(Thank you to ScarredPunLover and MetalDragon for their help brainstorming and editing.)
"Lord Hiashi and Lord Fugaku to see you, Lord Hokage," murmured the fox-masked Anbu, kneeling by the door to Orochimaru's new office.
"Send them in," the new Hokage briskly directed from behind a desk utterly swamped in paperwork.
Every last page of which would have you believe that it is of the utmost importance to the leadership transition, Orochimaru thought with an inner sneer. I bet those two fossils are behind this. If they think they can paralyze the first days of my administration with red tape, then they've got another thing coming.
As the Anbu slipped from sight, Orochimaru rose from his chair and, with a twitch of his finger, accelerated into motion.
While the Body Flicker Technique was common to all but the poorest of nin, few bothered to experiment with the jutsu. The great majority were content with its most basic application, the easily executed chakra-enhanced sprint along a straight line within the user's line of sight. Blindingly fast in its execution, this movement essentially transported a shinobi to a point of their choice within their line of sight, with the faint blur of their motion at the point of origin disguised by the dropping of a smoke bomb or a similar tool.
But for anyshinobiwith halfway decent control over their chakra and body, Orochimaru noted, seizing handfuls of loose documents and scrolls and hastily shoving them into drawers or into neatly stacked piles atop surfaces other than his own desk, should be able to do far more with theBody Flickerthan just hurl themselves in a straight line at breakneck speeds.
That said, Orochimaru almost sighed, feeling the ever more pressing demands upon his time weighing down his mind, jutsuis all well and good, but what I really need are a few reliable aides to sift through this mess and tell me which pieces actuallyareimportant. Readiness reports, for example, would be my choice for light reading...
By the time that the door opened again and the masked Anbu ushered the two clanheads into the Hokage's Office, the newly minted Yondaime Hokage was seated again behind his conspicuously clear desk. His hands neatly folded as he waited for his two guests to take their seats on a pair of waiting chairs hastily unpacked from a discreet closet, and not so much as a hair out of place.
"Lord Fugaku, Lord Hiashi," said Orochimaru, greeting the clanheads with a smile, "thank you for making time to share a private word with me. These are busy times for us all."
"When the Hokage calls, only a fool wouldn't answer," Uchiha Fugaku replied with a shrug, although he looked, to Orochimaru's private gratification, surprised by the decidedly casual greeting, and by the implication that he was doing the Hokage a favor with his attendance. "Congratulations on your ascension, by the way."
"Thank you," the Sannin graciously replied, taking the addition after the momentary pause in the spirit the Uchiha clanhead doubtless intended.
As a token of submission from the dark horse contender to the leadership of Konoha.
If it hadn't been for the general antipathy for the Uchiha Clan held by certain segments of Konoha, I would likely even now be accepting my first mission from Fugaku, the first Uchiha Hokage.
It is almost a shame, Orochimaru ruminated, that a man with such potential would be held back for no reason more than old suspicions hardened into prejudice.
None of which,the Hokage knew, reflects any information of use about Fugaku himself. There would have been much to recommend him for the office I now fill. His war record was almost as strong as my own and his role as the head of the Uchiha would have guaranteed a firm base of support.
Doubtlessly none of this is lost on the man either.
"My lords," Orochimaru said aloud, sweeping his gaze from Fugaku's stoic grimace to Hiashi's equally immobile blank mask of a face, "I have a great deal in mind for Konoha, and much that I would like to discuss with you both in regards to how we three might collaborate to guarantee our beloved Leaf's continued spread under the sun.
"However, before we can start planning for the future, we must handle the residue of the past."
At a gesture from the Hokage, an Anbu snapped into view, Body Flickering in from a doorway cunningly concealed in the wall of the office.
Considering how Fugaku'sSharinganis most certainly capable of tracking even objects moving faster than the unaided eye can process, and how Hiashi'sByakugancertainly informed him of the woman crouching behind a sliding panel, I really don't know why you bothered. Orochimaru directed the thought at the frog-masked Anbu as he accepted the cedar box the woman carried. Truly, if the effect of the concealment is lost, just use the door.
But such things had long calcified into the bones of the secretive subculture of serving Anbu. By this point, it would far too troublesome to reshape the institutions of the Hokage's secret service; after all, under the anonymizing masks, clan shinobi remained, with all of the stubborn attachment to tradition that implied.
Besides, it wasn't like Orochimaru was insensate to the effect of the surprise entrance. Perhaps even above the notably dramatic ranks of his fellow jonin, the Hokage could appreciate applying a good dramatic flair to Konohagakure's service.
What irked his professional pride as a shinobi was seeing such theatrics wasted on the wrong audience.
For maximal effect, you must tailor your approach specific to the foes you intend to face and the battle you intend to wage. If you don't so tailor your efforts, you're just wasting yours and everybody else's time. That earned a disapproving shake of the Hokage's head. Dramatics were all well and good, but waste was abhorrent and a lack of professionalism unforgivable. Sadly, I suspect that the Anbu will be far too busy in the near future for me to assign them remedial training regarding both presentation and economization of their efforts.
Some other time, then.
Pushing those errant thoughts from his mind, the Snake Sannin turned his focus back to the present and regarded his guests.
"Lord Hiashi," Orochimaru began "of late, you have suffered a grievous wrong at the hands of a guest of Konoha.
"While neither the village nor its leader harmed you directly, nor intended harm to come to you, the crimes of a guest are the responsibility of the host.
"Fortunately," Orochimaru smirked, pushing the polished wooden box across the desk and almost into Hiashi's lap, the Hyuuga clanhead deigning to reach out to take the thing before it thudded down into his lap, "your prompt, skillful, and, above all, decisive action neatly handled the practical end of that responsibility. But, as the wronged party, I felt it only right that you see the reply that Konohagakure shall send to our erstwhile guests in Kumogakure."
Hiashi did a good job of maintaining his mask of composure, but Orochimaru could tell the clanhead was eyeing the box warily. Given his predecessor, Orochimaru could hardly blame the man for expecting some sort of infuriating reversal in the name of appeasing peace.
You would think that my reputation would speak for itself, the Hokage thought, just a touch grumpily. Hopefully, this little exercise should serve as a useful reminder.
"Go ahead," he said, gesturing at the pale-eyed man, who was hefting the box experimentally, a slight furrow across his brow, "open it. Feast your eyes."
Doing as he was bid, Hiashi flipped the delicate latch open and lifted the engraved lid up to release a cloud of camphor and cedar. Beneath those arboreal scents, though, under the rich saps, another scent, instantly identified by all three in attendance, killers and war veterans all, wriggled through the nostrils.
After a moment, and without any change in his expression that Orochimaru could detect, Hiashi closed the box again, and carefully redid the latch.
"This," the Hyuuga clanhead stated, hefting the box again as he met Orochimaru's eyes, "will certainly send a message. One that cannot be misunderstood."
He did not sound the least bit displeased. Indeed, under the careful courtly tones, Orochimaru imagined he heard a distinctly inelegant note of brutal satisfaction.
"I concur," nodded Fugaku, whose grim smile made his own thoughts on the matter quite clear. "The paper in his mouth – I assume that is a copy of the treaty he was to sign?"
"Kumo's copy, to be precise," agreed Orochimaru. "Complete with Yoshitoki's own signature below their seal. It is, after all, their copy, and," Orochimaru's teeth flashed in a grin, "as Yoshitoki himself learned, we here in Konoha are quite keen that ownership be respected, are we not?"
"While I certainly approve of the intent of this gesture," Fugaku said after a moment of respectful silence, "this will, Lord Fourth, guarantee a resumption of hostilities. In your estimation, is the village prepared for another year of war, if not longer?"
An excellent question from Fugaku; it is never wise to pick a fight you are not certain you can win. Nevertheless…
"It is indeed true that Konoha can ill afford to prosecute this costly war much longer," acknowledged Orochimaru, his statement punctuated with a solemn nod. It had indeed been a bloody struggle, and though most of that blood had been shed by Konoha's enemies, the deployment of Academy graduates to the front lines spoke volumes about the cost Konoha had paid for its victories. "Regrettably, Lord Fugaku, recent events have proven that promises of peace could cost us just as dearly. War, for all its brutality, is brutal in its simple honesty. There are enemies, who must be killed, and comrades, who must be supported. There are missions to be accomplished and targets to be killed. Politics reduced by the stroke of the sword to the most fundamental level.
"Peace without victory, though…"
That was what we had after the Second War, Orochimaru grimly knew.All we did, all we lost… Facing down Hanzo, turning Suna's sands red… The cream of a generation skimmed away, and all for a return to status quo, and another war only five years later. But now, with Suna on side and our western flank secured…
"The fog descends, then, over that confusion," Orochimaru continued, "or perhaps just the Cloud and the Mist. Without victory, there can be no peace, for how can there ever be peace with men who would smile even as they attempt to steal your children from their cradles?"
Hiashi shifted almost imperceptibly at that. His eyes tensing, hands twitching, lips curling, but only for a fraction of a second before his mask of composure slammed back down. If Orochimaru was a ninja of any less skill and experience, if he had any less of a keen eye for detail, if he wasn't specifically looking for it, he might have missed it.
But I didn't. Orochimaru very carefully didn't smirk.
"In the end, I can only conclude that, regrettably, Konoha must shoulder the burden of war," Orochimaru replied, meeting the Uchiha's gaze squarely. "Lord Fugaku, you and I have both spent much time on the frontlines in the north and the east, as has Lord Hiashi," he added, nodding in the Hyuuga's direction.
"I will not waste our time with empty assurances. Yes, the war will continue, and the losses inflicted and sustained will continue to accrue. Yes, I am confident that we can continue to hold the lines as they currently stand. If Iwa actually decides to honor the peace they signed, unlike Kumo, and opts to take the next several years to lick their wounds, we can leave control over that entire front to our allies from Suna, freeing ourselves to focus on our enemies to the east.
"But," the Yondaime Hokage raised a finger, "I am not confident that this war will be over in a year, or even necessarily in three years. Peace would buy a temporary end to our war, but as Kumo so handily proved, diplomacy itself can be a weapon just as dangerous as any jutsu. True peace requires either the complete exhaustion of the fighting potential of one of the belligerents, or for trust between lifelong enemies to blossom.
"Given the origins of this village," Orochimaru sent a pointed look Fugaku's way. "I won't say it is impossible, but given recent events… I won't hold my breath. And these days, the village can ill afford for me to take foolish chances out of whimsy and blind optimism.
"Make no mistake, my lords; we can either prepare to fight this war for as long as it takes to triumph, or we can expose our throats and pray for the mercy of our enemies. There is no other option besides victory or death."
Hiashi gave a curt nod to that pronouncement, and in those pale eyes set in the blankness of that finely-carved face, Orochimaru detected a vindictive eagerness. 'Good,' those milky Hyuuga eyes declared, 'let them come close, so I might kill them all myself.'
That's one of the two major clans on board, Orochimaru thought, satisfied. So long as Hizashi doesn't convince him, in Teacher's finest traditions, to set his vengeance aside in the name of reconciliation with Kumo, I can rely on the Hyuuga to be my staunchest supporters on the Eastern Front.
"Strong words," Fugaku acknowledged, "but aside from setting our shoulders and clenching our teeth, what else would you have Konoha do, to continue shouldering this heavy burden?"
Another practical question, Orochimaru noted, turning a considering eye back on the Uchiha. A practical question from a practical man… And yet, while Fugaku lacks the vengefulness of Hiashi, he has every measure the same pride.
"Lord Fugaku," Orochimaru began, his tone detached, almost uncaring. As if the topic of discussion was something as mundane as a request from the Uchiha-controlled Military Police for an expansion on their annual budget. "You and your clan have rendered impressive service to Konohagakure on the front lines, from Stone to whatever is left of Whirlpool. Tell me, why are none of your clan in command of any sector across any of the fronts?"
The question was hypothetical, but Orochimaru still paused, injecting a moment of silence into the exchange as if he was waiting for the clanhead to reply.
When no reply was forthcoming from the grim-faced man, the Hokage answered his own question. "The fault lies with the foolish internal divisions that have unacceptably weakened Konoha in the face of her enemies. Suspicion and jealousy erode the bonds of comradery and grant our enemies breathing room as we maneuver against one another.
"This is particularly the case when it comes to the public attitudes against your clan, Lord Fugaku. Old quarrels dating back to a time before any of us were born have been kept alive by those who stand to profit from the minimization of the Uchiha from Konoha's administration. I believe we both know of whom I speak."
"I would not name names without evidence of slander," Fugaku tersely replied, even as his head dipped in a small, almost imperceptible nod. "Bitter words are only wind, so long as action is not taken."
Interesting that Fugaku is even now restraining his tongue. Either he suspects that I am trying to bait him into exposing some scheme of his, perhaps as an excuse to turn on the Uchiha myself, or he suspects that the security of the Hokage's Office itself is insufficient to keep word of his antipathy from Danzo's ears.
"As expected of the Chief of Konoha's Military Police, you do not act without evidence," said Orochimaru, a bland smile on his face. "It is good that you are temperate enough to restrain yourself in the face of all the slights against your family, your kin, and yourself.
"As for myself," the Hokage continued, "I have a responsibility to safeguard the well-being and honor of all Konoha, so that the village might prosper with the contributions of all who bear the Leaf. So, Lord Fugaku, hear this: I will not allow assaults against the Uchiha within Konohagakure. So long as Lord Madara's house continues to loyally serve the village that he founded alongside Lord Hashirama, the village's gates will always be open to you and your kin.
"Do you understand what I am saying?"
Do you understand that I am preparing to tear out Danzo's entire powerbase, root and stem? Do you understand, by that same token, that I will not permit any shadow governments within the walls ofmyvillage, be they Uchiha or Shimura?
By the appraising look in Fugaku's eyes, Orochimaru decided that yes, he rather did understand the message his Hokage was conveying.
"I hear, Lord," the master of the Uchiha formally replied. "I swear that my clan shall continue to honor our ancestor's commitment. We shall repay true service with true service, and shall pay blood for treachery in accordance with the traditions."
"I have heard your vow," acknowledged the Yondaime Hokage, "and you have heard mine, but words are cheap. I shall," Orochimaru continued, turning his head to encompass the silent Hiashi in his address, "make a further commitment. Should Iwa return to the shelter of the Rock to burn their dead and honor the peace, I shall take steps to restore rationality and normalcy to our wartime effort.
"New commands in the war against Kumo and the struggle to keep Kiri raiders far from our homes will require new officers, and I will carefully consider any recommendations you, or your fellow clanheads, have to make regarding jonin or tokujo worthy of the responsibility of command.
"More importantly," Orochimaru's eyes swiveled to boldly meet Fugaku's black eyes once more, "as soon as we can confirm that peace with Iwa is holding, I shall order the reassignment of all shinobi and kunoichi under the age of twelve back to the interior of Konoha, away from the Front. They shall be given time to recover from wartime activity and to retrain their skills to restore foundational basics before taking over contracts within the Lands of Fire, River, and Wind."
Yes, Fugaku, thought Orochimaru, holding the man's gaze, that means that your precious genius son will be pulled away from the frontlines before a premature death in the cold mud finds your heir. He will be returning to the village alongside every other underaged soldier in our ranks, so no shame or accusation of cowardice will tar Itachi's name as a consequence.
"That is a wise decision," said Hiashi, to Orochimaru's hidden surprise. He hadn't expected the other clanhead to voice an opinion on the matter. "Just months ago, I would have said otherwise, but between the Yellow Flash's victory over Iwa, and…"
And… what?
There was an uncharacteristic hesitation in the noble's tone, a crack in that always-impeccable mask.
Through the facade of the Head of the Hyuuga Clan, the man Hiashi peered out.
"...And becoming a father myself," continued the Hyuuga clanhead a moment later, with just a touch of embarrassment in his voice, "I find my estimation of the war to have shifted slightly. We should take this chance, no matter how temporary, to refresh our strength. And children should have a chance to grow into their potential before Konoha demands their sacrifice."
How unexpectedly sympathetic on Hiashi's part, reflected Orochimaru, and how convenient that he discovers a heart now, when it could be his daughter or his nephew on the chopping block.
But who am I to chide anybody for using the power of my office to advance my personal projects? And on that note, and on the note of Hiashi's new daughter and nephew…
"Lord Hiashi…"
Pausing, Orochimaru licked his lips, contemplating how to raise this topic. A great deal hung upon it, both in terms of the village's stability and a fascinating line of research.
This calls for a gentle touch.
"Lord Hiashi," the Hokage began again, "I have no siblings myself, but I consider my old teammate, the Toad Sage Jiraiya, as something like a brother."
Gets in my way, constantly picking fights, getting drunk at the least opportune times… By all accounts, very brotherly activities.
"I have great respect for the man," Orochimaru went on, "and though our values and choices differ greatly, I trust that he works always towards the greater good of Konohagakure."
Ah, you understand what I am angling at, Orochimaru crooned to himself, noting the tiny furrow between Hiashi's pupiless eyes. Come now, Hiashi, do you think that a stoic expression is sufficient to keep this snake from your secrets? I have one of your clan as mygenin; I would be a poor teacher if I was incapable of deciphering his Hyuuga blankness to find the yolk within the egg.
"That is an admirable expression of faith in Lord Jiraiya," replied the Hyuuga woodenly. "I fail to see its relevance to your decision to withdraw Konoha's youth from the battle lines."
"Quite so," agreed Orochimaru, noting how Fugaku was paying close attention to the conversation, his watchman's face closed around keen eyes. "Please, pardon my non sequitur. I was simply contemplating how you are not the only new father in your clan… How is your twin, Hizashi? He just had a son himself, only a year or so ago, didn't he?"
I really must hand it to Hyuuga stoicism; he barely winced at all at the mention. But… the thin, serpentine tongue slipped out from between Orochimaru's lips, tasting the air. Tasting fear…? What is Hiashi so worried about, hmm?
The tongue was a gift from Manda, of a sort. The great serpent, always proud, frequently attacked Orochimaru when summoned, demanding that the human reassert his worth as a summoner or otherwise feed Manda's hunger. Orochimaru had once ripped the tongue out from between his summon's teeth, and had implanted it into his own mouth as a test.
Humans are difficult to understand at the best of times. Tasting their emotions simplifies matters.Orochimaru recalled Jiraya. Frustrating, nonsensical, utterly irrational Jiraya. …Sometimes.
"Only eight months ago, Lord Fourth," corrected the Hyuuga clanhead. "The boy is called Neji."
"Neji, hmm?" The Hokage rolled the name around in his mouth, and then, his prey sensed, struck. "You will be branding him, then? In three years time, I mean, when your daughter turns three. That is the Hyuuga tradition, is it not?"
If the Hyuuga had been pale before, he could no longer be described as such. Ghastly, perhaps, would be a better descriptor. Bloodless lips pressed taut into a caricature of his usual stoic frown, and below the dark curves of his eyebrows, Orochimaru read a moment of pain in the clanhead's wide eyes.
To the Hokage's approval, Hiashi's shock only lasted for that brief moment. When he replied, no hint of a tremor or strain touched his voice.
"It is the tradition of the clan," Hiashi confirmed tonelessly. "Some would say that it is the destiny of the Branch Family that they serve the Main Family in such a way; I would say that it is of paramount importance that the Byakugan be protected and preserved within the auspices of the clan."
An interesting distinction between those two… "Some would say," but not, presumably, you, Lord Hiashi? Who then? Your retired father, who stepped down from leadership of the clan only last year? The same man who seared that mark onto your twin brother's forehead?
"Then why not also brand yourself and your offspring with that seal as well?" Orochimaru inquired, leaning forwards slightly in his chair. "Surely the vulnerability of the Main Family must worry the Hyuuga greatly, particularly," he added, nodding at the box still in Hiashi's hands, "in light of recent actions."
"...It is a source of concern," admitted Hiashi, "but the Caged Bird Seal is too great a vulnerability to place upon the Main Family. Whoever places that seal, and whoever they pass control over it to, may at their pleasure inflict pain to coerce obedience upon any so sealed.
"It is a function of the seal; that pain is, in part, the destruction of the cells of the brain and of the eye, and if the seal is activated for long enough, the bearer's Byakugan might be destroyed and the bearer killed. This pain is inflicted upon the soul itself, and thus neither distance nor fortifications are any defense against it. Having any man hold that sort of lever over the Head of the Hyuuga Clan is unacceptable."
And yet it is acceptable that you should hold that sway over your brother and your cousins. Delightful.
"As I said earlier," the Yondaime Hokage said, relaxing back into his chair, "I have an obligation to care for the welfare and honor of all who loyally serve Konohagakure. However," he held up a quelling hand, though neither clanhead had so much as hinted at an interruption, "I am not so great of a fool as to intercede in clan business, especially as I too very much wish that Konoha should preserve its monopoly over its dojutsu in the future."
And yes, Fugaku, that includes you. No need to look quite so suspicious… After all, using Uchiha missing nin as test subjects or potential donors would be far less problematic than kidnapping comrades.
"So," Orochimaru continued, "instead allow me to provide a… suggestion, if you would, that I believe would provide great benefits to both the Hyuuga Clan and all of Konohagakure."
"...I am, of course, always willing to hear what the Hokage might suggest," replied Hiashi, carefully noncommittal. "That said, I will not be compelled into any action regarding management of my clan. We serve Konoha, but we are not slaves to the Leaf."
A telling choice of words, Lord Hiashi. I could close my eyes and still see the guilt and shame worming beneath your skin.
"As I mentioned earlier," Orochimaru remarked, casually nonchalant in the face of Hiashi's total focus, "I trust Jiraiya as a servant of Konoha. I also trust him as a fuuinjutsu master almost without compare, perhaps rivaled only by his student, Namikaze Minato. I propose that one or both spend some time studying your family's seal, if you would consent to it."
"And what," asked Hiashi, voice tense, "would they be in search of, Lord Hokage?"
"I would set them to answer a single, simple question," replied Orochimaru, voice still light. "Would the capacity of the seal to destroy the Byakugan in the event of the bearer's death or the removal of the eye from the bearer's skull be impacted by the disentanglement of the element that allows for the voluntary partial activation of the seal?
"In other words, Lord Hiashi, I would set forth to see if there is any way that we can continue to safeguard the Byakugan without reducing a subset of the shinobi and kunoichi of Konoha, including my genin Nagamasa, to a degree of subservience neither expected nor asked of any of their comrades.
"Why," Orochimaru continued, spreading his arms wide, claiming a vista of opportunities seen only to him, "if the study successfully seperates out and isolates the components of the Caged Bird Seal, such that it could be rebuilt without the vulnerabilities your clan so rightfully dreads, why, the adapted seal could serve the interests of Konoha and her people in a range of applications.
"For example, Lord Fugaku might appreciate a safeguard capable of warding away body thieves who would rob his clansmen, living or dead, of the eyes from their very heads, given an opportunity. But," Orochimaru added, nodding at the Uchiha clanhed, "the study would have to come first, and would have to yield results first. I sincerely doubt any of Lord Madara's blood would approve of any measure that placed his clan under the thumb of another."
Fugaku shifted at that, his hard frown growing harder, but not necessarily disapproving.
Orochimaru kept his gaze on Hiashi, but didn't take his attention off Fugaku, all while giving both a perfectly amiable smile befitting the Hokage. "The findings of the study would, of course, be entrusted to the Hyuuga, Lord Hiashi, to benefit from as your clan would see fit. Now… Would you object to any of this, my lord?"
So, with incentives on the table and mmy reasoning explained… Will you take this opportunity to shift the trajectory of your clan, Lord Hiashi? Are you the sort of man who enjoys having that control over the likes of others, including your brother and, in three years' time, his son? Or are you the sort of man upon whom that power was forced, and who has always felt uneasy wielding it?Orochimaru wondered. Even if Hiashi does object to this whole line of questioning, and even if that questioning produces no answers of note, that insight would still be worth all of this dancing around.
"...I would not object to an examination conducted by Lord Jiraiya or Jonin Namikaze, no…" said Hiashi, his tone dubious but some other emotion barely detectable in his eyes, "I would be… interested in his findings."
"I would be interested as well," interrupted Fugaku, breaking his silence to re-enter the conversation. "If the remote destruction of the eyes truly canbe separated from all of the other aspects of the Hyuuga seal, and," he turned to nod at Hiashi, "with the permission of the Hyuuga Clan given, then yes, Lord Hokage, the Uchiha wouldbe interested in pursuing this line of inquiry further. We would even be willing to commit clan resources to assist research, should that prove necessary."
Unsurprised, Orochimaru favored the Uchiha clanhead with an approving smile. "Splendid, Lord Fugaku. I will ensure that Jiraiya hears of your interest, and of your offer of material support. I will leave the seal master to determine his exact requirements…"
Orochimaru paused, reconsidered, and then added, "...Within reason, of course. If he makes any irregular requests, please don't hesitate to let me know."
"I would never second guess Lord Jiraiya's estimations," Uchiha Fugaku gravely intoned, though amusement flickering unmistakably in his coal-black eyes. "And indeed, I believe that we saw the Sannin on our way up, Lord Hokage."
He's actually on time for our meeting? Orochimaru had to fight to keep his brows from rising in surprise. Shocking. If he's sober as well as timely… He must actually be taking things seriously for once.
…I wonder if I should be concerned?
"Yes, I was expecting him," the Hokage smoothly lied. "Now, my lords, if there is nothing else we must urgently discuss…?"
"I would ask that at least one of the messengers you send to the Kumo border to deliver this be of the Hyuuga," said Hiashi, hefting the box pointedly before placing it back on Orochimaru's desk. "I would hear from my own kin the reaction it elicits."
It's very likely that Kumo will kill whoever ends up delivering that message, noted the Snake Sannin. Risking a Hyuuga, even one with sealedByakuganfrom the Branch Family, really isn't necessary. Still… Who am I to stand between a man and his revenge, especially when there's comparatively little at stake?
"Certainly," Orochimaru agreed. "Name your man and I will ensure he is on the assigned squad."
"Thank you for your time, Lord Hokage," said Fugaku, rising from his seat and followed a moment later by Hiashi. "Once again, congratulations."
After the door closed behind the two noble clanheads, Orochimaru did not permit himself to slump down and relax, or to free himself from the heavy weight pressing down upon his brows. While he didn't know the exact range of Hyuuga Hiashi's Byakugan, that he could see everything within the Academy grounds from his location in the administration block below the Hokage's Office was certain fact.
What must it be like, to see everything surrounding you with perfect clarity and to perceive it in the same manner and speed as a regular human perceives the view afforded by their mundane eyes? Orochimaru wondered to himself, trying to imagine just what that sort of awareness would be like. Interesting that activation of theByakugandoes not appear to inhibit the reaction speeds of the Hyuuga in the slightest, despite the vast increase in information entering the mind through thedojutsu–enhanced eyes. Indeed, it almost seems necessary that it somehow accelerates their mental processing; it must, otherwise their greater perception would not translate into the blisteringly quick reaction speeds observable in the Hyuuga clan style.
Perhaps a component of thejutsuis some sort of mental acceleration to keep the subject abreast of the expanded view?
It was far from the first time that his mind had wandered down this speculative track. Ever since Hyuuga Nagamasa had been entrusted to his tutelage, thereby giving Orochimaru plenty of opportunity to observe the secretive clan's techniques at work in field conditions, the 'Master of a Thousand Jutsu' had marveled at the Byakugan's sheer capacity. It had almost exceeded the Sharingan as far as interesting topics of study went.
Both of which aredojutsu, a subset of thekekkai genkaiand perhaps the subset that most perfectly encapsulates the awe-inspiring nature of Bloodline Techniques. Their effects are beyond replication, their efficiency is off the charts…
"Lord Hokage," said the Anbu with the fox mask, the keeper of his door for the day, blurring back into visibility as he Body Flickered straight into a kneeling crouch before the desk. "Lord Jiraiya is coming up the stairs."
"Send him straight in," directed Orochimaru, wrestling his thoughts regretfully away from considerations of how he could emulate the Byakugan's detection of chakra networks and back onto the day's work. "Just leave the door open, he'll find his own way in."
True enough, Jiraiya was there only a minute or so later, dropping heavily down into the chair Uchiha Fugaku had so recently vacated.
Content to allow his old teammate to start the conversation, Orochimaru remained silent, hands folded on his desk, back ramrod straight.
Waiting until the silence pressed the words out of Jiraiya's bulk.
"...It's a good look for you," the toad summoner said a minute later, conceding the one-sided battle of wills. "The robes, I mean," he added, gesturing vaguely at Orochimaru. "The hat too, I guess. That brim is wide enough that the shadow covers up most of your scaley mug."
"Is that any way to talk to your Hokage?" sniffed Orochimaru, but didn't bother to hide his amusement at his old comrade's irreverence. "That said, the robes are admittedly quite comfortable. The hat, less so."
"Yeah, that figures…" Jiraiya muttered distractedly, absentmindedly raising a hand to his own spiky white hair as if groping for the brim of a hat which, for all that it was insubstantial, was still pressing down on his head. "Look… Orochimaru, are you sure about this? About bringing me in to manage the village's intelligence? I'm decent at running a ring of agents, great at gathering information myself, but…"
"Yes," Orochimaru firmly replied. "I am quite sure. You should have seen how much paperwork was already here waiting for me when I first stepped foot into this office this morning. If I have to suffer in the name of the village, so must you.
"And besides," he added, spreading his hands expansively, "these will be hard times, old friend. Who else has shoulders broad enough to bear the weight of what we must do to survive them?"
The earth may quake, the wind may blow, the water may rise and the cloud may fall, but the fire will burn regardless. No matter how many times I must force the village to shed its skin, we will endure and triumph.
"...Guess I gotta step up, then," Jiraiya sighed, not enthusiastic by any means, but, Orochimaru hoped, at least resolved. "Alright. I'll help you out, Orochimaru. For old times' sake, and for Konoha."
"Good," replied the Hokage. "Good. Your advice and assistance will be very helpful, both for me and for Konoha."
"...So," Jiraiya slapped his knees and forced a grin, trying to dissipate the moment's tension, "Danzo, huh? Getting rid of him's not going to be an overnight project, I know, but…"
The toad sage's grin grew a few extra teeth.
"I've got a few ideas, if you have a few extra minutes… Lord Hokage."