"I hope you choose Orochimaru."
The voice of Uchiha Yama came slowly and deliberately.
Uchiha Tatsumi, seated calmly in a chair, looked up at Yama in surprise.
"Orochimaru?"
"Yes. If you want to avenge your father, then choose Orochimaru," Uchiha Yama said in a deep, solemn voice.
"Of the three disciples of Sarutobi Hiruzen, Orochimaru is the one most likely to become the Fourth Hokage."
"Although Tsunade is the granddaughter of the First Hokage, she's just a woman with no interest in the title. And Jiraiya... he's a fool. Ambitious in his own way, but unreliable. Out of the three, Orochimaru is the only one who has truly inherited the Third Hokage's knowledge, especially in ninjutsu. Sarutobi is a master of all five nature transformations—and Orochimaru is the only one among them who has fully grasped those teachings."
"Though born a commoner, Orochimaru is a true genius. Hiruzen's favorite student is none other than him."
"That's why he is the most promising candidate to become the next Hokage."
"If you want revenge, then you must approach Orochimaru. Become his disciple. Gain his trust. Learn everything you can—and pass that information to me."
"Only then will you have the means to confront Sarutobi Hiruzen and avenge your father, Uchiha Kagami."
"If you succeed, the Uchiha clan will fully support you in becoming Hokage. By then, Fugaku will be clan head, and you'll be Hokage. Supporting each other, you two will lead the Uchiha into a new era. That's what I want from you."
Uchiha Tatsumi narrowed his eyes, face flushed, seemingly moved.
But inwardly, he was reeling.
A spy?
Is he asking me to follow the same path as Uchiha Itachi?
Tatsumi found the situation troublesome.
He just wanted to collect Ninja Points, grow stronger, and prepare for what's to come.
But reality was forcing his hand. A genius attracts attention. And Uchiha Tatsumi, now recognized as one, was also the son of Uchiha Kagami—once a loyal and powerful shinobi under Tobirama.
Naturally, the major factions were beginning to stir: the Hokage faction, the Uchiha, perhaps even the Root.
He would have to choose a side soon.
Some of Yama's words rang true. Others were clearly manipulations. Supporting him for Hokage? That was the biggest joke. If he were truly that promising, Yama would've positioned his own son, Fugaku, instead.
No, once Tatsumi had outlived his usefulness, he would be discarded.
Still, Uchiha Yama was no fool. As a veteran of the Warring States Era, his insight into village politics was sharper than most.
And in truth, Orochimaru was the most qualified of Hiruzen's students—at least at the time.
But the world is unpredictable.
Despite his genius and his master's favor, Orochimaru's ambition and moral detachment cost him the title. When Namikaze Minato unexpectedly rose to prominence, Orochimaru's chances disappeared.
And the most ironic twist? Jiraiya—the so-called idiot Yama dismissed—would later become the most revered of the three. Hiruzen even offered him the Hokage position, which he declined.
Orochimaru defected. Jiraiya declined. And the one called foolish became a legend. Tsunade, the woman dismissed as a "prostitute" by Yama, ultimately became the Fifth Hokage.
The world is never what it seems.
Among the three, Orochimaru was the one Tatsumi wanted to avoid the most.
It wasn't just his cold, twisted personality—he was also dangerous.
While Orochimaru wasn't interested in the Sharingan yet, the moment he learned of its potential, he would be. Tatsumi knew that much.
Orochimaru was brilliant, knowledgeable, and innovative—but not trustworthy.
Tatsumi let out a troubled sigh.
"What's wrong? Do you have a problem?" Uchiha Yama asked, narrowing his eyes.
"Actually, Tsunade-sama approached me today. She asked me to choose her as my instructor. Should I reject her tomorrow, Patriarch?" Tatsumi asked with a troubled expression.
Uchiha Yama paused.
"Tsunade?"
He tapped his fingers on the table. The atmosphere turned tense.
"So even the Senju princess has her eye on the Uchiha clan's rising star…" Yama smiled gently.
But Tatsumi felt a chill.
Yama's kindness was calculated. "Don't reject Tsunade. Maintain a good relationship with her—and with her brother, Nawaki."
"When you graduate, I'll make arrangements for Orochimaru to take you under his wing."
"Tonight's conversation never happened. The Uchiha clan will always support you. Don't let me down, child." Yama patted Tatsumi's shoulder.
"Go collect some scrolls from the clan vault. We are not the academy—we are far better."
"And spend more time with my son, Fugaku. You two should be close friends." Yama laughed, waving Tatsumi off.
Tatsumi walked out slowly, his face unreadable.
A moment later, a shadowy figure appeared in the room, kneeling before Yama—it was Uchiha Han, the deputy captain.
"What's your assessment?" Yama asked.
"Tatsumi doesn't trust us."
"As he shouldn't. I only told half-truths. We pushed him away for years, exiled him to the outskirts. It's natural he's wary. But I didn't expect him to grow so strong in such conditions. Kagami's blood runs deep."
"Then… why support him now? Should we not dispose of him quietly? After all, Kagami's death is… tied to us."
"Why now?" Yama said softly. "Because the Uchiha may seem powerful now, managing Konoha's Police Force, but in truth—we're watchdogs in gilded cages."
"We lack intelligence from within Konoha's leadership. I need a bridge. A spy. The son of Uchiha Kagami fits the role perfectly. Hiruzen will trust him—because of Kagami's legacy."
"So we don't kill him. Not yet. I've found Uchiha Tatsumi's weakness."
"All we need to do is plant a seed of doubt. Let him believe that Sarutobi Hiruzen may have been involved in his father's death."
"That seed will become bias. Bias becomes mistrust. Mistrust becomes resentment. With the right manipulation, that's all we need."
"You know what to do."
"Yes. I understand." Uchiha Han disappeared into the night.
Uchiha Yama sat alone, eyes closed.
There was one thing he hadn't revealed.
In time, Orochimaru would become a rival to his son Fugaku on the road to the Hokage's seat. By placing Tatsumi at Orochimaru's side, he had planted a thorn. If any scandal or weakness were discovered, it could be used to sabotage Orochimaru's ambitions.
---
"Kagami… you're still helping me, even in death. I'll take good care of your son. Hahaha..." Uchiha Yama's soft laughter echoed through the quiet room.