Chapter 90: Orochimaru’s Bargain, Nawaki’s Disillusionment

Orochimaru crossed his arms, his trademark smile slithering onto his lips.

"Sensei... you're really asking me to brainwash my own students?" he said softly, with a mocking edge. "You know how much I revere the student-teacher bond."

Hiruzen Sarutobi narrowed his eyes.

"Just name your price, Orochimaru."

He knew Orochimaru well. That talk of reverence was a farce—Orochimaru hadn't been the same for years. His thirst for knowledge had twisted into a lust for power and immortality. His ties with Danzō were no secret either. But Hiruzen had allowed it to maintain leverage over Root.

Still, it was clear now—Orochimaru was no longer the obedient student who once called him "sensei" with respect.

"Two things," Orochimaru said, raising two fingers. "I want access to the Reanimation Jutsu... and the Soul Destruction Technique. Preferably with all of the Hokage research notes."

"What?!" Hiruzen's calm mask cracked. "Those are forbidden techniques! Especially the Reanimation Jutsu—it desecrates the dead!"

He felt a deep unease. Orochimaru's mind had long since crossed the moral line, but this request confirmed it.

"Oh, come now," Orochimaru said with a theatrical sigh. "Both techniques are related to the soul. If I am to unlock the path to immortality, understanding the soul is essential. You know my goal has never changed."

Of course, he expected Hiruzen to refuse—he had purposefully aimed high. This was merely a negotiation tactic.

"Absolutely not," Hiruzen snapped. "Forget it. I will grant you the Soul Transfer Technique, but not the Reanimation Jutsu. I won't watch you slip further down this path."

Orochimaru gave him a cold smirk. Watch me slip? No... you're just scared of losing control, sensei.

But he didn't push further. Instead, he turned the conversation toward something more practical.

"Fine. Then I'll need compensation. Five thousand of the Uchiha's high-grade nutrient pills."

Hiruzen's jaw tensed.

"Five... thousand?" he echoed. "That's absurd. Those are strategic resources. We only produce ten thousand a month—and they're already allocated!"

Most of the current supply was distributed among Sarutobi, Shimura, and the two elder advisers. Meanwhile, the Ino–Shika–Chō alliance received fifteen thousand monthly, more than everyone else combined. It was a sore point.

Getting even a few hundred more pills required tense negotiations with the Uchiha. And the Uchiha wouldn't agree to any new distribution without full approval from the village council and other clans. Even then, they'd "consider" it, dragging it out for weeks.

Giving Orochimaru five thousand would require robbing other clans of their share—and right now, with tensions rising and war on the horizon, that would only damage Hiruzen's already-shaky reputation.

"You're asking for too much," Hiruzen said. "Reduce your request."

"Then give me the money to buy them," Orochimaru shrugged. "I'll get a discount from Tsunade. I am still her younger brother's teacher, after all."

"Are you certain Tsunade would sell to you in that quantity?" Hiruzen asked.

"Don't get any ideas, sensei," Orochimaru smirked. "Even if she agrees once, she'll suspect I'm acting on your behalf. I won't risk burning that bridge for a one-time favor."

Hiruzen exhaled slowly. He could feel the grip on his power loosening with every passing day.

"So be it," he said at last. "You'll get the Soul Transfer Technique—and 30 million ryō for your pills."

He handed over a sealed scroll and the payment. Orochimaru took them with a graceful nod.

"A pleasure doing business, sensei."

Then he disappeared into the shadows.

Later, at the Akimichi Barbecue Restaurant

Orochimaru found Tsunade, Nawaki, Gin, Mikoto, Minato, and the others finishing their meal. He casually joined them and erected a soundproof barrier before speaking.

He explained the Third Hokage's plan—how Hiruzen wanted Orochimaru to manipulate Nawaki and other elite children from the Senju, Uchiha, and Uzumaki clans. He laid everything bare.

The table went cold.

"That old bastard," Tsunade growled, slamming her fist onto the table with a thunderous crack. "He dares plot like that? I swear, I'll—"

"Don't," Mikoto warned calmly. "Not now."

They weren't holding back out of fear. It simply wasn't the right time.

The Third still had a reputation. The war wasn't over. If a civil conflict broke out now, the other great villages would pounce, tearing the Land of Fire apart. That was something even Tsunade and the others couldn't afford.

But if the Third thought he could use the war to quietly remove their clans' elites... he was in for a surprise.

Most of their top fighters were linked to Gin's rescue seal—a personalized reverse summoning technique. Killing them was next to impossible.

Nawaki sat in stunned silence, fists clenched on his knees.

"This... this isn't what a Hokage should be..." he muttered.

Despite everything, Nawaki had still looked up to Hiruzen. He had believed in the Will of Fire. But this revelation shattered those beliefs.

He looked at Tsunade, eyes wide. "He wanted to use me... against you? Against our own clan? The Uchihas? Reiko?"

"Now you understand," Tsunade said, her voice low and grave.

For years, she had tried to warn him—but Nawaki had clung to his ideals.

"You've been too naive," Mikoto added quietly.

"I..." Nawaki shuddered. "He doesn't deserve to be Hokage."

"Took you long enough," Tsunade's younger brother grunted. "We've been telling you for years, and you always defended that old man. Now you see who he really is. If you ever betray us for that snake, I'll strangle you myself."

Nawaki recoiled, sweat forming on his brow.

"Wha—Sister! I would never! Don't joke like that! You're terrifying when you're serious."

"Good," Tsunade smirked, leaning back. "I'm glad you finally get it."

End of Chapter 90