Entering the Village

Konoha.

"Second Aunt, have you heard?"

"You mean that newly built area in the north of the village? How could I not know? Besides, I heard that place is prepared for newcomers to the village, supposedly for one or two thousand people!"

In front of the vegetable shop, two middle-aged women carrying vegetable baskets were chatting and gossiping. The shop owner looked helpless. These two women, who weighed a combined 400 pounds, were blocking the shop door. However, since they were acquaintances who had been doing business together for decades, he couldn't say anything and could only sigh helplessly.

"One or two thousand people! This has never happened before. I wonder who they are... I hope they're not troublemakers."

"There shouldn't be any major problems. I heard it's someone from the clan that Lord Tianzai was separated from. I don't think there will be any serious issues."

All sorts of rumors circulated on the streets, but thanks to the careful guidance of the higher-ups, no negative rumors emerged. As soon as any bad signs appeared, 'Root' would investigate all the key points as quickly as possible and take action to control the spread of the rumors.

Orochimaru took over the reins of Root from Danzo, and in just three days, he managed to convince most of Danzo's subordinates to continue serving him, without ever lifting the Fuinjutsu Danzo had placed on them.

In the battle between the two MLM experts, Orochimaru, leveraging the influence of the Third Hokage, seems to have gained the upper hand for now.

Meanwhile, the Uzumaki, Yuki, and Kaguya clans finally arrived at Konoha.

"Third Uncle, we've arrived."

Kushina stood beside Souma Uzumaki, smiling radiantly, pointing towards the imposing main gate ahead.

In order to accommodate the three clans entering the village, Konoha has imposed restrictions on the village entrance today, issuing a no-entry order to clear a large period of time for the more than two thousand members of the three clans to enter the village. Otherwise, if they were crowded together with the villagers coming and going, who knows what kind of trouble would occur. Orochimaru does not want to create any uncontrollable problems.

"Konoha... I never thought this day would come..."

After recuperating on the ship for more than ten days, and thanks to his Souma Uzumaki Clan bloodline, he no longer looked like an old man. Apart from his red and white hair, he looked like a man in his thirties.

At that moment, tears welled up in the man's eyes, and he sobbed uncontrollably.

Kushina obediently shut her mouth and stood aside, suppressing the bitterness in her heart and trying her best not to let the tears fall.

She joined the group at the port. Because Katsuki hadn't informed her of this beforehand, she threw a tantrum. As soon as they met at the dock, she kicked Katsuki into the sea and wouldn't let him Water Walking. He floated in the water for a full half hour before she reluctantly let him go. Even now, she still has a sour face when they meet.

The feelings of the Yuki and Kaguya families were different.

Even though the main gate of Konoha is under martial law, the atmosphere is still palpable. The lively and bustling atmosphere is completely different from the gloomy Land of Water. Through the open gate, you can glimpse a corner of the street. The old and new buildings are not as solemn and orderly as the Land of Water, but they have a more lively feel.

This is the damn place to live!

The people of both clans standing at the forefront were roaring in their hearts. The sadness of leaving their homes dissipated in an instant, especially those who were not ninjas, who had more expectations for the future.

"Katsuki- kun".

Orochimaru strolled forward leisurely.

"Let me introduce you. This is Hokage's Assistant, one of the Orochimaru Sannin the Hokage's assistant... And here are Kaguya and the two clan heads of the Yuki family, Kaguya." Katsuki stood in the middle of the three, introducing them to the two sides.

"Welcome to Konoha, both of you."

Orochimaru smiled and extended his hand.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the members of the three families began to line up in an organized manner to enter the village, escorted by members of the Police Force along the way to avoid causing any disturbances on the road, which was also a means of control.

After all, there were two thousand people. If any dangerous individuals were mixed in, it would be a big problem if they caused trouble. Not only were there Police Forces, but Katsuki also easily noticed the presence of the Anbu. There were guards every three steps and sentries every five steps. Chakra fluctuations could be seen in the trees, bushes, and even in the ponds and streams they passed.

"Orochimaru- senpai, the Anbu really went all out this time! They mobilized so many people..."

"Not the Anbu."

Orochimaru not only greeted them at the gate, but also personally escorted them throughout the entire process.

"Not the Anbu?" Katsuki was surprised. Where else could they have drawn so many people if not from the Anbu? It couldn't possibly be the 'Root' that old man Danzo had Danzo, could it?

"Danzo has been busy with the accounts in the logistics department lately, so I've been temporarily in charge of Root. It's come in handy this time," Orochimaru explained with a smile.

"He really is a member of 'Root'," Katsuki mouth. And Danzo was busy settling accounts in the logistics department? This news was incredibly explosive! He had a feeling that while he was away from the village these past few days, something significant had happened at the top.

However, he didn't care about this change at all. Danzo, that paranoid man, was a threat to many people with his high position, especially now that the three major clans had joined Konoha. There would probably be a lot of trouble in the future. It was undoubtedly a good thing that Danzo no longer causing trouble.

"Katsuki, would you be interested in taking over the Kanemoto family?"

Orochimaru asked abruptly.

When Katsuki heard this, she was stunned and didn't react immediately, but the old man from the Kaguya family and Yuki Hatsuzuki, who were not far away, immediately perked up their ears.

"Take over Root? Orochimaru- senpai, are you kidding me? Root is fine with you, why would you hand it over to me?" he asked, puzzled.

"Because I can't keep in charge of Root forever, and Danzo's health hasn't been good these past two years. He even needs a cane to walk. If he were to continue in charge of Root, wouldn't that mean we juniors are incompetent? So, I think you, Katsuki- kun, are qualified and capable of taking over Root." Orochimaru's tone was very casual, as if he were talking about some ordinary family matters.

Is it impossible to control the root forever?

Katsuki narrowed his eyes slightly. Orochimaru's words were truly domineering. His tone implied that he was ready to become the Fourth Hokage. But upon closer inspection, it was indeed true. Currently, no one in the village could compete with Orochimaru for the position of Fourth Hokage, including Minato and himself. They could not compare to Orochimaru.

Out of the corner of her eye, she glanced at Orochimaru again. His aura was gentle yet not sinister, and the smile on his face had become increasingly approachable over the past two years, losing its former coldness. Damn it, this was a completely different person from the Orochimaru in Katsuki's mind who was driven mad by the pursuit of immortality.

"But why me? Isn't there Nawaki? Isn't that guy on good terms with Orochimaru- senpai?"

Katsuki asked again.