011 I, Orochimaru, have never lied.

In the Konoha Hospital, a solitary ward echoed with furious roars.

“Orochimaru, what on earth are you up to?”

The Third Hokage’s face was dark with anger. “Do you realize how much chaos you’ve brought upon the village by turning up like this?”

Training and ending up gravely injured was one thing, but to have so many witnesses, to collapse before the public—wasn’t the village’s unrest already enough for you?

“How heartless, old man.”

“Orochimaru” sat upright against his pillow, his pale, gaunt face bearing a sickly look.

The corners of his mouth lifted ever so slightly as he forced a smile. “Your adorable disciple is now suffering from serious injuries.”

Such shameless playfulness left the Third Hokage feeling as though a bucket of cold water had been poured over his head, his rage abruptly stalled.

“Orochimaru, you—”

“Enough, old man. I didn't intentionally put myself in this state. As for the villagers…”

“Orochimaru” rubbed his chin, speaking unhurriedly, “Just tell them I was wounded fighting the enemy who threatened the village.”

“Although I was injured, I survived—that’s good news, isn’t it?”

“You see, it’s easy to come up with such reasons.”

It was indeed a sound solution, perfect for the current predicament.

But this only made the Third Hokage more suspicious.

He masked his anger and asked, “Orochimaru, tell me honestly—did you really encounter the enemy who controls the Nine-Tails?”

In his eyes, Orochimaru was politically inept, never one to consider the village's welfare. If he hadn’t experienced it himself, why would he suggest such a plan?

Normally, he, the Hokage, would be the one to propose such an idea, then have Orochimaru cooperate.

“Of course not. My injuries are a result of failed training,” Orochimaru insisted.

“This time, let it pass. Orochimaru, you’d better conduct yourself wisely.”

With this outburst, the Third Hokage’s anger dissipated. He gave Orochimaru a complicated look and turned to leave.

The village had just suffered a major upheaval; he had no time to entangle himself with Orochimaru.

Not long after the Third Hokage departed, Danzo entered. The soundproof barrier just removed was raised again.

The First Shadow’s face was grim. He roused the recently sleeping Orochimaru with a cold voice. “Orochimaru, I need an explanation.”

“What explanation?”

“Orochimaru” blinked sleepily, spotting Danzo’s hand just withdrawn from beside the bed, and teased, “Danzo, for a moment I thought you were here to take my life.”

Danzo glared viciously at Orochimaru. If killing him had no repercussions, he wouldn’t hesitate for a second.

But Danzo doubted he could pull it off. Orochimaru had too many ways to preserve his life; he was simply too hard to kill.

Even Orochimaru’s injuries seemed suspect to him.

—Last night, Orochimaru’s sudden performance had left a deep impression.

Danzo refused to waste time and directly asked the same question as the Third Hokage. “Are your injuries really from last night’s enemy?”

“No,” Orochimaru denied flatly. “It’s the result of failing to master a certain jutsu.”

Danzo was furious inside. “Then why did Hiruzen say otherwise? What deal do you two have?”

This fabricated enemy had ruined many of his arrangements and, invisibly, created momentum for Orochimaru.

The Fourth Hokage had fallen in battle against the enemy, but Orochimaru emerged unscathed—what that implied was clear as day.

“That… I wouldn’t know.”

Orochimaru adjusted his pillow for more comfort and replied casually, “Maybe the old man is just afraid of losing face.”

“Orochimaru!”

Danzo suddenly raised his voice. “Don’t forget our agreement.”

“I should say the same to you.”

Orochimaru snorted lightly. “A hundred million is not easy to prepare, but give me the personnel and information soon.”

“You… just wait!”

Danzo spat the words out with a dark face and slammed the door as he left.

The Lamp Spirit ceased controlling Orochimaru’s body, letting him slip back into slumber.

…

The moon hung high; time shifted to deep night.

Orochimaru awoke from a nap to find his wounds almost fully healed.

He glanced at the Lamp Spirit, floating in the air as a misty cloud, and spoke, “I don’t understand.”

“What don’t you understand? Why we had to put on this act?”

The Lamp Spirit reformed into human shape, smiling. “Didn’t we agree to cooperate? Such things need not trouble you.”

Orochimaru licked his lips with his tongue. “But I’m curious. You seem to be doing more than just forcing Danzo to honor his promise.”

“That’s right. That’s only part of it.”

The Lamp Spirit nodded, intending to continue, when a medical attendant knocked and asked, “Lord Orochimaru, the head of the Uchiha clan wishes to see you.”

Orochimaru frowned, about to refuse, but heard the Lamp Spirit’s voice in his ear: “Let him in.”

Soon, Fugaku Uchiha entered the ward, his expression grave, his face clouded, clearly weighed down by worries.

The Lamp Spirit merged into Orochimaru’s body and spoke, “It’s so late—what brings the Uchiha clan head to me?”

“Lord Orochimaru, I heard you encountered an enemy who controlled the Nine-Tails and attacked the village.”

Fugaku Uchiha was direct, his face serious. “Can you tell me who he was, what methods he used, any distinguishing features?”

Orochimaru’s lips curled, his expression ambiguous. “Clan head Fugaku, you seem rather anxious, coming to see me at this hour.”

“I never expected the Uchiha to be so proactive about the village’s safety.”

Fugaku’s gaze sharpened. “What are you implying, Lord Orochimaru? The Uchiha are Konoha’s Uchiha. Naturally, we care about the village and will do whatever it takes to apprehend its attackers.”

“Heh, so you won’t speak honestly, Fugaku.”

Orochimaru chuckled. “You came because the Uchiha are the prime suspects for controlling the Nine-Tails, aren’t you?”

Fugaku’s face darkened. He hadn't expected Orochimaru to voice it so plainly.

He was indeed troubled. Whether it was the police force being ordered away from the battle that night to maintain order, or the hidden rumors circulating in the village today, all made him uneasy.

“But unfortunately, my injuries are the result of failing a jutsu. The so-called mysterious enemy was invented by the Third Hokage to bolster morale.”

Orochimaru wore a look of regret. “If you hoped to clear the Uchiha of suspicion, Clan head Fugaku, you’ve come to the wrong person.”

“What?”

Fugaku’s eyes widened, his face turning ashen. “Is what you said true?”

Orochimaru replied briskly, “False.”

The sudden denial left Fugaku stunned, eyes wide. “What are you saying?”

“The jutsu failure was just an excuse for the Third Hokage. I truly met the mastermind and was severely wounded in battle with him.”

Orochimaru narrowed his eyes. “And the mastermind’s eyes were a pair of Mangekyō Sharingan.”

“Guess, if I were to tell the Third Hokage the truth, what would happen to the village?”