Conversation in the Hokage's Office

"Ogata attacked you?"

Orochimaru looked at his subordinate, who was coughing up blood before him, with a hint of surprise.

Kaguya Ogata did not seem like the type to be so impulsive. Although he often projected that image, he was, in truth, a bona fide Elite Jonin!

An impulsive and reckless person could never become an Elite Jonin; Orochimaru understood this well. His companion, the one known as the "Mad Ghost," Jiraiya—also one of the Sannin—often displayed such a facade, yet he ultimately used that very illusion to slaughter countless enemies.

Although the so-called ninja ranks were merely a crude standard adopted by villages for the sake of administrative convenience, the tier of Elite Jonin was undoubtedly a massive chasm. One who lacked top-tier strength, intellect, and luck could never cross that threshold.

Naturally, this classification system was a byproduct of the era following the establishment of the Five Great Villages. In the chaotic age of the past, where constant warfare was waged by clans, there were no ninja ranks—only the distinction between entire clans and formidable individuals.

This was also why, theoretically, ninjas of the same rank often possessed vast disparities in strength. The classification method devised for administrative ease was far too rough; from the very beginning, those who formulated these ranks never intended for them to have anything to do with precision.

Especially among Elite Jonin, the theoretically highest ninja rank, the gap in strength was actually the widest. A ninja who had only just stepped into the Elite Jonin tier might not even be able to withstand a single move from a "senior"!

But that is drifting too far from the point. Elite Jonin—those who met the standards for this rank numbered only in the hundreds across the entire ninja world. What Orochimaru cared about was why Ogata, as an Elite Jonin, would have such an intense reaction, an emotion that should not have existed in someone of his caliber...

"It seems his level of protection for Kagetsu Qi is higher than I imagined. From now on, stop monitoring Kagetsu Qi, or you will truly be killed next time."

Rubbing his chin, Orochimaru wore a strange expression.

"Strange, why is he so nervous? He should know that we wouldn't harm that child. Could it be..."

He suddenly stood up.

"Lord Orochimaru?"

The middle-aged man, heavily wounded by Ogata, looked in astonishment at the solemn-faced Orochimaru.

"Has something happened recently?"

"Go and rest. This is not a question for someone of your standing to know."

Orochimaru waved his hand, then vanished from the man's sight using a Body Flicker Technique, leaving only his voice drifting in the air.

"Forget that you ever monitored Kagetsu Qi. It will be better for you."

"Lord Orochimaru, why has he been acting so strange lately..."

Looking at the empty space before him, the man clearly failed to grasp the true meaning behind his superior's words.

But that was unimportant; what mattered were Orochimaru's own thoughts. Soon, he appeared in the office of the Third Hokage.

"Orochimaru, it is rare for you to visit my office of your own accord."

Although he was standing on the balcony, the Third Hokage knew exactly who had appeared in the room the moment it happened; he did not even turn around.

At this time, he was not the frail, elderly man he would become in a decade or two. His spirit and physical strength were still at their peak, making him a top-tier expert in Konoha Village, and indeed, the entire ninja world.

Of course, by the crude ranking system of the current ninja world, he was still classified as an "Elite Jonin." It was laughable, considering there were hardly any Elite Jonin who could serve as his match.

"Has something happened?"

He tapped his pipe.

"Kaguya Ogata's recent reactions have been strange, and what is strangest of all is that I have to analyze whether the village is planning something based on his reactions."

Orochimaru's expression remained unchanged, his tone indifferent, as if speaking about someone else.

"Does this mean that if someone in the village wanted to deal with me, I would be waiting for trouble to arrive without knowing a thing?"

"Orochimaru..."

The Third Hokage turned around.

"You are overthinking it. No one is going to deal with you. I am the Third Hokage, and you and Jiraiya are still the Sannin."

"I have no interest in titles."

Orochimaru shook his head.

"Only the weak care about such things. I only want to know what is about to happen."

"Since you put it that way, very well..."

The Third Hokage nodded and added more tobacco to his pipe.

"Someone is trying to make an issue out of Kagetsu Qi, and our enemies are involved in this."

"How boring."

Orochimaru sneered.

"But it is very effective, especially for bloodline clans."

The Third Hokage smiled faintly.

"Ninja villages are organizations like that. Even if one is unwilling to admit it, it cannot be denied."

"No wonder I was unaware. It must be the work of those people again; they have gone too far."

Orochimaru shrugged.

"They likely provoked Ogata, and in the end, it was my subordinate who suffered. But remaining silent is not my style."

His eyes turned cold...

"Be patient, Orochimaru..."

Sarutobi sighed.

"One generation gives way to the next. Just because our generation couldn't get along doesn't mean the next one will be the same."

He turned back around, looking down at the village from the great height.

"Especially that clan. As long as they can endure this generation, the village will surely accept them again."

"That is impossible. Setting aside whether they can endure it, the will of the elders will inevitably be inherited by the next generation. You are merely comforting yourself."

Orochimaru clearly did not agree with Sarutobi's words. He turned as well and walked toward the door.

"However, since it has come to this, I will let it slide this time. But next time, I will absolutely kill. My subordinates are not to be used by others at will."

"Orochimaru..."

Sarutobi suddenly spoke up, calling out to Orochimaru.

"What are you still uneasy about? Teacher Sarutobi, it seems I have never gone back on my word, have I?"

"It is not that, but rather that child."

Sarutobi narrowed his eyes slightly.

"I have also read the performance report from the last mission. He seems to be a promising sprout."

"That means nothing. Konoha has never lacked talented people; a momentary performance cannot determine the future."

Orochimaru chuckled.

"In my view, he currently has no qualifications to be Minato's junior disciple."

"Perhaps so, but this age range is the critical moment that determines the future. Send a few truly capable hands to protect him; I fear that when the time comes, Kaguya Ogata will be unable to attend to everything."

Sarutobi finally took the pipe from the corner of his mouth.

"The village has an obligation to protect those who come to Konoha of their own volition. Besides, that child is your disciple in name, after all. If you do not act, it will not look good."