Orochimaru’s Magic Lamp

"Also, take over the intelligence network that Root has built."

The expressions of the three advisors remained calm, but with that single command, Danzo lost his most important weapon—aside from sheer force.

"The two elders, Koharu and Homura, will be in charge of this matter," the Third Hokage added.

Despite being granted significant power, the two named elder advisors didn't look pleased. They understood that overseeing Root's intelligence division would inevitably bring them into direct conflict with Danzo, even with the Hokage's backing.

This wasn't a reward—it was a responsibility, a political maneuver. The Third was using them as a counterweight to Danzo. A difficult and dangerous position to be in.

Still, there was an upside. With the shinobi world momentarily at peace, they now had the time to reorganize the intelligence network before the next major war broke out.

The clan leaders present exchanged glances and nodded slightly. They were relieved that the Third Hokage wasn't being overly greedy by absorbing Root entirely into his own power structure.

Konoha might be a military village with centralized command, but it had no room for autocracy. Not even the Hokage could rule without checks.

While they weren't ready to challenge the Third openly, they also knew that if he went too far, Orochimaru and Jiraiya's uncertain loyalties could be a wild card.

Luckily, the Hokage had always emphasized balance, and this decision was no different.

Still, his words held deeper meaning—though Root's methods of cultivating spies would be halted moving forward, the existing assets embedded in the field would remain untouched.

These people were deeply entrenched in the village's structure. They held countless secrets. Disbanding them carelessly could be catastrophic.

When choosing between the village's safety and the safety of those operatives, the choice was clear.

But such choices came with consequences.

"What if Kabuto's background comes to light?" Homura asked quietly, looking toward Shikaku Nara with concern. "Some of the operatives might not react well to this decision—they could grow resentful."

"The only ones aware of the truth are those present here—excluding Danzo," Koharu said with a shake of her head. "If no one speaks, how would anyone else know?"

Even they had only learned the details through Orochimaru, who had witnessed them firsthand. Aside from Kabuto and Orochimaru, no one else knew.

"Can we really trust a defector?" Koharu added. "Even if Kabuto does talk, we can always claim he's just trying to smear the village."

Shikaku frowned. Kabuto alone couldn't sway public opinion against Konoha—but beyond facts and influence, there was human nature.

Handled poorly, this could blow up in the village's face.

Before he could speak, Orochimaru interjected with a thin smile.

"Don't worry. Kabuto won't speak."

"Oh? And how can you be so sure?" Koharu asked, clearly skeptical. "Is he still afraid of you?"

"Not afraid," Orochimaru replied slowly. "But he knows me well. He knows I don't care about reputation. I hate Danzo—and Root even more."

The clan heads around the table were quietly taken aback. Orochimaru's bluntness was startling.

Then again, Root had rotted from the inside.

"This isn't about rebellion or politics," Orochimaru continued. "If Kabuto truly wanted to harm Konoha, he'd be picking a fight with me."

"And if he does that, I'll be forced to kill him."

"He didn't go after the village. He only targeted Root's operatives and spared the others. That's his message."

Uchiha Fugaku's eyes narrowed in thought. He remembered how Shinsuke had pleaded with him to help Kabuto if given the chance. At the time, it hadn't made sense—but now he understood.

Kabuto must've shown mercy during their previous encounter.

Still, once he returned, he'd have to warn Shinsuke. Kabuto was still a rogue ninja—getting involved with him was dangerous.

"Well, that resolves the biggest concern," Koharu admitted, slightly appeased by Orochimaru's explanation. But Orochimaru's voice darkened again.

"Still, it's best to deal with this quickly. The ninja world doesn't revolve around Konoha alone."

Danzo and Root's reputation extended far beyond their borders. Root had committed many unsavory deeds—and now, with Danzo nearly killed by a rogue ninja, people were bound to talk.

And if foreign villages couldn't uncover the truth… they could easily make one up.

Though the current era was calm, the moment swords were sheathed, words became weapons.

If rumors could shake Konoha, why wouldn't they be used?

"Especially in this dull, entertainment-starved world," Orochimaru mused. "Even Jiraiya's trashy novels are wildly popular. Now imagine the scandal of 'Rogue Shinobi Destroys Half of Root'—you think people won't talk?"

He chuckled.

"It doesn't need to be elaborate. Just scandalous. 'Why only half of Root?' 'Why attack Root and not somewhere else?' The speculation will be endless."

"Even if their imaginations can't rival today's media age, they still crave gossip."

"If Konoha underestimates public opinion, it'll pay dearly."

"So… we should add fuel to the fire," Orochimaru said, smirking. "Make the rumors so outrageous that even the truth will look like a lie in comparison."

Everyone was silent for a moment, a little disturbed by how easily he twisted perception. His grasp of human nature was unnervingly deep.

The Third Hokage gave a subtle nod.

"Very well. Designate Kabuto Yakushi as an S-rank rogue ninja. Issue a bounty. As for the village..."

He glanced at Orochimaru.

"We won't actively pursue him for now."

"Hehe… I thought you might assign that task to me," Orochimaru said, amused.

"I have other plans for you."

The Third Hokage's voice was calm and commanding.

"For now, you'll serve as acting headmaster of the Ninja Academy."

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