If nothing changed soon, Kei felt that events might spiral beyond anyone’s control.
Just as no one had imagined that a fool in Sarajevo firing a single shot would eventually lead to the deaths of tens of millions, seemingly insignificant incidents could ignite catastrophes.
Despite acting fearless, Kei was actually quite cautious deep down.
There was no way he would let something like that happen.
Breaking the silent standoff with Orochimaru, Kei finally spoke first.
“Long time no see, Lord Orochimaru .” Orochimaru narrowed his increasingly serpentine eyes.
Although he hadn’t met Uchiha Kei many times, intelligence reports about the young Uchiha reached him regularly.
He knew very well that Kei showed almost no deference toward the legendary Sannin.
Even Jiraiya, whom most people respectfully called “Lord Jiraiya,” was simply “Jiraiya” in Kei’s eyes.
As for Tsunade, Kei occasionally addressed her as “Lady Tsunade ,” but that courtesy was directed toward the prestige of the Senju Clan rather than Tsunade herself.
Yet here, Kei addressed him as Lord Orochimaru .
That simple title made Orochimaru think much more deeply than he should have.
So…
there are still people who remember what I’ve done for Konoha.
Orochimaru was too proud to concern himself with manipulating public opinion.
Unfortunately, the village’s current sentiment was clearly not on his side.
He might not care very much…
But who truly enjoyed being misunderstood?
He had fought Hanzo of the Salamander, the legendary “Demigod of the Shinobi World.” He had commanded Sakumo Hatake, the White Fang of Konoha, during campaigns against Sunagakure.
He had even fought Ōnoki alongside his teacher, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
With achievements like those…
He was now expected to be compared to a newcomer.
Anyone would find that irritating.
As one of Konoha’s senior leaders—and Hiruzen’s disciple—Orochimaru understood the political calculations better than most.
Originally…
That newcomer had never been meant to be measured against him.
The comparison had been with Sakumo Hatake.
The White Fang of Konoha.
The Yellow Flash of Konoha.
One represented the current generation.
The other represented the future.
Together, they were meant to symbolize Konoha’s endless succession of extraordinary talent following the Sannin.
It had been a perfectly crafted political narrative.
Unfortunately…
No one expected that overwhelming strength didn’t necessarily come with an equally resilient heart.
Who said talented people had to possess iron wills?
That was merely the wishful thinking of ordinary people.
Talent had always mattered far more than effort.
Sakumo Hatake could train casually and still surpass the vast majority of shinobi who had clawed their way through life-and-death battles.
Because of that overwhelming strength, everyone assumed his heart must be equally unbreakable.
So, in the name of maintaining balance…
Hiruzen believed no single figure should shine too brightly.
If one of Konoha’s “twin stars” still needed time to grow, then the other had to be restrained.
Danzō had his own reasons.
A man this powerful who isn’t under Root’s control will become a problem sooner or later.
He must be suppressed.
As for everyone else…
Including Orochimaru himself…
Their reasons were much simpler.
Jealousy.
The resentment ordinary people felt toward geniuses.
What came effortlessly to Sakumo required everyone else to struggle desperately to achieve.
Who wouldn’t feel bitter?
“Talking behind his back isn’t a crime.” At first…
Perhaps no one truly harbored deep malice.
It was merely envy.
Then, in Konoha’s 44th Year, something happened that almost everyone secretly welcomed.
The invincible Sakumo Hatake…
Finally failed.
He abandoned a mission in order to save his comrades.
The flawless hero had developed a crack.
And that single blemish became the favorite topic of conversation throughout the village.
Looking back now, Orochimaru couldn’t help sighing.
“No matter how dangerous the mission, Sakumo always brought every one of his teammates home alive.” “Even I couldn’t accomplish that.” Thinking of Sakumo inevitably reminded him of the deaths of Nawaki Senju and Dan Katō.
No matter how terrifying the enemy claimed Orochimaru to be…
Compared to Sakumo, he still fell short.
He could only bring death to his enemies.
That man…
Protected his comrades from death itself.
Back then, everyone had misjudged one thing.
A shinobi whom countless enemies failed to kill…
Was ultimately killed by a few careless words from his own people.
“Sakumo…
was simply too gentle.” And just like that…
The entire village found itself in an awkward position.
Konoha’s greatest political symbol…
Had died.
By suicide.
Driven to it by rumors and public condemnation.
What kind of absurd outcome was that?
Far away in Sunagakure…
Advisors Chiyo and Ebizō could only silently applaud Konoha’s own citizens.
At first, no one believed it.
When they finally accepted that it was true, guilt naturally followed.
But that guilt didn’t last.
Very quickly…
It transformed into resentment.
After all…
Few people were willing to admit they had been wrong.
When everyone shared responsibility, the blame naturally shifted onto the event itself.
As the saying went— Small matters became grand meetings.
Great matters became quiet conversations.
During one such private meeting among Konoha’s highest leadership, Hiruzen Sarutobi declared: “This incident has had an extremely negative impact.” “No matter what, public attention must be redirected.” “We cannot allow hostile forces, inside or outside the village, to exploit this matter.” “This is no longer about determining who was right or wrong.” “It’s about minimizing the damage.” “Konoha needs a new symbol.” “Orochimaru…
I’m afraid you’ll have to shoulder this burden.” “You’ll replace the White Fang as Konoha’s foremost hero while elevating a promising newcomer.” “The people will stop dwelling on the past.” “And the outside world will understand that Konoha’s foundations are deep enough to withstand losing even a Kage-level shinobi.” Originally, Hiruzen had expected the plan to encounter fierce resistance.
He prepared numerous contingency measures in case the village’s shinobi rejected the narrative.
He even prepared policies to appease the Hatake Clan.
But unexpectedly…
Years later…
The entire village united once again.
Some felt too guilty to face the truth.
Others angrily convinced themselves that Sakumo’s weakness had caused everything.
Combined with the deliberate guidance of Konoha’s leadership…
Everyone simply chose to ignore what had happened.
Only the Hatake Clan insisted on facing reality.
But they were merely a small clan.
Their strongest member was still just a child.
They had no power to challenge the village.
Before long…
The Hatake family quietly faded from public view.
A new legend replaced the old one.
The village had produced another extraordinary shinobi.
Someone said to be as powerful as Orochimaru himself.
The Yellow Flash of Konoha.
A shinobi officially recognized by enemy villages as someone before whom retreat from a mission was permitted on sight.
“What?
Wasn’t that treatment once reserved for the White Fang?” “Don’t be ridiculous.” “That coward never deserved such recognition.” “As far as Konoha is concerned…” “…there was never anyone by that name.” And just like that…
The matter quietly disappeared.
Along with every legend of the White Fang.
In the end…
The only person left feeling slighted was Orochimaru.
“Minato Namikaze…” “What a fortunate man.” “He accomplished very little, yet his reputation already rivals the sun.” Watching Konoha’s lively streets, Orochimaru found himself immersed in memories of the past.
Unfortunately…
He had completely misunderstood Kei.
Kei respected Orochimaru for only one reason.
He respected science.
And therefore respected scientists.
Even if Kei knew exactly what Orochimaru was thinking, he wouldn’t have cared.
What do Konoha’s old political scandals have to do with me?
In Kei’s eyes, a noble, loyal, overwhelmingly powerful Konoha shinobi…
Was far more useful after death than while alive.
Once the Sannin left the village…
Once Minato died…
Only then would Kei’s era truly begin.
Kei had always drawn a clear line between allies and outsiders.
A great shinobi who could never stand on his side…
Was someone best praised after they were dead.
Just as— If Hiruzen Sarutobi happened to die today…
Kei would absolutely deliver an eloquent eulogy praising the Third Hokage’s decades of service to Konoha.
Unfortunately…
The old fox stubbornly refused to die despite still being full of life.
One day, heaven will deal with him.
Regardless of Kei’s true thoughts…
His respectful attitude still earned Orochimaru’s goodwill.
“Indeed.” “It’s been quite some time…” “…Kei-kun.” The moment the two leaders exchanged friendly words, the suffocating atmosphere surrounding them immediately eased.
However…
Watching everything through the Telescope Technique, the Third Hokage became even more anxious.
A friendly atmosphere naturally made conversation easier.
“So, Lord Orochimaru ,” Kei asked with a smile, “are you taking your student shopping today?” “That’s right.” Orochimaru smiled faintly.
“Anko still has quite the sweet tooth.” “She’s just like a child.” “I’m afraid she’s made a fool of herself in front of you.” Anko immediately puffed out her cheeks in dissatisfaction.
Unfortunately, adults were talking.
Children weren’t supposed to interrupt.
She could only glare resentfully at Uchiha Kei, who wasn’t much older than she was.
Of course…
Only Anko herself cared about that resentment.
Children’s emotions rarely affected the superficial friendships of adults.
Yet seeing the carefree Anko…
Kei suddenly felt uneasy.
Perhaps that was the burden of knowing the future.
Poor little Anko…
Right now, everyone indulges your childish behavior because you’re Orochimaru’s disciple.
The day you lose that protection…
You’ll be forced to sacrifice far more than your pride just to survive.
I absolutely can’t end up like that.
With a warm smile, Kei said, “You’re too modest, Lord Orochimaru .” “The fact that children no longer have to fight on battlefields…” “That they can enjoy a carefree childhood…” “Isn’t that the very reason Konoha was founded?” “For that, we should all thank you for helping bring peace to Konoha during the Second Shinobi World War.” Orochimaru found the praise extremely satisfying.
Just as he was about to respond…
Uchiha Fugaku, holding Itachi’s hand, hurried over.
Honestly…
The Uchiha respect their Clan Head less and less these days.
If the mountain won’t come to me…
I’ll go to the mountain.
Everything is for the clan.
Without waiting for anyone to invite him into the conversation, Fugaku greeted politely.
“Lord Orochimaru.” “We meet again.” Faced with the Uchiha Clan Head’s humble attitude, Orochimaru reluctantly shifted his attention away from Kei.
“Indeed, Clan Head Fugaku.” “We meet again.” His gaze then fell upon the young Itachi.
Though still just a child, tear stains remained on his face, while his expression seemed far older than his years.
“So…” “This must be Itachi.” “The boy said to possess the thinking of a Hokage from birth.” “What an extraordinary genius.” Orochimaru understood exactly why Hiruzen had asked him to spread such praise.
It was nothing more than a political promise.
An empty one.
A vague assurance to placate the Uchiha Clan in the present.
Whether it would ever be fulfilled depended entirely on how much the Uchiha were willing to give in the future.
For Orochimaru…
It cost him nothing.
If it succeeded, he gained goodwill.
If it failed, he lost nothing.
After all…
Surely no one would actually believe such a promise.
Politics was dirtier than most people realized.
People only believed what they wanted to believe.
Politicians merely guided those beliefs.
Hearing Orochimaru praise his son, Fugaku beamed with pride.
Like many first-time parents—especially powerful ones—he knew little about healthy child development.
He quickly replied, “You’re too kind, Lord Orochimaru.” “He’s still just a child.” “What he truly lacks…” “…is an outstanding teacher.” The implication couldn’t have been clearer.
Fugaku hoped Orochimaru would accept Itachi as his disciple.
Orochimaru, however, pretended not to understand.
“Indeed.” “Children should be given time to grow.” It was neither acceptance…
Nor rejection.
It acknowledged Fugaku’s words while also serving as a subtle reflection on the uncertain future as another war loomed.
To an outsider like Kei…
The meaning was perfectly obvious.
A refusal that wasn’t spoken aloud…
Was still a refusal.
People involved in a matter often saw hope where none existed.
Even a one-in-ten-thousand chance became enough to convince themselves success was still possible.
“After all…” “Orochimaru never actually said no…” Fugaku seemed ready to press the matter further.
But before he could— A kunai suddenly embedded itself into the ground.
A brilliant flash followed.
And with it…
The Yellow Flash of Konoha arrived.
“Hello, Lord Orochimaru.” “Lord Fugaku.” “Kei-kun.” “So you’re all here.” Minato Namikaze greeted everyone with his usual bright smile.
His warmth and natural charisma seemed to erase hostility wherever he went.
Friend or foe alike found it difficult to dislike him.
That…
Was true charisma.