Hatake Sakumo's current reputation was already showing signs of surpassing Hiruzen Sarutobi.
With that level of prestige, he could directly compete for the position of Hokage.
Unfortunately—
The timing wasn't right.
Hiruzen hadn't fully declined yet, and Danzo hadn't been completely suppressed.
The older generation in the village was fading, but among the prime generation, aside from Sakumo, there were also the Sannin. The younger generation was also steadily rising.
At present, aside from a shortage in numbers, Konoha's top-tier combat power was more than sufficient.
Under these circumstances—
Hiruzen had many options for the next Hokage.
Not to mention—
He had no intention of stepping down.
Yet when faced with Sakumo, someone who could threaten his position, Hiruzen chose to let things develop unchecked.
That was simply foolish.
If nothing else, he could've just sent Sakumo on long-term missions outside the village. By the time he returned, his popularity would've cooled off.
After all—
Konoha civilians were best at forgetting.
But Hiruzen chose not to do that.
In the original timeline, it was Danzo who ultimately ruined Sakumo's reputation.
Hiruzen still chose to stand by and do nothing.
In the end—
He kept his Hokage position.
And Sakumo—
Committed suicide.
By the time Hiruzen regretted it, it was already too late. All he could do was suppress the matter.
As for the claim that Sakumo's choice between mission and comrades caused massive losses to the Land of Fire—
From Arin's understanding of Sakumo—
That was impossible.
Sakumo was not only powerful but extremely perceptive.
Unless the other four great villages deployed a Kage-level force—or thousands of ninja to surround him—
There was no way he would be forced into such a dilemma.
But if they really mobilized that level of force—
Just to make Sakumo fail a mission?
What would they gain?
Could they even predict his psychological state?
At that scale—
It would already count as war.
And during Sakumo's lifetime—
There were no wars.
Even the Third Great Ninja War only broke out two years after his death, triggered by the Kazekage's disappearance.
Aside from Sakumo's supposed mission failure—
Nothing else happened in Konoha.
If Danzo didn't have a hand in this—
Arin would gladly let him eat dirt.
In Arin's eyes, Hiruzen was indeed a politician.
He was decent at balancing interests and playing neutral.
But—
He wasn't a good politician.
In fact—
He was quite foolish.
He didn't actively commit wrongdoing.
His intentions weren't necessarily malicious.
But as a leader—
Doing nothing was the greatest mistake.
He couldn't compare to the Senju brothers above him, nor to Tsunade or Kakashi below him.
As for Naruto, hailed as a savior—
That was even less comparable.
It could be said—
He was the worst Hokage in Konoha's history.
"Seems you have quite a different perspective, Arin-kun," Orochimaru said, licking his lips as a dark aura emerged.
Arin glanced at him.
Was he starting to become the Orochimaru from the original story?
"Orochimaru-sensei, have you ever thought about becoming Hokage?" Arin suddenly asked.
Orochimaru shook his head. "I have no such ambition. And I'm not suited for it."
At present, Orochimaru only wanted to learn more jutsu—
And find ways to extend his lifespan so he could learn even more.
Second—
He wanted to see his two disciples grow.
Of course—
That didn't include Arin.
Even Orochimaru wasn't confident he could control him.
And he hadn't really taught Arin anything.
Their relationship was more nominal than real.
"I see…"
Arin withdrew his gaze.
In the original story, Orochimaru had once desired to become Hokage.
It seemed—
That wasn't truly his own wish, but something inherited from Nawaki.
Now—
Nawaki was alive and well.
He was even preparing for the jonin exam.
A fifteen-year-old jonin—
Considered quite a genius in Konoha.
"Hey! Don't just ignore me!!" Jiraiya shouted from the bed. "Did Hatake Sakumo come back?!"
Arin and Orochimaru both looked at him speechlessly.
You're covered in bandages and still this noisy?
"Caw—"
A crow's cry rang out.
Both of them turned.
This was a Root communication signal.
"Looks like they're calling for you," Orochimaru said, licking his lips.
"White Fang's presence is a bit too… eye-catching. Some people are getting anxious."
Arin shrugged.
…
Arin's arm injury wasn't serious. He could've healed it himself.
He only stayed in the hospital to avoid Tsunade going berserk again.
Entering Danzo's office in Root—
He saw Danzo with a dark expression.
A teacup on the table had already been shattered.
"Danzo-sama, what happened?" Arin asked, though he already knew.
Sakumo's reputation.
"Do you have confidence in dealing with Hatake Sakumo?" Danzo asked.
Arin thought for a moment.
"No."
He had never seen Sakumo fight personally, but from available intel, he understood his style.
A speed-kill type ninja.
Focused on ending battles instantly.
Not suited for large-scale engagements—
But in one-on-one combat, his explosive power was terrifying.
Even the Third Kazekage wouldn't dare confront him head-on.
Arin, on the other hand, was more well-rounded.
But what he struggled with most—
Was exactly this kind of opponent.
He needed time to analyze and adapt.
Sakumo?
He went straight for lethal force.
If you couldn't withstand it—you died.
If you survived—he'd strike again.
Anyone would find that terrifying.
In a one-on-one fight—
Aside from the Third Raikage—
No one in the ninja world could confidently defeat Sakumo.
Danzo's face grew darker.
"If I competed with Hatake Sakumo for Hokage, who would win?"
"Sakumo. Without a doubt," Arin replied without hesitation.
Others in Root might not dare speak honestly—
But Arin didn't care.
Danzo's expression worsened.
"If I order you to ruin Hatake Sakumo… can you do it?"
Arin nodded in understanding.
That was very Danzo.
And Arin knew all of Danzo's methods.
To Danzo—
Arin was the perfect tool.
Arin had already killed plenty of Konoha ninja.
Even if he didn't care—
To Danzo, that meant loyalty.
And dependence.
"Since it's your order, I'll follow it," Arin said calmly. "If you want me to fight Sakumo to the death, that's fine. But I'm not good at schemes."
Doing the job was one thing.
Taking the blame was another.
Being the blade still left room for deniability.
Being the mastermind—
Did not.
Danzo was about to speak—
But suddenly caught something in Arin's words.
"'He dies, you live'—what difference is there?!"
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