"Shisui, you have to trust the Third Hokage," Yoru said calmly. "Orochimaru-sensei is his student. Maybe this recall is meant to prepare him to succeed as the Fifth Hokage. If that's the case, then these border achievements don't really matter in the long run."
Yoru spoke gently, patient and sincere, the image of an Uchiha who still believed in the village and its leadership.
Shisui's expression faltered.
When had he started doubting the Hokage?
The thought hit him like a blade. A deep sense of guilt rose in his chest, sharp and immediate. He looked at Yoru with gratitude, as if seeing a guiding light.
"Yoru-niisan… thank you," Shisui said quietly. "I was being narrow-minded."
Outwardly, he accepted it.
Inwardly, Yoru remained silent.
He knew that when Orochimaru returned to the village and no one spoke of appointing a Fifth Hokage, Shisui's disappointment would come back twice as strong. Faith like Shisui's did not shatter in a day. It cracked slowly, under the weight of what he saw with his own eyes.
And this time, Shisui would be watching closely.
Yoru placed a hand on his shoulder. "You're still young. Having your own judgment is good, but don't put blind faith in anyone. Look at things from every angle."
"You're right," Shisui said earnestly. "I was wrong."
Yoru nodded. "The border is stable anyway. When we return to the village, we shouldn't miss Orochimaru-sensei's inauguration as Fifth Hokage."
That single sentence planted a seed.
In Shisui's mind, the recall became a promise. A ceremony waiting just beyond the horizon.
"I'll be there," Shisui said, eyes bright with conviction. "I want to see Orochimaru-sama become Hokage with my own eyes."
Yoru smiled.
Inside, he was calculating.
That night, while Shisui wrestled with guilt and renewed faith, Yoru pieced together the fragments of the future.
Orochimaru's defection had never been given a precise date in recorded history. But the clues existed.
When Orochimaru fled, the Third Hokage was in the village and personally led ANBU to pursue him. That meant Orochimaru had been nearby, not far from Konoha.
There was also the memory of a much earlier incident. Young Itachi, training alone, surrounded by a storm of kunai. Orochimaru had been watching. Ready to intervene.
At that time, Orochimaru still wore a Leaf forehead protector.
Itachi had already awakened the Sharingan.
Records placed Itachi's awakening at eight years old.
Which meant Orochimaru remained a Konoha shinobi until at least that point.
Yoru's thoughts sharpened.
The Nine-Tails attack happened when Itachi was five. A few months later, six. This year had only just passed its third month. Next year, Itachi would be seven. The year after that, eight.
Two years.
He had roughly two years.
Two years to grow stronger.Two years to prepare.Two years before the curtain fell.
Yoru exhaled slowly, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"Shisui," he said lightly, "when we return, we'll witness the Fifth Hokage's ceremony together."
Shisui smiled back, full of confidence. "The Uchiha won't miss it."
He believed Yoru stood at the bridge between the clan and the future Hokage.
Yoru knew better.
When Orochimaru returned, he would not be crowned. He would be sidelined. Quietly erased from public memory.
That explained everything.
Why the Sannin became "legends" instead of active pillars.Why younger generations barely knew their names.Why Orochimaru's presence faded before his defection.
It wasn't an accident.
It was containment.
No one wanted the power structure reshuffled.
Yoru's eyes narrowed.
"Looks like I've found the answer," he thought.
Two people. One conversation.Two completely different conclusions.