Chapter 96: I'm just so self-willed

Since the founding of Konoha, the Uchiha clan has always been a force to be wary of.

They are powerful—there's no doubt about that—but they're also deeply emotional, prone to being consumed by extremes.

Such a disposition makes them unfit for leadership. Not only would an Uchiha becoming Hokage be impossible, but even allowing them into high positions within the village is seen as a threat.

That's why the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, placed the Uchiha in charge of the Konoha Police Force. He also made sure they had no command in wartime strategies.

But times have changed. As the understanding of chakra, bloodline limits, and ninjutsu has evolved, Orochimaru—Hiruzen's most gifted student—has presented a new theory.

He believes the Uchiha's unstable nature isn't just a personality trait—it's a kind of illness. And he claims he knows how to cure it.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, considered this carefully.

It wouldn't be an easy decision.

To even attempt a cure, they would need to begin by transplanting cells from the First Hokage. The human experimentation required would undoubtedly lead to victims.

And if it succeeded? A "cured" Uchiha might become stronger than ever. The balance of power in the village could be shattered.

More importantly, giving special treatment and resources to the Uchiha clan would contradict Konoha's long-standing policy of weakening the influence of any one clan. It would spark resentment—from other families and from the common folk alike.

All signs pointed to this being a reckless gamble. Hiruzen's legacy could be destroyed in an instant.

So why even consider it? Why take the risk?

There were easier solutions.

If the Hokage's loyal faction remained stronger than the Uchiha, then even if the Uchiha harbored dissatisfaction, they would have no choice but to keep it buried.

That's what happened under the Fourth Hokage. With high status and strategic appeasement, the Uchiha were split into factions. Internal division suppressed their greater ambitions.

Hiruzen himself had once used the same strategy. When he was young and newly appointed Hokage, many powerful clans posed a threat. Over a decade, he systematically whittled down their influence—the Shimura clan, the Mitarashi clan, and others.

Danzo, his companion, bore the bloodstained burden of that darkness. He created "Root," a shadow mirror to the ANBU, to carry out the dirty work.

But now, in his old age, Hiruzen found himself asking: Why take such a heavy-handed approach again?

Perhaps because he realized the strategy against Uchiha was only a temporary fix—a bomb left ticking for his successor.

Perhaps he wanted to fulfill Orochimaru's vision.

Perhaps he had simply grown sentimental. Perhaps, deep down, he felt the Uchiha shouldn't be doomed to this fate forever.

Whatever the reason, Hiruzen made up his mind. During his term, he would address the Uchiha problem once and for all.

But then, unexpectedly, a voice cut in—

"Wait… old man, I think you misunderstood something."

Orochimaru gave a crooked smile. "I'm rejecting this proposal."

"Orochimaru, you—!" Jiraiya began to protest, but Orochimaru raised his hand calmly.

"I said at the meeting that I'd no longer perform surgery on Uchiha. I meant it."

He took a sip of tea before continuing, voice calm but firm.

"After three procedures, I've already gathered all the data I needed from the Uchiha. At this point, I have no interest in continuing the First Hokage cell transplant experiments."

Following Orochimaru's cold refusal, the atmosphere in the Hokage's office shifted once again. The bond of master and student faded, replaced by a stark, transactional air between Hokage and former subordinate. There were no pleasantries now—only the naked clash of conflicting interests.

And Orochimaru clearly had no intention of accepting the deal.

Hiruzen Sarutobi narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing every flicker of Orochimaru's expression, wondering if this was some elaborate ploy—an attempt to drive up the price. But Orochimaru simply smiled, relaxed and unbothered. There wasn't a hint of hesitation in his eyes.

He truly wasn't interested in continuing the First Hokage's cell transplantation experiments.

How could that be? Orochimaru, uninterested in the First Hokage's power? That didn't match the man Sarutobi knew. Unless… there was something more to the research, something Sarutobi didn't yet understand.

Orochimaru didn't leave him guessing for long. The corners of his lips curled into a smile as he spoke slowly and deliberately:

"To make the transplant of the First's cells successful, you must do two things—one, strengthen the recipient's chakra, particularly their spiritual force. Two, suppress the cells' natural aggression and erosiveness."

"The former requires a person of great strength—chakra control and mental fortitude. That's what I've been working on. But the latter… that demands human lives. Many of them."

He looked at Sarutobi and Koharu, that same unnerving smile dancing across his face. "It's not only troublesome—it doesn't benefit me in the slightest. It wouldn't advance my personal growth. And it would only ruin what little remains of my reputation in the village."

"So why should I do it?" Orochimaru's voice grew sharp, cold. "Why should I?"

Sarutobi could only smile bitterly. In Orochimaru's mind, it was simple. His goals were never rooted in sentiment—they were always about results. Human experimentation was a means to an end, nothing more. If it no longer served him, he had no reason to continue.

"But…" Orochimaru added, licking his lips with that familiar serpentine playfulness, "just because I won't do it doesn't mean someone else won't."

He gave Sarutobi a knowing look.

"This kind of dirty work, meant to be done in the shadows… leave it to Danzo."

"I'm sure you've already noticed his little tricks, old man."

Sarutobi's face twitched at the mention. He didn't reply, but his silence said everything. Orochimaru wasn't wrong.

Even if Danzo couldn't get access to the forbidden scrolls directly, he was exactly the kind of man who'd stop at nothing to make the transplant succeed. He had the ambition—and the ruthlessness—to make it happen.

All Sarutobi could do now was ensure the experiments happened far away from Konoha… and far from the Land of Fire.

That was all he could do.

---

With the matter of the First Hokage's cell transplant, the Uchiha bloodline experiments, and Shinsuke's unique Setsurengan concluded for now, Orochimaru took his leave from the Hokage's office. Jiraiya followed close behind.

The sky was fading into dusk. Stars began their slow rise above the rooftops, and the village came alive with warm lights, flickering in windows across Konoha.

Jiraiya trailed behind Orochimaru, leaping between the buildings, his face shifting between light and shadow.

Eventually, Orochimaru stopped.

"Say what's on your mind," he said, turning with a faint smirk. "You're not the type to bottle things up."

"…Why didn't you help the old man?" Jiraiya asked quietly. His face was half-lit by the lanterns below, eyes full of frustration and concern. "You could've helped him… but you chose not to."

He knew Orochimaru's reasoning made sense on paper. But deep down, he also knew—Orochimaru simply didn't want to help. That was the part that hurt most.

Orochimaru didn't reply right away. He stepped forward and placed a hand on Jiraiya's shoulder.

"I'm just like you," he said softly. "Walking my own path."

"On this path, there's less and less room for the old man… for partners… even for the village."

He smiled again, not unkindly.

"The old man walks his own road as Hokage. Hard decisions, politics, sacrifice—that's never been new. Or did you only realize today how human he truly is?"

"If you ever thought he was omnipotent, Jiraiya… you need to think again."

He gave his old teammate a firm pat on the shoulder, then turned to leave.

"Oh—and instead of asking me for help, maybe ask her. She's still wandering, without a goal… and enough time has passed."

With that, Orochimaru leapt into the night, vanishing into the shadows, leaving Jiraiya alone in thought under the cold stars.

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