"What did you say?"
Orochimaru's snake-like eyes narrowed, his expression turning sinister, like a venomous snake flicking its tongue.
Danzo's two sentences truly struck a chord with him...
The title " Sannin " was considered a compliment by the other ninjas, because they were able to fight Hanzo to a draw...
But as a genius, Orochimaru felt ashamed deep down!!
Danzo's accusation that Orochimaru hadn't figured out Hashirama Cells after ten years of research infuriated Orochimaru!
Do you understand what Hashirama Cells are or what a long research and development cycle is?
This is like someone questioning why Ninjutsu uses Chakra or why rockets don't burn firewood...
Orochimaru would just laugh it off if most people said that, since it wouldn't affect him much.
But Danzo was his former benefactor and now his rival for the Hokage position!
Orochimaru opened his mouth, his words usually sharp, but this time he was speechless.
Because he's now essentially a " Acting Hokage," he can no longer freely recount his dark past to retaliate against Danzo as he did offstage...
"Sitting in this position, procedures and rules are my weapons."
"Is this what it feels like to step out of the shadows and into the light?" Orochimaru pondered this feeling, and as he watched Danzo, the anger in his heart slowly dissipated...
A glimmer of understanding dawned on me.
" Danzo is no good as Hokage. He doesn't know how to unite people through systems, and with his abilities, he can't balance the various factions. He'll only ever do things by any means necessary..."
"Look at the expressions on those ' Committee Member '... How many of them truly support him? They can't even distinguish between friend and foe. They seize any opportunity and launch a frenzied attack. Does he think he's dealing with enemies from other villages?"
"Who would want to work with someone like that? He challenges the rules at the first opportunity; he's utterly untrustworthy!"
Orochimaru's gaze was no longer sinister, but rather fixed on Danzo with a half-smile, as if he were looking at a pitiful person.
Danzo, who was feigning madness, also became aware of this change.
Danzo appeared hysterical, but was actually quite calm inside.
The real reason he yelled at Orochimaru this time was to take this opportunity to point out Orochimaru's lack of experience.
Tell everyone that even though the Scientific Research Department has achieved some results now, it has also wasted a huge amount of resources in the past!
However, Danzo misunderstood Orochimaru's expression.
"Speechless and backing down? Can only hold on with your eyes? You think you can scare me?"
Danzo smiled coldly to himself, untied the bandage that had been wrapped around his head, and threw it violently to the ground.
He revealed a scar running through his right eye. "You removed my seat? You just want to denounce me, don't you!"
"Let me tell you, my life has been with Hiruzen for the village, and I've died several times already!"
"I'm not afraid to tell you, I've already installed the 'Reverse Four-Symbols Seal Technique' within my body. From the moment I received Lord Tobirama's kindness, I've been ready to sacrifice myself for the village!"
Upon hearing this, the knowledgeable " Konoha Committee Member " all showed expressions of surprise.
"The Hidden Four-Symbols Seal Technique" is a technique where, when the caster is near death, they release all their blood, using the reverse power of the four symbols to seal everything around them into an unknown space...
Not only does it require the recipient to have a large amount of Chakra, but the process of inscribing the mark also involves enduring immense pain, akin to repeatedly stimulating the flesh with a branding iron for a prolonged period...
During the Warring States period, only Uzumaki Clan, known for their extreme and powerful personalities, were used as suicide warriors.
" Danzo, he's not without his merits..."
Uchiha Isshin glanced at Danzo.
He was stirring things up, but Danzo really liked Isshin's extremely old-fashioned style.
This is what a ninja should be like!
Tenzo probably shared the same idea, but while they agreed, they wouldn't take sides.
The Ninja Clan's stance is to closely align themselves with the Lord Third.
Even though Orochimaru currently appears to be ahead in the race for Hokage, getting involved prematurely is too risky...
Interestingly, when the Root members who were standing guard nearby heard Danzo's words, their expressions behind their masks all changed.
They were pondering how to repay the Lord Hokage for treating them so well.
Aburame Tatsuma thought to himself:
"How about we get together with some of the old Root members and petition the Lord Hokage to have the 'Reverse Four-Symbols Seal Technique' engraved on a few of us as well?" "That way, we'll have a better chance to contribute to the village..."
No-Man to anyone, Aburame Tatsuma's expression beneath his mask was somewhat manic.
In his view, having his dedication and sacrifice recognized brings him immense spiritual satisfaction...
To gain greater recognition, one must shoulder more of the village's darkness!
The darkest person in the village was naturally Shimura Danzō.
" Danzo could do it, why can't I? It's just a Sealing Jutsu!"
"As long as the village approves of me..."
"Although he founded Root, we are now the Hidden Guard of the Firmament Root under the Lord Hokage's command! Without a complete break with the past, we cannot repay the Lord Hokage's kindness..."
Aburame Tatsuma's gaze shifted slightly, a thought flashing through his mind.
He saw the Root members on the other side, and they also turned their gaze toward him.
Years of tacit understanding had made Aburame Tatsuma realize that he wasn't the only one harboring similar thoughts...
" Danzo's advisor, there's no need for him to flaunt his achievements like this..."
One of the Faction within the Scientific Research Faction, Hiruko softly:
"Which of the Committee Member, the Anbu, the Root, and even the vast majority of Konoha Ninja here is not prepared to sacrifice themselves for the village?"
"When Orochimaru fought Hanzo, he was still a young man. Besides Committee Member, Hanzo was a renowned Shinobi World with formidable strength. Was it shameful for him to fight for the village?"
"Forgive my bluntness, but while your spirit inscribing the 'Reverse Four-Symbols Seal Technique' is certainly worth learning, if war breaks out again with the Land of Rain, I'm afraid you won't be able to seal him with Hanzo's Body Flicker Technique..."
Orochimaru nodded slightly, pondering to himself:
"You know what, studying the teacher's quotes really works. Even Hiruko, who used to be silent, can now say a few decent things..." Danzo's expression suddenly changed.
Alright, the traitor has jumped out on his own!
Danzo had long Hiruko; he was yet another treacherous villain surrounding Hiruzen!
Like that Hizashi, they're constantly finding new ways to compete in their own niche, especially by specializing in a more specialized area...
"Who gives you the right to speak?"
Danzo snorted coldly, "It's only because Hiruzen values your research abilities... Let me tell you, if you're researching ninjas, just focus on your own little corner of the world and don't meddle in areas you don't understand!"
Hiruko a cold laugh.
The skill level is really low...
Despite being an assistant, he only knows how to bully others with his power and past achievements!
" The Lord Hokage once said that those in high positions are the biggest beneficiaries of the rules, and the higher one's position, the more one should use the system to solve problems."
Hiruko couldn't help but feel a pang of regret. Why was it that Danzo by the Lord Hokage's side Tenten, being influenced by him?
What a waste of this opportunity!
If I could be by the Lord Hokage, maybe I could even become his assistant in the future...
"Am I qualified?"
Tsunade on the table and said in a deep voice, " Danzo! Look at yourself... You no longer resemble a Konoha Ninja! Just because the Old Man isn't here, do you think you're the boss?"
"If you want to flaunt your seniority, then I'll play along!"
Isshin and Tenzo exchanged a glance, and the two old foxes couldn't help but nod slightly.
That's well said, and this person is even more important...
"My Grandfather, my Second Granduncle, my brother, and my lover all fought valiantly for Konoha, and many of them perished for the village!"
"My clan nearly disbanded for the sake of Konoha... We lost almost half our members in the First Shinobi World War!"
"During the Second Shinobi World War, Orochimaru and I were on the front lines fighting Hanzo and nearly died. We saved quite a few Konoha Ninja!" Tsunade furrowed as she shouted sharply.
"In terms of seniority, I have more than you! According to your logic, shouldn't you shut up?"
Danzo was speechless.
Who are Tsunade's relatives?
Anyone in Konoha who doesn't know this can be immediately labeled a spy...
"That's not what I meant..." Danzo muttered.
He realized that Orochimaru was already becoming quite a force to be reckoned with!
The Scientific Research Department has now established itself as Faction to be reckoned with in Konoha.
And that doesn't even include Jiraiya, Orochimaru's buddy!
But in Orochimaru's view, while Tsunade was speaking up for him, she was also giving him a wake-up call.
If he becomes Hokage in the future, Tsunade, with her fiery temper and impeccable Tsunade, will be really hard to control...
"Supporting is indeed hard work, but all the Ninja Clan and ninjas are gathered under the banner of the Will of Fire, and everyone is doing their best to build the village they envision..."
Hatake Sakumo also chimed in:
"Always emphasizing seniority and military achievements might be understandable once or twice, but what will happen to the village's rules and regulations in the long run?" " The Lord Hokage doesn't govern the village like this..."
"If you want to become Hokage, I think you should learn more from the Lord Third. Always being stuck in your own ways and unable to break free..." Sakumo said, then shook his head with a sigh, "It doesn't quite fit the Will of Fire!"
Danzo glanced at Hatake Sakumo with surprise.
You're usually so quiet, but now you're surprisingly eloquent?
What a capable Anbu Deputy Chief! It seems they've been eyeing his position for a while now...
For a moment, Danzo felt surrounded by wolves and attacked from all sides.
" Hiruzen, what were you doing... These people are incredibly arrogant while you're gone!"
Danzo roared inwardly, "You're the Hokage! Why aren't you back yet?!"
In reality, Hiruzen Sarutobi had only been away from Konoha for less than a day...
"Quiet down, everyone."
With Hizashi's Sword of the Thunder God Tobirama his waist, Hizashi slowly spoke, " The Lord Hokage has gone to the capital to discuss new mission details with Nobles daimyo and Daimyo."
" Orochimaru Committee Member temporarily appointed to chair the meeting because this incident is ultimately related to Danzo's Danzo, and those involved should always avoid suspicion. However, he also instructed me to be careful to give Danzo's assistance the right to speak."
"This meeting is a comprehensive discussion regarding Danzo's excessive actions in assisting the formation Root Danzo, the failure of the Uchiha Yashiro's mission, and the certain conflict between the Will of Fire and the Ninja Code."
Hizashi, expressionless, held up a scroll bearing a large seal and Hiruzen Sarutobi's signature.
Hokage's Edict!
" Committee Member Shikayama and I will record everyone's words and actions truthfully, including everything that just happened."
Nara Shikayama, the head of the Nara Clan, spoke calmly, "I hope everyone will remain rational and restrained. The Lord Hokage is currently ensuring stability at home. If the village falls into chaos..."
"This will greatly disappoint the Lord Hokage!"
Hizashi produced Hiruzen Sarutobi's edict, an invisible, immense force seemed to cause the entire conference room to fall silent. Orochimaru watched this scene quietly, his heart filled with complex emotions.
He knew this was a backup plan that Hiruzen Sarutobi had left him to keep things under control.
"Only by sitting in this position can you truly understand the kind of people a teacher faces every day..."
" The Old Man handled everything so easily, and still had time to cultivate so diligently!"
"Truly an iron body and spirit..."
Even Hizashi and Shikayama, who spoke up for him, were considered another force by Orochimaru.
After he becomes Hokage, these people won't automatically follow him...
In other words, Hiruko him, and even Jiraiya had Minato as his apprentice...
"Research Department, Anbu Faction, Ninja Clan Faction, Commoner Faction, Senju Faction..."
The passionate and indignant Danzo and Tsunade, the silent Isshin and Tenzo, the astute Ino-Shika-Cho trio, the cold-blooded Hizashi, the agile and cunning Hiruko, the outspoken Sakumo, and the detached observer Kurama Genshin...
Orochimaru glanced around and felt that there were more than just one person after another in front of him.
Instead, they are undulating Faction, clashing and converging together, stretching endlessly.
Each person represents a different interest group and has different demands.
"To build their consensus, strength, prestige, and effective methods are all indispensable..."
Orochimaru realized that Konoha was a village full of hidden talents, each possessing unique skills!
"Without a teacher, Konoha would be in who knows what state of internal strife would ensue!"
Orochimaru couldn't help but have an almost absurd idea.
Normally, the more strong ninjas a village has, the better, but Konoha has too many.
Without a unified voice, Konoha might even perish from sheer strength!
"Since Hiruzen has given instructions, let's do as he says..." Danzo silently used his foot to lift the bandage, grabbed it, and stuffed it into his pocket. It wasn't that he wanted to do it, but rather that Hizashi had just said everything would be faithfully recorded...
Everyone else also took their seats in an orderly fashion.
Orochimaru paused, then scanned the crowd:
"Let's put this farce to an end... I hope that from now on, everyone will strictly adhere to the village's rules and spirit, and speak their minds without reservation." "The teacher also instructed me to collect and summarize opinions from all sides; we can't silence people..."
"If such an atmosphere develops, it's very unhealthy..."
Orochimaru recalled what Hiruzen Sarutobi had once told him.
He fixed his gaze on Danzo, paused for a moment, and then slowly continued:
"We are Konoha Ninja, we uphold the Will of Fire!"
Orochimaru solemnly picked up the Hokage Hat with both hands and placed it directly in front of him.
Without naming names, everyone knows who they're talking about...
At that moment, Danzo felt eyes on him from all directions, but he could not turn his head.
If Hiruzen's order comes down, and they try the same old trick again...
Danzo knew in his heart that his old comrades would definitely deal with him!
I could only nod reluctantly to show my agreement.
"Well, Hiruzen did take care of me after all, he even told Hizashi to let me speak..."
"That's true, I am one of the parties involved, and it would be bad if word got out that I was sitting on the stage..." Danzo suddenly felt a little regretful.
I shouldn't have made such a scene just now.
Why don't you believe in Hiruzen? Sigh!
At that moment, Danzo looked at Orochimaru, whose expression was neither joyful nor sorrowful, and a sense of foreboding welled up in his heart.
If Orochimaru had argued with him earlier, Danzo would have been secretly pleased, as this would have played right into his hands.
It involves luring the enemy into your comfort zone and then using your extensive experience to defeat them!
This shows that Orochimaru didn't learn Hiruzen's true essence; he was still thinking like someone outside the audience...
But he remained remarkably calm...
Sitting in the Hokage's seat, he looked quite respectable at first glance.
It has a slight resemblance to Hiruzen!
But Danzo didn't know was...
At this moment, Orochimaru felt that he no longer so eager for the Hokage position.
"Scientific research is still the best..."
"Project approval, research, and funding—it's either right or wrong..."
"When there are too many people, it's like a cell suspension in a test tube—stirred up and it becomes a murky mess, the components hard to discern..."
Orochimaru sighed inwardly:
"If I become Hokage in the future, will I be able to balance research and administration like my teacher?"
Only at this moment did Orochimaru realize it.
With Hiruzen Sarutobi accusing him of being responsible for funding and obscuring his research progress, it's incredibly rare and fortunate that he can focus on his research so wholeheartedly...
"Thank you for your hard work, teacher. Please come back soon..." Orochimaru murmured to himself.
"Alright, let's begin the meeting..."
"Assistant, please speak first."
Danzo stood up stiffly, clearly not intending to cause trouble, but his attitude was not going to soften either.
Orochimaru shook his head.
He already had a premonition that during the teacher's absence, meetings would likely be held continuously.
This meeting is just the beginning.
Reaching a consensus is also highly unlikely...
The endless wrangling is visible to the naked eye.
And at this moment.
Hiruzen Sarutobi has arrived at the capital of the Land of Fire.
Here, his Worthy Brother, in-law, and Daimyo of the Land of Fire, Kujo Gen, had already gathered the most powerful Nobles and officials of the Land of Fire, awaiting the arrival of Hiruzen Sarutobi!