Chapter 14: Their respective fates

"While I divert his attention, you seize the opportunity to conduct a thorough search," Shimura Danzo instructed Aburame Ryoma as he raised his crutch and entered Orochimaru's courtyard.

Aburame Tatsuma nodded and disappeared from sight.

Inside the hall, Shimura Danzo couldn't help but narrow his eyes slightly. Orochimaru appeared to be aware of his impending arrival, waiting on a raised seat for him. However, Orochimaru's condition was really not looking good.

Without wasting time on pleasantries, Danzo Shimura went straight to the point. "Orochimaru, what's the meaning of this injury?"

Orochimaru, of course, was not inclined to reveal the truth. He maintained a stoic façade and replied, "It's nothing serious."

It was apparent that Orochimaru was not about to divulge the details of his encounter with Shisui Uchiha. He had no intention of letting anyone else lay claim to the Mangekyo Sharingan.

Danzo Shimura's dissatisfaction was palpable. While he was indeed curious about Orochimaru's injuries, he recognized the importance of preserving their alliance.

For now, he would keep his concerns to himself and continue the facade of cooperation.

In an unexpected twist, Orochimaru declared, "There's no need for Ryoma to investigate further. I indeed have A."

Shimura Danzo's expression darkened. "What are you saying?"

"For the sake of an experimental subject, you're rather tight-fisted," Orochimaru sneered. "I haven't yet held you accountable for deceiving me."

Danzo Shimura's tone stiffened. "Hand over A, unless you're ready to end our alliance."

"I despise being threatened," Orochimaru responded, coughing and revealing a snake-like smile as blood stained his lips. "Danzo, are you willing to take the risk of severing ties?"

Shimura Danzo's face displayed an array of emotions, torn between choices. While Orochimaru could simply abandon Konoha, Danzo's aspirations to the position of Hokage would crumble if the Wood Style experiment became public knowledge.

In the end, Shimura Danzo reluctantly chose to compromise.

Yamato had been under the Root's scrutiny for the entirety of his ten years of existence. Letting him go didn't particularly bother Orochimaru; he was just one ninja with the potential to escape. Orochimaru's voice softened, mentioning, "The Fourth Hokage has passed away, and the Third Hokage is back on the throne, but his reign won't be long."

Danzo Shimura, however, was uninterested in discussing the Fifth Hokage, especially considering Hokage was involved. "What are you trying to say?" he asked with a note of irritation. Hokage was a sensitive topic for Danzo.

Orochimaru posed the question, "Who do you think will become the Fifth Hokage?"

"Are you suggesting you want to be Hokage?" Danzo's expression shifted momentarily, but he quickly regained his composure, asserting, "That's impossible. You've lost the trust of Sarutobi Hiruzen."

The selection of the Fourth Hokage had been a close competition between Orochimaru and Namikaze Minato. Sarutobi Hiruzen had leaned toward Minato, as he deemed Orochimaru unsuitable. 

"It's indeed impossible for me," Orochimaru admitted, nodding, "but my supporters remain, and I can assist you in ascending to the Hokage position."

Danzo Shimura's eyes widened at this unexpected offer. It was almost as if he'd witnessed Sarutobi Hiruzen dancing naked on the streets. Not only was Orochimaru willing not to harm him, but he was also offering his support.

Danzo Shimura, despite the whirling thoughts in his mind, inquired, "What are the conditions?"

"I want Senju Hashirama's body. You help me conceal it to ensure no one finds it," Orochimaru declared, his request requiring a brief pause. "Of course, you'll need to provide it to me."

"Are you out of your mind?" Danzo Shimura reacted with a sudden shift in his demeanor. "While obtaining some cells would be permissible, attempting to steal the First Hokage Senju Hashirama's body is an entirely different matter. If discovered, neither of us will have any way out."

"Of course I understand," Orochimaru retorted impatiently. "Are you willing to do it or not?"

Danzo Shimura was rendered momentarily speechless, yet he eventually gritted his teeth. After all, it was just a corpse—merely an imitation that would be placed into a coffin. No one would dare infringe on Senju Hashirama under normal circumstances.

"I promise you," Danzo Shimura affirmed, his countenance darkening as he exuded a palpable aura of danger. "But Orochimaru, should you betray me, you'll face the consequences."

Orochimaru maintained a nonchalant smile. "Take your little bug and leave, then."

The "little bug" reference was directed at Aburame Tatsuma. Though Orochimaru's courtyard appeared unguarded, it was meticulously surveilled with hidden snakes. Anyone entering would be promptly detected.

With a parting scowl, Danzo Shimura departed, leaving behind a veiled warning: "I hope you don't make any decisions you'll regret."

Orochimaru licked his lips, his anticipation was palpable, his heart ignited with the prospect of the next encounter with Natsume. He had a multitude of questions he sought answers to.

In the southwest corner of Konoha lay the newly allocated territory for the Uchiha clan. While it offered a broader expanse, the distance was greater. Nevertheless, the dominant Uchiha clan was less decisive in this matter, thanks to Uchiha Fugaku's leadership, suppressing any dissent.

In the vicinity of their property, a waterfall flowed. Uchiha Shisui gazed at the streaming water in a contemplative trance, struggling to shake off the morning battle with Orochimaru. In his mind, the top leaders of Konoha, including Sarutobi Hiruzen, Shimura Danzo, Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade, held a revered status for embodying the Will of Fire.

"Why would Orochimaru attack me?" Shisui pondered aloud. "Could he have received instructions from Hiruzen Sarutobi?"

Shisui immediately dismissed the thought as impossible. He wasn't ready to confront the fact that the Will of Fire he had unwaveringly believed in might have issues.

Yet, another realization dawned upon him: Orochimaru appeared to be targeting his Mangekyo Sharingan. This discovery raised further questions—did this signify that the Konoha leadership was already aware of these eyes' existence? Would it alter their stance towards the Uchiha clan once more? A myriad of disordered thoughts besieged Uchiha Shisui's mind.

"Uchiha Shisui," a sudden appearance of an ANBU ninja addressed him, "Hokage-sama wishes to see you."

Uchiha Shisui's heart fluttered, but he replied calmly, "I'll go immediately."

With mixed feelings, he made his way to the Hokage's office, trying to maintain an optimistic outlook.

"Shisui," Hiruzen Sarutobi greeted him, setting aside some documents. He spoke warmly and kindly, "Please, take a seat. Make yourself at home, as if it were your own."

Shisui sighed with relief. He realized that he had unjustly questioned Lord Hokage's intentions.

"Shisui, I called you here because I have a mission for you," Hiruzen Sarutobi continued. "Shortly after Minato's death, Hidden Cloud Village launched an attack, and now we must respond."

Uchiha Shisui responded immediately, his tone resolute, "Hokage-sama, I will complete the mission without fail."

"I have always held great confidence in you," Hiruzen Sarutobi complimented him. "You carry the blood of Uchiha Kagami and have inherited his strong will."

The mention of Uchiha Kagami, a student of the second Hokage Senju Tobirama, who possessed a remarkable Will of Fire, stirred Shisui's emotions. Shisui was a descendant of Kagami.

Hiruzen continued, "Originally, Konoha had intended to conduct jonin selections, but due to recent events, we haven't had the opportunity. However, I recognize that your strength exceeds that of a chunin. So for this mission, I'm granting you the temporary authority of a jonin."

"Thank you, Hokage-sama!" Uchiha Shisui expressed his gratitude with sincere appreciation. Becoming a jonin marked a substantial elevation in his status and responsibilities within Konoha Village.

This elevation in his status indicated that he held value in the eyes of the Hokage.

"Work diligently, and upon your return, I will consider your entry into the ANBU," Sarutobi Hiruzen added with a smile.

Hiruzen recognized that Uchiha Shisui was not an ordinary ninja. While it wasn't typical for the Hokage to receive individual ninjas, Shisui's Uchiha heritage set him apart. Recruiting Shisui into the ANBU had a twofold benefit. It would provide Konoha with a talented and exceptional ninja while also serving as a bridge to understand and manage the Uchiha clan.

The Uchiha clan had become a source of concern, and Hiruzen needed a trustworthy insider who could help navigate the complexities within the clan. After their conversation, Shisui was reassured that Orochimaru's actions were personal and unrelated to Konoha.