'What did you say?'
Orochimaru's snake-like pupils narrowed, his expression turning sinister, like a venomous serpent flicking its tongue.
Danzo's words had truly struck him where it hurt…
The title of the Sannin—other ninja saw it as an honor, since they had fought Hanzo to a standstill…
But as a genius, Orochimaru regarded it as a humiliation deep in his heart!
And Danzo accusing him of failing to fully understand Hashirama's cells after ten years only made Orochimaru even more furious!
What did he know about Hashirama's cells? What did he know about the long development cycles of research?
It was like someone questioning why ninjutsu required chakra, or why rockets didn't burn firewood…
If an ordinary person said that, Orochimaru would just laugh it off—it didn't affect him in the slightest.
But Danzo had once been his patron, and now he was also his rival for the Hokage position!
Orochimaru opened his mouth. In the past, his words had always been sharp, but at this moment, he found himself at a loss for words.
Because now, he was effectively acting as a 'proxy Hokage.' He was no longer someone on the sidelines who could freely bring up dirty pasts to counterattack Danzo…
'Sitting in this position, procedures and rules are my weapons.'
'So this is what it feels like to step out of the shadows and into the light?' Orochimaru mused. Watching Danzo throwing a tantrum, the anger in his heart slowly dissipated…
A trace of clarity emerged.
'Danzo cannot become Hokage. He doesn't know how to use systems to unite people. With his abilities, he cannot balance the various factions—he will always resort to any means necessary to get things done…'
'Look at the expressions of those 'committee members'… how many of them truly support him? He can't even distinguish friend from foe. The moment he sees an opportunity, he recklessly presses forward—does he think he's dealing with enemies from another village?'
'Who would be willing to work with someone like that? The moment there's an opportunity, he challenges the rules. Completely devoid of credibility!'
Orochimaru's gaze was no longer venomous. Instead, he looked at Danzo with a faint smile, as if he were watching a pitiful man.
And this change was noticed by Danzo, who was pretending to be hysterical.
On the surface, Danzo appeared unhinged—but inwardly, he was perfectly calm.
His outburst at Orochimaru was, in essence, meant to seize this opportunity to point out Orochimaru's lack of qualifications.
To remind everyone that even if the Research Department had achieved results now, it had also wasted vast amounts of resources in the past!
However, Danzo misunderstood Orochimaru's expression.
"No words left? Yielding already? Can only hold on with your eyes? You think you can scare me?"
Danzo sneered inwardly. He untied the bandages that had been wrapped around his head and flung them onto the ground.
Revealing a blade scar running through his right eye.
"You even removed my seat? Aren't you just trying to condemn me?!"
"Let me tell you—this old man has followed Hiruzen, has died for the village multiple times already!"
"I'm not afraid to tell you—I've implanted the 'Reverse Four Symbols Sealing Technique' inside my body. From the moment I received Tobirama-sensei's favor, I've always been prepared to sacrifice myself for the village!"
As soon as he said this, the knowledgeable "Konoha committee members" all showed expressions of shock.
The Reverse Four Symbols Sealing Technique was a jutsu that, upon the caster's imminent death, would spill out all of their blood and, through a reversed Four Symbols force, seal everything in the surrounding area into an unknown space…
Not only did it require an immense amount of chakra, but the process of engraving the seal itself involved tremendous pain—like repeatedly searing the flesh with a branding iron over a prolonged period…
Back in the Warring States era, only extreme and powerful members of the Uzumaki clan would use it when serving as suicide operatives.
'Danzo… isn't entirely without merit.'
Isshin glanced at Danzo.
He had been stirring things up just now, but this kind of old-school, extreme style of Danzo's—Isshin genuinely liked it.
This was what a ninja should be!
Tenzō likely thought the same. But agreement was one thing—they would not take sides.
The stance of the ninja clans was to firmly align with the Third Hokage.
Even if Orochimaru currently appeared to be leading the race for Hokage, getting involved too early carried too much risk…
Interestingly, the Root members standing guard nearby reacted when they heard Danzo's words.
Behind their masks, their expressions shifted.
They had been wondering—since the Hokage had been treating them so generously lately, how could they repay him?
Aburame Tatsuma thought to himself: 'Maybe we should jointly petition the Hokage-sama with a few of the old Root comrades… and ask to have the 'Reverse Four Symbols Sealing Technique' engraved on us as well?'
'That way, we'd have more opportunities to contribute to the village…'
Unnoticed by anyone, Tatsuma's expression beneath his mask was somewhat unhinged.
To him, having his dedication and sacrifice recognized was a tremendous form of spiritual satisfaction…
And to gain even greater recognition, the only way forward was to shoulder even more darkness for the village!
And the one who bore the greatest darkness in the village… was naturally Danzō.
'If Danzo-sama can do it, why can't I? It's just a sealing technique!'
'As long as the village acknowledges me…'
'Even if he founded Root, we now serve under Hokage-sama as the Hidden Root that Guards the Firmament! If we don't make a complete break from the past, how can we repay Hokage-sama's grace…'
Tatsuma's gaze shifted slightly, and something stirred in his heart.
He noticed another Root member across from him also turning their gaze toward him.
Years of tacit understanding told him—he wasn't the only one who had arrived at this thought…
"Assistant Danzo, there's really no need to flaunt your achievements like this…"
One of the leaders of the research faction, Hiruko, spoke in a low voice: "Among the committee members here, the ANBU, Root, and the many Konoha ninja—who doesn't have the resolve to sacrifice themselves for the village?"
"When fighting Hanzo, Orochimaru was still young. And Hanzo was a renowned ninja with formidable strength. Is it shameful to fight desperately for the village?"
"To be frank, while your resolve in engraving the 'Reverse Four Symbols Sealing Technique' is commendable, if war were to break out with the Land of Rain again… given Hanzo's Body Flicker Technique, I'm afraid you wouldn't be able to seal him."
Orochimaru nodded slightly, thinking to himself: 'Not bad… copying Sensei's famous lines really does work. Even the usually taciturn Hiruko can now say something presentable…'
Danzo's expression suddenly changed.
Good—so the traitor has revealed himself!
He had long found Hiruko displeasing—another sycophant orbiting around Hiruzen!
Just like Hizashi—constantly trying to encroach on his domain, even specializing in niche areas…
"And what right do you have to speak?"
Danzo snorted coldly. "You're only valued by Hiruzen for your research abilities… Let me tell you—if you study ninja, then focus on your own little field. Don't meddle in areas you don't understand!"
Hiruko sneered.
Such low standards…
He was clearly just an assistant, yet all he knew was to suppress others with authority and past achievements!
'Hokage-sama has said—those in high positions benefit the most from the rules. The higher one stands, the more one should use systems to resolve problems…'
Hiruko couldn't help but feel frustrated. Why was it Danzo, of all people, who got to stay by Hokage-sama's side and receive constant guidance?
What a waste of the opportunity!
If he were the one at Hokage-sama's side, maybe he could become an assistant in the future too…
"Then do I have the right?"
Tsunade slammed her hand on the table and spoke coldly: "Danzo! Look at yourself… do you still resemble a Konoha ninja? With the old man gone, do you think you're the biggest authority now?"
"You want to talk about qualifications? Then I'll talk qualifications with you!"
Isshin and Tenzō exchanged glances, the two old foxes nodding slightly.
Well said—and coming from someone truly heavyweight…
"My grandfather, my great-uncle, my younger brother, and my lover all fought for Konoha, shedding blood—many died for the village!"
"My clan nearly disbanded for Konoha… in the First Shinobi War, we almost lost half our people!"
"In the Second Shinobi War, Orochimaru and I fought Hanzo on the front lines and nearly died. I've saved quite a few Konoha ninja as well!"
Tsunade's brows rose sharply as she shouted: "In terms of qualifications, I surpass you! By your own logic—shouldn't you be the one to shut up?!"
Danzo was immediately left speechless.
Who were Tsunade's relatives?
Anyone in Konoha who didn't know could be labeled a spy on the spot…
"I didn't mean it like that…" Danzo muttered.
He had realized it—Orochimaru was starting to come into his own!
The Research Department had already established itself as a faction within Konoha.
And that wasn't even counting Jiraiya, Orochimaru's partner!
But in Orochimaru's eyes, while Tsunade was indeed speaking up for him, she had also reminded him of something.
If he became Hokage in the future, Tsunade—with her fiery temper and impeccable pedigree—would be extremely difficult to control…
"Being an assistant is indeed exhausting, but under the banner of the Will of Fire, the various ninja clans and ninja are all gathered together, and every one of them is doing their best to build the village of their ideals…"
Sakumo also spoke up in support: "If you're always flaunting seniority and battle merits, then once or twice, sure, that can still be justified—but over time, what happens to the village's systems and rules?"
"When Hokage-sama governs the village day to day, he doesn't act like you…"
"If you want to become Hokage, then in my opinion, you should learn more from the Third-sama. You're always immersed in your own set of ways and can't get out of it…"
Sakumo stopped halfway through, then shook his head with a sigh. "It doesn't feel very in line with the Will of Fire!"
Danzo shot Sakumo a surprised look.
So you, of all people—usually so taciturn—can also talk in this kind of polished way?
What a fine deputy head of the ANBU. As expected, you've had designs on my position as department head for a long time…
For a moment, Danzo felt as if wolves surrounded him on all sides, with enemies in every direction.
'Hiruzen, what exactly did you go off to do…? Without you here, these people have become unbearably arrogant!'
Danzo roared inwardly, 'You're the Hokage! So why aren't you back yet?!'
And in truth, Hiruzen had been away from Konoha for less than a day…
"Quiet down."
With Tobirama's Sword of the Thunder God hanging at his waist, Hizashi slowly spoke: "Hokage-sama has gone to the capital to negotiate new mission regulations with the daimyō and the nobles."
"He had Committee Member Orochimaru temporarily preside over the meeting because this disturbance, after all, concerns Assistant Danzo, and those directly involved should avoid suspicion. But he also instructed me to make sure Assistant Danzo is given the right to speak."
"This meeting is a comprehensive discussion regarding Assistant Danzo's excessive actions during the formation of Root, Uchiha Yashiro's mission failure, and the certain conflicts that exist between the Will of Fire and the ninja code."
Expressionless, Hizashi raised a scroll with both hands, stamped with the great seal and signed by Sarutobi Hiruzen.
The Hokage's written order!
"Committee Member Shikayama and I will faithfully record everyone's words and actions, including everything that just happened."
The head of the Nara clan, Nara Shikayama, spoke flatly: "I hope everyone will remain rational and restrained. Hokage-sama is stabilizing the rear. If the village loses its composure…"
"It will greatly disappoint Hokage-sama!"
Once Hizashi produced Hiruzen's written order, it was as though some huge invisible inertia settled over the room, and the entire meeting hall unconsciously fell silent.
Orochimaru quietly watched the scene unfold, his heart full of emotion.
He knew this was the backup Hiruzen had left behind to keep order for him.
'Only when you sit in this position do you realize what kind of people Sensei has to deal with every single day…'
'And the old man handles them so easily, while still finding time to train that hard!'
'What an iron body and spirit…'
Even Hizashi and Shikayama, who were speaking on his behalf, counted as another faction in Orochimaru's eyes.
After he became Hokage, those people would not naturally stand with him…
Only Hiruko was deeply bound to him, while even Jiraiya had Minato as his disciple…
'The research faction, the ANBU faction, the ninja clan faction, the civilian faction, the Senju faction…'
The impassioned and indignant Danzo and Tsunade, the silent Isshin and Tenzō, the ever-calculating Ino-Shika-Chō, the steel-cold Hizashi, the nimble and crafty Hiruko, the bluntly outspoken Sakumo, the coldly observant Kurama Genshin…
Orochimaru cast a glance across them all and felt that what stood before him were not one person after another.
Rather, they were faction after faction, rising and falling, grinding against one another while drawing close, stretching on without end.
Every person represented a different interest group, each with different demands.
'To forge a consensus among them, strength, prestige, and methods are all indispensable…'
Orochimaru could see it now—Konoha was full of formidable individuals, each with their own exceptional abilities!
'Without Sensei, there's no telling how badly Konoha would tear itself apart from within!'
In Orochimaru's heart, an almost absurd thought arose.
Ordinarily, the stronger ninja a village had, the better.
But Konoha seemed to have too many.
Without a single unified voice, Konoha might even 'perish from strength'!
"Since Hiruzen left instructions, then let's do as he said…" Danzo silently hooked the discarded bandages up with his foot, grabbed them, and stuffed them into his pocket.
It wasn't that he wanted to do that, but because Hizashi had just said everything would be faithfully recorded…
Everyone else also sat down in an orderly manner according to their positions.
Orochimaru paused, sweeping his gaze across the room.
"Let this farce end here… I hope that from here on, everyone will speak their minds without reservation, strictly in accordance with the village's systems and spirit."
"Sensei also instructed me to gather and organize opinions from all sides. We cannot silence people…"
"If that kind of atmosphere takes shape, it would be very unhealthy…"
Orochimaru recalled what Hiruzen had once told him.
He turned his eyes toward Danzo, paused for a moment, and only then slowly continued: "We are Konoha ninja. We believe in the Will of Fire!"
Orochimaru solemnly picked up the Hokage's hat with both hands and placed it directly in front of himself.
No names were spoken, but everyone knew who he meant…
And in that moment, Danzo felt gazes converging on him from every direction, yet he could not turn his head.
If Hiruzen's orders came down and he pulled that same stunt again…
Danzo knew in his heart that his old comrade would definitely deal with him!
So he could only nod reluctantly in agreement.
'Forget it. Hiruzen did look after me, after all. He even told Hizashi to let me speak…'
'That's true. I am one of the parties involved. Sitting up on the platform and letting word of it spread wouldn't look good either…' Danzo suddenly felt a bit regretful.
He should not have made such a huge scene just now.
Why didn't he trust Hiruzen? Sigh!
And at this moment, as Danzo looked at Orochimaru's expressionless face, a faint sense of unease rose in his heart.
If Orochimaru had traded barbs with him just now, Danzo instead would have been delighted—that would have been exactly what he wanted.
That would have meant dragging the enemy into his comfort zone and then defeating him with superior experience!
It would have shown that Orochimaru had failed to grasp Hiruzen's true meaning and was still thinking like someone below the stage…
But he had actually managed to hold himself back…
Sitting in the Hokage's seat, he even looked rather convincing at a glance.
There was even the faintest trace of Hiruzen's shadow on him!
But what Danzo did not know was that, at this moment, Orochimaru no longer felt such an intense craving for the position of Hokage.
'Research is better…'
'You approve a project, conduct the research, invest the funds. Right is right, wrong is wrong…'
'Once there are too many people, it becomes like a test tube full of suspended cells—stir it around and it all turns into murky water, impossible to tell the components apart…'
Orochimaru let out a faint sigh inwardly: 'When I become Hokage in the future, will I be able to balance research and government affairs the way Sensei does?'
Only now did Orochimaru realize—
How rare and fortunate it was to have Sarutobi Hiruzen handling the sources of funding for him, shielding him from baseless criticism over research progress, and allowing him to devote himself wholeheartedly to his work…
'You've worked hard, Sensei. Please come back soon…' Orochimaru said silently in his heart.
"Then, let the meeting begin…"
"Assistant, please speak first."
Danzo stood up stiffly. He clearly had no intention of making trouble, but he also had no intention of softening his attitude.
Orochimaru shook his head.
He could already foresee that, in the days while Sensei was away, meetings would likely be held one after another without end.
This meeting was merely the beginning.
And as for arriving at any kind of consensual conclusion, the chances were probably not high…
Endless wrangling was plainly inevitable.
And at this moment—
Hiruzen had already arrived at the capital of the Land of Fire.
There, his sworn brother, his in-law, and the Fire Daimyō, Kujō Gen, had already gathered the most powerful nobles and officials in all the Land of Fire, waiting for Hiruzen's arrival!
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