Konoha: The Soul King from the Uchiha Clan

Chapter 68 Emancipating the Mind

In the original story, Orochimaru captured Konoha villagers and Konoha ninjas to conduct human experiments. Was this to force him to make the decision to sever his ties with Konoha?

Because he couldn't bear to part with Konoha, but for his ultimate goal, he deliberately did something unforgivable, forcing Konoha to make a decision, and forcing himself to make a decision as well.

If there is no way to go, then there is no need to face the dilemma of choosing!

After the Nine-Tails' attack, Orochimaru may have foreseen that Danzo would reveal the forbidden things he had done in order to become Hokage...

Once the news is exposed, Hiruzen Sarutobi will have no choice but to deal with Orochimaru and sever ties with him.

If this kind of thing, which violates the taboos of everyone in the village, is not dealt with, then the cohesion of Konoha will quickly dissipate.

If the people are divided and disloyal, Konoha will not be far from its demise.

At that time, Tsunade and Jiraiya were not in the village, and Minato Namikaze died. Danzo would naturally assume that the Fifth Hokage was none other than him.

Unfortunately, Danzo never expected that Hiruzen Sarutobi would shamelessly offer him a "retirement and re-employment" deal...

Danzo's plan failed, not only causing Konoha to lose a top fighter, but also causing a terrible chain reaction due to the defection of Orochimaru, one of the Legendary Sannin and a direct descendant of the Hokage!

This is like a legitimate prince with inheritance rights in a feudal country defecting; the impact is extremely negative.

If even the most powerful of the vested interests can defect, how corrupt and weak must this country be?

With such doubts arising, various tests naturally followed!

Orochimaru is now even considering leaving Konoha, which shows that he has been seriously hurt by the Third Hokage's actions and is not as calm as he appears on the surface...

"Orochimaru-sensei, if we leave Konoha, our funds will become even more strained."

"Leaving Konoha is like breaking free from shackles. Some methods that are difficult to use can now be employed, such as robbing the rich to help the poor."

"Is it about robbing others' wealth to help one's own poverty?"

Orochimaru smiled faintly and said, "Yes."

"There are far too many corrupt rich people in this world; we could keep harvesting their wealth forever."

Uchiha Gen laughed loudly, "Hahaha, great minds think alike! That's what I was planning too."

"After all, experimental equipment isn't cheap. Even if you sold me, I wouldn't be worth that much money, and it's not easy for the clan to ask for it."

Orochimaru shook his head and chuckled, "A hero?"

"Our idea as master and disciple violates the rules of ninja operations and the rules of society; it's extremely rebellious. If word gets out, we might become enemies of the entire world!"

Ninjas were originally tools for missions, killing machines, and were paid to complete missions through employment.

Orochimaru and Uchiha Gen have skipped the middle steps and are using their supernatural abilities to seize and plunder, even by force, which is just like an ancient rebellion!

The attitude of successive dynasties towards rebels is self-evident; it can only be more cruel, with no limit to cruelty!

"I think we are heroes, or more accurately, awakened ones!"

"An Awakened One?"

"Orochimaru-sensei, don't you think this world is too abnormal?"

"It's so absurd that we, with our extraordinary powers, are not rulers but cheap tools!"

What the hell!

Even the audacious Orochimaru was startled by Uchiha Gen's words. He immediately put down his wine cup, formed hand seals, and used his sensory ninjutsu to confirm that there was no Six-Eared Sage nearby before finally letting out a sigh of relief.

"Xuan, your thoughts are far too dangerous. If the nobility found out, they would stop at nothing to eliminate you!"

Will they find out?

Uchiha Gen asked with a half-smile, "Orochimaru-sensei, do you think that if ninjas became the rulers of the world, would they still lack research funding, research materials, and research equipment?"

Glug!

Orochimaru sobered up completely and couldn't help but swallow.

He originally thought that robbing the rich to help the poor was already incredibly audacious and lawless, but he never imagined that his apprentice's thoughts would be even more audacious and lawless!

However... what my disciple said wasn't entirely unreasonable. What right do those corrupt and decadent nobles have to rule the world?

If ninjas were the rulers of the world, would the tragedies that happened in the past still occur?

No, that's not the case. The nobles from various countries only provided money and resources, and watched from the sidelines as the major ninja villages fought each other to the death.

Even if our village is defeated, although we may suffer some losses, we will still be high and mighty, still extravagant and decadent, living a life of debauchery!

There have always been intermarriages between the daimyo of the five great nations, as well as between the nobles of each nation. In addition, there are various other interests involved. From the samurai era to the ninja era, they have remained prosperous and powerful!

"Hoo... Xuan, let's not talk about this for now. We don't have the power to overturn everything."

"You must never reveal even a trace of your thoughts to anyone else in the future."

Orochimaru let out a long sigh, picked up his wine glass and drank again. The wine tonight was getting better and better.

"Don't worry, Orochimaru-sensei, I'm not stupid."

"Furthermore, I do not recommend that you sever your ties with Konoha."

"This will implicate your disciple, me, and Hongdou. You can't be so selfish."

Uchiha Gen downed the wine in his glass in one gulp and said confidently.

"Heh heh...you really dare to say that."

"However... it can't all be bad, can it? If you're good enough, you can definitely take over the political legacy I left behind."

Orochimaru smiled sinisterly, but he wasn't angry. He even offered the benefits that would come after Orochimaru left.

Uchiha Gen shook his head and said, "If you were here, with your help, it would be easier for me to grasp your political legacy."

"Furthermore, having a clear opportunity to stop it, yet allowing one's own teacher to bear the blame and have their reputation ruined is not something a qualified disciple should do."

"If you really want to focus on researching the path to immortality, you can learn from Lady Tsunade and Lady Jiraiya."

"Given your power and status, do you think they would dare force you to do anything?"

"Severing ties with Konoha is too radical. The bond between master and disciple, the camaraderie, the adoration and expectations of supporters, the hard work and the honor we once earned will all be gone."

"I know you, teacher, are determined to give up everything for the path to immortality, but why not choose a better path?"

"Is it just to prove his determination?"

"Is it because he was too disappointed by not receiving his master's favor that he bounced back from rock bottom?"

Or perhaps both?

"That's so childish!"

Orochimaru: "..."

Having lived all these years, this is the first time I've heard someone call him childish, and this person is none other than his own apprentice...

"If we don't sever our ties with Konoha, many things won't be so easy to do."

"So what?"

"It's simply a matter of being more cautious, making the process a bit more complicated, and not revealing our true colors."

"Is this difficult?"

"If the teacher can't do it, I can help, but I'll take a cut; consider it my fee for my hard work."

Provocation is a low-level tactic, but it can be very effective sometimes, especially against proud people.

Is Orochimaru proud?

Of course I'm proud!

"Tch, I don't need your help."

"Without ninjutsu, I can concoct poisons that can be cured by no more than five people in the world today."

"With just poison, those cowardly nobles and wealthy merchants will have to act according to my will!"

"Can you do it?"

Uchiha Gen honestly shook his head and said, "No, I can only use ninjutsu, such a simple and direct method."

"That's right! We ninjas must liberate our minds. Once we liberate our minds, there's always a way to overcome difficulties!"

Orochimaru: "..."

To put it bluntly, they are shameless, abandoning all semblance of strength and prioritizing personal gain.

However... if it's for immortality, then shamelessness is no excuse.

Hmm... We need to create a face-swapping ninjutsu so that shamelessness becomes truly shameless.

If the outward appearance is gone, the inner face can be preserved.

"Alright, let's not talk about this anymore. I'll consider your suggestion carefully. Let's have a drink."

"Okay, I'll send you the list of equipment I need tomorrow. You can give me an estimate, and I'll find some time to get it."

"Okay, considering your performance today, I won't take a cut and will give you the fair price."

"Squeezing money out of your apprentice, are you even human?"

"You want a cut for doing things for the teacher? Are you even human?"

"Hahaha……"

The two exchanged a glance, then threw their heads back and burst into laughter, their joyful laughter echoing into the courtyard and up to the guest room on the second floor.

Disturbed by the noise, Hongdou frowned, turned over, and muttered a few words.

Clink, the glasses clinked, and the two drank it all in one gulp.

Tonight, Uchiha Gen didn't go home; instead, he found a guest room on the first floor to stay in.

(End of this chapter)