NOVEL WEB Chapter 68: CHAPTER 68
c68: Emancipate the Mind
In the original Naruto manga, Orochimaru once abducted villagers and shinobi for human experimentation. But did the Konoha ninjas themselves ever commit such taboo acts in order to force themselves to sever emotional ties with their village? Could it be that Orochimaru, unable to fully let go of Konoha, chose to commit unforgivable deeds in pursuit of his ideal so that not only the village but even he himself would be forced to make a final decision?
If no retreat remains, then there is no more space for hesitation or moral dilemma.
After the Nine-Tails Rebellion, Orochimaru might have anticipated that Danzo Shimura ambitious and cunning would exploit the opportunity and expose his darkest secrets to secure the Hokage seat. Danzo was a master manipulator who operated Root in the shadows, and he had long viewed Orochimaru as both an asset and a threat.
Once Orochimaru's forbidden experiments, such as his research into immortality and the reanimation of the dead (Edo Tensei), were made public, Hiruzen Sarutobi would be left with no choice but to take action. As the Sandaime Hokage, Hiruzen upheld the Will of Fire, and if he were seen as tolerating such transgressions, the fragile unity of the village would collapse.
If Konoha's leadership faltered in addressing such abominations, morale would plummet. Once the trust between the governing elite and the shinobi ranks dissolved, the downfall of the Hidden Leaf would only be a matter of time.
Conveniently, Tsunade and Jiraiya were away from the village at the time, and Minato Namikaze—Fourth Hokage and Konoha's shining hope had perished during the Nine-Tails' attack. Danzo must have believed he had an open path to the Hokage seat. But what he never foresaw was Sarutobi shamelessly re-ascending to power after his so-called retirement, blocking Danzo once again.
Danzo's scheme backfired: not only did he fail to rise as Hokage, but his machinations led to the loss of a top-tier combatant. Orochimaru, one of the Legendary Sannin and the pride of Konoha's lineage, defected. The repercussions were enormous.
It was akin to the defection of a crown prince in a monarchy. If someone with such pedigree and power could turn his back on the village, then what of those less privileged? The implications were damning. Even the staunchest supporters of the system would begin to question: If the inner circle is crumbling, how strong is the village really?
Once such doubts take root, temptation naturally follows.
That Orochimaru now entertained the thought of voluntarily leaving Konoha revealed how deeply he had been wounded by Hiruzen's decisions. His outward calm concealed internal disillusionment and betrayal.
"Sensei, if we really sever ties with Konoha," Gen Uchiha said slowly, "our funding will be even more strained."
"Leaving Konoha also means shaking off its chains," Orochimaru replied, swirling his drink. "Without those moral shackles, some methods previously off-limits become viable… for example, redistributing wealth."
"You mean robbing others to feed ourselves?"
Orochimaru chuckled, a glint in his eye. "Yes. There are too many corrupt elites in this world. They can be sheared like sheep, again and again."
Gen Uchiha laughed heartily. "Ha! A true hero thinks the same way. I had similar plans."
"After all, research equipment isn't cheap. Even if I sold off my assets, it wouldn't cover much. My clan has no open avenues for this sort of thing."
Orochimaru shook his head, amused. "Hero? Our shared ideology is fundamentally anti-ninja and anti-society. If word got out, we'd be labeled traitors to the world order."
Historically, shinobi were weapons paid mercenaries who performed missions under contract. Orochimaru and Gen sought to remove the intermediary, acting as self-propelled forces that took what they needed. In essence, it was a rebellion against the very core of shinobi tradition.
History has shown that all nations punish rebels harshly—never mercifully.
"I don't see us as rebels," Gen countered. "We're the Awakened."
"Awakened?"
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes.
"Yes, sensei. Isn't this world distorted? We hold overwhelming power, and yet we're treated as disposable tools. This system is insane."
Orochimaru was taken aback. He lowered his cup and immediately formed a hand seal, activating his chakra to scan the surroundings for eavesdroppers. Only after confirming their privacy did he exhale slowly.
"Xuan… that kind of thinking is dangerous. If the nobles ever caught wind of it, they'd stop at nothing to eliminate you."
Gen grinned. "Will they find out?"
He continued, voice low and steady, "Sensei, imagine if shinobi were the world's rulers. Would research funding still be a problem?"
Orochimaru gulped. The wine had completely lost its taste. He had once believed that pillaging from the corrupt was audacious enough, but his student's vision was far more radical—and somehow, it made sense.
Why should the wealthy, cowardly nobles hold power?
Would the tragedies of the past—like the Third Great Ninja War or the Uchiha massacre—have occurred if shinobi held true control?
No. The nobles merely bankrolled the ninja villages, watching from afar while shinobi slaughtered each other. Even when a village lost, the nobles suffered little. Their opulent lives continued unbothered.
From the era of the samurai to the era of ninjas, their dominance never waned.
"Enough, Xuan. Let's shelve this for now," Orochimaru said grimly. "We lack the power to change the world. And never, ever speak these thoughts before others."
He drained his glass.
"Don't worry, sensei. I'm not an idiot."
"And for your sake and mine I suggest you don't fully sever ties with Konoha. That would affect me, and Anko too. Please, don't be selfish."
"Hoh… you've grown bold."
"But you're right," Orochimaru said softly. "If you prove yourself capable, perhaps you could inherit the vision I leave behind."
Gen shook his head. "It'd be easier if you stayed. Besides, as your student, I can't just watch your name be dragged through the mud."
"If you really want to pursue immortality, take Tsunade-sama or Jiraiya-sama as examples. They never had to betray the village to study their paths."
"With your strength and prestige, who would dare stop you?"
"This severance from Konoha, it's a foolish overreaction. You're discarding bonds with comrades, disciples, and your hard-earned status."
"You say you're doing it for resolve but is it not simply despair at not being chosen by the Third Hokage? Or both?"
"How childish."
Orochimaru: "…"
He had lived for decades, and never had anyone let alone his apprentice called him naive.
"If I don't cut ties with Konoha, many things become harder," he said.
"So what?" Gen pressed. "You just need to be cautious, discreet, and keep up appearances."
"Is that so hard?"
"If you can't manage it, I'll help for a price."
Low-level provocation, but it worked. Prideful as he was, Orochimaru rose to the bait.
"Heh. I don't need your help. I can prepare poisons beyond the ability of any known antidote. Without using ninjutsu, I can force nobles and corrupt businessmen to act as I wish."
"Can you do that?"
Gen Uchiha replied honestly, "Nope. I'm still stuck using ninjutsu and brute force."
"Exactly. But we are shinobi, and shinobi must liberate their minds. Once you do that, obstacles become puzzles."
Orochimaru: "…"
In other words: abandon shame, embrace pragmatism, and put survival and goals above pride.
If the price of immortality was shamelessness, then so be it.
Hmm… perhaps a face-changing jutsu would help. If I can switch faces, I can act shameless without losing face.
"Enough talk. I'll consider your proposal. Let's drink."
"Alright. I'll send you my equipment list tomorrow. You can help me estimate the cost."
"Fine. For today's performance, I'll give you the real price."
"Charging your own apprentice? Are you even human?"
"You charging your sensei? Are you even human?"
"Hahaha…"
Their laughter echoed through the courtyard, reaching the guest bedroom upstairs.
Anko Mitarashi, disturbed in her sleep, groaned and turned over.
Clink. The glasses collided again.
Tonight, Gen Uchiha did not return home. He stayed in a guest room on the first floor.
---
30+ advanced chapter on patreon....Visit patreon now to read my exclusive content... posting 5 chapters per day, Our collection is now available on PATREON
visit patreon.com/Elbertovic to view 30+ advanced chapters
Please subscribe guys