With Uchiha Yue's command issued, Orochimaru had no choice but to comply, bowing respectfully as he began carefully detailing the extent of his current holdings and research under the banner of Yue's control.
As he listened, Yue—even with his prior expectations—couldn't help but marvel at how extensive Orochimaru's assets truly were.
From foundational village-level ninjutsu of every hidden village, to forbidden techniques once sealed by the Five Kage, to confidential intelligence archives from Kumo, Iwa, and even Kiri, and not to mention high-level treasures like the Kusanagi Sword and the databanks stolen from Ryuchi Cave—Orochimaru's inventory was practically endless.
There were even experimental samples of rare Kekkei Genkai—including the Shikotsumyaku of the Kaguya Clan and the Sage Transformation of the Ryūchi Cave's Cursed Seal lineage—as well as a range of elite subordinates like the Sound Four and Kabuto, who had encyclopedic knowledge of the ninja world.
It was no exaggeration to say Orochimaru had hoarded the hidden world's essence in his lair. Yue had to interrupt him, realizing that Orochimaru would keep talking until daybreak if unchecked.
This might sound exaggerated, but Yue genuinely felt like he had stumbled upon a dragon's hoard.
At this moment, even Orochimaru's usually sinister face looked unusually pleasing to the eye.
"Orochimaru, your next task is to deliver all Kekkei Genkai samples in your possession to me as soon as possible," Yue commanded without hesitation, his tone calm yet absolute. "Pay special attention to Kimimaro and Jūgo—their cellular samples must not be overlooked."
"In addition, I want complete records of your secret technique archives. You can submit them gradually; there's no need to rush."
"And once this is done, you are permitted to move freely. Until I summon you again, act as you wish."
"Yes, my master," Orochimaru answered without resistance, his expression unreadable as he bowed and slipped back into the shadows like a snake returning to its burrow.
"Orochimaru… To think you'd come crawling to me with a tribute of this scale… Seems my next power evolution isn't far off."
Yue muttered softly, eyes glowing with ambition as he stared toward the direction of Konoha Village.
At his current strength—even supported by the accelerated illusory training space—it had become increasingly difficult to make substantial gains without fusing powerful biological resources or refining real-world data.
In fact, even without Orochimaru's timely arrival, Yue had already been planning to slow down his practice and redirect his focus toward the political landscape of Konoha—specifically toward Sarutobi Hiruzen and the council elders.
After all, now that the Uchiha Clan's internal reforms were nearing completion and several pairs of Mangekyō Sharingan had emerged under his guidance, it was time to settle accounts with the village that once hunted his people like traitors.
If this grudge dragged on any longer, it would not only keep the village leadership on edge, but also prevent the Uchiha from fully unleashing their potential. Constant defense consumed time, resources, and will.
Night passed, and dawn broke.
By early morning, Konoha was wrapped in a strange and unsettling silence.
The usual hustle and bustle of market stalls and training grounds was missing. Instead, shinobi and civilians alike walked with bowed heads and hushed voices, afraid that speaking too loudly might summon the attention of an ANBU operative from the shadows.
Those who hesitated or acted out of place drew suspicious glances from their neighbors—eyes full of quiet alarm. But when everyone starts acting afraid at once, it no longer singles out any one person.
Inevitably, someone eventually broke the silence.
"Did you hear? Turns out the Third Hokage was behind that whole mess after the Fourth's death. That's why he rushed back into power without holding a proper succession!"
"Right? And all this time, we wondered why the Fourth's son—Naruto Uzumaki—was treated like a pariah. Now it makes sense. They made him a scapegoat to shift public anger away from the Nine-Tails attack."
"That's monstrous. Using a child like that? Just because he carried the beast his father sealed at the cost of his life?"
"And don't forget Shimura Danzō. That man always reeked of malice. Turns out he was experimenting with Uchiha corpses! That arm of his—dozens of Sharingan embedded into it! How many were slaughtered in secret?"
"Sakumo Hatake too! A hero of the last war, set up to fail a mission, and then slandered until he took his own life. We were told it was his mistake—but as ANBU commander, his missions were top secret. There's no way such details would've leaked unless it was intentional!"
"And the Third? He only silenced the rumors after Sakumo died. Didn't lift a finger to defend him. Now that the truth's out—I can't believe I ever looked up to that man!"
"I used to think Hiruzen was a wise Hokage who led Konoha through every war. But it wasn't his wisdom—it was just the will of the younger generation sacrificing themselves while he hid behind his desk."
"Heh. And now? What geniuses are left to defend Konoha? If another war breaks out, we're done for!"
One after another, voices rose.
What was once a tense silence had exploded into a storm of indignation and whispered fury, now erupting into public outcry.
The once-venerated image of Sarutobi Hiruzen—The Professor, the God of Shinobi—was being torn down by his own people.
He and Danzō, once pillars of the Leaf's shadow governance, were now seen as conspirators who fed off the suffering of Konoha's finest—heroes like White Fang, the Uchiha, and the Fourth Hokage.
Unlike Sakumo's unjust downfall, which was based on vague rumors, the evidence now surfacing against Hiruzen and his circle was undeniable: hard proof, hidden records, and confessions now laid bare.
There would be no excuses this time. No escape from judgment.
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