Orochimaru Needs to Make a Living Too

The news of Konohagakure producing several geniuses spread like wildfire after the practice match ended, quickly reaching Orochimaru, who was researching missions at the mission assignment office.

"Shimura Kazashiro? Shimura Danzo's son? I see, so those two samples..." Upon receiving this intelligence from a ninja beside him, Orochimaru immediately connected Kazashiro with the samples.

Damn Danzo, is this the reason he cut ties with me?

Orochimaru's expression turned grim.

Ever since he broke ties with Danzo, his life had become considerably more difficult than before.

Although Orochimaru had uttered harsh words upon leaving, saying Danzo would surely regret it.

Yet, a year had passed. He didn't know if Danzo regretted it, but Orochimaru himself had some regrets.

The reason was simple: life without money was truly unbearable.

In the past, Orochimaru relied on Danzo's funding. He bought experimental equipment by the pound and was allocated land for experiments by the acre. He never worried about food or drink and didn't need to take on any missions.

Now, not only could he not afford experimental equipment, but his experimental grounds had also been reclaimed by Danzo's subordinates, who claimed they were Root assets.

Not to mention the various materials he had painstakingly acquired, all of which were sealed away by Root ninjas.

With nowhere to even live, Orochimaru had no choice but to return to the small house left by his deceased parents. He tidied it up and moved in.

"Geniuses, hmph. Compared to eternal life, they're not worth mentioning."

Orochimaru muttered in a hoarse voice, lost in thought about something.

"So scary, is this Lord Orochimaru, one of the Sannin?"

"A terrifying ninja who carries out ruthless actions to the end, whether towards enemies or allies. He truly lives up to his reputation."

"Just standing near him, I feel my body trembling."

The Konoha ninjas, intimidated by the gloomy aura emanating from Orochimaru, kept their distance and whispered amongst themselves.

Orochimaru, engrossed in his own thoughts, paid them no mind and retreated into his own world.

Genius. Once upon a time, he too had been called that.

However, during wartime, such geniuses were merely expendable pawns in the hands of the higher-ups.

Having participated in the Second Shinobi World War, Orochimaru had personally witnessed the demise of countless geniuses. Some died from explosive tags, some had their stomachs inexplicably slit open and their organs removed, and others were poisoned by a mysterious man riding a fish...

No matter how great their talent or how profound their ninjutsu mastery, they could not escape the clutches of death.

So, Kakashi, Kazashiro, Asuma, in what form will you die in this cruel ninja world?

Even as he thought this, if Orochimaru couldn't find a suitable mission to fill his stomach soon, he too would become one of those fallen geniuses.

Most of the missions posted at the assignment office were like child's play. Any missions with a higher risk factor were personally assigned by the Hokage.

In other words, Orochimaru's current predicament was that he either had to compete with the Genin for the wealthy's petty commissions or swallow his pride and ask Hiruzen for missions.

Damn Danzo!

He couldn't count how many times he'd cursed Danzo in his heart, and Orochimaru's expression grew increasingly grim.

"Achoo!"

Danzo, sitting at home and receiving reports from his subordinates, suddenly sneezed.

"Are you alright, Lord Danzo?"

Bing, who was reporting, had been sprayed with saliva. He wiped his face and asked Danzo with concern.

"It's nothing. Continue your report," Danzo shook his head, attributing it to the machinations of the evil Uchiha.

"Yes, Young Master Kazashiro defeated Asuma Sarutobi in just two moves. Under Captain Ryoma's instruction, we have already begun to spread the word in secret," Bing lowered his head and continued his report.

Hearing that the villagers already knew how outstanding his son was, Danzo nodded with satisfaction. "You've done well. In the future, only Kazashiro, who inherits my will, can change this corrupt Konoha. Only when he becomes Hokage can the darkness shrouding Konoha be dispelled."

"Alright, Kazashiro is back. You may leave now."

Hearing movement outside the door, Danzo waved his hand, signaling the other party to withdraw.

Pushing open the door, Kazashiro glanced at Danzo, who was sitting in the living room, and nodded at him as a greeting.

"I heard you defeated Asuma Sarutobi?" Danzo proactively inquired.

Hearing his cheap father's question, Kazashiro wasn't surprised. After all, he was the head of Konoha's intelligence. If he didn't even know about something like this, he should be fired.

Kazashiro readily admitted, "Yes, but it was only a practice match."

"Hmm, not arrogant, not impatient. You truly are my son." Danzo was very pleased with Kazashiro's demeanor and rarely praised him to his face.

"However, this is indeed nothing to brag about. It's only natural that my son would defeat Hiruzen's son," Danzo added, concerned that Kazashiro might become arrogant from his praise.

You say that, but why haven't you defeated the Third Hokage yourself? Instead, you're always following him around like a lapdog, taking the blame?

Kazashiro grumbled inwardly.

"In any case, you must continue training and strive to participate in the Chunin Exams as soon as possible after graduation to become a Chunin. Then, I will find a way to transfer you to the Anbu and have you become a Jonin." Danzo, in his excitement, spoke of his plans for Kazashiro.

Meanwhile, Asuma hummed a tune as he returned home.

The moment he entered, he saw the Hokage hat, representing Hiruzen's identity, hanging on the wall.

"Tch." Asuma let out a displeased "tch," took off his shoes, and stepped into the living room, his gaze instinctively drifting towards the study.

As expected, Hiruzen was in the study, holding a brush and writing vigorously on rice paper, occasionally pausing to think, exuding the aura of a scholar.

"What's this, not busy today?" Seeing that his father wasn't paying him any mind, Asuma couldn't help but speak up.

"Oh, Asuma, my boy. Sorry, sorry, I was so engrossed in my calligraphy, I didn't notice you, hahaha." Hearing his son's voice, Hiruzen chuckled sheepishly, put down the brush in his hand, and came to the living room with his hands behind his back, standing before Asuma.

"How was it, at school today?" Hiruzen looked his son up and down, and seeing no injuries on him, he felt a sense of relief.

"Hmph, as Hokage, wouldn't you know what happened at school? You're asking the obvious, always treating me like a child!" Asuma was very displeased with Hiruzen's demeanor, and his tone unconsciously rose a few decibels.

"You two, father and son, always arguing the moment you meet. Can't you be quiet for once!" Hearing Asuma's voice, Sarutobi Biwako poked her head out from the kitchen, brandishing a spatula, and shouted loudly.