Orochimaru's Invitation

The next day, Uchiha Mai arrived at Fugaku's home early and followed Fugaku to the entrance of the Hokage Office.

"Just find a corner and sit down later. Be polite to everyone. Those who can attend the regular meeting are all Konoha Jonin.

Of course, there's no need to be overly deferential. There are plenty of Jonin in our Uchiha Clan as well."

Along the way, Fugaku repeatedly instructed Uchiha Mai, who nodded again and again.

When they reached the Hokage Office, Mai looked around and saw that, as expected, everyone present was a prominent figure in Konoha: Danzo, Jiraiya, Namikaze Minato, Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura...

Together with several other familiar faces, there were a total of thirty or forty people, every one of them a Jonin.

And they were not merely Jonin. Almost every one of them held an important position.

Could an ordinary Jonin possibly be the same as a Jonin serving as a captain in the Anbu or Police Force?

Following his principle of keeping a low profile, Uchiha Mai slipped into a corner, greeted the people beside him, and became invisible.

A few minutes later, another person entered the office.

He was tall, with an unhealthy pallor to his face. Purple eyeshadow extended to the sides of his nose, his pupils were dark gold, and his shoulder-length black hair was as smooth as if he had used conditioner.

He wore a light purple kimono, unlike the other ninjas present, who were almost all dressed in Konoha-standard flak jackets.

Orochimaru, the Cold Lord—a top-tier powerhouse known as one of the Sannin alongside Jiraiya and Tsunade, and a popular candidate to become the Fourth Hokage's successor.

Though he looked like someone no stranger should approach, Orochimaru was especially friendly, greeting many of the Jonin present.

Then he swept