"So, what you mean is, Minato..."
"Orochimaru killing Sarutobi-sensei happens during that 'Konoha Crush Plan,' right?"
Jiraiya's expression was a bit unsightly.
This was hardly surprising.
Anyone would feel the same upon suddenly learning that their long-time companion would personally kill their teacher in the future.
An indescribable heartache would inevitably follow.
It was a betrayal of all their precious past memories.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's aged face darkened as his gaze swept across the four answers one by one.
But all four answers left him feeling uncertain.
Because he held a grudge for being exiled from the Village?
Or because he resented not being recommended for the position of Fourth Hokage?
Or perhaps he wanted to prove that he was the best choice after all?
Or maybe, it was all three.
Hiruzen Sarutobi felt a bit dazed; his memories of Orochimaru suddenly became blurred.
Why was that?
It was actually quite logical. Hiruzen Sarutobi had taken the three of them under his wing just as they graduated from the Ninja Academy.
Back then, they were still young and transparent; Hiruzen Sarutobi could see clearly through every one of their actions and intentions.
As they grew older, Hiruzen Sarutobi found it increasingly difficult to grasp Orochimaru's thoughts.
This was perfectly normal.
No one can truly see through another person.
There is no such thing as mind-reading in this world. How could one completely understand another's heart based solely on experience and judgment?
Even Uzumaki Naruto, with his Nine-Tailed Chakra, could only vaguely sense the goodwill or malice others held toward him.
This was especially true of Orochimaru, who was exceptionally skilled at disguising and hiding himself.
Like a venomous snake.
Lurking in the grass, waiting for the right moment to strike a fatal blow.
Unlike now...
...back then, Hiruzen Sarutobi was in his prime, at the peak of his power, and had no need to speculate on his disciples' thoughts.
He had enough confidence to handle any situation.
But times change, and now Hiruzen Sarutobi was old and frail.
While Hiruzen Sarutobi was lost in his sorrowful reminiscence, Minato Namikaze and the others were not idle, focusing intently on analyzing the question.
The reason behind Orochimaru personally killing his teacher was indeed a perplexing issue.
To be fair, one could never say that Hiruzen Sarutobi had mistreated Orochimaru.
On the contrary, he had given him much without asking for anything in return.
It was one thing for the guy to take a dark path and be forced to defect from the Village, but why would he come back to kill his own teacher?
Even worse, he had plotted the 'Konoha Crush Plan' against the Konoha Village that had raised him.
Although they didn't know the specific details of the 'Konoha Crush Plan'...
...just from the name, they could guess.
The plan was surely aimed at the entire Village, rather than just a single individual.
Then, everyone's eyes scanned the four answers.
At first glance, none of the four answers seemed easy to choose.
Each one looked like it could be correct.
Yet each one felt like it was missing something.
But if they chose option D—that all three above were the reasons Orochimaru killed Hiruzen Sarutobi...
...wouldn't there be some contradictions among those three answers?
Minato Namikaze pondered for a moment but still had no clues, so he spoke to Nara Shikaku.
"Shikaku, let's discuss this together. This question is indeed quite difficult."
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
Nara Shikaku nodded in agreement.
After everyone thought for a while, Nara Shikaku was the first to speak.
"Looking at these four answers, although the first two seem different on the surface, their underlying logic is still revenge."
"That is, Orochimaru's revenge against the Previous Hokage."
"This is a manifestation of pure malice, symbolizing that Orochimaru has abandoned all affection and respect for Konoha and the Previous Hokage, completely transforming into an enemy on the opposing side."
Nara Shikaku's words made everyone nod along.
Indeed, if Orochimaru had truly concocted something like the 'Konoha Crush Plan' out of a grudge against Hiruzen Sarutobi, then that former Sannin—the brilliant commander who controlled the overall situation during the Third Great Ninja War and Hiruzen Sarutobi's most admired yet most heartbreaking disciple...
...would have truly and utterly become an enemy of Konoha.
This wasn't to say that if Orochimaru's true motive was option C or D, he wouldn't be an enemy of Konoha.
From the moment Orochimaru attacked Konoha, he was bound to be someone standing in opposition to the Village.
If there were a way to kill him and prevent such a thing from happening...
...most of those present would be able to strike without hesitation.
But it was different from pure revenge.
If Orochimaru's original intention contained other meanings, then Hiruzen Sarutobi and Jiraiya, who still held some affection for him, might feel a slight sense of relief.
"Ah, so that's the reason he did this."
It was likely this kind of self-deceptive mentality.
Everyone's expressions were complex. Nara Shikaku glanced around and, seeing no one responding, continued his analysis.
"However, the meaning of option C is somewhat vague."
"'The most outstanding one'—what does that mean?"
"The most outstanding disciple? The most outstanding successor for the Hokage? Or the most outstanding something else?"
"This answer should probably be explained by the Previous Hokage."
"As for the final option D—that all three above were the reasons for Orochimaru's actions—I personally lean toward this one."
Nara Shikaku secretly observed Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression.
But the Old Monkey's eyes were vacant, lost in thought, revealing nothing. So, Shikaku could only continue.
"My reason for choosing this isn't because I think Orochimaru might still have a shred of kindness left."
"Rather, I feel that if either option A or B is correct, then the other must also be correct."
"Because, if Orochimaru were a petty and vengeful person who disregarded the Previous Hokage's past kindness and didn't care about the lives of his fellow villagers, seeking only to retaliate against the Village for revenge..."
"...then all his hatred should be his driving force. He wouldn't hold a grudge over one thing while being indifferent to another."
"So, since both these reasons must be categorized as motives for Orochimaru's actions, the only available choice is D."
Having said this, a mocking smile appeared on Nara Shikaku's face as he whispered:
"Ha, if option D is the correct answer..."
"...then I'm afraid Lord Orochimaru is still just a child who wants to be praised by his elders."
"Invading the Village to cause destruction just to prove he's the most outstanding person, and finally killing the teacher who once educated him."
"It really is quite ironic."
Wasn't it, though?
How many normal people could have such a thought process?
It should be said that, as expected of a mad scientist, his logic is far removed from that of a normal person.
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