Chapter 233: Schemes and Plots
Under the shroud of twilight, in a secluded corner of Konoha Village.
After repeatedly confirming there were no traces of ANBU surveillance around them, Orochimaru and Yakushi Kabuto—both thoroughly disguised once more—were conducting what could almost be called a "loudly conspiring" conversation.
"Orochimaru-sama..." The gaze behind Kabuto's lenses was filled with incredulous shock. "Are you... are you certain? This target... will likely be several times more dangerous than any of our previous operations!"
He could barely digest the terminology he'd just heard from Orochimaru's mouth—Tailed Beast? Perfect jinchuriki? Symbiotic relationship?
"But... the target you were originally interested in was that Uchiha..." Kabuto's words carried deep confusion and bewilderment. Having followed Orochimaru for years, he deeply understood this man's obsession with kekkei genkai, especially those legendary eyes. Why would he suddenly shift his attention to a Tailed Beast—such a violent, uncontrollable, and extremely dangerous existence?
"Hehehe..." Orochimaru released a low, hoarse laugh, his serpentine pupils gleaming with fervent calculation in the shadows. "Don't worry, Kabuto."
He slowly licked his lips. "Compared to something like the Sharingan... right now, I'm more interested in the 'eyes' possessed by 'our' mysterious leader, and his method of controlling power."
"Though the Tailed Beast's power is indeed dangerous... we're not entirely without opportunity."
In this world, since Itachi hadn't joined the Akatsuki, Orochimaru hadn't betrayed the organization by attacking teammates, and hadn't been crushingly defeated by Itachi, he hadn't developed that obsessive, crazy desire for the Sharingan.
A brief silence spread between them. Finally, Orochimaru's gaze fully turned toward his most capable assistant.
"So... Kabuto, I need your assistance. Regarding how to obtain 'Naruto'... this time, I really must thank the old man. Otherwise, I truly couldn't have thought of an opportunity to 'take him away.'"
"...Then, what specifically should we do?"
A cold arc curved at the corner of Orochimaru's mouth as he spoke slowly. "Go approach Naruto. Not as an enemy, but with a 'friend's' posture. Understand him, integrate into his life, stay by his side... that's all."
"Of course, also approach that little Uchiha girl... find an appropriate moment and tell her the 'truth.'"
"Imagine, Kabuto, what kind of environment has that child been living in? Ostracized, despised, isolated... if his trusted 'friend' is ruthlessly 'disposed of' simply because Konoha's higher-ups fear strange forces approaching the Nine-Tails jinchuriki..."
"Tell me, at that point, after Naruto learns all of this... how will he view Konoha Village—the village whose residents ostracize and despise him?"
So he means... fake my own death?
Kabuto immediately understood the core of Orochimaru's plan. He habitually pushed up his glasses, raising questions as an adviser. "Orochimaru-sama, but even if Naruto becomes disappointed with Konoha, he won't necessarily choose to come with us, right? The variables in this..."
"That's why I say we have the old man... and Danzo to thank." Orochimaru released a mocking chuckle. "Hehe... even I didn't expect that man, dead for so many years, could still give me such a 'generous gift.'"
He leaned forward. "Kabuto, think about it... if after Naruto experiences his 'friend' being killed, and Uchiha Satsuki also becomes completely disappointed with Konoha because of this incident and leaves..."
"I appear at his most vulnerable, most angry moment, and tell him his true background, the 'truth' about his parents... completely and honestly..."
Orochimaru's serpentine pupils locked tightly on Kabuto, asking word by word: "Tell me... at that point, what do you think Uzumaki Naruto—devoured by rage and a sense of betrayal—will do?"
Finally, Orochimaru laid out the entire sinister plan. This scheme was interlocking, not only exploiting Naruto and Satsuki's relationship but deeply stabbing at the scars in Konoha's history.
Listening, Kabuto couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat. According to Orochimaru's scheme, they'd essentially be mortally offending Konoha, Sunagakure, and that extremist organization with unfathomable strength—Ember!
But even not knowing how that Ember organization adhering to the principle of "whoever starts a war, I'll eliminate them" would retaliate afterward... as a subordinate, what choice did Kabuto have?
After a brief silence, Kabuto took a deep breath, suppressing all unease and deliberation before finally bowing his head.
"I understand, Orochimaru-sama."
---
After the preliminaries ended, Naruto had been preoccupied with something, making him think somewhat helplessly: So... just how long is Kakashi-sensei planning to keep this to himself?
What surfaced in his mind was that powerful jutsu from the original work that greatly inspired Sasuke and ultimately spawned "Chidori Current"—Chidori, or rather, Lightning Blade.
In this world, Satsuki similarly needed such power to strengthen herself. Naruto urgently wanted to know when exactly Kakashi planned to pass this signature jutsu to her.
Naruto had absolutely no idea he'd been completely targeted by Orochimaru, much less could he imagine that sinister guy had already formulated a vicious plan targeting his background and interpersonal relationships... Of course, the premise for this plan's success was that Naruto had no knowledge of the "original work's" plot developments.
At this moment, two thoughts circled in his mind: first, he genuinely hoped Satsuki could become even stronger; second, it was also to temporarily distract Satsuki.
Because he clearly remembered that according to the original timeline, during this very period, the man who would become his master in the future—Jiraiya—would soon be returning to Konoha Village!
Just thinking about having to hang around with that unrestrained character who had special "hobbies," Naruto couldn't help but foresee Satsuki's reaction upon learning of it.
She'd definitely put on a stern face, stare at him seriously, then declare in an unquestionable tone: "You're not allowed to associate with that kind of person from now on!"
To avoid this troublesome situation, Naruto decided to take initiative. After dismissal, he found Kakashi, who had left first and was spacing out before the Memorial Stone.
"Kakashi-sensei!"
"Hmm?" Kakashi turned around. "What is it, Naruto?"
Naruto went straight to the point: "Sensei, could you teach Satsuki a Lightning Release jutsu?"
"Ara? A Lightning Release jutsu?" Kakashi seemed somewhat surprised.
"Yeah, yeah, that's right!" Naruto nodded vigorously, gesturing with his hands. "It's that jutsu Kakashi-sensei used back in the Land of Waves—the one where you gathered lightning 'crackling and popping' in your hand! That really powerful Lightning Release jutsu!"
"That one... you mean 'Lightning Blade.' You saw it back then?" He looked at Naruto thoughtfully. Was it because Satsuki lost to him in the preliminaries, so he wanted her to become stronger?
Kakashi couldn't help but interpret Naruto's actions favorably as a kind of clumsy consideration, his tone becoming gentler.
"I don't have any objections myself, but Naruto, that jutsu's learning difficulty is extremely high. It has incredibly demanding requirements for chakra control and shape transformation."
"...As long as you can convince Satsuki to agree to learn it."
'Or rather, as long as you can convince her to temporarily leave your side and peacefully train.' Kakashi silently added this unspoken sentence in his heart.