Seeing Orochimaru sulking, Jiraiya leaned closer and asked quietly, "Orochimaru—you really want to become Hokage, don't you?"
"I do not!" A vein bulged on Orochimaru's forehead.
"If you don't, why are you being so sarcastic?" Jiraiya asked skeptically.
Orochimaru: ...
"Commander Jiraiya, if you don't have any assignments for me, I'll act on my own initiative." Orochimaru smiled at Jiraiya.
"Uh... you're taking the graduates with you... then do as you please." Jiraiya said helplessly.
Akaseki, standing nearby, saw through it as well.
Orochimaru wanted to be Hokage but refused to admit it!
As for Jiraiya not being suited to become Hokage, Akaseki believed Hiruzen Sarutobi definitely knew that too.
The reason he had said it in front of Orochimaru was clearly to provoke him on purpose.
Naturally, Orochimaru understood that as well. He was just sulking...
Sure enough, what had Akaseki said before? "Brothers at odds, elders without virtue," right?
After Orochimaru took Nawaki out, Akaseki greeted Jiraiya and immediately followed them.
"Akaseki-kun, does your teacher have any further instructions?" Orochimaru continued in that sarcastic tone.
"No, I have something I want to discuss with Captain Orochimaru." Akaseki took the initiative.
"Oh? Do you want to learn another forbidden technique?" Orochimaru said deliberately.
"No, no, no. I'm here because I have good news for Captain Orochimaru—" Akaseki immediately made it clear that he was not here to ask Orochimaru for help, but to help him!
"Good news?" The smile on Orochimaru's lips did not change. He clearly did not believe him.
"Well..." As Akaseki spoke, he looked toward Nawaki, clearly asking him to leave.
Nawaki: ...
Akaseki even waved him away. Seeing that, Nawaki glared at him indignantly. What are you putting on airs for?
"Nawaki, go practice the ninjutsu I taught you earlier." Orochimaru spoke up.
"Yes... Hmph,