokage?"

Not to mention that Danzō had long been very clear about things like researching the Uchiha Clan and Hashirama Cell, and Danzō having knowledge meant the Third Hokage had knowledge.

Orochimaru was silent for a moment, then said coldly:

As of now, Orochimaru was almost destined to be the Fourth Hokage. At a time like this, even if he committed some error, Danzō couldn't just flip the table like this; at the very least, he would have to report and discuss it with the Konoha High Command before making a final decision.

"I only hope they can bear the consequences of my departure!"

"It's just that he didn't expect you, Feiyu, to not care at all about the so-called Uchiha Clan, which is why this Oolong occurred."

So although Danzō was the one who took action, the person behind him who made him do it was definitely the Third Hokage!

Uchiha Feiyu twitched his mouth, found a stool to sit on, and looked at his cheap teacher who was currently fuming, directly reminding him:

"This isn't a problem with Danzō... Danzō alone could not directly turn against me!"

"Then if it really is the Third Hokage who wants to make a move against you, Teacher, what are you prepared to do?"

He used to respect the Third Hokage, but now he hated him just as much!

Snakes are creatures that bite very painfully!

A cackling laugh came from Orochimaru's throat, and a moment later he spoke coldly:

"The teacher must want me to withdraw from the competition for Hokage. Heh, I never thought that even at his age, the old man still couldn't let go of so-called power."

What to do? Orochimaru was never one to swallow his pride, especially when he knew the person stabbing him was his most respected teacher.

"Anyway, as an Uchiha, no matter how I develop in Konoha, it's just like this. I don't have any attachment to the Uchiha Clan, so I might as well stir up a big mess with you."

Hearing this, Orochimaru looked at Uchiha Feiyu. He didn't feel that his bond with Uchiha Feiyu was very deep; on the contrary, Orochimaru, who understood his disciple, knew very well that this guy's personality was in some ways very similar to his own, perhaps even more cold and ruthless.

The reason he wanted to stir up a mess with him was definitely not because of his current predicament, but only because doing so would bring him great benefits!

'Does he become stronger just by killing? Or is it that by relying on the blood and bones of ninja, he can continuously progress... No wonder a person who treasures his life as much as you do, disciple, wants to stir up trouble in Konoha now.'

Orochimaru lowered his eyes and did not reveal his thoughts. No matter how many schemes Uchiha Feiyu had in his heart, as long as he could have Uchiha Feiyu's help, they would definitely be able to make an even bigger scene in Konoha.

"However, Orochimaru-sensei, there is also one ninjutsu I hope to learn from you."

"Ninjutsu? Speak, what kind of ninjutsu is it?"

"Reanimation!"

When Uchiha Feiyu returned to Konoha's Root, he was carrying a blood-stained bundle in his hand.

The bundle was the size of a soccer ball, and blood was seeping out drop by drop from the bottom. Any ninja with some experience could tell what was in the bundle—it was likely the head of someone who had just been decapitated.

"I want to see Danzō!"

Uchiha Feiyu spoke with a hint of fatigue. The two Root ninja guarding the door looked at each other, said nothing, and led Uchiha Feiyu toward Danzō's office.

When Uchiha Feiyu walked through the long corridor and arrived at Danzō's office, he saw this old schemer sitting in his chair with his eyes closed, appearing cold and calm.

"Back? Seeing how anxious you are, it seems the one used for the Human Experiment wasn't just some ordinary person."

Danzō spoke in a ghostly voice, and especially when he saw the blood-stained bundle in Uchiha Feiyu's hand, he revealed a faint, imperceptible surprise.

He really didn't expect Uchiha Feiyu to have actually beheaded Orochimaru. This was truly—too good!

Regardless, Orochimaru was currently the hottest candidate for Hokage and was also Uchiha Feiyu's teacher. Even if Uchiha Feiyu had a reason and occupied the moral high ground, after doing such a thing, it would be very difficult for him to continue as a ninja in the open.

At that time, he would let Uchiha Feiyu enter Root and become his subordinate; in that case, the possibility of him becoming Hokage would greatly increase!

Without Orochimaru, and with the other two of the Legendary Sannin having no interest in being Hokage, only that junior, the Yellow Flash, would remain...

Just as Danzō was still thinking carefully, Uchiha Feiyu had already thrown the head bundle onto the table. He used a clever amount of force, and as soon as the bundle landed on the table, it opened directly.

The head inside the bundle looked gloomy, with a rather ruthless air, a head of messy hair standing up, a face full of wrinkles, one eye tightly wrapped in bandages, and an X-shaped scar on the chin.

Who is this person? It's not Orochimaru at all! Wait, why does this face look so familiar... Isn't this my own head?!!

Oh no, this is Genjutsu!

Danzō had just reacted, immediately controlling the chakra surging within his body; the force was so intense that blood spilled from the corners of his mouth, yet despite this, the head of his in front of him did not change in the slightest, seemingly mocking him for his futile efforts.

How could this be? To think I am unable to use chakra to break it... Could it be Mangekyo Sharingan Genjutsu?

"What exactly are you trying to do? Uchiha Feiyu! I clearly ordered you to investigate and capture Orochimaru, who is conducting Human Experimentation on the Uchiha Clan; why are you using Genjutsu on me?"

"Huh!? How do you know that it is Orochimaru who is conducting Human Experimentation? You found out a bit too quickly, didn't you!"

Uchiha Feiyu spoke with a grinning expression on his face. Danzō was suddenly startled, realizing he had let something slip, but having weathered many great storms, he still spoke with a solemn face:

"The ninja I sent to investigate were my subordinates from Root; it is only natural that they would report to me, and that I would know the results before that, isn't it?"

"Uh... but those few Root ninja subordinates of yours already fell under my Genjutsu the moment they stepped out the door. I have seen every report they submitted, so how come I didn't see this piece of information?"

"You!! What have you done?! You actually dare to betray me!!"

"Why are you shouting so loudly? Lord Danzō."

Uchiha Feiyu rubbed his ears, appearing as if he had been startled by his voice, and spoke indifferently:

"In any case, for the past half year, the entire Root has been shrouded in my Genjutsu; this kind of thing isn't worth being surprised about, is it?"

Half a year!? If it were true that the Root ninja had been under Genjutsu since half a year ago, what secrets could Root possibly hide from the Uchiha brat before his eyes?

Not only that, although Orochimaru's research was conducted by himself, it was Root that helped him carry it out, and in the end, Root also received his research results. If this brat had controlled Root for half a year, he must have known about the Uchiha matter long ago...

And there were the vast secrets hidden by Root, the leverage over various ninja clans, all sorts of incriminating materials...

Danzō only felt as if his heart had fallen into a bottomless abyss, a chill surging from the soles of his feet all the way to the top of his skull; even though it was midsummer, his entire body almost began to tremble:

"Kill him! Kill Uchiha Feiyu for me!"

"Tsk... what a lack of appreciation for good intentions! I clearly completed your mission very well, found the mysterious organization using the Uchiha Clan for experiments, and even obtained the head of the mysterious organization's leader..."

Uchiha Feiyu chuckled and pointed at the head of Danzō on the table, his face full of sarcasm:

"Look, isn't this the mission target you were looking for?! Root leader Shimura Danzo, the culprit who laid hands on the Uchiha!"

At the same time Uchiha Feiyu spoke, the ninja who had been secretly protecting Danzō all walked out one by one, the Three-Tomoe in their eyes spinning; they completely ignored Danzō's shouting and walked straight out the door.

"Damn it!"

Danzō reached out to perform a Seal with a face full of hatred, wanting to control those Root ninja, only to find that those Root ninja had no reaction at all.

"How can this be? My Cursed Seal..."

"You really should have some common sense, Lord Danzō. Your five senses have already been manipulated by me; what makes you so sure you are performing a Seal?"

"You damned evil Uchiha brat! The teacher was right; the Uchiha Clan is the greatest destabilizing factor in Konoha and should be completely destroyed!"

"Mm-hmm, well said, I think so too. So, in order not to be destroyed by you, I'll just scatter your ashes now!"

In reality, Orochimaru stood beside Uchiha Feiyu, watching Danzō dance about, shouting and yelling at the air as if he were a monkey, a hint of wariness appearing in his eyes.

"What a terrifying Genjutsu. To silently control Root for half a year without anyone noticing?"

"To be precise, I didn't control Root; I manipulated their five senses so that they would ignore me. Otherwise, weaving illusions for every single one of them to make their five senses feel completely real would be a very troublesome task."

"Furthermore, this kind of Genjutsu has a certain distance requirement; it can only truly be controlled within the distance of my sight."

As Uchiha Feiyu spoke, he gripped Danzō's throat and turned his head to look at Orochimaru:

"Do you still have any use for this guy? If not, I'll just finish him off."

"You seem to have some hatred toward Danzō... Logically speaking, keeping this guy should be the better choice! Even if he leaves Konoha, I believe this Darkness of the Shinobi World would not be stingy about cooperating with us."

"I do have a bit of personal hatred. I've browsed through the memories of quite a few Root ninja; this old thing seems to have some connection to the death of my parents."

"It's just that I still had use for him before, so I didn't finish him off directly. Since I'm already prepared to leave, it's only natural to settle old scores and grievances."

(End of chapter)