A New Snake In The Shinobi World

Orochimaru firmly believed in the saying: "To stabilize the outside, one must first settle the inside."

If Konoha, a village as large and politically tangled as it was, were to be properly governed, its internal issues had to be resolved first. Tsunade, as the Fourth Hokage, already possessed the qualifications and skills necessary to lead, and ordinary problems wouldn't trouble her. However, two major obstacles remained, ones she couldn't handle alone.

The first was Danzo, who operated independently of the Hokage's authority.

The second was the longstanding conflict between the Uchiha clan and Konoha.

The Uchiha-Konoha conflict had deep historical roots, stemming from the feud between Ashura and Indra, their ancestors. Yet, Orochimaru had observed through his time in the village and through his extensive knowledge that the Uchiha clan wouldn't resort to rebellion unless they were cornered. As Uchiha Madara once admitted to Hashirama, the clan no longer possessed the courage to rebel.

The Uchiha coup in the original timeline, Orochimaru reasoned, occurred only because they were left with no other option. Distrust from Konoha's higher-ups, surveillance, forced isolation, each of these added pressure on the Uchiha. All of these came to a head eight years after the Nine-Tails' attack on Konoha, when the seeds of rebellion began to take form.

Thus, for Orochimaru, the solution was simple:

Before tensions escalated, grant the Uchiha clan the trust and power they deserved. Let them enjoy the respect and recognition due to them in the village and integrate them with civilian ninjas. Addressing their past grievances and treating them fairly could significantly ease tensions and dissuade thoughts of rebellion.

With better living conditions, a sense of honor, and positions of authority, who would risk all that for a coup? Orochimaru felt confident that while this wouldn't entirely erase the Uchiha-Konoha conflict, it would greatly reduce the likelihood of it spiraling out of control. And, given time, future conflicts could be resolved more easily.

---

When Danzo received Orochimaru's summons, he arrived immediately. He had his reasons, after all. He had always wanted to meet Orochimaru again.

Kushina, who was with Orochimaru, was taken aback by Danzo's sudden appearance. Despite her innocence, she was quickly becoming privy to Konoha's dark secrets, which overwhelmed her. Yet, Orochimaru remained unfazed, more focused on deciphering Danzo's intentions than Kushina's reaction.

With a sarcastic smirk, Orochimaru said, "So, it seems that Danzo-sama and the Third Hokage truly don't see eye to eye. He didn't even bother to inform you that the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki is in my hands."

Danzo's expression hardened, his tone cold. "Enough with the sarcasm! You understand Konoha's state as well as I do. Tell me—why did you call me here?"

Orochimaru didn't respond immediately. Instead, he stared at Danzo, his expression calm but sharp. Understanding the unspoken message, Danzo turned to his subordinates.

"Leave us!" he ordered.

Once his men were gone, Kushina tactfully excused herself as well, giving them privacy.

Now alone, Orochimaru fixed his gaze on Danzo. "Danzo-sama, surely you have something to say to me?"

Danzo remained silent for a moment, gauging the situation. Orochimaru's strength and status as a traitor were beyond his control, leaving him unsure of how to proceed. After a long breath, he finally spoke.

"Phew... Orochimaru, I never expected the position of Hokage to fall into your hands like this. It's truly surprising."

"Hokage?" Orochimaru chuckled. "It's merely a title. If one cannot even achieve this basic goal, what is the point of having ideals?"

Danzo scoffed, his disapproval evident.

---

Konoha's political landscape was a minefield, with factions vying for influence. When a new Hokage took office, consolidating power often meant purging dissenters, removing influential elders and powerful families who opposed their rule. This was the quickest way to establish the Hokage's authority. ŖΆ₦ꝊＢËȿ

However, this method was ruthless, risked alienating other clans, and wasn't feasible for Tsunade, who lacked her own loyal faction. Orochimaru, aware of these limitations, knew that even if he wanted to eliminate opposition for Tsunade, he needed to handle matters delicately.

Danzo, with his penchant for operating in the shadows, had been an issue since the Third Hokage's tenure. He consistently went against the Hokage's orders, driven by his ambition to rule Konoha and conquer the ninja world. For Orochimaru, this combination of traits made Danzo both a threat and an opportunity.

Instead of using force, Orochimaru opted for negotiation. He made his stance clear: although he was no longer part of Konoha, his marriage to Tsunade meant he still had ties to the village. He warned Danzo against hindering Tsunade's leadership or making moves for the Hokage position. At the same time, Orochimaru dangled a tempting offer: a future opportunity for Danzo to realize his ambitions, under the right conditions.

The veiled threat in Orochimaru's words was unmistakable. Yet, Danzo, with all his ambitions, had no choice but to concede. After all, even he knew that challenging Orochimaru—now untethered from Konoha's rules—was a losing battle. And while Danzo wanted the Hokage title, he was pragmatic enough to bide his time.

Danzo frowned but said nothing, recognizing that Orochimaru's word was final.

Once Danzo left, Kushina rejoined Orochimaru.

"Lord Orochimaru," Kushina finally asked, "when will I be able to return to Konoha?"

Orochimaru's response was casual. "When my daughter is born."

Kushina's face flushed. She recalled the one intimate night she and Orochimaru had shared after Tsunade gave her blessing. However, that single experience had left her feeling inadequate compared to Tsunade, and Orochimaru's casual remark only heightened her embarrassment.

Before she could retort, Orochimaru suddenly stopped in his tracks, his sharp senses picking up on something unusual.

"Kushina, don't move!" he ordered.

"Um?" She froze, confused.

Whoosh!

A long silver needle, glinting ominously, shot out from the nearby woods, aiming straight for her heart.

***

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