The Hokage...
Orochimaru's yellow eyes suddenly grew dark and distant.
Had he ever wanted to become Hokage?
No!
His dream had always been to master every jutsu in the world. He'd had that dream ever since he was a child.
Later, the Professor of Ninjutsu had taken him on as a student and taught him all kinds of jutsu without reservation. Of the three students, Orochimaru had always been the one his teacher valued most.
Later still, his teacher became Hokage.
After that, he seemed to have thought that if he took his teacher's place one day and became Hokage himself, it might not be so bad.
Had I really wanted to become Hokage?
As he recalled that memory from his youth, Orochimaru scoffed inwardly.
As far as he was concerned now, the Hokage's seat no longer mattered.
But!
That was because he didn't want it, not because he couldn't get it!
Aburame Ryoma's words brought him back from his memories. "You do have a great deal of influence among Konoha's shinobi, but on your own, you'll find it difficult to oppose Minato Namikaze, who has the Third Hokage's support. You need our help."
Orochimaru made no comment.
He leafed through a shinobi's profile.
A young boy's photograph was in the upper-right corner, with his name written on the left: Uchiha Aoya.
He'd gone to the battlefield at just nine years old and never shied away from dangerous, difficult missions. He'd been gravely wounded and come close to death several times, an image of someone who would risk everything for Konoha.
Two months ago, during the Battle of Kannabi Bridge, he'd killed hundreds of Iwagakure Ninja and captured Kitsuchi alive. His fame had skyrocketed!
As expected of a genius from the Uchiha Clan.
Orochimaru sighed in admiration, finding himself curious