Tsunade was a little surprised.
With so many things to deal with, she hadn't expected Shinji to suddenly bring up Orochimaru. The village leadership still hadn't reached a decision on what to do with him.
Some of the higher-ups, including Tsunade, believed Orochimaru was a valuable asset. If he could be persuaded to make amends for his crimes, they could try giving him another chance.
Others, led by Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, felt that Orochimaru was not only guilty of heinous crimes but also unreliable and unworthy of trust.
Of course,
whether Orochimaru was reliable or trustworthy wasn't the whole issue.
There was a deeper power struggle between the two sides.
Whatever else he was, Orochimaru had been the Third's student and one of the Sannin, alongside Tsunade and Jiraiya. If the village accepted him again, the authority of the Advisor Elder Council faction led by Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura would take another hit.
When their own power was at stake, people became short-sighted and foolish!
Kakashi, who was present, was also a little surprised.
He hadn't expected Shinji to make such a request out of the blue. But Sasuke was deeply troubled by the Cursed Seal, and now that the culprit, Orochimaru, had been captured and imprisoned by the village, it was understandable that Sasuke wanted to resolve the problem once and for all by going to him.
Tsunade turned to Kakashi. "What do you think?"
Kakashi replied calmly, "Shinji has been very cooperative regarding the Takamagahara matter. I don't think this is the right time to reject his request. Besides, he's now the captain of the Konoha Military Police Force, so he has the authority to inquire about any prisoner in custody."
Tsunade said, "I'm still a little uneasy. How about this: you'll attend this special