012 Information Gap

The mastermind behind the Nine-Tails incident? A suspected member of the Uchiha clan severely injuring Orochimaru? Mangekyō Sharingan? In just a few short sentences, Orochimaru had revealed an overwhelming amount of information.

If all this were to reach the ears of the villagers...

Fugaku Uchiha shuddered at the thought of such consequences. He could not allow this news to spread. His gaze hardened, and the look he directed at Orochimaru grew dangerous. As long as he killed him, as long as he eliminated this sole witness...

Orochimaru faced Fugaku's murderous stare with a calm expression, still smiling. This unruffled demeanor made Fugaku’s heart jolt, and a cold sweat broke out on his brow. Killing one of the Three Legendary Sannin would have consequences no less catastrophic than the chaos wrought by the Nine-Tails last night. How could he even consider such a thought?

What Orochimaru said might not even be true, but if Fugaku killed him, the Uchiha clan would be truly doomed.

After what felt like an eternity, Fugaku finally spoke, his voice tinged with bitterness.

“Lord Orochimaru, is what you say true?”

Orochimaru stroked his chin, a hint of amusement in his eyes.

“That question betrays the composure expected of a clan leader. Does it matter whether it's true or not? As long as I wish to say it, it becomes truth. The Third Hokage has already stirred public opinion; he can no longer contradict me without undermining himself, and inconsistency is the gravest taboo for a leader.”

“What you ought to ask is why I am helping the Uchiha keep this secret. What is my purpose? What must you offer to keep my mouth shut?”

Fugaku opened his mouth, unsure how to respond to Orochimaru’s banter and interrogative retort.

He had come with the hope of proving that the Nine-Tails incident was not the work of the Uchiha clan. He had sought out Orochimaru to uncover more details about the true mastermind, so as to clear public suspicion and restore his clan’s reputation.

Never did he imagine that lifting the lid would reveal a can of worms.

The revelations were simply too shocking for Fugaku, who was wholly unprepared. He now found himself caught between a rock and a hard place, uncertain of what to do.

Orochimaru shook his head. As expected, Fugaku Uchiha was not fit to be a clan chief. All he had was a stern, determined face, yet with just a few words, he had lost the rhythm. He was more suited to being led than to leading.

“Why so silent, Clan Leader Fugaku? Could it be you’re overjoyed to hear that another member of your clan has awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan?” Orochimaru’s tone was layered with meaning. “To have someone capable of fighting me, wounding me so severely—such a clansman is certainly exciting. Don’t you think so, Clan Leader Fugaku?”

Fugaku’s heart skipped a beat, and he hurriedly denied it, “Please, Lord Orochimaru, do not speak nonsense. The Uchiha have no such member.”

A clansman with the Mangekyō Sharingan would indeed be a formidable asset, elevating the clan’s status in the village. But the one who controlled the Nine-Tails and brought devastation upon the village, resulting in the Fourth Hokage’s death, now stood opposed to the entire village. To be associated with such a criminal renegade would bring no benefit whatsoever.

“I beg you, Lord Orochimaru, do not reveal this information to the village.” Fugaku bowed deeply. “This is not just for the Uchiha, but for the village as well.”

No matter what Orochimaru’s motives were, the most urgent thing now was to keep the lid tightly shut.

Orochimaru nodded. “Very well, I agree to your request.”

Fugaku remained bowed, waiting for Orochimaru’s demands. Unexpectedly, the words that followed made him look up in shock.

Meeting Fugaku’s astonished eyes, Orochimaru’s expression remained unchanged.

“You heard correctly. I have no demands. Even if you hadn’t come tonight, I would have continued to keep this information hidden.”

“But would that really solve everything?”

“How will you explain the tomoe in the eyes during the Nine-Tails’ rampage?”

“If your Uchiha renegade attacks again, what then?”

“This is not a lid you can simply keep closed because you wish it so.”

“Go home and think carefully!”

...

Fugaku clenched his fists, his expression grimmer than when he had arrived, and left the hospital with heavy steps.

...

“I thought you were going to make outrageous demands,” Orochimaru remarked with some surprise. By now, it was obvious to him that the Uchiha clan had become the Lamp God’s new patron.

“Look further ahead,” the Lamp God replied with a smile. “Taking advantage of someone’s misfortune may get you what you want, but it will only sour relations. We don’t lack money now, so there’s no need for such drastic measures.

“Besides, my injury wasn’t truly caused by the Uchiha renegade.”

Orochimaru shook his head. “But with that tongue of yours, I feel you could make even a lie sound like the truth.”

The Lamp God smiled faintly. “I don’t have the power to make my words come true, merely the ability to exploit information gaps.”

Kakashi and Guy, the Third Hokage and Danzo, Fugaku Uchiha—among these, perhaps the Third would learn and believe the truth from Kakashi and Guy, but Fugaku would not, even if he were told. After all, in this entire scheme, Fugaku had invested nothing but a little goodwill. From his perspective, if Orochimaru were to deceive him, it would only be to exploit him.

Understanding the key to the ruse’s success, Orochimaru licked his lips, somewhat amazed. Even though the Lamp God had not hidden anything, even after witnessing everything unfold, if the Lamp God had not revealed his intentions, Orochimaru still wouldn’t have guessed them. The human heart and human nature—more complex than any forbidden jutsu.

Orochimaru suppressed his curiosity and refrained from asking the Lamp God for further explanation. The Lamp God’s methods would undoubtedly bring him the greatest benefits, but Orochimaru found them somewhat distasteful.

...

The next day, at noon.

Orochimaru left Konoha Central Hospital openly and without fear. Whether they had once admired or feared him, every villager and ninja who learned of this news breathed a sigh of relief. Compared to the threat to their lives, his cold and sinister aura seemed insignificant. In fact, Orochimaru’s formidable strength now gave them a sense of security—there was a touch of Stockholm syndrome about it.

At this moment, were Orochimaru to truly vie for the position of Hokage, his chances would not be small.

The shift in the village’s atmosphere did not escape Danzo’s notice; he realized that matters had taken a turn for the worse. So, as soon as Orochimaru returned to his residence in the village, a few Root ninjas delivered the previously promised materials.

Seated at his desk, Orochimaru flipped through the research records on the First Hokage’s cells, page by page. The records were clearly incomplete—the techniques used on Danzo himself were not disclosed—but even so, these data would save him much time and effort. Thus, Orochimaru studied them intently.

Standing before the desk was a boy of slight build, in the prime of his youth, yet his gaze was somewhat vacant.