The Mastermind Behind the Night of the Nine Tails Is the Third Generation?

"Earth Style: Earth-Style Wall Excavation!"

The collapsed ruins rose and fell under the influence of the ninjutsu, the building debris being lifted away in its entirety to expose the corpses buried beneath.

Yamanaka Chujiu stepped forward to drag the bodies out, using Water Style ninjutsu to perform a simple cleaning before confirming the identities of the deceased.

If the deceased had living relatives, Chujiu would return the bodies to them.

If the deceased had no family left, Chujiu would store the bodies away in storage scrolls; they were useful.

Beyond the corpses, valuable items such as furniture, grain, and intact clothing found under the ruins were also sorted out.

It was said these were to be used to provide relief to struggling families, but where they actually ended up, heaven only knew.

As for precious metals like gold and silver, or cash and banknotes, they were divided up by the ninjas on the scene.

After all, one couldn't work on an empty stomach.

Once the ruins were confirmed to be cleared, the ninjas would once again cast Earth Style ninjutsu to bury the debris deep underground, leveling the ground completely.

Yamanaka Chujiu tucked away his share of the money along with a small pouch of gold, shouldered the massive storage scroll, and followed his companions toward the next site of ruins.

Another group of ninjas arrived, bringing bricks, stones, and timber to begin rebuilding houses according to design blueprints.

Throughout Konoha, scenes of such post-disaster reconstruction were everywhere.

Only in some remote locations was the work left to the inefficient villagers.

Today was the fifth day since the Nine-Tails attacked the village; Konoha no longer looked completely devastated, yet an air of grief still permeated the atmosphere.

The respected Fourth Hokage had sacrificed himself.

The wives of the Third Hokage and the Fourth Hokage had sacrificed themselves.

Thousands of Konoha ninjas had sacrificed themselves.

Tens of thousands of Konoha villagers had been buried in the ruins, becoming silent statistics of loss under the weight of this war.

But regardless, life had to go on.

Work continued until nightfall, when the exhausted ninjas and villagers ceased their labor; those with homes returned to them, while those without headed to temporary shelters.

Yamanaka Chujiu, carrying the massive scroll, slipped silently into a hidden door, walked down a dim corridor, and finally entered a spacious, brightly lit laboratory.

Standing in the center of the laboratory was a ninja with a sinister aura, fair skin, and flowing long hair: Orochimaru, one of the Legendary Sannin of Konoha.

Following the sacrifice of the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato, this ninja—who had competed against him for the title—was currently the most popular candidate and the one most likely to become the Fifth Hokage.

Yamanaka Chujiu knew that Orochimaru would fail.

Because the Third Hokage would return to power.

Seeing Chujiu, a smile appeared on Orochimaru's face: "Chujiu-kun, how many corpses this time?"

Chujiu patted the massive scroll: "Exactly one hundred fresh corpses."

Orochimaru habitually flicked his tongue, licking his cheek: "Good, enough for Manda to have a hearty meal."

Chujiu grinned: "Lord Orochimaru, you are becoming increasingly inhumane."

Orochimaru's snake-like pupils stared daggers at Chujiu, as if to say: Why must you speak such uncomfortable truths?

Yamanaka Chujiu felt nothing from Orochimaru's glare and said calmly: "I suggest you hoard more while you can. The village will be cleaned up soon, and it won't be this easy to get your hands on so many fresh corpses again."

Orochimaru chuckled: "I trust you. Go ahead and get them, but I won't pay in advance."

Yamanaka Chujiu clicked his tongue and changed the subject: "Lord Orochimaru, do you think you are about to become the Fifth Hokage?"

Orochimaru continued to smile: "Oh, is there a problem with that?"

Chujiu replied: "Specific intelligence will cost extra."

Orochimaru nodded: "If the intelligence is valuable, it can cost extra."

Yamanaka Chujiu stated directly: "The intelligence is this: the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, is already considering returning to the position of Hokage."

Orochimaru was momentarily dazed, looking at Chujiu as he said word by word: "The retired Teacher Sarutobi returning as Hokage? Chujiu-kun, are you joking with me?"

Chujiu believed that Orochimaru simply couldn't accept it emotionally; within a day or two at most, he would set aside his feelings and understand the situation completely.

But after a day or two, once Orochimaru's emotions had settled, getting paid wouldn't be as easy.

For the sake of his own wallet, he patiently explained:

"When the Fourth Hokage was in office, Hiruzen Sarutobi, in his capacity as an advisor, controlled the Mission Department, the Intelligence Department, the Sealing Team, the Barrier Team, and most importantly, the Anbu."

"That was the Anbu! If the Anbu, which reports directly to the Hokage, couldn't be controlled, then the Fourth Hokage was nothing but a puppet!"

"Hiruzen Sarutobi claimed to have retired, but nothing changed; he has always been the true Hokage."

"Lord Orochimaru, between being mocked and losing power, which do you think Hiruzen Sarutobi finds more intolerable?"

The smile on Orochimaru's face vanished completely.

Indeed, while the Fourth Hokage was alive, Hiruzen Sarutobi had been able to openly sideline him and hold all the power.

Now that the Fourth Hokage had sacrificed himself, could Hiruzen Sarutobi really let go of his obsession with power and allow Orochimaru to ascend and wield the authority of the Hokage...

Impossible!

Orochimaru's expression grew increasingly grave, until suddenly, he began to laugh again.

"You are right. Teacher Hiruzen is no longer the 'Shinobi Hero' who looked down upon the ninja world."

"But it matters not. I, Orochimaru, will not be treated as a puppet by anyone, even if that person is my teacher."

Yamanaka Chujiu asked, "Lord Orochimaru, if Hiruzen Sarutobi refuses to relinquish power, will you abandon the position of Fifth Hokage?"

Orochimaru was silent for a moment. "I will not fight for it, but I will not abandon it."

"I shall leave everything to Teacher Hiruzen to decide; I, too, wish to see if our bond as master and apprentice has reached its end..."

Yamanaka Chujiu shook his head with a sigh. "As expected, when it comes to power, there is no room for sentiment..."

He suddenly choked on his words, as if frightened by something terrifying.

Orochimaru was stunned, following the thread of Chujiu's logic.

A moment later, he, too, was startled.

The two stared at each other, yet neither dared to speak.

Because from the perspective of a power struggle, whoever ultimately benefits is the mastermind behind the scenes.

Political matters can never be proven with evidence; one can only infer the culprit's identity through motive and gain.

The Nine-Tails Incident led to the death of the Fourth Hokage and his wife, resulting in the restoration of the retired Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was, without a doubt, the greatest beneficiary.

Therefore, why Namikaze Minato, the Fourth Hokage, died is truly impossible to clarify.

Who could assert that the Third Hokage did not participate in the assassination of the Fourth Hokage?

His suspicion is like a mountain looming in people's hearts, impossible to shake.

Yes, the Third Hokage's wife also sacrificed her life.

But that proves nothing.

Is trading a wife for the power of the Hokage not a bargain?

Promotion, wealth, and a dead wife—what a deal!

A long while later, Orochimaru recovered. "Teacher Hiruzen is not that kind of man, but I have received your warning, Chujiu-kun. Do you want my thanks?"

Yamanaka Chujiu: "No need for thanks, you can just pay me more."

Orochimaru: "Heh."