Chapter 106:
Uzushiogakure, the territory of the renowned Uzumaki clan.
This was the birthplace of Uzumaki Kushina, the future mother of Naruto, the protagonist of the original story. The Uzumaki clan was known for their powerful sealing techniques and long lifespans, and their village, Uzushiogakure, was located in the Land of Whirlpools, east of the Land of Fire.
Although the Land of Whirlpools was small, the Uzumaki clan's mastery of sealing techniques was unparalleled, to the point that it could be said the entire ninja world coveted their knowledge. It was precisely for this reason that Uzushiogakure became a target.
Orochimaru's thoughts quickly turned to the cause of Uzushiogakure's destruction. While many might suspect that Konoha had a hand in it, fearing the strength of the Uzumaki clan's sealing techniques, Orochimaru thought otherwise. He believed it wasn't Konoha's doing, but rather the result of the Third Hokage's philosophy his emphasis on peace and non-aggression.
Some might argue that Konoha could have conspired with other nations to destroy Uzushiogakure, afraid that the sealing techniques of the Uzumaki clan could one day threaten their own village. But Orochimaru dismissed this idea as nonsense. Why would Konoha, the closest ally of the Uzumaki, seek to destroy them when they freely shared their techniques with Konoha? Uzumaki Mito, the wife of the First Hokage and the former Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails, was still alive in Konoha. No one in their right mind would dare attack the Uzumaki with such close ties to Konoha.
Furthermore, the Uzumaki clan's sealing techniques, while powerful, were not enough to pose a direct combat threat to Konoha. The Uzumaki were few in number, and no matter how advanced their techniques, they couldn't stand against Konoha's overwhelming military strength.
In the end, Orochimaru concluded that the destruction of Uzushiogakure was not directly Konoha's doing but was ultimately linked to the Third Hokage's leadership. The desire for peace that Hiruzen promoted had made Konoha appear weak in the eyes of other nations, emboldening them to act without fear of retaliation.
The Uzumaki clan's sealing techniques were coveted by many, and as long as the First and Second Hokage were alive, no one dared make a move. However, after the death of the First Hokage, things began to change. The Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, was still powerful enough to keep other nations in check, but after his death, and with Hiruzen's softer stance, the world began to see Konoha as vulnerable. Other nations took the opportunity to target Uzushiogakure, knowing Konoha's focus on peace would prevent an immediate response.
Orochimaru recalled the eventual Konoha-Iwagakure conflict, where Konoha gave up compensation in the name of peace. It was this kind of thinking that allowed enemies to grow bolder, leading to heavier losses for Konoha in the long run. The destruction of Uzushiogakure was just another example of the consequences of this peace-driven policy.