Chapter 85: Invisible but Substantial
Looking at the aristocratic families nervously discussing in front of him, Orochimaru touched his beardless chin, sensing the true source of the strange feeling that lingered in the air.
He still couldn't believe that Aizen Sosuke was dead.
It wasn't because of Aizen's unfathomable strength or his incomprehensible theories—it was simply because, from the perspective of soul research, Orochimaru could not accept that Aizen Sosuke was gone.
This was a man who had dared to invade the Pure Land, intercept souls from the afterlife, and alter the very nature of chakra itself. A true genius—one who had transcended the boundaries of ordinary existence.
If someone like that could perish merely because his body had died, then Orochimaru felt there was no meaning in pursuing immortality at all.
Just how deeply had Aizen explored the essence of soul and flesh?
Even now, Orochimaru admitted his research still lagged behind Aizen's. In his view, neither lifespan nor death could stop his own pursuit of evolution.
But could someone like Aizen Sosuke die so easily? Orochimaru doubted it.
Coupled with Aizen's cryptic words that night, Orochimaru couldn't discern what his former partner was truly planning.
In terms of influence, Aizen was Konoha's chief advisor—the one whose voice carried the most weight across the village.
And when it came to research, Konoha alone offered the most diverse and complex subjects in existence: countless clans, kekkei genkai, and bloodlines—each providing fertile ground for experimentation.
Given such vast resources, why would Aizen fake his death and vanish? Why create such a commotion through his hidden agents?
No matter how deeply Orochimaru pondered, he couldn't follow the logic of Aizen's mind.
Why do this? Without Aizen as their foundation, the Mutual Aid Society had fallen into chaos.
The clan ninjas had begun to restrain themselves out of fear and uncertainty.
And now, with news of the Impure World Reincarnation spreading without Aizen's presence, what did this imply?
Was this an intentional attempt to inflame tension within the village—forcing a complete rift between the Mutual Aid Society and the clans?
But could a group of civilian ninjas and rebellious young clan members truly oppose the major families of Konoha?
Unless… they possessed something more direct and powerful—
Sharingan?
Orochimaru's thoughts deepened. Slowly, fragments of clues began to weave into a coherent picture.
After Aizen's supposed death, the Mutual Aid Society had been baptized in blood and grief. From that tragedy, many Uchiha awakened new powers.
In truth, the Mutual Aid Society wasn't as helpless as it seemed. The perceptive Uchiha were willing to lead the charge against the great clans, driven by years of resentment and rage. They longed to topple the old order that had suppressed them for generations.
More than that, the Society also included heirs from other families—those with tragic pasts or bitter lives. They offered intelligence, resources, and unwavering loyalty.
And now, whispers claimed Aizen wasn't truly dead, but in hiding.
From a strategic standpoint, both their strength and their motives justified open hostility toward the family faction—even to the point of civil war.
But again, the question persisted—why had Aizen done this?
What drove a man who was always one step ahead of Orochimaru to orchestrate such chaos?
Orochimaru lowered his head, deep in thought, until the voices of the clan elders snapped him back to reality. He blinked and smiled faintly at the anxious faces before him.
"Apologies. I was momentarily distracted—thinking about Advisor Aizen. What were you saying?"
A middle-aged man from the Nara clan sighed wearily, his tone carrying both respect and despair.
"We're all saddened by Advisor Aizen's death... but the real problem now is that those kids in the Mutual Aid group—they've gone completely mad."
He sat cross-legged on the tatami, his tired eyes heavy from sleepless nights.
The Mutual Aid Society had been acting nonstop for three days straight, while the elders of every clan had gathered without rest.
Judging by the young ones' fury, they were ready to storm in and annihilate all the clans.
And the truth was, the clans—though possessing greater power—were losing control. Otherwise, the elders wouldn't have gathered here looking so troubled.
Every family had sons or daughters within the Mutual Aid group. Every household had admirers of Aizen Sosuke.
Were they expected to kill their own blood? Their own children?
If they did that… would they still be able to call themselves a family?
Everyone had called Orochimaru as a last resort. The most pressing matter now was to determine whether Aizen was truly dead—or alive somewhere beyond their understanding.
The failure of the Impure World Reincarnation practically confirmed that Aizen existed in some special state. Yet what that state was, none of them knew. Thus, they sought out Orochimaru—the foremost authority in soul research—to investigate and, hopefully, find an answer.
Still, none of them held much hope. Aside from the Nidaime's Impure World Reincarnation and Kato Dan's Spiritual Transformation Technique, knowledge about souls was sparse. The only remaining fragments were found in Uzushio's sealing texts—strange, obscure passages that even the Uzumaki could barely interpret.
Their true aim was not to solve the mystery entirely, but to draw Orochimaru—the cunning member of the Legendary Sannin—into their ranks. Beyond that, they had no real plan. Orochimaru, aware of this manipulation, remained quiet about his own theories.
As a seasoned collaborator, he knew well: when a partner begins their own scheme, it is best not to interrupt. Otherwise, miscommunication can lead to irrational outcomes—and needless bloodshed.
And in this case, Orochimaru was certain: if conflict ever arose between him and Aizen, it would not be Aizen who suffered.
Meeting the anxious eyes of the clan heads, Orochimaru offered a few measured words—vague, harmless remarks meant to soothe their fears.
The elders understood well that their old ways of thinking might no longer suffice, yet no better options remained. They could only sit there, silent and uneasy, their faces dark with exhaustion.
Moments later, Orochimaru's slit-like pupils narrowed. His tongue instinctively drew back, and he quietly stepped behind a pillar.
A heartbeat later, a cold voice came from beyond the sliding doors.
"Wind Style: Great Breakthrough."
Boom!
In an instant, the room was torn apart by a violent gust. Tatami mats scattered, scrolls and teacups flew through the air, and the fine dishes laid on the table shattered against the walls.
The elders barely had time to raise a hand before a wall of mist and rain swept in. Red eyes gleamed within the haze—dozens of them, spinning with merciless indifference.
The clan heads froze where they sat—not out of fear, but because their bodies no longer obeyed them. The Sharingan's gaze had paralyzed them in a single instant.
A few veterans managed to resist through hidden techniques or sheer willpower, but against ten sets of Sharingan, even they stood no chance. Their hands trembled over weapon pouches as they shouted weakly:
"What are you doing?! Have you lost your minds?!"
"As members of Uchiha, do you not understand the importance of unity?!"
"...This is the third breakthrough team," a calm voice interrupted.
A man stepped into the ruined chamber, wearing a white haori with a sword at his waist. His red eyes scanned the room of trembling elders without emotion.
"Team One has secured the perimeter. Team Two completed genjutsu replacement. Team Three has now reached the main hall," he reported evenly. "The family members under control include the Yamanaka, Ino, Inuzuka, Nara, and Aburame. Their link to Aizen-sama's assassination remains unverified."
"…"
From the corners of the room, the shadows themselves began to shift—alive, whispering messages that made the air grow heavy.
The Uchiha commander's eyes glowed brighter as he listened, nodding silently in response to the dark whispers. When the message ended, he finally turned his gaze toward Orochimaru, who had stepped out from behind the pillar.
"Lord Orochimaru," he said coolly, "are you planning to stop us?"
The serpentine Sannin regarded the young Uchiha with faint amusement.
"Lord Jiraiya has already been subdued by Captain Minato Namikaze for his own reasons," the commander continued. "If you intend to interfere, we will respond accordingly."
Orochimaru chuckled softly.
"Interfere? No, no. I have no objection to your… determination. I even admire it." He tilted his head, smiling faintly. "But isn't this a bit hasty? Perhaps you should look at the problem from a more cautious perspective."
He ran a hand across his chin, his eyes gleaming with curiosity.
Is the mutiny finally beginning?
With that thought, Orochimaru's smile widened.
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