Advisor's Suggestion

Konoha, Hokage's Office.

At this moment, besides the Fifth Hokage Tsunade, the other two of the Three Ninja were also present, as if quietly awaiting the outcome of some matter.

An Anbu of Konoha wearing a Raccoon Mask appeared before Tsunade in a flash, reporting in a low voice what had just happened.

"Reporting to Lord Hokage, including Hiruzen Sarutobi, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura, a total of 57 ninjas followed Danzō in his departure."

If Danzō had seen this person, he would likely have been greatly shocked.

Among the Konoha Anbu guards he had "killed with his own hands" earlier, this man was one of them.

"Understood."

Tsunade turned her head and glanced at Orochimaru. "Tell me, what do you think?"

Orochimaru licked the corners of his mouth with a snake-like tongue, smiling sinisterly. "Wipe them out completely."

He had taken in every one of Shimura Danzō's little schemes, even arranging for a play to be staged, all to lure the snake out of its hole and catch them all in one net.

Back then, Kabuto Yakushi, for the sake of orphanage funds, was coerced by Shimura Danzō into joining the Root Organization, moving between nations as a spy while also leaving hidden lines within Root.

This was the purpose of a spy.

"Denied."

Tsunade rejected Orochimaru's proposal without hesitation. "It's precisely because we can't bring ourselves to kill these people that we locked them up. Even if they've escaped this time, that's no excuse for slaughter."

After all, those ninjas Danzō had taken away had served diligently for so many years, shedding blood and sweat for Konoha. Killing them outright would inevitably stir certain thoughts among the common folk below.

The mouths of the people are harder to guard against than a river's flood. Though political struggle is brutal, it also involves compromise and necessary concessions.

"Hmph."

Orochimaru let out a cold snort. "Then you keep an eye on those people. Don't let them cause trouble."

His new experiment was at its most critical juncture. Though he wasn't afraid of Danzō's bunch of Skeletons in the Grave, he worried the experiment might be disrupted.

With that, Orochimaru's body gradually dissolved into a pool of clear water.

It was a Water Clone.

Through genetics and biochemical science, Orochimaru had already acquired all five types of Chakra, lacking only Yin and Yang to complete the collection of all seven attributes.

It wasn't that he was stubbornly fixated on pursuing power. In truth, Orochimaru merely enjoyed the pleasure of collecting and completing scientific research.

Looking at the puddle of water that Orochimaru had become, Tsunade shook her head, steeled herself, and said to Shizune beside her, "Might Guy, Asuma Sarutobi, Kurenai Yuhi... release these three."

"However, within two years, their range of movement must be restricted, and they must submit ideological summaries and reports every week."

Shizune was a good girl, never talking back to her teacher. Even if she had constructive opinions, she would only raise them after carrying out the tasks assigned to her.

"Yes, Tsunade-sama!"

Jiraiya, who had been lounging like a salted fish, suddenly felt a sharp gaze sweep over him and jolted upright.

He looked blankly at Tsunade. "Huh? Nothing else? Then I'll go?"

To be honest, Jiraiya didn't quite understand why he had to come all this way when his opinion wasn't even needed.

What he didn't realize was that Tsunade was helping him and Orochimaru build their image and status.

If you don't seize the propaganda front, the enemy will occupy it. With that thought in mind, after becoming the Fifth Hokage, Tsunade had arranged for propaganda work.

The shady deeds Shimura Danzō and the other two Elder Council advisors had done back in the day were all exposed, drawing a torrent of curses from Konoha villagers.

Why had Naruto Uzumaki, as the son of the Fourth Hokage, endured the most miserable childhood?

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

Why, when the Nine-Tails attacked Konoha back then, had the Yellow Flash—the one with the strongest survival ability—been the one to die?

A mix of truth and falsehood was spread, making Konoha's residents hate Danzō and his ilk to the bone.

The effect was excellent, but it also came with Negative effects.

Whether the Elder Council and advisors still had a reason to exist became a hot topic in Konoha.

Tsunade wasn't worried about Orochimaru's standing.

After all, the Konoha Science and Technology Department wasn't a place that coasted along. Many of Orochimaru's research results could let Konoha villagers enjoy a better life while deeply remembering his contributions and glory.

But what about Jiraiya?

He was just a vulgar writer of smutty novels. If he didn't show his face often and make some contributions in decisions, how could he solidify his position?

Tsunade sighed and decided to lay things out for Jiraiya.

Many conflicts and arguments came from a lack of communication.

"What's this... you were worried about that?"

Jiraiya burst out laughing. "I told you, you're overthinking it. What are we now? Reincarnators! You don't think Konoha is our future, do you?"

These words were like a sudden enlightenment, making Tsunade realize.

Right...

Konoha, the Land of Fire, even this Ninja World—for a Reincarnator, it was all too small, too small!

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

That Jiraiya could wake her up—Tsunade was grateful for it.

Coming back to herself, she felt her head start to ache again.

The promotion of the "Honor League" was going extremely poorly, far harder than she had initially expected.

To be honest, this Virtual Reality game was utterly miraculous; the Combat Experience gained inside it could be applied directly to reality.

Scouting, attacking, defending, probing, managing Chakra consumption, precisely allocating every ounce of stamina...

Many of these experiences, though not directly transferable to real-world use, could absolutely be called a perfect ninja-training machine.

But precisely because it was so miraculous, with nothing but empty words, even as the Hokage, almost no one was willing to believe what Tsunade said.

The Blueprint for the Game Helmet had been fully understood by Orochimaru, who had even designed an assembly-line factory. Since no rare materials were used, mass production was entirely feasible.

On a whim, Tsunade consulted Jiraiya about this problem.

"Hmm... it really is hard to get people to accept, after all, it's a groundbreaking thing."

Jiraiya fully proved the saying that even a fool may give good counsel.

He scratched his head: "Move the Chunin Exams up to before the mission deadline, bribe the Daimyos of the Five Great Nations with some treasure to get them to help spread the word, build up the hype as the 'Strongest Chunin Exams in History,' and then promote the Game Helmet during the assessment—that should do it, right?"

He put it simply, but in an instant, Tsunade filled in all the details of the plan.

"After this mission is done, I'll give you an extra thirty percent of the 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!