The Hokage's Heart, the Final Piece of the Resurrection Puzzle

Above the Hokage Rock.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Orochimaru sat cross-legged on the grass, their postures relaxed.

"Orochimaru, what is your dream?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked.

"Master all the Ninjutsu in the world, so that life will no longer be fragile..." After their heart-to-heart talk, Orochimaru did not intend to say any high-sounding words.

But after a pause, he said seriously, "Gaining the approval of my teacher and the entire village, and becoming the rightful Fourth, is also one of them."

"You used to be a lot like me, Orochimaru..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi chuckled and shook his head, "When I was young, I also thought I could master all Ninjutsu, become the strongest Hokage, and was even called the ' Professor of Ninjutsu '..."

"Later I realized that I was just an ordinary person, and even maintaining the village was exhausting."

"If it weren't for that chance dream of Lord Tobirama, which instilled in me the resolve to destroy the old and establish the new, perhaps things would be different now..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi the subject, his tone becoming wistful:

"But you and I are different, Orochimaru..."

"You're young and more talented than me. Seeing you is like seeing a better version of myself..."

Orochimaru was filled with mixed emotions.

On the one hand, the teacher's recognition and praise naturally made him very happy.

On the other hand, he always felt that the teacher was being far too modest...

Given his current state of daily practice and relentless progress, is my talent truly superior to my teacher's?

Forty years old is considered old age for an ordinary ninja.

But for Hiruzen Sarutobi, it might just be the age to strive and fight...

"There's no need to say that, teacher."

Orochimaru couldn't help but say, "You... you're different from ordinary ninjas!"

"Perhaps, but a person's life is not just about talent."

Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed, "The historical context and the situation in the Shinobi World would have had a huge impact. If Lord Tobirama had returned from the battlefield back then, I might indeed be a different person..."

"But he gave his life for the village and for me, so whatever I do is only right."

Orochimaru nodded.

Taking on the responsibility of Hokage at a young age must have been an immense burden.

Self-improvement requires leisure time.

If the pressure of work has already overwhelmed a person, where would they find the time to do anything else?

But you're different; you're better than me.

"You have me as your teacher to back you up."

Orochimaru's pupils dilated, and he felt as if a fire had been poured into his heart.

The teacher's words...

Even cold-blooded animals like snakes find it hard not to feel warm.

"I have only one requirement for you: before you do anything, remember that you are a Konoha Ninja, someone who grew up bathed in the Will of Fire of your predecessors."

"Even when faced with irresistible temptations, one must restrain desires and not let them cloud judgment."

"Desire makes people impatient, but if you calm down and look at things, there are many ways to solve problems." Hiruzen Sarutobi gazed at the sky.

"Going slower might be more solid, and it won't hurt your loved ones or cause you regret."

Orochimaru seemed to be deep in thought.

He understood the implication in Hiruzen Sarutobi's words.

The Living Corpse Reincarnation Technique, combined with technological limitations, allows the target to be virtually anyone else.

But technology is not static.

From the Warring States Period to the Warring States and Village Era, over several decades, Ninjutsu and Bioengineering developed rapidly, with various Forbidden Technique emerging one after another...

Perhaps one day, the technological barriers will be broken down.

On that day, even if Orochimaru takes a liking to the talent of a Konoha Ninja, it wouldn't be difficult for him to openly obtain their Material.

Let's not even talk about the fact that there hasn't been a genius who has captured Orochimaru's heart like this yet...

Even if it exists.

Just like Senju Tobirama, it made Hiruzen Sarutobi resolutely take on the responsibility of the village.

Isn't his teacher's care over the years, and his current support and recognition, enough to earn him restraint?

Moreover, even if we take a step back and analyze it solely from the perspective of interests...

Thanks to the village's resources, his research was able to proceed more effectively...

Moreover, for Orochimaru at this point, the Living Corpse Reincarnation Technique Orochimaru is merely a trump card leading to pseudo-immortality.

As a genius, what I want to do is to improve myself; "Soul Transfer" others is always a subordinate replacement...

In a sense, that means self-denial.

"Teacher, I will always remember that I am a Konoha Ninja." Orochimaru didn't make any cruel vows, but his tone was extremely serious.

"Okay, that's good." Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded.

Conversations and promises between men can sometimes be so simple and unadorned, yet they carry immense weight.

"Perhaps one day you'll become an immortal being, just like the White Snake Sage of Ryūchi Cave..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi lit a cigarette, looking relieved, and even cracked a joke:

"By then, you won't need to be Hokage anymore. Just remember to find a few more contractors in Konoha."

Looking at Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression, Orochimaru felt a tightness in his chest.

It's like an ordinary old father fantasizing that his son, after graduating from the Jonin Academy, will become Jonin or even Hokage, reaching a peak that he himself can never achieve.

"When that time comes, I will write a plaque that reads: 'Hiruzen Sarutobi, the great Third Hokage, will always be my teacher...'" Orochimaru cheered himself up and started teasing each other.

But he sighed inwardly.

If a teacher has the resources and the right timing, he might achieve extraordinary success; these are fantasies he might not be unable to realize himself.

These words, of course, are filtered through a lens.

But that's truly what Hiruzen Sarutobi thought.

He's different from others...

The effort he put into making Konoha strong was not wasted; instead, it transformed into his talent.

Getting stronger step by step and realizing the increased potential is what Hiruzen Sarutobi has always been doing.

Although it may not be obvious at the moment, quantitative change leads to qualitative change...

He has plenty of patience and perseverance.

He just wouldn't tell anyone about this.

"This technique still needs to be reported. The credit will be with me; consider it a joint research and development effort."

Hiruzen Sarutobi said slowly, "My credibility is still good; no one will think too much about it."

To research and refine surgical techniques, resources will inevitably need to be mobilized.

Things are progressing so smoothly that it would be unreasonable to stop Orochimaru from continuing his research.

However, resources are attracting attention from all sides.

Characters like Orochimaru's rival Shimura Danzō, the unyielding Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, and even his colleague Hiruko...

Without an official accreditation, conducting private experiments could lead to serious consequences if exposed.

This could become a media Uzumaki capable of destroying Orochimaru's reputation...

But it's different when it's under the Hokage's name.

The stereotypes surrounding Hiruzen Sarutobi are that he's a nice guy, Dove Faction, and a steady person.

If it's registered under his name, it can be classified with the highest level of security, and no one will question it.

This is a way to protect Orochimaru.

It will not have any impact on Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Teacher, there's no need for that. I've already made a promise to you..."

Orochimaru frowned. "I wouldn't say I'd never use this technique, but the possibility is close to zero, unless I never make any breakthroughs by the time I die."

"Anyone who dares to smear me, I'll fight them!"

The teacher really thought too much about him...

Even Orochimaru felt somewhat ashamed.

Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly said, "Some say that Shimura Danzō took on the dark side for me..."

"That might make sense, but I have more to bear than that."

You might understand later, or you might not, but it doesn't really matter.

"They're all the same."

Orochimaru listened, somewhat puzzled.

But Hiruzen Sarutobi simply waved his hand, brushing the topic aside.

#

A few days later.

Hokage Office Building.

Shimura Danzō brought with him crucial intelligence.

The final piece of the puzzle for the resurrection of a certain adult.

Information about Kakuzu, the holder of the Earth Grudge Fear!