Konoha: The Soul King from the Uchiha Clan

Chapter 27 Orochimaru

In Konoha Village, at the Fourth Training Ground, Uchiha Gen arrived ten minutes early and rested against a large, shady tree.

Eight minutes later, Uchiha Gen opened his eyes and saw a figure emerging from the ground under the shade of a tree a few meters away.

Long black hair, long golden pupils, purple eyeshadow extending to the sides of her nose, pale skin, wearing a pale yellow kimono with a purple rope tied around her waist, a faint smile on her face, confident and composed, cold and mysterious.

"Lord Orochimaru."

Uchiha Gen straightened up and bowed respectfully, neither humble nor arrogant.

"Xuanjun, is it? Hongdou told me you want to become my disciple?"

Orochimaru looked Uchiha Gen up and down with great interest, his hoarse voice revealing a sinister tone, like the hissing of a large snake.

"Yes."

"Hehe..."

"I know you are one of the twin stars of the Uchiha clan, exceptionally talented and reasonably strong, but why should I accept you as a disciple?"

Uchiha Gen said without changing his expression, "Just because the Uchiha clan can contribute to Orochimaru's becoming Hokage, and can provide him with financial and various resource support."

"Heh heh... So you mean if I don't agree, the Uchiha clan will fully support Minato Namikaze?"

Before he finished speaking, a massive killing intent erupted from Orochimaru and pressed down on Uchiha Gen. Uchiha Gen frowned slightly, but quickly returned to normal.

Lord Orochimaru's killing intent is indeed terrifying; ordinary people could even be scared to death.

Even ordinary ninjas couldn't withstand it, falling into illusions and losing their composure, but he was neither a hothouse flower nor an ordinary ninja.

"The Uchiha clan will not fully support anyone, nor will it offend anyone."

"To be honest, Uchiha Shisui has already gained Minato's approval and joined Team 7."

"If my performance satisfies Minato-senpai, I will officially become Minato-senpai's disciple."

"Oh?"

Orochimaru suppressed his killing intent, raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised, and spoke with a playful tone and a half-smile.

"Your Uchiha clan really has a brilliant idea."

"As long as the apprenticeship is successful, no matter who becomes Hokage, they will not lose out. It's just that this kind of behavior is really disliked."

Sensing Orochimaru's dissatisfaction, Uchiha Gen remained unfazed and said, "The Uchiha clan is not like those small clans. We don't need to gamble everything; we just need to take the safest path."

"The Uchiha clan has enough strength and resources to play both sides."

Orochimaru did not refute this. The number one clan in the ninja world indeed had the strength to choose from in many aspects, which was incomparable to small clans.

"Does Minato know about this?"

"Minato-senpai doesn't know for now."

"Aren't you afraid I'll tell him?"

"With Minato's magnanimity, he might be displeased to know this, but he would never go back on his word."

Uchiha Gen's unspoken message was that he wasn't afraid Orochimaru would leak the information.

"Moreover, given Lord Orochimaru's arrogance and confidence, he would not stoop to doing such a thing."

"Heh heh... It seems you've figured me out quite well?"

Orochimaru sneered, his red tongue, which resembled a snake's forked tongue, twitching in his mouth. His eyes narrowed, and he looked extremely dangerous.

Uchiha Gen felt a chill run through his body, as if he were being watched by a venomous tongue that was arched, flicking its tongue, baring its fangs, and ready to launch a deadly attack at any moment.

Uchiha Gen raised his guard to the highest level, after all, Orochimaru was quite unpredictable. On the surface, however, he showed no sign of alarm and said, "I dare not accept such praise. Human nature is fickle."

"Anyone who is confident that he can completely control human nature is not far from death."

As soon as the words were spoken, the feeling of danger, like a thorn in one's back, disappeared.

"It seems you're not some fool who's all clever and thinks he can outsmart and control everything."

"I admire that about you."

"Based on my understanding of Fugaku Uchiha, these ideas shouldn't have come from him. You're the one behind them, aren't you?"

"Lord Orochimaru has keen insight."

"It's a good time for the Hokage to change, it would be a shame not to take this opportunity to do something."

"As the saying goes, if you do not take what Heaven gives you, you will suffer the consequences; if you do not welcome the opportune moment, you will suffer the calamity."

"My Uchiha clan is not exactly popular among the current Konoha leadership."

"Since it was unpopular in the old era, we can only hope to be liked in the new era."

Orochimaru silently recited Uchiha Gen's famous quotes several times, finding them very insightful. When an opportunity comes, you must seize it!

Orochimaru believed he understood the attitude of Konoha's higher-ups towards the Uchiha clan.

The three of them received their fair share of lessons back then.

However, neither he, Tsunade, nor Jiraiya were the type to blindly follow others; they had their own thoughts, which is why they were not affected.

Their teacher's attitude wasn't too bad, but Danzo really disliked the Uchiha clan.

"It seems the Uchiha clan has produced a remarkable figure."

Looking at the boy before him, Orochimaru couldn't help but sigh.

The Uchiha clan members he encountered were all excellent fighters, but they were completely clueless when it came to interpersonal relationships and understanding current affairs and politics.

"Lord Orochimaru, you flatter me. I simply enjoy reading to broaden my horizons and think things through."

"Heh heh, really?"

"Alright, I'm willing to make this deal with the Uchiha."

"I need the Uchiha clan to provide me with a large amount of money."

"Your support for Watergate should not exceed the amount of money spent."

Relying solely on Danzo for research funding is not a good thing. New funding sources would accelerate research progress and reduce one's passivity.

Orochimaru didn't take the Uchiha clan's support for Minato too seriously.

Firstly, although Minato Namikaze had outstanding military achievements, his rise to power was ultimately too short-lived, and his foundation was insufficient.

Although Minato Namikaze was Jiraiya's disciple, he was also Jiraiya's partner. Given Jiraiya's personality, he would most likely remain neutral.

It's already the best-case scenario that Tsunade stood by and did nothing out of respect for Jiraiya.

If Tsunade helps him, Minato Namikaze will have virtually no chance of winning.

As long as his teacher doesn't abandon him and personally endorses Minato Namikaze, his chances of rising to power are much greater.

Secondly, he no longer desires the position of Hokage as much as before. He has found a greater goal, and running for Hokage is just to fulfill his past obsession.

That's good, that's great.

It's not a big deal if it doesn't work out.

Mastering all ninjutsu, achieving immortality, and exploring all the truths of the ninja world are his lifelong goals!

"Don't worry, Orochimaru-sensei. I will definitely convey your request to the young clan leader. There shouldn't be any major problems."

Uchiha Gen seized the opportunity to take advantage of the situation.

Orochimaru nodded slightly and said, "From now on, I'll entrust the transfer of money to you. Now, let me see your strength..."

"If you satisfy me, I will take the time to guide you in the future."

"If it doesn't satisfy me, then it's just a pure transaction, all in name and no substance."

Uchiha Gen said solemnly, "I will strive to gain your approval."

He still has a lot he wants to get from Orochimaru, and he can't do without Orochimaru's approval and trust.

Furthermore, Orochimaru's ability to train disciples is quite strong, with Anko being an exception.

Because he did not leave Konoha with Orochimaru, and was affected by Orochimaru's defection, no skilled ninja were willing to teach him.

He was also deeply affected by Orochimaru's defection and his actions before leaving.

He became complacent and neglected his training during the years when his strength was growing the most, which is why he ended up as just a special Jonin.

Orochimaru looks down on fools but appreciates and is magnanimous towards geniuses.

The fact that Anko caught Orochimaru's eye means she's definitely a genius. If she continues to grow normally, becoming a Jonin wouldn't be difficult for her, and she has a good chance of becoming a Kage.

Sasuke truly showcased Orochimaru's teaching abilities!

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(End of this chapter)