Reincarnated in Naruto World with a System

"I hope you'll choose Orochimaru," the gravelly voice of Uchiha Gaku reiterated as he locked his gaze on Tatsumi.

Uchiha Tatsumi, perched on a chair, lifted his head, a flicker of surprise crossing his youthful features. "Orochimaru?"

"Yes," Gaku affirmed, his gaze unwavering. "If you truly wish to avenge your father, Uchiha Kagami, then Orochimaru is your path."

Tatsumi's mind raced. Avenge Father? It would be a nice bonus, but my goal? Hmph! The stick with withholding the clan's support, the carrot by giving me a path to my 'goal'. Isn't this just regular manipulation techniques for kids?

He kept his expression neutral, a skill he had learned quickly in this world of hidden agendas.

"Of Sarutobi Hiruzen's three disciples," Gaku continued, his voice laced with calculated emphasis, "Orochimaru is the most likely to inherit the mantle of Fourth Hokage."

He paused, letting his words hang in the air. "Tsunade, the granddaughter of the First Hokage, is a capable kunoichi, but she lacks the ambition to lead. And Jiraiya… well, Jiraiya is a fool, chasing after, ahem, fleeting pleasures. He is the least likely candidate."

Gaku leaned forward, his eyes boring into Tatsumi's.

"But Orochimaru… Orochimaru is different. He has inherited Hiruzen's mastery of ninjutsu, particularly the five elemental styles. He is a prodigy, a commoner who has risen through sheer talent. Of the three, he is Hiruzen's favourite."

A subtle shift in Gaku's demeanour betrayed his intent.

"Therefore, if you seek vengeance, you must approach Orochimaru. Become his disciple. Earn his trust. Feed me information, and I will guide you into striking distance. Only then will you have a chance to confront Danzo and Hiruzen and avenge your father."

Information? Espionage? Tatsumi's internal voice sneered at the thought of becoming a tool. You expect me to walk the same path as Itachi? Manipulated, used as a pawn in your games? He had hoped to quietly hone his skills, to grow stronger at his own pace. But the reality of this world was far more demanding. A genius could not remain hidden for long.

They all want something from me. Tatsumi thought grimly. Hokage, the Uchiha clan, Danzo and his Root… they all see me as a tool.

Gaku's words held a kernel of truth, thoroughly laced with manipulative intent. Orochimaru was indeed a prime candidate for Hokage in Hiruzen's eyes. But Tatsumi knew better than to take everything at face value.

"If you succeed, achieving true power worthy of recognition" Gaku concluded, "the Uchiha will even have you ascend as Hokage. Imagine it, Tatsumi: Fugaku as the clan head, and you as Hokage. Together, you will avenge your father and achieve his dream while together, we elevate the Uchiha clan to its rightful place."

Tatsumi's expression feigned confusion, hope and reluctance, all the while his internal scepticism growing. Support me? Or use me? He knew the game. Gaku would groom Fugaku for the position of Hokage while he, Tatsumi, was a means to an end, a disposable asset.

But they underestimate me, Tatsumi thought. I am not a child to be easily swayed. I will play their game, but I will play it on my terms.

He knew Gaku's assessment of Orochimaru's potential was accurate, at least for now. Orochimaru was indeed the most likely candidate in Hiruzen's mind. But in this unpredictable world, Tatsumi had had a peek at the original script. Orochimaru's ambition and his cold, calculating nature would ultimately lead him down a different path.

And what of Jiraiya? Tatsumi mused. The fool, as Gaku calls him. He, of all people, is the one with the greatest potential to become Hokage. But his carefree spirit, his aversion to responsibility, will ultimately lead him to pass the mantle to Tsunade.

A wry smile played on Tatsumi's lips. The world is full of surprises. The favoured one will fall, and the unlikely one will rise.

He considered his options. Of the three disciples, Orochimaru was the most dangerous, the most unpredictable. And yet, it was Orochimaru whom Tatsumi being forced into the clutches of, to understand, to watch closely. He would become Orochimaru's disciple. He would learn from him, glean his secrets, and use that knowledge to forge his own path.

"I understand," Tatsumi said, his voice steady, betraying none of the turmoil within. "I will become Orochimaru's disciple."

The thought of Orochimaru's fascination with the Sharingan flickered through Tatsumi's mind, a dark undercurrent beneath the surface of their interaction. He may feign disinterest now, but the allure of the Sharingan's power is undeniable. Orochimaru craves knowledge, power… and the Sharingan offers both. Tatsumi knew that serving under such a man would be walking a tightrope. Orochimaru was brilliant, undeniably, but his ambition and ruthlessness made him a dangerous master.

Tatsumi's face, however, remained a mask of polite concern. "What if Lady Tsunade has already approached me, requesting I choose her as my mentor? Should I decline her offer tomorrow, Clan Head?" he asked, feigning awkwardness.

Gaku's eyes narrowed slightly. "Tsunade?" He tapped his fingers on the table, a thoughtful frown creasing his brow. "It seems even the Senju princess recognises the potential of our Uchiha prodigy." A thin smile stretched across his lips, but Tatsumi felt a chill run down his spine. That smile… it's not one of pride, but of calculation.

"Do not refuse Tsunade," Gaku instructed, his voice low and measured. "Maintain a cordial relationship with her, and even with her younger brother, Nawaki." He paused, his gaze locking with Tatsumi's. "When you graduate, I will ensure you become Orochimaru's disciple."

He clapped Tatsumi on the shoulder, a gesture that felt more like a brand than a blessing. "Consider tonight's conversation confidential. The Uchiha clan will always be your support. Do not disappoint me, child." Gaku's tone shifted, becoming lighter, almost jovial. "Now, go. Help yourself to some scrolls from the clan library. Our resources far surpass those of the Academy. And spend some time with my son, Fugaku. You two will become fast friends, I'm sure."

Tatsumi bowed respectfully, a picture of barely restrained gratitude. He left the room, his mind thinking on Gaku's schemes. Friends with Fugaku? Another pawn in their game.

Once Tatsumi was gone, a figure emerged from the shadows. Uchiha Samui, the Vice-Captain of the Uchiha Police Force, knelt before Gaku.

"What is your impression?" Gaku asked."Tatsumi does not trust us," Samui reported.

"Trust?" Gaku scoffed. "Why should he? We have treated him with indifference, even hostility, for years, confining him to a remote residence. It is only natural he would be wary. But I underestimated him. He has grown into a formidable young man, worthy of his father's name."

"Then why this charade?" Samui asked, confused. "Why not simply give him what he wants?"

"The Uchiha clan's position is precarious," Gaku admitted, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "We hold the prestigious Military Police force within Konoha, but in truth, we are little more than Konoha's attack dogs. And we lack crucial information about the inner workings of the village's leadership. Rather than giving him all he wants just like that, why not gain some benefits while we are at it"

"I see, he alone among us, like his father, can be welcomed close to the seats of power" Samui realised.

"Precisely. Uchiha Kagami's son is the perfect intermediary. Hiruzen trusts him, or at least he will be inclined to trust him, by virtue of his parentage."

"So, he cannot be eliminated… yet," Samui surmised.

"Not until we have fully exploited his potential. He will not escape my grasp. I have already identified his weakness: his father's death. We need only nurture the seeds of doubt and vengeance in his heart, convince him that Hiruzen may have been responsible. Those seeds will grow a powerful tool."

"And you believe you can manipulate him so easily?"

"A little nudge here, a carefully placed word there… it is all that is required. Now, do you understand your role in this?"

"Yes, Clan Head," Samui replied, bowing once more before retreating back into the shadows.

Gaku leaned back in his chair, his eyes closed, a sinister smile playing on his lips. He had not revealed his true motive to Samui. Orochimaru was a rival to Fugaku's ambitions, a formidable obstacle in the path to the Hokage seat. Tatsumi, as Orochimaru's disciple, would be perfectly positioned to gather information, to unearth any secrets, any weaknesses that could be used to discredit Orochimaru.

"Kagami," Gaku murmured, his voice laced with a chilling amusement. "Even in death, your legacy will serve my purposes. I will take good care of your son… for my own benefit." A low chuckle echoed through the empty room.