Changing the Future

As soon as he returned to Konoha, Orochimaru went straight to the Hokage's Office to report on the mission.

The moment Hiruzen Sarutobi saw Orochimaru enter in such a hurried state, he immediately had a bad feeling.

Orochimaru had returned too quickly, and judging by his appearance, the mission did not seem to have succeeded.

"Sarutobi-sensei, the negotiations broke down. The mission failed. Ninshu's attitude is highly abnormal," Orochimaru said gravely.

Although he had expected it, Hiruzen Sarutobi could not help sighing when he heard Orochimaru's words.

"Describe the negotiation process in detail," Hiruzen Sarutobi said.

Understanding why the negotiations had broken down was important. It concerned whether they could hold a second round of negotiations and what measures they would take next.

"Ninshu's attitude was extremely tough—unreasonably tough. They acted as though they were not afraid of going to war with Konoha."

Orochimaru recounted every exchange between himself and Kakuzu during the meeting.

Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned after hearing Kakuzu's first statement. Kakuzu's attitude was indeed strange.

Since when did a force from a minor country dare tell a great Ninja Village, "Whether we go to war depends on you"? Where had that courage come from?

From having fewer ninja, or from having weaker ones?

Hiruzen Sarutobi unconsciously took out his pipe, lit it, and took several puffs before exhaling a cloud of smoke.

"A feint..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi rhythmically tapped the desk with his right hand, his face deep in thought.

Konoha could certainly intimidate Ninshu and threaten them with war.

Because Konoha truly had the strength to do so. Hiruzen Sarutobi simply preferred stability and wanted to keep building up quietly.

If Ninshu was using a feint against Konoha, then they were purely gambling—gambling that Konoha's gun had no bullets.

"Sarutobi-sensei, I believe we should first send a squad