UCHIHA KING OF THE SOULS

Orochimaru

Konoha Village, the Fourth Training Ground—Uchiha Gen arrived ten minutes early, leaning against the massive trunk of an ancient oak that cast a sprawling shadow across the clearing. The dense foliage rustled slightly in the late afternoon breeze, masking the faint sounds of the forest's wildlife.

Eight minutes later, Uchiha Gen's crimson Sharingan flickered open as he sensed a disturbance beneath the earth. A moment later, a figure silently emerged from the ground under the shade of a gnarled tree a few meters away.

His pale, almost ethereal complexion contrasted sharply with the dark, lustrous strands of his long black hair. Slitted golden eyes, framed by ominous purple markings stretching from his eyelids to his jawline, locked onto him. He wore a loose-fitting, pale yellow kimono secured by a thick purple rope belt—a stark emblem of his enigmatic presence. His thin lips curled into a faint smile, exuding confidence and a cold, detached amusement.

"Lord Orochimaru."

Uchiha Gen straightened, offering a measured bow—neither obsequious nor defiant, but perfectly balanced.

"Oho… Xuanjun, was it?" Orochimaru's hoarse, serpentine voice slithered through the air, laced with intrigue. "Anko mentioned you. She says you want me as your teacher?"

"Yes."

A raspy chuckle. "Ho ho… I know who you are. The son of the Uchiha Twin Stars—good lineage, decent talent. But why should I accept you?"

Unfazed, Uchiha Gen met his gaze. "Because the Uchiha clan can provide Lord Orochimaru with the necessary resources—funding, intelligence, and influence—to support your path to becoming Hokage."

"Ho ho… And if I refuse?" A palpable, suffocating bloodlust exploded from Orochimaru, pressing down like a coiling serpent tightening its grip. The oppressive aura would have shattered the nerves of lesser shinobi, leaving them paralyzed or driven to madness.

Uchiha Gen's expression barely flickered before he adjusted, steadying himself. Lord Orochimaru's killing intent was monstrous, but he was no ordinary ninja—certainly not a sheltered flower raised in the comforts of the Uchiha compound.

"The Uchiha clan will not fully commit to any one candidate, nor will we make enemies carelessly," he continued evenly. "As of now, Uchiha Shisui has earned the approval of Minato-senpai and has joined Team 7."

Orochimaru's pupils contracted slightly. "Oh?" He retracted his bloodlust, his expression shifting into something unreadable. His lips curled, somewhere between amusement and disdain. "How very… strategic. You people always do think ahead."

Uchiha Gen remained composed. "The Uchiha clan does not gamble on uncertain outcomes. We prefer to secure our future no matter who wins."

Orochimaru hummed in contemplation, his eyes glinting with predatory amusement. "Minato—does he know about this?"

"Not yet."

"Aren't you afraid I'll tell him?"

"With Minato-senpai's nature, he may be displeased, but he will not go back on his word."

Gen's calm, unwavering tone suggested his certainty. More than that, he knew Orochimaru too well. "And besides, with your confidence and ambition, Lord Orochimaru, you wouldn't lower yourself to such pettiness."

Orochimaru's red tongue flicked from his mouth, tasting the air like a viper scenting prey. His slitted pupils narrowed as a dangerous smirk formed on his lips.

"Ho ho… So, you think you understand me?"

An icy sensation crawled down Uchiha Gen's spine, the primal instinct of prey in the presence of a superior predator. He instinctively heightened his guard, knowing that Orochimaru was as unpredictable as he was brilliant. Yet, his voice remained steady.

"People change. No one can fully predict another." His gaze didn't waver. "If someone believes they can completely control human nature, they are already on the path to ruin."

Orochimaru's expression shifted minutely before his killing intent dissipated. A chuckle—low and menacing—escaped his lips. "It seems you are not an arrogant fool who thinks he can control everything. I do appreciate that."

His gaze sharpened. "Uchiha Fugaku would never come up with such a scheme. You're the true mastermind behind this, aren't you?"

Uchiha Gen bowed slightly. "Lord Orochimaru is truly perceptive."

"The Hokage transition is a rare moment of upheaval. It would be a shame not to act while opportunity knocks." His voice remained impassive. "As the saying goes, 'If the heavens present an opportunity, failing to seize it is the true misfortune. If the tides of change arrive, refusing to ride them leads to destruction.'"

Orochimaru repeated the phrase in his mind, savoring the depth of its meaning. His lips curled. He understood Konoha's power struggles all too well. Sarutobi-sensei had always been lenient, but the village elders—particularly Danzo—harbored deep mistrust toward the Uchiha.

"The Uchiha clan has finally produced someone interesting," Orochimaru mused aloud.

"Thank you, Lord Orochimaru. I merely prefer to read extensively and think critically."

"Ho ho… Hmmm." Orochimaru chuckled darkly before nodding. "Fine. I will accept this deal."

Uchiha Gen's gaze flickered. "Then—"

"I require substantial funding," Orochimaru interrupted. "As long as your clan's financial support for Minato does not surpass what you give me, I am satisfied."

For all his ambition, relying solely on Danzo's financial backing was imprudent. The Uchiha clan's money would accelerate his research, making him far less dependent on the fickle whims of Konoha's shadowy elite.

As for Minato… Orochimaru cared little. While Minato Namikaze was an undeniably formidable shinobi, his political backing was weak, his ascent too rapid.

Jiraiya might be his teacher, but their relationship was not one of direct political sponsorship. Even if Jiraiya supported Minato, Tsunade—if uninvolved—would at best remain neutral. That meant the real contest lay between Orochimaru and the Third Hokage.

If Sarutobi-sensei chose to retire and formally endorsed Minato, then perhaps there was a challenge. Otherwise, Orochimaru had the advantage.

And, truth be told, his goals had shifted.

The title of Hokage, once a long-coveted prize, no longer carried the same allure. His true pursuit had become something far greater—immortality, mastery over all ninjutsu, and unraveling the deepest secrets of the world.

Gen Uchiha nodded, a glint in his eyes. "Rest assured, Lord Orochimaru. I will relay your request to the clan head. There should be no issue."

"Good." Orochimaru's slitted pupils narrowed. "From now on, I'll entrust you with handling the funds. But first…"

He took a step forward, his presence suddenly oppressive again. "Let me see your strength."

"If you impress me, I may offer you more than just status—I may personally guide you."

"But if you disappoint…" His smile widened, revealing elongated canines. "Then this remains nothing more than a simple transaction."

Uchiha Gen clenched his fists. "I will do my utmost to earn your approval."

Orochimaru's guidance was invaluable, and Gen was well aware of the significance of this moment. Sasuke Uchiha had proven Orochimaru's ability to mold raw talent into a force to be reckoned with. Even Anko—despite her stagnation—had once been promising under his tutelage.

And Gen had no intention of being left behind.

Orochimaru grinned, his golden eyes gleaming with excitement.

"Then let's begin."