"Huh."
Karot emerged from the door and went straight to Konoha.
"What's going on with this system?"
Karot asked when he didn't understand. He thought he would appear in Rōran, but he didn't expect to arrive there directly.
"By absorbing the power of the Dragon Vein, this system can freely choose its landing point."
"Wow, not bad."
"Karot praised him," he said, then walked through the gates of Konoha. The passersby were all talking about Orochimaru's Human Experimentation; all sorts of rumors were circulating.
"Someone has gone missing in what village?"
"The Third Shinobi World War broke out because Orochimaru captured ninjas from other villages."
They spoke with such conviction that ordinary villagers were easily fooled. This greatly damaged Orochimaru's reputation.
"Looks like someone's sucking their thumb."
Karot muttered to himself, "It would be a miracle if such a message spread so widely without someone deliberately spreading it. Someone is controlling the direction of public opinion."
Karot looked towards the Hokage Building.
"Is it you, Lord Hokage? Or Danzo?"
Since you can't find the answer, just ask someone who knows it.
"Found it."
Karot found Orochimaru's ki and vanished instantly.
Karot already knew about it the moment he entered Konoha, Sarutobi Hiruzen already knew.
"Jiraiya, Minato, and Karot are back."
After the Anbu finished their report and left, Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke to Jiraiya and Minato.
The three of them were discussing Minato's candidacy. Orochimaru's reputation was now ruined, making it impossible for him to become Hokage. However, Karot's reappearance always made them uneasy.
"Teacher, are there any ways to deal with this?"
Jiraiya asked, "The three Jonin of the Hatake Clan have a strong influence in the village. Minato only has one-third of the Hatake Clan's support, and that's the weakest portion. Karot, as the highest-ranking officer in a war zone, had many ninja loyal to him, among whom Shisui of the Uchiha Clan was his leading figure. As the most outstanding genius of this generation of the Uchiha Clan, Uchiha Shisui now serves as the deputy head of the Police Force, and is in a power struggle with Fugaku Uchiha, a supporter of Minato."
If Orochimaru hadn't dropped such a bombshell, Minato's approval rating for "Human Experimentation" would never have been higher than Orochimaru's.
Now that Karot has emerged, it's still uncertain who will ultimately prevail in this competition.
"You don't need to do anything."
"I've completely overtaken Orochimaru in Konoha," Sarutobi Hiruzen Minato confidently. "As long as we wait quietly for the public opinion to ferment and solidify the fact that Orochimaru is conducting Human Experimentation, then Minato can take over. "Orochimaru In the end Sarutobi Hiruzen abandoned Orochimaru and did not help him suppress the public opinion.
"Okay, teacher."
Hearing what Sarutobi Hiruzen said, Jiraiya felt relieved. He couldn't outwit the old fox in front of him.
"Minato, don't let your guard down during this time. I have high hopes for you."
"Yes, Lord Hokage."
Minato knew that the closer it got to the end, the less room there was for error. Becoming Hokage had always been his dream, and now that dream was within reach, Minato needed to be even more focused. With Sarutobi Hiruzen's support, Minato was even more confident.
"Hiruzen, I didn't expect you to give up on Orochimaru."
After Jiraiya and his disciples left, Danzo emerged from the darkness.
"Orochimaru is too powerful."
This is why Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't choose him. If Orochimaru had taken over, he would have immediately started reforms, and Sarutobi Hiruzen and Danzo, these elders, would have been the first to be targeted. Sarutobi Hiruzen was unwilling to relinquish his power.
Danzo's cooperation with Sarutobi Hiruzen was also due to Orochimaru and Karot becoming too close. Orochimaru gradually slipped out of Danzo's control, and when Sarutobi Hiruzen extended an olive branch, Danzo accepted without hesitation. The current messages circulating in Konoha were also orchestrated by Sarutobi Hiruzen and Danzo; to strike a snake, you must strike its vital point—to kill it with one blow. And having Danzo with Orochimaru for so long, Danzo naturally knew Orochimaru's weaknesses.
"Brush."
"Orochimaru- senpai, you seem quite relaxed!"
When Karot arrived at Orochimaru's laboratory, he saw Orochimaru eating and drinking.
"Oh, it's Karot, you're back."
Orochimaru looked at the suddenly appearing Karot and spoke casually, as if nothing could disturb his mood for drinking.
Karot sat down directly in front of Orochimaru and asked Kabuto to bring him a serving. Kabuto quickly served Karot a serving.
A bizarre scene unfolded: one person ate slowly and deliberately, while the other wolfed down his food. After finishing, Karot picked his teeth and asked...
"Orochimaru- senpai, aren't you worried at all? The whole village is full of bad news about you."
"It will seriously affect your team's reputation."
"I've already ordered Shisui to take action and arrest all those who spread rumors at the Police Force."
"Is this your solution?"
This is not the kind of stupid method that someone as clever as Orochimaru would come up with.
"To destroy them, first make them mad, so that they think we have fallen into their trap and are helpless, they will lower their guard against us."
Upon hearing Orochimaru's words, Karot immediately realized that Orochimaru already had a solution.
"Brush."
"Lord Orochi, the Lord Hokage summons you to a meeting at the Hokage Building tomorrow."
Who went?
Normally, the Anbu are only responsible for relaying messages, but it's a different story since the person asking the question is Orochimaru.
"All Jonin Konoha"
"Okay, you can go now!"
"Yes."
After saying that, the Anbu Ninja left.
"It seems the old man can't hold back anymore."
Recently, Shisui has been arresting people on a frenzy. Anyone who insults Orochimaru's Human Experimentation, whether a civilian or a ninja, is arrested. This has brought the conflict between Shisui and Fugaku into the open.
"Looks like you've already made arrangements. Tomorrow's going to be a big show."
Karot didn't ask, after all, knowing the answer beforehand wouldn't be fun.
"I thought you wouldn't make it, but I didn't expect you to arrive just in time."
"Cheers."
Orochimaru raised his glass and said.
"Bite."
Karot raised his glass and clinked it against Carrot's, as if celebrating a victory in advance.
"Shisui."
Having just left Orochimaru's place, Karot went straight to Shisui's office.
"My lord, you're back."
Shisui's joy was palpable, and Shisui secretary, seeing Shisui with such an expression for the first time, couldn't believe her eyes. "Give me back my dignified, strong-willed vice-minister!"
"It's been a while since I've seen you. You've become a vice minister! Congratulations!"
Karot praised, "I never expected that the previously gentle Shisui would change so drastically and show such a tough attitude."
"I was able to sit in this position only because I had Lord Orochimaru's support."
Shisui remained humble, a humility he only displayed towards people he knew well.