Naruto: Reborn as Orochimaru-Chapter 344

Obito originally had short hair, but at this moment, he used the Transformation Technique to alter his hairstyle.

His once-short hair was now styled into the wild, flowing mane of Uchiha Madara—the infamous "killing mat."

Standing behind the Fourth Mizukage, he remained partially obscured, making it difficult for Kisame to get a clear look at him.

"Uchiha Madara? You've got to be kidding me." Kisame glanced at Orochimaru from the corner of his eye and grinned. "That man should have been dead long ago. As for Orochimaru?"

He chuckled. "Now that's a name I've heard way too many times over the years. Never thought I'd see you here in Kirigakure. What an honor."

"We've been watching you for quite some time, Kisame Hoshigaki." Obito's voice was calm but piercing. "It must be exhausting, carrying out all those dirty missions for your village and your country, isn't it?"

Kisame's grin didn't fade, but his grip on Samehada remained firm. "Exhausting? Maybe. But I fail to see what that has to do with you."

His gaze sharpened. "And what I really can't wrap my head around… is how the Fourth Mizukage, someone I always believed to be a true leader ended up as your puppet."

He sneered. "Amazing. Those glowing eyes of yours… do they really have the power to control the Mizukage? Are you seriously claiming to be Uchiha Madara?"

"It doesn't matter whether he's Uchiha Madara or not." Orochimaru's hoarse voice drifted through the mist, calm yet insidious. "What matters is that from this moment on… you will become one of us."

Kisame tilted his head. "Oh?" His grin widened. "Is that an order? Or a threat?"

Orochimaru merely spread his hands in an exaggerated shrug. "Does it really matter?"

"You're asking me to betray my village."

"Not at all." Orochimaru's lips curled into a faint smile. "But perhaps… I should show you something first. It might help you make up your mind."

As he spoke, Orochimaru pulled out a peculiar-looking device.

A portable 3D projector.

With the mist in the air acting as a natural screen, the projected image became even clearer, more vivid.

"What is this…?"

Even Obito was caught off guard. He knew Orochimaru had access to high-tech equipment, but this was something he had never seen before.

Kisame scoffed. "Hah. Looks like a fancy toy."

"This is no ordinary toy." Orochimaru's smile deepened. "Watch carefully."

Kisame narrowed his eyes, finally taking a closer look.

And then—he recognized it.

The scene playing before him was all too familiar.

It was none other than a recording of Orochimaru aiding Mei in her bid for the Mizukage position… and, more importantly, evidence of the Fuguki secretly selling Kirigakure's classified information to foreign nations.

Orochimaru's voice remained eerily calm. "Your superior, the Fuguki, is a rather ambitious man."

"Ever since the Third Mizukage stepped down, he's coveted the position of Mizukage for himself. But, for various reasons, he was never able to seize the seat."

"And so, following the philosophy of 'if I can't have it, I'll destroy it,' he began selling Kirigakure's secrets to rival nations in exchange for personal gain."

Kisame's expression shifted ever so slightly.

His lips curled downward, his fingers tightening around Samehada's handle.

Even for someone like him, someone accustomed to bloodshed and betrayal, this revelation was… unsettling.

Kisame had spent his life carrying out covert missions, eliminating his own comrades in the name of duty. He had already questioned his purpose countless times.

But this?

Seeing his superior, the very man he had followed betraying their village so blatantly… it left him feeling hollow.

Orochimaru raised an eyebrow at Kisame's reaction. "Oh? You're surprised? Then… let me show you something even more unexpected."

The projection shifted.

A woman appeared on the screen.

She was clad in an elegant blue dress, her presence striking yet composed.

And in that moment, her voice carried through the mist.

A voice filled with genuine gratitude, thanking Orochimaru.

Kisame's eyes widened slightly. "The Fifth Mizukage… Terumi Mei?"

Orochimaru continued, his tone unchanging. "I assume you've figured it out by now, we had a hand in your village's reform."

"So, if you join us… it doesn't mean betraying Kirigakure."

A flicker of hesitation crossed Kisame's face.

"…What exactly does your organization do?" His tone had finally lost its edge.

A group powerful enough to not only count someone like Orochimaru among its members but also influence Kirigakure's internal affairs?

He had to admit—he was curious.

Orochimaru's answer was simple. "We maintain world peace and strive to create a world without war."

Kisame let out a dry chuckle. "World peace? That's quite the noble dream… but this world is built on lies. How do I know what you just showed me is the truth?"

Orochimaru smirked and tucked away the projector. "That's easy."

He didn't try to argue.

Instead, he simply called Mei over that evening to speak with him in person.

From the mountain's peak, Kisame watched the two interact.

And in that moment—he believed.

"Unbelievable." Kisame exhaled slowly. "Your influence… your power… it's almost absurd. Maybe you really can change this world."

"Then let's go."

Obito finally spoke again. His tone was calm, assured. "At the very least, we can promise you this, we don't kill our own.

"Unless, of course… they betray us."

Kisame didn't respond immediately.

Then, after a moment—he and Obito turned, leading the Fourth Mizukage away.

At the foot of the mountain, Orochimaru and Terumi Mei remained, their conversation continuing.

"Fuguki… was he really leaking intel?"

Terumi Mei still found it hard to believe.

The leader of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, the man who stood at the very top of Kirigakure's hierarchy was secretly betraying them?

Orochimaru's reply was cold and factual. "The evidence is conclusive. Send two of your best intelligence operatives to investigate, and you'll find out for yourself."

Then, after a pause, he added—"That said… I'll be taking Samehada."

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Mei stopped in her tracks. "Absolutely not. You've already taken five of our swords. If you take the last one, what are we supposed to use?"

Orochimaru's expression didn't change. "A weapon is merely a tool."

Then, as if making a casual trade, he added—"Fine. I'll have Tsunade return two of them in exchange. Consider it a deal."

Mei stared at him, speechless.

This man had stolen from them… only to negotiate with the stolen goods?

How shameless could he be?!

But what choice did she have?

With Orochimaru's power, he didn't need to bargain at all, he could simply take Samehada and leave.

Yet, he had chosen to negotiate instead. In his own twisted way, he was giving her respect.

After a moment, Mei sighed. "Fine. I want the Nuibari and the Kiba blades."

Orochimaru shrugged. "Deal."

"How do you plan to get Samehada?"

"Don't worry about it."

"Just—please. Don't hurt my people."

Orochimaru chuckled. "I'll do my best."

***

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