Chapter 109:
Orochimaru and Tsunade searched the ruins of the Uzumaki clan's village for days, hoping to find survivors. But in the end, their efforts yielded nothing.
The attack had been carefully planned, executed with precision. The chance of anyone escaping was slim, and it would be nearly impossible to find survivors in the wreckage left behind. Anyone who had managed to flee would be long gone by now, hidden away or captured by those responsible.
As they left the Land of Whirlpools empty-handed, Orochimaru found himself reflecting on the path his future self would take. In the original timeline, Orochimaru was known for taking in orphans and displaced people, giving them shelter and purpose in his Otogakure. To them, Orochimaru had been a savior, even if his ultimate aim was to experiment on their bloodlines and abilities. To these lost souls, he had been a lifeline in a world of chaos, which explained their fierce loyalty, even at the cost of their lives.
Orochimaru shook his head, dispelling those thoughts as they returned to Konoha. The trip had been a failure, and it left a bitter taste.
Back in Konoha, the news from the Land of Whirlpools weighed heavily on the Third Hokage. The situation was far worse than anyone had expected. Under the leadership of the First Hokage, no one would have dared to strike against Konoha's allies. Even during the reign of the Second Hokage, only Kumogakure had tried anything—and they had been repelled swiftly. But now, with Sarutobi Hiruzen in charge, the Uzumaki clan, one of Konoha's staunchest allies, had been wiped out.
It was a blow not just to Konoha's pride, but to Hiruzen's own standing as Hokage.
"Hiruzen, it's time the other villages learned that Konoha is not to be trifled with!" Danzo declared during a tense meeting in the Hokage's office. His expression was hard, his voice filled with urgency.
The meeting room was packed with the leaders of Konoha's most prominent clans and influential figures. In a time like this, the village was divided into two clear factions: the hawks and the doves. Danzo, as always, represented the hawks, those who believed in a show of strength, an aggressive stance to remind their enemies of Konoha's might. Hiruzen, on the other hand, led the doves—those who favored peace, diplomacy, and restraint.
"The destruction of the Uzumaki clan and their village isn't just a tragedy. It's a direct challenge to Konoha's authority," Danzo continued. "If we don't take action, if we let this slide, it will send a message to the other villages that Konoha can be pushed around."