Chapter 31: Escape

The third elder of the Uchiha clan was known as Uchiha Sagijima, and unfortunately, his son was sacrificed during a mission, leaving him desperate for his successor.

Fortunately, he also had a grandson. Despite having mediocre aptitude, he managed to become a Chunin at the young age of thirteen.

To unlock the power of the Second-Tome Sharingan, Uchiha Sagijima made great sacrifices. He sought help from several skilled illusion ninjas within the clan, even spending a fortune on secret medicines. Finally, he succeeded in opening the Second-Tome Sharingan.

However, the strain of forcibly unlocking the power made him worried about the instability of his foundation. In the ninja world, only high-ranking ninjas could protect themselves, and Chunin were often considered expendable. With such vulnerabilities, they would become prime targets for enemies.

But at this critical moment, Orochimaru appeared. As long as Orochimaru was controlled and used to unlock their eyes occasionally, every Uchiha clan member would possess the power of the Third-Tome Sharingan. Who else in the ninja world could be compared to them?

The Uchiha clan was bound to rise with their newfound strength and compete for true political power in the village. They could break through the suppressions and blockades of the Second Hokage, turn the tables, and perhaps even claim the coveted Hokage position.

Uchiha Sagijima could already envision the entire ninja world floating on the ocean, with the Uchiha clan at its peak, just like the symbol of the fan adorned with leaves.

He vowed to watch Orochimaru carefully and inform the clan leader to keep him under control. He wanted Orochimaru in a small dark room, working for the Uchiha clan for the rest of his life.

When Orochimaru arrived, Uchiha Sagijima's eyes gleamed with desire, his breath shortening in anticipation.

"I should get going if there's nothing else," Orochimaru felt uncomfortable, noticing the increasingly perverse gaze of the third elder.

"No hurry, Orochimaru. We still have many things to discuss!" Uchiha Sagijima forced a kind smile, but Orochimaru found his wrinkled face quite repulsive.

"I have some other matters to attend to. Farewell," Orochimaru stated firmly.

Uchiha Sagijima's smile didn't waver, but a cold glint appeared in his eyes. He poured a small glass of sake for Orochimaru and said, "Just to express my gratitude, please be sure to drink this."

Unbeknownst to Orochimaru, the wine was poisoned! The situation seemed unfavorable, but in reality, it played into his plans.

Orochimaru steadied himself and suddenly shouted, "Old man! I know exactly what you're scheming! You want to keep me here and use me to unlock the Sharingan for you every so often, controlling me with illusions so that I'm none the wiser. Then, one day during a mission, I'd mysteriously disappear, while in truth, you'd have locked me up to be your eye-unlocking tool!"

"What! How did you...?" Uchiha Sagijima was shocked; had his plan been exposed?

In fact, anyone could see through his intentions when witnessing his behavior and understanding Orochimaru's role in this matter.

Furious, Uchiha Sagijima retorted, "Boy, helping the Uchiha rise to power is the greatest honor in your life!"

"Hah! What Uchiha's rise to power? To me, they're just Konoha's lapdogs!"Orochimaru taunted the third elder without restraint, saying whatever came to mind.

"How dare you?!" Uchiha Sagijima's face flushed with anger, but he couldn't bear to hear the glory of the Uchiha insulted.

"What do you think you are? Merely possessing strong spiritual power! The Uchiha are like soaring hawks in the sky, while you're just a ground-dwelling reptile attempting to fly!" Uchiha Sagijima ridiculed, firmly believing the Uchiha were superior.

"Flying? Hahaha, it's the first time I've heard someone compare themselves to a disgusting bug. The Uchiha truly have grand aspirations! Hahahaha!" Orochimaru couldn't help but mock.

"Enough! I've had it with you!" Uchiha Sagijima's face turned red with anger, and he coughed up blood.

Undeterred, Ye Long stood up, looking directly at him. "In my eyes, you're nothing more than a traitor to Madara Uchiha who surrendered to the Senju. The Uchiha have no honor left!"

"You... you!" Uchiha Sagijima pointed at Orochimaru, momentarily speechless.

"Third Elder!" Orochimaru slammed the table, "You dare not resist the power of Senju clan and have become a servile lapdog for the Uchiha. At your age, you're just a dog with a broken spine, clinging onto life!"

Uchiha Sagijima couldn't contain his anger any longer.

Now was the time! "Ninjutsu: Thousand Snake Formation!" Orochimaru executed the prepared ninjutsu, and countless snakes attacked Uchiha Sagijima like a torrent, ferocious and numerous.

Orochimaru unleashed all the seals on his arm, and dozens of white snakes formed from Chakra joined the snake army, flooding the room.

Uchiha Kage, protecting his grandson, couldn't maintain his composure as several white snakes suddenly exploded, humiliating him.

"Protect the third elder!" Uchiha Kyo shouted, appearing directly behind Orochimaru and stabbing a kunai at his heart.

With a sinister smile on his face, Orochimaru turned into several pythons, countering the shadow's attack.

Four Jonin beheaded numerous snakes and rushed into the room. However, Uchiha Sagijima yelled angrily, "Damn, that brat escaped!"

"Get him! He must have turned into a snake and fled!" Not wanting to leave any snake behind, the five Jonin used their Wind Release and Fire Release, burning the teahouse to the ground. The once peaceful teahouse became a burning pile of wood, drawing the attention of nearby residents.

Konoha's Police Force members hesitated on whether to intervene, but a few Anbu clad in black robes swiftly arrived.

As the smoke cleared, the ground was littered with dead snakes, but there was no sign of Orochimaru.

Orochimaru had prepared for this moment for so long, ensuring countless snakes would find hiding spots in the grass, under the slates, and even in the sewers.

"Darn it! I was careless." Uchiha Kyo calmed down and realized the gravity of the situation.

"Third Elder, we need an explanation," said two Anbu, appearing in front of him.

Uchiha Sagijima dismissed the four Jonin, leaving only two individuals, Ken and Kaze, along with a few ordinary clan members.

"My grandson and I were discussing ninjutsu, and I lost control by accident," Uchiha Sagijima reasoned. "I'll explain this matter to the clan leader and the elders. I'll also compensate for any damages caused!"

The two Anbu exchanged glances, nodded, and then vanished once again.

"Ah! My teahouse! My entire savings! Who did this?!" A plump man rushed over, kneeling before the smoking ruins of the teahouse, crying loudly. It seemed he was the owner.

"Hmph! A pitiful fellow," Uchiha Sagijima snorted, and the plump man immediately fell silent.

"Third Elder, what should we do?" Kaze asked.

"Let's go back! I'll report this matter to the Great Elder and the rest!" Uchiha Sagijima's expression turned gloomy. This incident had escalated significantly.

In the Hokage's office, after hearing the Anbu's report, Senju Tobirama remained silent.

"Sensei, just look at those Uchiha people; they're nothing but trouble. I wonder what that Orochimaru did to provoke them?" Danzo chimed in, trying to cast blame on Orochimaru as well.

Tobirama glanced at him dispassionately. "The Uchiha won't let this matter rest. Regardless of Orochimaru's true intentions, they might still act on it."

Tobirama instructed the two Anbu, "Keep this matter quiet, monitor the Uchiha clan closely, especially the Third Elder, and see what they plan to do."

"Yes, Hokage-sama."

On the ground floor of Konoha Hospital, a white snake slithered in, and after a puff of smoke, Orochimaru emerged, sitting on a chair.

"Hmph, if you want them to perish, you must first drive them mad. Third Elder, if you won't lose your mind, then you must pay the price."

Gazing at the vast and cold warehouse, Orochimaru's smile turned chilling. The dim light cast his shadow on the wall, giving him the appearance of a terrifying demon lurking in the abyss.

"Uchiha clan, when will you come to face me?"

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