Shindai wanted to find out if Orochimaru had any thoughts of becoming Hokage now.
However, Orochimaru threw the question back to Shindai.
"Many people think I'll be the next Hokage, right? So, what do you think?"
After phrasing his words in his mind, Shindai said, "I also think Lord Orochimaru is very likely to become the next Hokage, but Lord Orochimaru is not suitable to be Hokage."
Shindai silently chanted 'why' 'why' in his heart...
As Shindai wished, Orochimaru asked, "Why do you say that?"
Shindai immediately perked up again and explained to Orochimaru, "In my opinion, people like us are simply not suited to be Hokage. Lord Orochimaru, think about it: to become Hokage, you have to fully display your personal charisma. Of course, I'm not saying Lord Orochimaru isn't charismatic; if I were a girl, I'd marry Lord Orochimaru directly.
Lord Orochimaru is the introverted type. Many girls who admire Lord Orochimaru say that Lord Orochimaru is a stoic handsome guy.
But becoming Hokage can't be introverted. You have to maintain a smile at all times, give everyone an approachable feeling, and give the villagers a sense of security, maintaining a smile all day long. Just thinking about it is terrifying.
And that's not the most crucial part. The most crucial part is the endless affairs to handle. Lord Orochimaru, have you seen Hokage-sama's hair? His hairline has receded that much. He's a middle-aged man in his 50s; if his hair weren't still black, he'd look like a little old man.
Because there are endless affairs to deal with, research definitely can't be done properly. Inspiration is very important to us. Sometimes inspiration suddenly comes, and if it's hindered by these affairs and disappears, it might take several days to recover.
For me, even if someone begged me to be Hokage or anything like that, I wouldn't do it. It seems glamorous, but it's actually very tiring; it's just a thankless job. I believe Lord Orochimaru must have the same thoughts as me, right?"
Orochimaru looked at Shindai with a strange expression and said, "It seems no one would beg you to be Hokage either."
Shindai looked at Orochimaru resentfully, "Lord Orochimaru, I was just making an example. Was it necessary to tear me down like that?"
Orochimaru waved his hand at Shindai, "Alright, you can go rest."
Shindai looked at Orochimaru in confusion, "Hm? I can leave?"
Orochimaru nodded, "Yes, you can leave."
Shindai stood in place, fidgeting for a moment, unable to hold back, and asked curiously, "Lord Orochimaru, aren't you going to say what you think? I'm done, Lord Orochimaru, say something?"
Shindai really wanted to know what Orochimaru was thinking now.
Orochimaru showed no facial expression and said to Shindai, "No thoughts. If you still have energy, then keep watch with the other Ninja."
"I'm tired, I'm leaving now. See you tomorrow, Lord Orochimaru!"
Shindai ran quickly, afraid that if he was a little slower, Orochimaru would catch him for night watch.
Shindai left the tent where Orochimaru was.
Meanwhile, Orochimaru stared blankly at the candlelight in the tent, the flickering Firelight illuminating Orochimaru's face erratically.
At this moment, Orochimaru's mood was also fluctuating.
His parents died when he was young. After graduating from the Ninja Academy at six, Orochimaru was assigned to the class led by Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was very good to him, treating him as his own child.
Orochimaru was very grateful to Hiruzen Sarutobi. For Orochimaru, Hiruzen Sarutobi was like a father figure.
But Orochimaru knew his own personality; his thoughts tended to be negative and self-centered. Because he feared his comrades would be harmed, he didn't trust their strength and preferred to solve everything by himself.
During the Second Shinobi World War, his disciple Nawaki accidentally stepped into an explosive tag trap and was killed.
When Nawaki sacrificed himself, Orochimaru was watching from behind. Because he didn't have time to save his disciple, he could only watch him leave the world.
This time, Orochimaru felt the fragility of life for the first time.
Afterward, Tsunade's lover, Kato Dan, was severely wounded. Even Tsunade, who possessed very high Medical Ninjutsu, couldn't save Kato Dan and could only watch him die, thus developing hemophobia.
And the Ninja who fought each other by any means necessary during the war made Orochimaru increasingly feel that life was like a fragile item, very easily shattered.
Orochimaru wanted to explore truth by mastering all the Ninjutsu in this world.
However, a person's time is always limited, and one never knows when death will come.
Orochimaru had previously secretly infiltrated Konoha's forbidden Ninjutsu base and perused numerous Ninjutsu scrolls. Among them, what fascinated him most was the forbidden Ninjutsu Edo Tensei, invented by Senju Tobirama.
The Edo Tensei Jutsu can summon the souls of Ninja who have long died back to the human world and resurrect them in a physical form.
Because of this Ninjutsu, Orochimaru began to entertain thoughts of immortality.
Orochimaru believed that as long as he lived forever, he would be able to master all Ninjutsu.
Currently, the only one in all of Konoha who supported his research was Danzo.
His research required vast resources and support, all provided by Danzo.
Orochimaru was very clear about Danzo's objective; he simply wanted the results of his research.
Earlier, in the Hokage Office, what Hiruzen Sarutobi said to him indicated that Hiruzen Sarutobi was already somewhat aware of what he was doing, meaning there was already a risk of exposure.
If exposed, then he would have no choice but to leave Konoha.
If he could avoid leaving Konoha, Orochimaru naturally didn't want to, as everything he had was in Konoha.
Orochimaru found Shindai's description of him as a lonely and obsessive truth-seeker to be very apt.
He only wanted to seek truth, even if it meant using unscrupulous methods.
"Heh, I didn't expect to be seen through by a brat. Will research conducted within the framework of ethics and morals receive support...?"
As for Hokage? Orochimaru currently had no interest, and it was indeed as Shindai said, being Hokage was very troublesome and would only interfere with his research.
If he ever became interested in the Hokage position, it would mean he would have to become Hokage and gain power to continue his research.
Orochimaru wasn't that extreme yet, so he began to seriously consider whether Shindai's idea of science and ethics being mutually beneficial and complementary was feasible.
If he could get Hiruzen Sarutobi's support for his research, then a slightly more troublesome process wouldn't really matter.
The candle on the table burned brighter and brighter, fully illuminating Orochimaru's face.
"Phew, I'll talk to Hiruzen-sensei when I get back to Konoha. If we can reach a consensus, then I'll leave Root. If not, then I'll still have to rely on Danzo to support my research."
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