Political Struggle (Please Read On)

At Konoha's border, Orochimaru served as the overall commander responsible for the defenses against the Land of Lightning and the Land of Water. Though his whereabouts were often unpredictable due to his research, he still had to occasionally appear at the main camp to organize intelligence from across the front line and handle military deployments.

Uchiha Yoruro had clearly become Orochimaru's trusted assistant. Wearing an easy smile, he helped retrieve intelligence scrolls, assigned certain tasks, and did whatever he could. He was much like the Hokage's assistant.

The Land of Lightning and the Land of Fire did not directly border one another. Two small countries lay between them, acting as buffer zones between the great powers—or, to put it bluntly, battlefields for the great powers.

It also bordered the Land of Iron and extended along the coast, where there were quite a few island nations. Kirigakure's ninja from the Land of Water also frequently came through. This defensive line could be said to guard directly against two great nations, the Land of Lightning and the Land of Water, which showed just how prestigious Orochimaru was.

"Teacher Orochimaru, lately the Land of Lightning and the Land of Water have mainly been sending spies, constantly trying to probe our true strength. On the other hand, some unwilling small nations have repeatedly impersonated ninja from Kumogakure and Kirigakure, framing others and sowing discord in an attempt to provoke a war between the great nations."

Looking over the familiar intelligence reports, Uchiha Yoruro shook his head with a smile as he gave his analysis. Orochimaru responded with a hoarse, disdainful laugh. "They pin their hopes on the great nations suffering severe losses in war, so that small nations may have a chance to rise! How laughable. They do not realize that the great nations would never allow the small countries around them to keep growing stronger."

Orochimaru had seen such tactics far too many times. Small nations already had little room to breathe, and with the great nations restricting them, dissatisfaction naturally arose. They wanted to provoke the great nations into war so those powers would have no time to concern themselves with them, allowing the small nations to seize the chance to develop rapidly.

Yet they did not know that after the Land of Rain had once emerged and become a threat capable of provoking the Five Great Nations, the five nations had become wary. The Land of Rain's success could not be replicated, nor would the Five Great Nations allow another Land of Rain to emerge in the Shinobi World.

"Yoruro, trouble yourself with sorting out the troublesome matters on the front line over the next two days. In half a month, the Land of Lightning will have a new overall commander."

Uchiha Yoruro froze upon hearing that. Orochimaru merely wore a hoarse, unconcerned smile. "Yoruro, politics is a troublesome thing. Just like now—someone has come to pick the peaches."

There was not the slightest anger in Orochimaru at having his gains snatched away. Instead, there was only a trace of disappointment in his golden eyes. He seemed to have already seen through something. Some people in the village still did not want him to become the Fifth Generation—perhaps even his teacher, or rather, the Sarutobi Clan.

"Teacher Orochimaru, we sacrificed so much in the Land of Lightning. The situation has only just stabilized, yet now the credit is going to someone else! It's too unfair!"

Uchiha Yoruro looked indignant. Since becoming Orochimaru's Disciple, and since Orochimaru was someone willing to delegate authority, Yoruro had naturally gained a clear understanding of certain confidential personnel transfers on the front line after displaying talent in administrative affairs.

As the overall commander of the front line, Orochimaru had single-handedly led Konoha Ninja in guarding against two great nations. The turbulent situation had only just calmed down, especially on the Land of Lightning side, where things had become increasingly stable.

The credit that was practically already in his hands was now being picked by someone else.

"Hehe, Yoruro, you are still too young."

Orochimaru's hoarse smile showed no resentment. Yet when the scroll naming the commander who would replace him in the Land of Lightning was handed over, Uchiha Yoruro's pupils suddenly contracted upon seeing the name.

Shin'nosuke Sarutobi!

The Eldest Son of the Third Hokage, and now the Anbu Captain. Upon seeing that name, information from Uchiha Yoruro's previous life surfaced in his mind.

'The Third Hokage's eldest son and eldest daughter-in-law were an Elite Jonin pair in the Hokage's direct Anbu, praised as "the Third Hokage's right-hand men." They were Sarutobi Konohamaru's parents.'

Though their names had never been explicitly given, Uchiha Yoruro knew the name of the Third Hokage's eldest son. Under these circumstances, his eyes narrowed. The Sarutobi Clan had come to pick the biggest peach.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was the Hokage, while his eldest son and daughter-in-law were supposedly the right-hand men of the Anbu. Were they not simply the Anbu Captain and deputy captain? Now that his eldest son had stepped out of the Anbu, he was clearly preparing to enter the public eye and come directly to the front line to claim the credit.

As Uchiha Yoruro thought of this, he looked again at Orochimaru's casual, hoarse smile and found it full of irony. Was this the difference? Still, it was only human nature. Between one's own son and one's disciple, anyone knew which one mattered more.

But for him, this might be valuable intelligence. Uchiha Yoruro immediately revealed a thoughtful expression. It was highly valuable—and worth a great deal of money!

Konoha.

Inside the Hokage's office building, Hiruzen Sarutobi puffed on his pipe, while before him stood the Anbu Captain who had already removed his mask—his eldest son, Shin'nosuke Sarutobi.

"Shin'nosuke, from today onward, you will be a jonin of Konoha. The border region guarding against the Land of Lightning has already become stable. Once you arrive, remember to proceed steadily and do not act rashly. Simply maintain the current situation."

At that moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi was no longer merely the Third Hokage. He was also an old father earnestly instructing his child.

However, Shin'nosuke Sarutobi frowned in confusion. "Father, why not let me go to the front line in the Land of Water? The Land of Lightning has already stabilized. There isn't much credit to earn there."

Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly shook his head. After taking a deep draw from his pipe and exhaling a cloud of white smoke, he said in a grave voice, "Orochimaru and Danzo are too close. Root's methods have now practically abandoned the Will of Fire. I only hope Orochimaru can return from the wrong path."

His answer did not address the question, leaving Shin'nosuke Sarutobi frowning in confusion. Seeing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head and sighed. "Your assignment to the Land of Lightning front line is not merely the wish of all the higher-ups. It is also the wish of this old man as the Third Hokage."

"Orochimaru now seems to have embarked on an evil path. The higher-ups do not wish to see him go astray. Nor is this merely the wish of the Sarutobi Clan. Once you get there, simply follow the established order. In the future, you will become the Jonin Commander."

After exhaling a thick cloud of smoke, the Third Hokage's gaze was hidden amid the swirling haze. His eyes held a complicated expression.

Orochimaru's ideas were too dangerous, especially since he had already seen thoughts completely contrary to the Will of Fire. Now, he could only take this opportunity to admonish his most prideful disciple.

As for the thoughts of the higher-ups, he naturally understood them clearly. Did they not simply wish to prevent the increasingly powerful Orochimaru from ascending to the position of Hokage? Quite a few had even begun secretly contacting Jiraiya, but Jiraiya clearly did not want to get involved and had directly hidden himself away.

Then there was the Sarutobi Clan. They certainly did not want their clan head to step down from the throne of power, and they were even more willing to see Orochimaru's authority weakened. Ideally, during this period, the Sarutobi Clan would seize even more benefits and power.

For example, the position of Jonin Commander! Once Shin'nosuke Sarutobi became the Jonin Commander, the Sarutobi Clan's power would truly reach its peak. The Hokage was a Sarutobi, the public-facing Jonin Commander would also be a Sarutobi, and the Anbu Captain was also from the Sarutobi Clan. Heh, heh—only a future Hokage from the Sarutobi Clan would be left.

Please keep reading. These next two days are critical; Friday will decide life or death.