The Third Hokage Was in a Very Bad Mood

"Old Man, call Jiraiya back. Someone's targeting Konoha—and the Jinchuriki."

Orochimaru gave a sinister laugh. "If you won't let me raise him, then give him to someone else who can protect him."

As far as Orochimaru was concerned, it didn't matter who raised Naruto, as long as the power of the Otsutsuki he represented could be developed faster and more effectively.

Innovation? Easier said than done, just as the Genie had said. He hadn't even figured out what the "old" was yet, let alone how to create anything new.

In these circumstances, a precious specimen as rich in potential as Naruto couldn't be wasted.

For that reason, Orochimaru didn't mind resorting to a little fearmongering.

"Someone's targeting Konoha?" The Third Hokage's gaze sharpened. "Orochimaru, what do you know?"

"I don't know any more than you do."

Orochimaru's smile faded, and his expression turned solemn. "There's only one way to control the Nine-Tails besides using a Jinchuriki."

The Third Hokage fell silent.

Even Minato, with his limited experience, would have his suspicions. As a witness to the battle at the Valley of the End, how could the Third Hokage not understand?

Besides, it was hardly a secret in the Shinobi World.

Madara Uchiha.

The Mangekyō Sharingan.

The current arrangement, in which the various great ninja villages each managed a Tailed Beast, had begun after Madara controlled the Nine-Tails and attacked Konoha. Afterward, the First had worried that the other Tailed Beasts still roaming free might cause trouble again, so he gathered them and distributed them among the villages.

Tonight, the Tomoe in the Nine-Tails' eyes had also been clearly visible when it went berserk.

Was this simply a contingency Madara had left behind? Or had the Uchiha in the village been involved, too?

Thoughts flooded the Third Hokage's mind, sending them racing beyond his control.

If it was the former, there was nothing to do but keep the new Nine-Tails Jinchuriki safe. But if it was the latter...

The village had suffered heavy casualties tonight, and lost two Kage Level fighters: the Hokage and the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. They did need Jiraiya to return and keep those with ulterior motives in check.

"I'll send someone to contact Jiraiya and have him return to the village as soon as possible."

As he spoke, the Third Hokage's gaze fell on Orochimaru again.

Orochimaru was his student, too, and had the strength of a Kage Level shinobi capable of holding an entire village in check. Yet, at some point, the two of them had drifted apart.

Now, even an ordinary conversation seemed difficult.

Meeting the Third Hokage's complicated, unspeakable gaze, Orochimaru scoffed inwardly. The Old Man is still so sentimental.

Orochimaru had once considered destroying the village the Old Man cherished right in front of him someday. But he no longer cared about such things. There was only one thing he sought now: eternal life.

"Genie, if there's nothing else here, let's get back to Root Base. I can't wait to restart the First Hokage Cells research."

"You don't need to rush that."

The Genie's voice held a hint of amusement. "One of the subjects from the previous First Hokage Cells experiment survived and successfully awakened Wood Release."

"What?"

Orochimaru was both shocked and furious, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

"So, our first small goal is to take that Wood Release boy back from Danzo—and make him pay through the nose while we're at it."

Meanwhile, in the heart of the village,

amid the wreckage, Fugaku Uchiha, captain of the Uchiha Police Force, was directing his clan members as they safely moved the noncombatants and guided them toward the shelters.

In a patch of shadow darker than the night, a squad of shinobi was watching the busy Uchiha.

One of the Root shinobi couldn't help asking, "Sir, shouldn't we help with the rescue?"

The Nine-Tails had rampaged through the village for less than ten minutes, but the damage was immeasurable. Among the ruins, injured people who couldn't move were crying out, and rescue workers were desperately needed everywhere.

"Keep your eyes on the Uchiha first." Danzo shot the Root shinobi a sidelong glance. "Don't forget—they can't escape blame for what happened tonight."

The Root shinobi's heart tightened. The Nine-Tails had appeared without warning, and the distinctive Tomoe of the Sharingan had swirled in its eyes. The Uchiha Clan certainly looked suspicious.

Whoosh!

After a sharp rush of wind, a Root shinobi landed on one knee. "Lord Danzo, the Intelligence Division has sent word. The Nine-Tails has been sealed, but the Fourth Hokage and his wife sacrificed their lives to do it."

"What?"

A stir ran through the surrounding shadows. Even Danzo, usually expressionless and deeply calculating, couldn't hide his shock. He stepped forward and grabbed the Root shinobi by the shoulder. "Say that again. What exactly happened?"

The Root shinobi sounded disbelieving, too. "The Nine-Tails has been sealed, but the Fourth Hokage and his wife sacrificed their lives."

Danzo clenched his fist, as if it took all his strength to suppress the storm of emotion within him.

For a moment, only one thought remained in his mind: the young Fourth had fallen, and the Hokage Position was finally vacant again.

The night wore on, and dawn drew near. Danzo returned to Root Base, his whole body heavy with exhaustion.

As for the Hokage Position, once he had calmed down, Danzo understood that this time it wouldn't be his.

Konoha had suffered a major upheaval, and its middle- and upper-ranking shinobi had taken heavy losses. The Hokage himself had died. In such circumstances, everyone would play it safe, and there was little chance the village would hurriedly elect a new Hokage. The most likely candidate to take office again was the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.

After all, the Third wasn't so old he could barely walk. He could still swing his staff with a mighty flourish, and he'd even managed to drive the rampaging Nine-Tails out of Konoha. He could easily serve as Hokage for a few more years.

Besides, the Fourth had only been in office for a short time, and the Third hadn't yet handed over all the authority he was supposed to. Taking it back now wouldn't be too difficult.

Knowing that the victor of the past would triumph over him once again, Danzo was in a very bad mood tonight.

And before long, his mood got even worse.

In the Root conference room, a slender figure sat in the same kind of chair as the Hokage's. The man was brazenly propping both feet up on the table.

Danzo was startled at first. But once he recognized the face in the chair, his expression darkened. "Orochimaru, what are you doing here?"

"Lord Danzo, judging by the look of you, you had a very eventful night."

Orochimaru let out a long sigh. In his hoarse voice, he lamented, "I'm not so lucky. It turns out my longtime partner says one thing to my face and another behind my back. I'm shaking with anger. Even in this hot weather, I'm breaking out in a cold sweat, my hands and feet are freezing, and I can't even sleep."

What nonsense was this? Danzo didn't understand the jargon. He frowned. "What are you talking about, Orochimaru? I don't have time for riddles."

"The First Hokage Cells experiments—all the subjects died without exception. That's what you told me back then."

Orochimaru's casual air vanished. Staring intently at Danzo, he said, "But today, I found out that wasn't true. That Wood Release boy with the codename Kinoe—how much longer were you planning to keep him from me, Lord Danzo?"