That night.
Orochimaru's secret lab.
Uchiha Yorin calmly faced the mad genius across from him.
Orochimaru: "So it's leaked."
"As expected of Minato-kun."
"He might not have the full truth, but he's sensed something."
…
Credit where it's due—Orochimaru stayed perfectly cool after Yorin said it. Not just a steady tone—his smile didn't even twitch.
"Heh-heh-heh, it's unavoidable," he went on. "Too flashy… or too obvious, perhaps?"
…
Yes—Uchiha Yorin had told Orochimaru about Minato: his suspicions, and his request that Yorin keep an eye on Orochimaru and Danzō.
After laying it all out, Yorin studied Orochimaru with interest—as if hoping to see fear or dread in his eyes.
Instead, what he saw was appreciation.
Orochimaru seemed to admire Minato.
Yorin blinked, then got it.
Right—Orochimaru likes children.
When Nawaki died, the trauma didn't scar only Tsunade—Orochimaru too. He never got over losing a student.
His drive for immortality—his chase for deathlessness—was stoked heavily by the Third Ninja War.
Strictly speaking, Minato isn't a child anymore. But to Orochimaru, age (even gender) is hardly an obstacle.
So he looked at Minato as he would at an excellent child.
Yorin couldn't help but snark inside:
"I didn't tell you this so you could praise Minato. I'm the one who infantilizes the Hokage; one is enough.
I'm asking what to do. We can't actually let Minato 'handle' you, can we?"
"Heh-heh-heh, of course not. But before that—don't you have any ideas, Yorin-kun?"
He smiled at Yorin and asked.
"I do," Yorin said with a small laugh; the earlier tension vanished. "I was just worried you wouldn't agree."
"What's to disagree with?" Orochimaru drawled.
"Before, I was reluctant to lose research funding, or certain conveniences Elder Danzō brought me. Now? It doesn't matter."
They were both sharp. In a moment they'd settled on a plan: leave Konoha and rebuild somewhere quiet and green.
"The place must be convenient to reach, but hidden as well. How about Amegakure?" Yorin said.
"Heh-heh-heh-heh~" Orochimaru's smile widened. "It's like you predicted all this—like everything is dancing in your palm.
Me, the Fourth, Jiraiya, and those foolish students of his—all pieces in your hand."
Uchiha Yorin: "You flatter me, Orochimaru-sensei.
I'm only going with the flow."
"Heh-heh-heh… 'Go with the flow' is impressive enough… But starting from scratch outside Konoha will cost a lot."
Hearing that, Yorin exhaled in relief.
If Orochimaru was talking like that, he was ready to compromise. Makes sense—a man whose dream is immortality isn't going to die on this hill.
Hard to profit if you die.
Which left—haggling.
Uchiha Yorin: "You leaving is good for all of us."
Orochimaru: "And once I go, you and the Fourth plan to make Danzō take the fall?"
Yorin: "Yes. And to be precise, that's not 'taking the fall.' Danzō is the mastermind; you're at most an accessory."
Orochimaru: "Broadly, I agree. As for the details…"
Yorin knew what he wanted and answered first.
Uchiha Yorin: "You'll keep your profit share. And your research budget—10% more than before. Anything good you develop later, we keep collaborating."
Orochimaru: "Ten percent is a bit… small."
Yorin: "How much do you want?"
Orochimaru: "At least fifty."
"—Why don't you try robbing me?!"
"Yorin-kun, what do you need that much money for? How many of those people you 'relieve' will even remember your kindness? Humans are fair-weather creatures—stir them a little and they'll forget your deeds, your favors, your righteousness; they'll denounce you, mock you, laugh at you, even try to kill you.
I thought, as White Fang's student, you of all people would know this."
Orochimaru's silky venom dripped word by word.
What can you say—one of Konoha's top three "Talk-jutsu" masters.
The dark room, the magnetic, unhurried voice, the confident, assured expression—together they were deeply persuasive. Practically stronger than Kotoamatsukami.
"You're right," Yorin said levelly. "Which is why I won't hand out alms. I'll use carrot and stick."
"Wow. Not easy, then."
Orochimaru chuckled. "To show sincerity, I'll step back—forty percent."
"Twenty at most."
"Thirty-five."
"Twenty-five."
"Thirty."
"Deal."
…
Just like that, without Danzō even knowing, the two sold him for a nice price. Time to happily press GG.
Orochimaru also accepted Yorin's invite to take part in the strike on Amegakure.
He had a feeling—it might be the last time the Legendary Sannin moved together.
"Thinking of it… how poignant… Forget it." Orochimaru cut himself off and shook his head. He didn't dwell, and Yorin didn't pick at the thread.
Bringing Tsunade back is easier than bringing Orochimaru back.
The former is absent in body but her heart's still with Konoha. The latter's body is in Konoha, but his heart… who knows where it's drifting.
Only when he awakens the "feminine within," reproduces himself, and settles down to be an excellent wife and mother will he be stable.
Yorin figured Kishimoto must've had a screw loose. Whatever—whether it's "becoming a woman" or "self-marriage," it's not him. Respect and bless from afar.
~~~
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