News of the Yondaime

A low-maintenance disciple—this was Sandaime's assessment of Itachi.

Training required perseverance. Once one had grasped the knack, they only needed to keep training according to it until they saw results, then move on to the next knack.

There was a process to it. During that process, Sandaime only needed to conduct routine checks and offer a little guidance.

With Itachi's intelligence, he did not need much instruction.

A disciple who was such a heaven-sent genius was truly effortless to teach!

Sandaime finally understood why those masters liked teaching genius disciples.

"Orochimaru, what have you come to see me about this time?"

He had already been teaching Itachi for several days. They were still by the river near the academy. This time, Itachi was practicing the Horse Stance with some weights on him... Honestly, he was only six. This sort of weighted training was not really appropriate.

But the people of this world had somewhat unusual constitutions, and ninja constitutions were even more unusual. Besides, they had such an outstanding Medical Ninja as Nonō nearby. At worst, they could seek out Tsunade, who was still in Konoha.

So, after discussing it with Nonō, Sandaime had appropriately added some weights to Itachi's training to supplement his Horse Stance practice.

After every training session, Itachi had to receive Nonō's treatment to eliminate, as much as possible, the hidden injuries accumulated through training.

At this moment, Orochimaru also arrived by the riverbank. He watched Itachi's Horse Stance with great interest as he said, "Sensei, I naturally came to you because there is something."

"Go ahead, Orochimaru."

"The Uchiha have some opinions regarding your instruction of Itachi."

"Oh?"

"They have no objections to Itachi receiving your instruction."

After all, receiving Sandaime's instruction meant that Itachi would develop closer ties with the Hokage faction. How could the Uchiha, who constantly dreamed of having a place in the future Hokage administration, possibly object? They were delighted beyond measure.

"But they feel that you are the Professor of Ninjutsu, yet you are teaching Itachi Taijutsu."

Of course, Sandaime's Taijutsu was not bad either. It could even be said to be formidable. But the Uchiha placed greater importance on ninjutsu.

"So they want me to adjust Itachi's lessons?"

"You could say that."

Sandaime took a drag from his pipe.

"Very well. I will make time to give Itachi some guidance in ninjutsu."

After all, he did have plenty to teach, and Itachi was such a genius. Physical training could not continue indefinitely; there would always be breaks to rest. Using that time to offer a little ninjutsu instruction was not impossible.

Orochimaru smiled and nodded.

He had earned a favor from the Uchiha over this matter. Sandaime understood that as well, which was why he had deliberately cooperated.

Orochimaru would surely use this opportunity to squeeze some benefits out of the Uchiha afterward.

The Uchiha might even be grateful to him, believing that the Fifth had been truly kind to them and had genuinely fulfilled what they entrusted to him. Naturally, they would have to repay him.

"Is there anything else?" Sandaime could tell that Orochimaru had not come solely for this matter.

"Danzo has made a move."

"What did he do?"

"Sensei, you should have heard about the recent nostalgia for the Yondaime in the village."

Sandaime nodded at this.

There had indeed been a recent wave of nostalgia for the Yondaime in the village. On the surface, it did not seem strange, but one had to remember that before Orochimaru became Hokage, accusations against the Yondaime had quietly circulated throughout the village.

They said the Yondaime had failed to keep watch over his Jinchuriki wife, allowing the Jinchuriki to escape. Even though the Yondaime had ultimately sacrificed himself to seal the Nine-Tails, even sealing the Nine-Tails within his newborn son.

But the villagers who had suffered separation and death during the Nine-Tails' Rampage did not care about any of that. They felt the rumor made perfect sense. The Yondaime had been utterly irresponsible!

Was this really directed at the Yondaime?

Of course not. It was plainly aimed at Sandaime. The Yondaime had inherited the position of Hokage from Sandaime; it could be said that he had inherited Sandaime's political legacy.

Attacking and condemning the Yondaime like this was, in truth, accusing Sandaime of poor judgment and senility. It was all Sandaime's fault!

The one driving all of this had naturally been Danzo.

Determined to force Sandaime out of office by any means necessary, he had seized upon the fact that Sandaime and the Yondaime were politically bound together. He used the grief and outrage of the Konoha Villagers over the Nine-Tails' Rampage, tied it to the Yondaime, and then tied it to Sandaime.

And honestly, this had indeed put Sandaime in a difficult position. If not for the firm support of Konoha's two Council Elders, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, Danzo might not have failed.

But now, Sandaime had voluntarily stepped down and handed the position of Hokage to Orochimaru, who was in his prime and highly respected in Konoha.

Danzo's offensive naturally could no longer have any effect. There was no point in using such tactics against Sandaime after he had already stepped down.

Thus, the accusations against the Yondaime circulating through the village also subsided.

Still, they had ultimately left an impression in the hearts of the villagers.

With that impression in place, the Yondaime's reputation suddenly improving meant that someone had certainly done something behind the scenes. Orochimaru must have sensed that something was wrong, investigated, and discovered that Danzo was driving it all from the shadows.

"What is the point of Danzo doing this?" Sandaime asked, somewhat puzzled.

"I am puzzled as well, which is why I wanted to ask you, Sensei. After all, you understand Danzo better than anyone."

Sandaime shook his head and took a drag from his pipe. "I can only conclude that Danzo would not do something pointless. He is definitely not doing this out of goodwill toward the Yondaime."

"Then his malice..."

Sandaime looked at Orochimaru.

Orochimaru nodded. Just as he had expected, whoever sat in the Hokage's seat would become the target of Danzo's malice.

"Could he be praising the Yondaime just to disgust me, the Fifth?" Orochimaru muttered.

Then he shook his head.

That was far too childish.

Although Danzo was not above doing things simply to disgust others, a man as calculating as Danzo surely had further plans.

Especially since Orochimaru knew just how much Danzo hated him now.

"No matter what, Orochimaru, you should be careful."

Orochimaru nodded.

He had dealt extensively with Danzo and knew what a twisted, deranged man he was. Being more cautious certainly could not hurt.

"Sensei, there is one more matter."

"What is it?"

"The Jinchuriki."

Orochimaru mentioned an extremely sensitive term.

"I would like to ask you to look after him for me."

"What about Jiraiya?"

That was the child of Jiraiya's most valued disciple.

"He has left the village."

"For the Joint Security Company matter?"

"That is correct."

Sandaime thought for a moment, then nodded.

"Very well. I will look after Naruto for you."

"Then I will leave him in your care, Sensei."

Orochimaru left afterward.

Sandaime looked at Itachi, who was diligently holding his Horse Stance.

He took another drag from his pipe.