From Itachi's perspective, the Uchiha clan's thinking was: "The Uchiha are a clan whose vision is limited by the concept of family." Their narrow worldview blocked their sight, and their blinded Sharingan, no matter how strong, were merely frogs in a well.
Lin Yu was unaware that Fugaku had gradually abandoned his pursuit of Mikoto and forgotten about him. After escorting Mikoto home, he waited for the Uchiha to come and deliver a sandbag.
However, after waiting for several days without anyone showing up, Lin Yu wondered if the Uchiha had undergone a transformation. Were they so shameless?
Lin Yu didn't know that during these days, Uchiha Fugaku was holding a grand "beauty pageant" within the clan. The primary requirement was talent, followed by beauty. Fugaku naturally favored beautiful women, but talent was even more important!
Uchiha Fugaku was the young clan leader. If one were to be favored by the young leader, wouldn't that be a step to heaven? Thus, the Uchiha clan was in an uproar for days, with everyone pushing their daughters or sisters forward. No one paid any attention to Lin Yu.
Even Uchiha Taichi, the brother of Uchiha Tianyi, was the same. He had his distant cousin, Uchiha Tami, brought over in a palanquin. Although she wasn't particularly attractive, her talent was indeed decent, ranking among the top few, making her quite popular!
Compared to his cousin's happiness, the mere Uzumaki Lin Yu was completely insignificant to Uchiha Taichi. At most, he would find an opportunity to bury him later. However, if his cousin's happiness were to be ruined, it would be a great pity. He was very optimistic about the young clan leader and his cousin.
The bird that sticks its head out gets shot. Lin Yu could only helplessly live a life like a salted fish during these days, occasionally joining Mikoto and the others on missions. He couldn't always find excuses to slip away, or else the gentle Mikoto could be terrifying when angered!
Life was too carefree. He had the adorable Kushina at home and the gentle and considerate Mikoto outside... He seemed to have forgotten about a certain blonde girl and hadn't visited her in a long time.
One day, Lin Yu received a message from Orochimaru asking him to meet, as if he had something to tell him.
In the same dark and damp underground base, Orochimaru was wearing his usual white lab coat, which Lin Yu wondered if it had ever been washed.
Upon seeing Lin Yu arrive, Orochimaru smiled and said, "Long time no see, Lin Yu-kun."
Lin Yu felt a sense of disappointment towards Orochimaru. Why couldn't he just immerse himself in scientific research? Why did he keep wanting to summon him? He had only been apart for a few days, and he was already being called over again.
Lin Yu was in a bad mood. He didn't want to be in this base filled with the smell of medicine. He said impatiently, "What is it? If there's nothing else, I'm leaving. I still have to strive for my life's goal!"
Orochimaru asked with great curiosity, "Lin Yu-kun's life goal? Could you tell me? I'm quite curious."
Orochimaru licked his lips. He was very curious about Lin Yu's life goal. Could it be one of the objectives of the Eternal Life organization?
Eternal life?
Or the pursuit of the ultimate power?
If Lin Yu knew, he would definitely retort: Hey, hey, that's your own life pursuit, don't impose it on me!
Lin Yu felt it necessary to remind Orochimaru that he was a busy man. With a serious look, he said, "My life goal is very grand, summarized in one sentence: Since I've taken all the beautiful girls, you guys will just have to make do with each other!"
Orochimaru was a bit bewildered. Was Uzumaki Lin Yu this superficial?
He didn't believe it!
Could this be a code phrase? Was there a hidden meaning?
It must be. Perhaps it was the secret of the Eternal Life organization, but Lin Yu couldn't say it directly. But why would he tell me?
Orochimaru found himself with a headache, unable to understand Lin Yu's meaning. He could only say, "Lin Yu-kun's goal is truly profound. I hope to see the day when I understand it."
Lin Yu's eyes flashed with brilliance, and he said with an ambiguous tone, "Really? Do you really wish for that day to come... Cough cough, let's get back to the point. What did you want to see me about?"
Although he didn't know what Lin Yu's somewhat excited expression meant, Orochimaru could only assume it was Lin Yu's longing for his life goal. He straightened his demeanor and said teasingly, "I just received notification that the Third Hokage is preparing to remove the ANBU surveillance around the Jinchuriki. As long as she doesn't leave the village, I will be in charge of your and her safety."
"What? Remove the ANBU? Would that old man Sarutobi be so kind? Did Danzo not object?" Lin Yu was somewhat disbelieving and asked several questions in succession.
Orochimaru seemed a little helpless, shrugged his shoulders, and said, "I also received notification. From now on, I will be fully responsible for your affairs. Lin Yu-kun, now we can truly collude together, hahahaha."
"What do you mean 'collude together'!"
Lin Yu was somewhat annoyed. Hiruzen Sarutobi's arrangement had disrupted his plans. If Orochimaru were to defect later, he would inevitably be interrogated. However, it wasn't a major problem. He had already prepared himself when he agreed to be Orochimaru's supervising jonin.
After all, there was an example in the original work—Mizuki Anko.
Even though most of his subordinates were purged when Orochimaru defected, a few who were close to him were kept, and Mizuki Anko was just one of them.
Kabuto Yakushi, a double agent, no, perhaps a triple agent. He had a superior-subordinate relationship with Orochimaru, yet he remained in Konoha.
Not to mention Jiraiya and Tsunade, Orochimaru's closest teammates. Hiruzen Sarutobi hadn't even inquired about them. The reason?
Of course, it was because Hiruzen Sarutobi knew that Jiraiya and Tsunade would not defect from Konoha, and he trusted them implicitly. Also, due to their strength, Konoha could not afford to lose them.
Therefore, considering all this, Lin Yu was not at all flustered about making a deal with Orochimaru. At worst, he could kill Hiruzen Sarutobi, he would become Hokage, and Orochimaru would be an advisor... Lin Yu was just thinking about it. Being Hokage was too boring, he wouldn't even have time to do missions. He wasn't interested!
Besides, it would take at least ten years before Orochimaru defected. By then!
Konoha might not necessarily be under the Hokage's absolute control!
You say the Hokage has the highest status in the village? That whoever they say goes, no one dares to disobey?
No, you're wrong!
By then, all the heads of the major clans in Konoha would be acquaintances of Lin Yu. At that time, would the Hokage really dare to convict Lin Yu? Wouldn't they be afraid of offending all the Konoha higher-ups?
Wouldn't they be afraid of being overthrown?
Of course, the Third Hokage would likely have abdicated by then, and Minato Namikaze would probably succeed him as the Fourth Hokage. By then, the Hokage would be my subordinate!
You say Orochimaru defected? No, he just went out of the village for a vacation!
It seems I need to find an opportunity to interact with Minato Namikaze and build some goodwill, Lin Yu thought to himself as he turned to bid farewell to Orochimaru.
"I heard that Cloud Village is coming to Konoha to sign an agreement soon. Lin Yu-kun, you should be careful," Orochimaru's voice drifted lightly. Lin Yu frowned, wondering if it was happening earlier than expected.
As for the original story where Kushina was abducted by three Cloud Village jonin who infiltrated Konoha while she was on her way home from school, Lin Yu scoffed.
Could three jonin sneak into Konoha silently and kidnap a Konoha ninja student?
Would three jonin be defeated by a mere ninja school student?
This was clearly a plot device arranged for the sake of the story!
It wasn't a peaceful era, and the war hadn't ended. How could the village's defenses be so lax? Only by using the excuse of signing an agreement could they bypass the Konoha ninja's surveillance and enter the village openly.
Borrowing the example of Cloud Village kidnapping Hinata Hyuga later, it becomes understandable. Cloud Village is the number one nest of thieves in the ninja world!
It seems it's time to observe the cooperation between Kushina and Kurama. Tonight, I'll slightly open the seal. Hmm! He was definitely not going to peek at Kushina sleeping!