Chapter 19 The Asylum

Proud. Arrogant. Uncompromising.

When those traits are paired with power, such a person—or in this case, an entire clan—simply cannot tolerate being wronged.

After the Nine-Tails Rebellion, no one wanted to find the true mastermind more than the Uchiha clan. Like obsessive perfectionists, they desperately sought to clear their name.

But the real culprit left no trace behind. No leads. No evidence.

Naturally, suspicion fell on them. People whispered. Accused. Pointed fingers.

And with the Uchiha's pride? That was unbearable.

This wasn't just the will of a few individuals—it was the will of the entire clan.

That's why Orochimaru was so confident they'd accept the village's war commission.

Not because it was a path to survival or profit. But because it gave them a chance to prove something.

The Uchiha would take the mission out of sheer conviction, even if it meant risking everything.

Because they're Uchiha.

They're not normal.

Sarutobi Hiruzen paused, taken aback by Orochimaru's confidence. His tense expression softened slightly—until another thought struck him.

"Then who will lead the Uchiha?" he asked cautiously.

Orochimaru licked his lips and grinned. "You could send Jiraiya. He's qualified and capable."

Jiraiya remained silent, but Hiruzen immediately shook his head.

"No. Jiraiya can't do something like this."

Yes, it was an open strategy—not a secret one—but it was cruel, and it would stain Jiraiya's name.

Then a thought flashed through Hiruzen's mind—someone else. Someone who had long carried the village's burdens.

"What about Danzo?"

Orochimaru chuckled, a mocking glint in his eyes. "Did you forget what just happened in the meeting room?"

Would the Uchiha obey the orders of a man who just smeared their name?

If they were that submissive, they wouldn't have agreed to this mission in the first place.

No—that's a false solution.

Sarutobi frowned, running through the possibilities in his head. He looked at Orochimaru and asked in a low voice, "So this was your plan from the start? Lead the Uchiha to war… Orochimaru, what exactly is your goal?"

Orochimaru's smile didn't fade.

"Koharu and Homura are getting old. At best, they're just elite jōnin. They wouldn't be able to handle the Uchiha.

Does it matter what my goal is? Old man, if you don't let me do it—what's your alternative? Will you go yourself?"

Sarutobi scowled.

If it were just personal preference, he would've preferred to send Danzo—let him take the blame and carry the burden.

He knew Danzo well. Knew his ambitions. Knew how to keep him in check.

But Orochimaru?

The older he got, the harder he was to read.

Not long ago, it seemed like Orochimaru would abandon the village altogether, seeking freedom from all constraints.

But now? Suddenly, he was taking an interest in Konoha again. And that… was suspicious.

"Old man," Jiraiya finally spoke up, trying to ease the tension, "it's not such a big deal if Orochimaru has his own motives. There's no need to overreact.

Orochimaru, just tell us your true intentions. As long as you're not doing anything that harms the village, neither of us will stand in your way."

Orochimaru's smile widened.

"I promise," he said, voice low and sweet, "everything I do will be for the village's benefit."

The words were sincere, but the sinister grin on his face still sent a chill down Sarutobi's spine.

Even so, a small weight lifted from his chest.

Although it might seem like too much trust, Hiruzen's instincts told him that, for once, Orochimaru wasn't lying.

"By the way, Jiraiya," Orochimaru said with a grin, "you're looking after Minato's child now, right? While you're at it, could you also look after another kid for me? You've seen him before."

"Oh, that quiet one?" Jiraiya recalled. "The one training with Guy and Kakashi? No problem—leave it to me."

"Take him seriously," Orochimaru said, voice low. "Keep a close eye on him. His name's Yamato… and he can use Wood Release."

Both Hiruzen and Jiraiya were stunned. "He's…"

Orochimaru cut them off. "No, not what you're thinking. He's not of the First Hokage's bloodline. He's the result of my experiments—my research with Danzo, using the First's cells."

Hiruzen's expression darkened. "Orochimaru, you—"

"Don't get so worked up," Orochimaru said, waving it off. "It happened a long time ago. I only recently found the boy and took him back from Danzo."

He continued, almost casually, "I've seen the early research records from when the First's cells were first studied. You stopped it because too many people were sacrificed. But Danzo restarted the project in secret—and that gave me the chance to get involved."

Jiraiya gave Hiruzen a questioning look as the Third Hokage sank into his chair, face heavy with conflicting thoughts.

"This child is important," Orochimaru said. "Think of him as insurance—another safeguard in case the Nine-Tails ever goes out of control again. Train him well."

He paused, then added, "And be careful of Danzo."

With that, Orochimaru stood and walked out, a faint, satisfied smile tugging at his lips.

Heh... With the old man watching him, Danzo won't get a chance to command the ninja army. Koharu and Homura may be mediocre, but at least they don't have ambitions. They won't go out of their way to cause trouble.

---

Meanwhile, at a residence not far from the Hokage Building...

"Huff... huff..."

Yamato regulated his breathing as he pulled weeds from the overgrown garden.

This was Orochimaru's house in Konoha, and Yamato had been staying here lately. The house had been abandoned for years—Orochimaru spent far more time in his lab or on the battlefield. The yard was overrun with weeds, and the walls were stained and cracked.

But Yamato didn't mind. Compared to the Root facility's grey walls and dim lights, this house—with a real yard and open sky—was paradise.

If I can clean this up, maybe next time I won't have to squeeze into Guy's tiny room after training.

Thinking of his two new friends brought a rare smile to Yamato's face.

Suddenly, a gust of wind blew through the garden. A figure appeared.

Yamato immediately stood at attention. "Orochimaru-sama!"

Orochimaru glanced around. "Not bad. You cleaned up well."

A flicker of nostalgia crossed his face before it vanished behind his usual chilling smile. His golden eyes settled on Yamato with unsettling intensity.

"You seem to be doing well lately."

Yamato felt a chill down his spine.

Orochimaru licked his lips. "Relax. I'm not here to scold you."

The boy was visibly healthier than when he'd first left Root. The reason was obvious—new surroundings, new relationships, a chance to live.

"I've got some things to take care of," Orochimaru said, resting a hand on Yamato's shoulder. "So for now, the old man and Jiraiya will look after you."

He leaned in slightly, voice dropping to a whisper. "Be careful what you say... and what you don't."

"Yes, Orochimaru-sama," Yamato said quickly.

"Aside from the occasional cell collection, I have no intention of interfering with your life. So don't make things difficult for me."

Yamato dropped to one knee. "Understood."

He wouldn't betray Orochimaru. Not even under the watchful eyes of the Hokage and the legendary Jiraiya.

At just eleven years old, Yamato already understood something clearly:

Those who stood in the light couldn't protect someone like him.

But Orochimaru could.

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