I'd Rather You Became Hokage, Teacher!

"Is your relationship with Senior Orochimaru really that ordinary, Teacher? Why do I feel like Senior Orochimaru tells you everything?" Hyuga Ritsu did not directly answer Hiruko's question. Instead, he curiously probed into the relationship between Hiruko and Orochimaru.

"Because Orochimaru has a perverse sense of humor."

Hiruko looked utterly helpless. "To be honest, I can't figure out what he's thinking either. I can only guess that he's probably very interested in you, Ah Ritsu. He was the one who told me everything you've been doing in the village!"

"Just a perverse sense of humor?"

Hyuga Ritsu rubbed his chin, looking thoughtful.

"Don't change the subject. What exactly did Orochimaru mean when he said your situation wasn't good?" Hiruko stared directly at Hyuga Ritsu.

"There's not much to say, really. The higher-ups in the village simply don't approve of how I wiped out the Main House."

"The Third and the others want you dead?"

"Teacher, that's a little too blunt. I'd guess they want me to die in battle against the mist ninja."

"Isn't that the same thing?"

Hiruko frowned tightly and asked, "What are you planning to do?"

"I'll deal with whatever comes."

"To be honest, what are you planning?"

Hiruko pressed him again.

He had finally understood that his disciple was not someone who meekly accepted whatever came his way. The Main House had forced him to risk fleeing the clan and compelled him to gamble on a Forbidden Jutsu just to survive, so he had turned around and simply erased the Main House altogether!

And now that the village was treating Ah Ritsu poorly too, Hiruko could not help worrying that Ah Ritsu might develop a habit of solving problems this way and decide to get rid of the village's higher-ups as well.

"Ah Ritsu, let me make this clear first. Your move against the Main House was an internal matter of your Hyuga Clan. But the Hokage is the Hokage of the village. If you make a move against the Hokage, the other clans and civilian ninja in the village will never accept it. Your Hyuga Clan does not have the strength to stand against the village."

After thinking it over, Hiruko felt it was necessary to remind his disciple not to do anything foolish.

"Teacher, what are you thinking? I'm not that stupid!"

Hyuga Ritsu rolled his eyes helplessly.

"Good. If you were, then give up that idea now."

"I know what can be done and what cannot. The Third has governed for so many years and enjoys considerable popular support. I have no plans to do anything to him. I'm only thinking about the Fourth Hokage."

"The Fourth Hokage?"

Hiruko raised a brow, his eyes shifting as he slowly nodded. "That is a good approach. Build a good relationship with the Fourth Hokage in advance, and once the Fourth Hokage takes office, your situation can improve... Wait, you asked about my relationship with Orochimaru earlier because you think Orochimaru will become the Fourth Hokage?"

"Isn't that what everyone's saying now? The final candidate for the Fourth Hokage will definitely be either Orochimaru or Namikaze Minato. Haven't you heard, Teacher Hiruko?"

"I've heard it, but I never paid much attention to it."

Hiruko lifted his teacup and took a sip to wet his throat. His face was filled with thought as his hands unconsciously rubbed the rough porcelain cup. "Orochimaru and Minato... both seem possible. Orochimaru is the Hokage's disciple, while Minato is the Hokage's disciple's disciple. Their achievements are also difficult to compare... Ah Ritsu, do you favor Orochimaru more?"

"No. I think Senior Minato is more likely to become the Fourth Hokage."

"Then why did you ask about Orochimaru?"

"Because Senior Orochimaru is also keen on researching Forbidden Jutsu. If he takes office, life will be easier for us master and disciple."

"Orochimaru is keen on researching Forbidden Jutsu?"

Hiruko was startled. He instinctively looked around and lowered his voice. "Where did you learn that? How come I've never heard of it? And what does Orochimaru hope to gain by researching Forbidden Jutsu?"

He could not understand it. He researched Forbidden Jutsu to shatter his own mediocrity and catch up to the three classmates whose backs he could only gaze upon. Yet Orochimaru himself was one of the people Hiruko sought to catch up with. He was immensely talented and had the Third as his teacher. He was absolutely one of life's winners.

So why would Orochimaru take such enormous risks to meddle with Forbidden Jutsu?

What was he after?

"It's only natural that you haven't heard. Not many people know in the first place. I only found some clues by taking advantage of these eyes of mine. As far as I know, he is seeking... the path to immortality."

Hyuga Ritsu's final words were very soft.

But Hiruko heard them clearly. His expression changed at once, and understanding dawned on his face. He could not help sighing. "No wonder. I was wondering what Orochimaru was after. If it's... never mind. What others do is none of our business. The issue now is your situation. Befriending the Fourth Hokage is something for the future, but if there is no present, then there can be no future."

"I already said it. I'll deal with whatever comes."

Hyuga Ritsu was not flustered in the slightest.

Hiruko immediately glared at Hyuga Ritsu. "Ah Ritsu, isn't that too passive?"

"There isn't a better way, is there?"

"If it comes to it, I can go ask Orochimaru again and have him arrange a mission for you ahead of time..."

"That won't work. Senior Orochimaru is the Hokage's disciple. I'd guess that when that deputy commander came to the front lines, he must have brought the Hokage's orders to Senior Orochimaru. Unless Senior Orochimaru intends to defy the Hokage, no matter how much you ask, Teacher, it will be useless."

Seeing Hiruko fall silent, his brow furrowed with worry, Hyuga Ritsu smiled faintly and said softly, "Teacher, you don't need to worry so much. In truth, this is not as dangerous as you think. Don't forget that I now possess two Kekkei Genkai. I have the ability to block soldiers with generals, hold back floodwaters with earth, and deal with whatever comes!"

Hiruko froze for a moment, then slapped his forehead. "I nearly forgot about that. Ah Ritsu, how do you feel after using the Chimera Technique? Is anything wrong?"

"No, everything is normal."

Hyuga Ritsu raised his hand, and a pale white bone shot out from his palm. "I feel great. After integrating the Shikotsumyaku, not only did it naturally break down the Caged Bird Seal, but the power of my Byakugan was also greatly strengthened. My Chakra reserves have increased by more than tenfold..."

He told Hiruko everything about the changes that had occurred after he used the Chimera Technique, without concealing anything.

After listening to Hyuga Ritsu, Hiruko pondered for a while before slowly saying, "It does sound like nothing but good news. Perhaps... you were right. The Byakugan and the Shikotsumyaku Kekkei Genkai truly originated from the same source. Your Hyuga Clan and Kirigakure's Kaguya Clan share a common ancestor, which is why the two have complementary traits and almost no rejection reaction."

"So, Teacher, do you want to use the Chimera Technique too?"

After saying that, Hyuga Ritsu could not help adding with a sigh, "Compared to Orochimaru and Namikaze Minato, I'd actually rather see you become Hokage, Teacher!"

"What nonsense are you talking about?"

Hiruko laughed despite himself. "How could I possibly become Hokage? My strength is mediocre, my accomplishments are ordinary. No matter whose turn it is, it would never be my turn to become Hokage. To put it bluntly, if it ever came down to me becoming Hokage, then I'd say the village would not be far from ruin!"