Orochimaru's Strange Behavior

Even Orochimaru himself wasn't allowed onto the battlefield.

Zhengyi's application to join the front lines at Kumogakure was rejected too.

Danzo was even worse off. He'd even noticed that more Anbu had started keeping an eye on him near the Root Base.

Everyone in Konoha—even Dai and Guy—could see that the three-and-a-halfth Hokage, the King of Pots, and the Dog-Headed Strategist were being targeted.

Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted to know what those three had done behind his back recently!

How was that any different from trying to start a rebellion?

If it had been Minato, he absolutely wouldn't have acted like this.

Orochimaru... it wasn't that I favored anyone, but you brought this on yourself.

Hiruzen Sarutobi had already prepared for Orochimaru to flip the table.

Everything was going just as he'd expected.

Minato had now become the representative of Konoha's young shinobi. With Hiruzen's support, and the fact that he'd had the current Ino-Shika-Cho clan heads get to know Minato early on, everything was in place.

Minato was strong now! And when the strong grew, change followed!!

Come on, Orochimaru!!

Let your teacher see how loyal you are to Konoha.

But...

Orochimaru didn't react or make a move at all, and that made Hiruzen panic.

He'd imagined Orochimaru questioning him again, then summoning Manda to strike Konoha once he learned the truth. He'd even imagined Orochimaru fighting his own teacher.

The one thing he'd never imagined was that Orochimaru would do nothing.

The office next door had been emptied. Orochimaru had been holed up in the lab for several days without coming in to work.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was filled with worry. He couldn't shake the feeling that Orochimaru was preparing something huge.

That afternoon, Orochimaru came by and asked Hiruzen Sarutobi a question. "Who matters more, me or Minato?"

Zhengyi had asked him that before, and so had Orochimaru, but this time he needed a definite answer.

"Of course it's you." If one looked closely, they could see a trace of unease in Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression.

"Is that so?"

But you weren't fair at all. You didn't treat my student Zhengyi the same way you treated Kakashi, Minato's student.

You'd even encouraged Minato's reckless student Obito to follow in the Hokage's footsteps and strive to become Hokage. He was an Uchiha, for heaven's sake!

And yet you'd never said anything like that to my students.

Orochimaru knew full well how much Zhengyi had suffered under Hiruzen Sarutobi. He should have made a name for himself, but his achievements were known only to a select few.

So could I take it that you love the people you favor and hate the people you don't? Teacher.

"Orochimaru, I know I've treated you unfairly when it comes to the Hokage position, but this was a difficult decision. Minato is better suited to lead Konoha."

Hiruzen Sarutobi listed example after example of how excellent Minato was.

"Heh heh, I see. He sounds like quite the fine young man, Teacher Sarutobi." Orochimaru's snake-like eyes met Hiruzen Sarutobi's aged gaze. With a tone that might have been mocking—or something else—he left.

The Hokage... I can do without the position, but... you can't deny it to me.

I hope you're telling the truth, and that you're only thinking about what's best for Konoha.

Orochimaru had been acting secretive lately, and Zhengyi had no idea what he was up to.

The only thing he knew was that Orochimaru had gone to see Tsunade a while ago.

Was he asking Tsunade to support his bid for Hokage?

Asking Tsunade to support you? You'd be better off following my approach and drawing up a few plans. I'm just saying it like it is.

Zhengyi wasn't the only one who thought so. Hiruzen Sarutobi did too, and he'd been wondering what Orochimaru was planning.

Thank goodness!

So he was planning to ruin the plan to make Minato Hokage.

My student really is a little naive. How could Tsunade possibly support you becoming Hokage?

He suddenly laughed with relief.

From then on, Minato's path to becoming Hokage would be smooth.

To cut off Iwagakure's supply route, Konoha sent Team Minato to blow up Kannabi Bridge.

When Zhengyi heard the news, he sang "偏爱" several times in the bath.

The Third Hokage wanted Team Minato to make a name for themselves throughout the Shinobi World.

With Minato's abilities, the mission wouldn't be difficult to complete.

But Madara had Obito in his sights. With Madara interfering, Minato wouldn't be able to reach them in time to save him.

Before they left, Zhengyi went to see Team Minato off. Kushina was there too.

Minato and Kushina exchanged a glance, communicating a great deal without words.

It was clear that the two were deeply in love.

And if Minato died, Kushina would probably follow him, since they had no children. Minato had grown up struggling, so she would wait for him.

"Ah! Zhengyi, I'm about to go do something earth-shattering! Once I succeed, with my reputation, even the Third Hokage will have to hand the position over to me himself."

Here it comes: the pre-battle flag. Obito, looks like you really aren't coming back.

Obito, go on ahead. While you're gone these next few months, I'll make sure to take good care of Rin.

Zhengyi had already made a plan to keep Rin from getting hurt at all—unless Madara crawled out of the ground.

But Obito was definitely beyond saving. Kannabi Bridge was in Kusagakure, and beneath Kusagakure was the home of old man Madara. It was so close—Obito really would get slapped to death.

"Huh? Zhengyi, are you coming on the mission with us too?" Rin suddenly looked behind Zhengyi in confusion.

"Hm?" Zhengyi turned around and saw Orochimaru in combat gear, carrying a pack and bringing Anko along.

"Stop standing there dazed. Let's go." Orochimaru gave Zhengyi a "gentle" smile.

It looked gentle, but it was terrifying.

Zhengyi could tell his teacher was currently a walking mass of negative energy...

Teacher was going on a mission with Team Minato?

Was there a part like this in the original story?!

No idea.

But now they were on the road with Team Minato, heading out on a mission.

During a break along the way.

Zhengyi kept his eyes fixed on Orochimaru and Minato. If the two of them fought, he'd definitely help his teacher. He'd kill Minato, then make it look like Minato had killed himself. If Kushina investigated after they returned to Konoha, she'd kill herself too, and he'd firmly label the result a lovers' suicide.

Then he'd get a chance to make contact with the Nine-Tails and give Konoha a Perfect Jinchuriki. The future looked wonderful when he thought about it.

But could he and Orochimaru, with Anko dragging them down, beat Team Minato?

The campfire burned.

Rin and Anko were gossiping, occasionally glancing over at the boys.

Kakashi was dozing with his eyes half-closed.

Obito was actually sitting with his back to everyone, reading a book.

"Teacher Sarutobi thinks very highly of you, Minato." Orochimaru spoke as if an elder were praising a younger man.

Minato couldn't detect anything hidden in his words and replied modestly, "Yes, Orochimaru-senpai. I still have to keep working hard."

"Mm."

After Orochimaru replied, Minato could only smile awkwardly. What had he and his student done to Orochimaru?

From Minato's perspective, he was wholeheartedly serving Konoha. He wasn't driven by greed and he treated everyone kindly. The people around him were making arrangements to have him become Hokage without telling him; he didn't even know about it himself.

Minato didn't know what to say next. Ah... could someone tell me what's going on? Or come save me—tasukete!

"Holy crap! Obito, when did you awaken your Sharingan?!" Just then, Zhengyi's sudden shout drew everyone's attention.