The mastermind behind the Nine-Tails Rebellion?
Was it suspected that the Uchiha clan had severely injured Orochimaru?
A Mangekyō Sharingan?
Orochimaru had just dropped a bombshell of information in a few short sentences.
If the villagers of Konoha were to learn this...
Uchiha Fugaku's heart skipped a beat as he realized the consequences. He couldn't let this information get out.
Fugaku's gaze turned sharp, menacing, as he looked at Orochimaru.
It would be so easy to just kill him—silence the only person who knows the truth.
But Orochimaru met Fugaku's murderous gaze with an unsettling calmness, a smile still playing on his lips.
Fugaku couldn't help but feel a bead of cold sweat roll down his forehead. Killing a Sannin would have consequences far worse than the Nine-Tails Rebellion itself. What was he thinking?
Though Orochimaru's words may not be entirely true, if he killed him, the Uchiha clan would be pushed into an uncontrollable situation. Fugaku knew he couldn't make such a rash move.
After a long, tense pause, Fugaku finally spoke, his voice carrying a trace of hesitation. "Master Orochimaru, is what you're saying true?"
Orochimaru stroked his chin thoughtfully, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "That's quite a big question for the head of the Uchiha clan, don't you think?"
Fugaku frowned, unsure how to respond to Orochimaru's tone.
Orochimaru continued, "Does it really matter? As long as I choose to say it, it becomes truth. The Third Hokage has already stirred public opinion. It would be impossible for him to deny my words without contradicting himself. Leaders can't afford to change their stance so abruptly—it would be seen as a great weakness."
He leaned in slightly, his voice quieter but more intense. "If you really want to know, perhaps you should be asking why I helped Uchiha hide this. What is my purpose? What must you do to keep me from speaking?"
Fugaku opened his mouth to speak, but the weight of Orochimaru's mocking words left him momentarily speechless.
He had come here with the belief that the Nine-Tails Rebellion had nothing to do with the Uchiha clan. He had hoped to gather more details about the true mastermind behind the attack to clear his clan's name.
But what he had uncovered was far worse than he had anticipated. The truth Orochimaru revealed was a shock to Fugaku, and he was left in a moral quandary, unsure of how to proceed.
Orochimaru shook his head with a slight smirk. Fugaku, in his eyes, was not fit to be the clan's leader. Though he wore a serious face, his actions and words were easily manipulated. He seemed more suited to follow orders than to lead.
"Why is Patriarch Fugaku so quiet?" Orochimaru teased. "Could it be that you're overjoyed to hear there's still an Uchiha with a Mangekyō Sharingan in the world?"
Orochimaru's tone held a trace of amusement.
"To think there's someone in your clan who could fight me and even seriously wound me… how thrilling."
He glanced sideways. "Don't you agree, Patriarch Fugaku?"
Uchiha Fugaku was stunned for a moment before quickly regaining composure.
"Lord Orochimaru, please don't joke like that. There's no such person in the Uchiha clan."
A clan member with the Mangekyō Sharingan would indeed be a great asset—capable of boosting the clan's prestige within the village.
But someone who had taken control of the Nine-Tails and caused such devastation, including the death of the Fourth Hokage... being associated with that kind of traitor brought nothing but danger.
"I ask that Lord Orochimaru keep this information from the rest of the village," Fugaku said, bowing deeply.
"This isn't just for Uchiha's sake, but for the sake of the entire village."
Whatever Orochimaru's motives, the priority now was to put the lid back on this can of worms.
Orochimaru gave a casual nod.
"Very well. I'll accept that."
Fugaku remained bowed, waiting for the inevitable request that would follow.
But the next words he heard made him straighten in shock.
"You heard me correctly," Orochimaru said calmly, unfazed by Fugaku's reaction.
"I don't want anything in return. Even if you hadn't come tonight, I still wouldn't have said a word."
He paused, then added with a quiet threat,
"But are you sure that's enough?"
"When the Nine-Tails attacked, how do you explain the tomoe in its eyes?"
"What happens if another Uchiha rogue makes a move?"
"This kind of cover-up can't be sealed just because you want it to."
"Think it over."
…
Fugaku clenched his fists tightly, his face even more grim than when he arrived. He left the ward, heavy steps echoing down the hall.
---
"I thought you were going to ask for some outrageous price," Orochimaru muttered to himself, watching the door close behind Fugaku.
He was genuinely surprised. He still couldn't see how the Uchiha clan factored into the bigger picture the "Lamp God" seemed to be orchestrating.
"You always look far ahead," Orochimaru said.
The Lamp God smiled.
"Taking advantage of people in their moment of weakness can get quick results, sure. But it damages relationships in the long run. We're not short on resources anymore. No need to push so hard."
"Besides, Uchiha's rebellion isn't what caused my injuries in the first place."
Orochimaru smirked. "And yet, you speak with such confidence. Even if it's all lies, it still feels true."
The Lamp God shrugged. "I only use what little information I have. I don't twist things. Just fill in the blanks creatively."
Kakashi, Gai, the Third Hokage, Danzo, and now Uchiha Fugaku… each one played a part.
The Third likely believed the truth thanks to Kakashi and Gai. But Fugaku? Even if he knew, he wouldn't believe it.
After all, he hadn't contributed anything substantial to the deception. At most, he had received a small favor.
From his perspective, if Orochimaru had tricked him, then he deserved to be fooled.
Orochimaru licked his lips, relishing the realization.
He now understood the key to the scam's success: even without lies, even with truth omitted, the other side couldn't connect the pieces.
Human hearts and motivations… far more complex than any forbidden technique.
Orochimaru dropped his curiosity. He no longer pressed the Lamp God for details.
While the man's schemes clearly benefited him, Orochimaru found he didn't like it.
---
The Next Day — Noon
Orochimaru left Konoha Central Hospital openly and without resistance.
To the villagers and shinobi—whether they once revered or feared him—the news came as a relief.
Compared to a threat that could destroy lives, his cold and dark demeanor was trivial.
In fact, his overwhelming power gave them a strange sense of security.
A bit like Stockholm Syndrome, really.
At this point, if Orochimaru had declared his candidacy for Hokage, he would've had a real shot.
But someone else noticed the shift in the village's atmosphere—Danzo.
He knew immediately: this wasn't good.
So, shortly after Orochimaru returned home, several Root ninjas arrived to deliver the materials they'd previously agreed on.
Orochimaru sat at his desk, flipping through the research notes on First Hokage cells.
The documents weren't complete—the techniques used on Danzo weren't included—but even so, the data would save him countless hours of research.
He took it seriously.
Standing across from him was a young boy—slight, quiet, with lifeless eyes.
A teenager, barely into his prime, yet something about him felt… empty.
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