Examination venue.
"Third Hokage."
A member of the Sarutobi clan quietly approached Hiruzen Sarutobi's side and whispered a few words into his ear.
"Is that true?!" Sarutobi's expression changed drastically upon hearing this.
The clansman merely nodded in silence.
Sarutobi's face shifted between ashen and pale. He looked toward where the Fourth Hokage was seated, his eyes filled with grief and indignation.
"Third Hokage, what's wrong?" asked a minister seated beside Sarutobi.
"..."
Sarutobi slowly rose to his feet and forced a smile as he excused himself.
He made his way from the back of the venue toward where the Fourth Hokage was, only to run into Orochimaru along the way.
Orochimaru's clothes were slightly damaged, as though he had just been through a battle.
"Teacher Sarutobi," Orochimaru said.
Sarutobi only snorted coldly. "I wouldn't dare accept that title. Orochimaru, am I next?"
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes slightly. "What do you mean by that, Teacher Sarutobi?"
Besides the two of them, only Orochimaru's personal Anbu and Sarutobi's attendant were present, all trusted confidants of their respective masters.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's face darkened as he spoke bluntly. "Orochimaru, I've already given you what you wanted. Even so, you still refuse to spare Danzo?"
"Why be so ruthless? He was there watching you grow up."
Orochimaru's expression remained unchanged. "Danzo colluded with foreign enemies and intended to rebel. The evidence is conclusive. I was planning to discuss the matter in detail at the upcoming meeting. Teacher Sarutobi may attend as well."
Sarutobi felt cold all over upon hearing this. After Orochimaru succeeded the Hokage, he had once believed that Orochimaru would strive to fulfill the role well. For that reason, he had yielded time and again, never once obstructing him.
After all, Orochimaru had once been his beloved disciple. If he could truly