Orochimaru's Strange Behavior

Not only was Orochimaru barred from the front lines.

Zhengyi's application to head to the Kumogakure front was also rejected.

As for Danzo, it went without saying; he even discovered that several Anbu had been stationed near the Root base to keep him under surveillance.

Throughout Konoha, even Dai and Guy could tell that the Third Hokage was targeting three people: the candidate for the Fifth, the "Scapegoat King," and the "Dog-headed Strategist."

Hiruzen Sarutobi just wanted to ask what those three had been doing behind his back lately!

How was this any different from staging a rebellion?

If it were Minato! He would never act like this.

Orochimaru... it wasn't that this teacher was biased, but that you have chosen to degenerate yourself.

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

Everything was within his expectations.

Now that Minato had become the representative of Konoha's young ninja, with his own guidance from the sidelines, plus the fact that he had long ago instructed the current heads of the Ino-Shika-Cho clans to get close to Minato.

Minato had grown strong! And with strength comes change!!

Come on! Orochimaru!!

Let this teacher see how much loyalty you still hold for Konoha.

However...

Orochimaru didn't react or make a move, which left Hiruzen Sarutobi feeling panicked.

He had anticipated Orochimaru questioning him again, or upon learning the truth, summoning Manda to give Konoha a taste of destruction, or even fighting him, his teacher.

The only thing he hadn't expected was for Orochimaru to do nothing at all.

The office next door sat empty; Orochimaru had been holed up in his laboratory for days without stepping into his office.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was filled with anxiety, feeling certain that Orochimaru was brewing something massive.

In the afternoon, Orochimaru arrived and asked Hiruzen Sarutobi a single question: "Between Minato and me, who is more important?"

Zhengyi had asked this, and he had asked it too, but he needed a definitive answer.

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

"Is that so?"

But you aren't fair at all. Your attitude toward my student, Zhengyi, is completely different from your attitude toward Minato's student, Kakashi.

Even that reckless student of Minato's, Obito—you encouraged him to look up to the Hokage and strive for the Hokage's position. And he is an Uchiha!

Yet you, and you alone, have never done that for my students.

Orochimaru, of course, knew how much injustice Zhengyi had suffered under Hiruzen Sarutobi; he should have been famous and celebrated, yet his achievements were only whispered among a small few.

Then, may I assume that you love the house and its crow, and hate the house and its crow? Teacher.

"Orochimaru, this teacher knows that there has been much unfairness toward you regarding the Hokage position, but this was a choice I made after much difficulty. Minato is more suitable to be the leader of Konoha."

Hiruzen Sarutobi listed many examples of how outstanding Minato was.

"Heh heh, so that's how it is. Truly a fine young man, Teacher Hiruzen." Orochimaru's snake-like pupils met the old, weary eyes of Hiruzen Sarutobi. Whether it was sarcasm or something else, he simply turned and left.

Hokage... I may not need it, but... you cannot refuse to give it.

I hope that, just as you say, you are only viewing the problem from the perspective of Konoha.

Lately, Orochimaru had been acting mysterious, and Zhengyi had no idea what he was doing.

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

Was he looking for Tsunade's support to become Hokage?

If you're looking for Tsunade's support to become Hokage, you'd be better off following my guidelines to draft a few plans. I love telling the truth.

It wasn't just Zhengyi who thought this; Hiruzen Sarutobi thought so too. He had been wondering what Orochimaru was up to.

Thank goodness!

So he was just preparing to ruin his plan to make Minato the Hokage.

My student is truly a bit naive. How could Tsunade possibly support you for Hokage?

He suddenly laughed, feeling relieved.

From here on out, Minato's path to becoming Hokage would have no more obstacles.

In order to cut off the logistics route of Iwagakure, Konoha dispatched Team Minato to bomb Kannabi Bridge.

When Zhengyi heard the news, he didn't know how many times he had hummed the song "Partiality" while in the shower.

The Third Hokage wanted Team Minato to make a name for themselves in the ninja world.

With Minato's strength, this mission would not be difficult to complete.

However, Obito had been targeted by Madara, and with Madara's interference, it would be impossible for Minato to arrive in time for the rescue.

Before their departure, Zhengyi also came to see Team Minato off, accompanied by Kushina.

Minato and Kushina exchanged a great deal through a single glance.

It was evident that the two were deeply in love.

Furthermore, if Minato were to die, Kushina would likely follow him if they had no children, for Minato came from humble beginnings, and she was determined to wait for him.

"Ah! Zhengyi, this great one is going to do something earth-shattering! Once it's done, given my prestige, it seems the Third Hokage will have no choice but to hand the position of Hokage over to me personally."

Here it comes, the pre-battle flag; Obito, it seems you really aren't coming back.

Obito, go ahead; during the months you are away, I will certainly take good care of little Rin.

Zhengyi had already prepared a plan to ensure Rin wouldn't suffer a single scratch, unless Madara crawled out from the ground.

But Obito definitely couldn't be saved; Kannabi Bridge was located in Kusagakure, and beneath the soil of Kusagakure was the very residence of Lord Madara. Being that close, he would truly be swatted to death with a single palm.

"Eh? Zhengyi, are you coming to execute the mission with us too?" Suddenly, Rin looked behind Zhengyi, puzzled.

"Hm?" Zhengyi turned his head to see Orochimaru, who had changed into his combat gear, carrying a pack and bringing Anko along.

"Don't just stand there, let's go." Orochimaru gave Zhengyi a "gentle" smile.

It looked gentle, but it was actually bone-chilling.

Zhengyi could tell that his teacher was currently a collection of negative energy...

The teacher was going to execute a mission with Team Minato?

Was there such a segment in the original story?!

No idea.

But at this moment, they were walking on the road to execute the mission alongside Team Minato.

During a rest stop.

Zhengyi kept a close eye on Orochimaru and Minato; if the two started fighting! He would definitely side with his teacher, kill Minato immediately, and then frame it as a suicide. If Kushina were to investigate upon returning to Konoha, then Kushina would commit suicide as well, firmly establishing the result as a death pact of lovers.

Give him another chance to come into contact with the Nine-Tails, and return a perfect jinchuriki to Konoha—thinking about it this way, the future looked quite bright.

But could the two of them, dragging Anko along as a burden, actually defeat Team Minato?

By the campfire.

Rin and Anko were gossiping, glancing toward the boys from time to time.

Kakashi was squinting, trying to sleep.

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

"Teacher Sarutobi thinks very highly of you, Minato-kun." Orochimaru spoke like an elder praising a junior.

Minato couldn't see the hidden agenda and replied modestly, "Yes, Orochimaru-senpai, I must continue to work hard."

"Mm."

After Orochimaru responded, Minato could only offer an awkward smile; what exactly had he done to offend the master and student of Orochimaru?

From Minato's perspective, he was wholeheartedly working for Konoha, not blinded by greed, and kind to others. As for things like making him Hokage, those were arrangements made by people around him behind his back; he didn't even know about them himself.

Minato didn't know how to keep the conversation going either. Ah... could someone tell me what is happening? Or could someone come and save me, tasukete.

"Holy crap! Obito, how did you awaken your eyes?!" Just then, Zhengyi's sudden exclamation drew everyone's attention.