Advisor's Advice

Konoha, Hokage's Office.

At this moment, aside from the Fifth Hokage, Tsunade, the other two of the Three Ninja were also present, as if quietly awaiting the outcome of something.

A Konoha Anbu wearing a raccoon mask flashed before Tsunade and reported what had just happened in a low voice.

"Report, Lord Hokage. Including Hiruzen Sarutobi, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura, there were fifty-seven ninja in total who left with Danzo."

If Danzo saw this man, he would probably have been shocked.

This man had been among the Konoha Anbu guards Danzo had supposedly "killed with his own hands" just now.

"Understood."

Tsunade turned her head and glanced at Orochimaru. "Tell me your thoughts."

Orochimaru licked the corners of his mouth with his snake-like tongue and smiled wickedly. "Kill them all."

He had seen through every little move Shimura Danzō made. He had even arranged for someone to put on an act just to lure the snake from its hole and wipe them out in one sweep.

Back then, Kabuto Yakushi had been coerced by Shimura Danzō into joining the Root Organization for the sake of funding for the orphanage. He traveled among the various nations as a spy while also leaving behind a hidden line of contacts in Root.

That was what spies were for.

"Rejected."

Tsunade refused Orochimaru's suggestion without hesitation. "It was precisely because we couldn't lay hands on these people that we imprisoned them. Even if they escaped this time, it cannot become an excuse for slaughter."

After all, the ninja Danzo had taken with him had worked diligently for Konoha for many years, paying in blood and sweat. Killing them outright would inevitably cause the civilians below to start having ideas.

Stopping people's mouths was harder than damming a river. Political struggles were cruel, but they also required compromise and necessary concessions.

"Hmph."

Orochimaru snorted coldly. "Then keep a close eye on them. Don't let them cause trouble."

His new experiment had reached its most crucial stage. Though he did not fear Danzo's bunch of skeletons in the grave, he worried that the experiment would be affected.

As soon as he finished speaking, Orochimaru's body gradually turned into a pool of clear water.

It was a Water Clone.

Through genetics and biochemical science, Orochimaru had already acquired five types of Chakra. With only Yin and Yang remaining, he would have gathered all seven attributes.

It was not that he was particularly obsessed with pursuing power. In truth, Orochimaru simply enjoyed the pleasure of collecting things and completing scientific research.

Looking at the puddle Orochimaru had become, Tsunade shook her head. She gathered herself and said to Shizune beside her, "Might Guy, Asuma Sarutobi, Kurenai Yuhi... release those three."

"However, restrict their range of movement for two years. They must also submit ideological summaries and reports every week."

Shizune was a good girl. She never talked back to her teacher, and even if she had constructive suggestions, she would wait until after carrying out the assigned task before raising them.

"Yes! Lady Tsunade!"

Jiraiya, who had been lounging in a dead-fish pose, suddenly felt a sharp gaze sweep over him and instantly shuddered.

He looked at Tsunade with a baffled expression. "Huh? If there's nothing else, I'll be leaving?"

To be honest, Jiraiya did not understand why he had been summoned when no one even needed his opinion.

What he did not know was that Tsunade was helping him and Orochimaru establish their image and status.

If you did not seize the propaganda battlefield, the enemy would. With that thought in mind, Tsunade had begun arranging publicity work after becoming the Fifth Hokage.

Some of the shameful deeds Shimura Danzō and the other two Elder Council advisors had committed in the past were exposed, sparking a wave of furious condemnation from Konoha's residents.

Why had Naruto Uzumaki, the son of the Fourth Hokage, suffered such a miserable childhood?

Why had Hatake Sakumo, Konoha's great hero and the powerful ninja known as the White Fang, committed suicide?

Why, when the Nine-Tails attacked Konoha, had the Yellow Flash—the one with the greatest survivability—been the one to die?

A mixture of true and false information was spread, causing Konoha's residents to hate Danzo and the others to the core.

The results were excellent, but there were negative effects as well.

Whether the Elder Council and advisors had any reason to exist at all became a hot topic of discussion in Konoha.

Tsunade was not worried about Orochimaru's status.

After all, Konoha's Science and Technology Department was not some useless place. Once many of Orochimaru's research findings were revealed, they could improve the lives of Konoha's residents while ensuring they deeply remembered his contributions and glory.

But what about Jiraiya?

He was merely a vulgar author who wrote dirty novels. If he did not show his face often and contribute to certain decisions, what could he use to consolidate his status?

Tsunade sighed and decided to lay everything out for Jiraiya.

Many conflicts and arguments were caused by inadequate communication.

"What... so that's what you were worried about?"

Jiraiya burst into laughter. "Come on, you're overthinking it. What are we now? Reincarnators! You don't seriously think Konoha is our future, do you?"

The words struck Tsunade like a revelation, and she suddenly understood.

That was right...

Konoha, the Land of Fire, even this entire Ninja World, were all far too small for Reincarnators!

Their future battlefield and destination would forever be the endless Star Ocean and Countless Planes.

Tsunade felt grateful that Jiraiya had awakened her to this.

But when she came back to her senses, her head began to ache again.

The promotion of "Honor League" was proceeding with great difficulty, far harder than originally expected.

To be fair, this Virtual Reality game was incredibly miraculous. Combat experience gained within the game could be fully applied in reality.

Scouting, attacking, defending, probing, controlling Chakra consumption, precisely allocating every shred of stamina...

Although much of that experience could not be directly copied into real life, it could absolutely be called a perfect ninja-training machine.

Yet it was precisely because it was so miraculous that, without proof, almost no one was willing to believe Tsunade even though she was the Hokage.

Orochimaru had already fully understood the Blueprint for the Game Helmet. He had even designed a factory assembly line. Since it required no precious materials, mass production was entirely possible.

With a try-it-and-see attitude, Tsunade consulted Jiraiya about the matter.

"Hmm... it really is difficult for people to accept. It's something that transcends its era, after all."

Jiraiya thoroughly proved that even a fool could occasionally have a good idea.

He scratched his head. "Move the Chunin Exams ahead of the mission deadline, bribe the Daimyos of the Five Great Nations with some treasure, have them help publicize it, build up hype for the 'Strongest Chunin Exams in History,' and then promote the Game Helmet during the exams. Wouldn't that work?"

He made it sound simple, but Tsunade completed every detail of the plan in an instant.

"After this mission is completed, I'll give you thirty percent more Reward Points! I only want the Destiny Gem!"

Tsunade made the promise solemnly.

Give you both the Reward Points and the Destiny Gem—I only want recommendation tickets!

(.)