Orochimaru's Defection

Gentō felt a chill settle over his heart after hearing them out.

Even though he knew how the story would unfold and had warned Konoha High Command in advance, they simply refused to take it seriously.

He had said so much and laid so much groundwork, yet in the end, he still hadn't managed to change anything.

He looked at Hiruzen, then Mitokado Homura, Utatane Koharu, and Danzo, taking in every expression on their faces.

Dismissiveness, disdain, indifference.

Not one of them truly took his words to heart.

If they couldn't even pass an open-book exam, what was he supposed to do?

He had tried to spare Konoha the tragedy of that night.

But reality had given him his answer-it was no use.

They simply wouldn't listen.

Watching events drift back toward the original story, Gentō felt utterly helpless.

But no matter what happened, Kushina could not be allowed to die.

He would have to find another way.

Besides, if Konoha High Command refused to take this seriously, staying in Konoha would be dangerous for the Uchiha, too.

He had to relocate the Uchiha clan members before the Nine-Tails' Rampage.

At that thought, Gentō immediately stood up and said,

"In that case, I'll take my leave."

He turned and walked toward the door.

"Gentō."

Hiruzen's voice came from behind him.

Gentō stopped without turning around.

"There's one more thing."

Hiruzen spoke slowly.

"My term has ended. The list of candidates for Hokage has been submitted to the Daimyō, and he has selected Minato as the Fourth Hokage."

"The inauguration will take place in five days. Please attend as the Uchiha's representative."

Gentō fell silent.

Just as I thought!

Although he had already had some influence on the way this world developed, the outcome remained the same.

The position of Fourth Hokage had ultimately gone to Minato.

A deep sense of helplessness settled over his heart.

After a moment, he nodded lightly.

"Understood."

He pushed the door open and left.

Given Konoha High Command's current attitude, the Nine-Tails' Rampage was certain to break out a month from now.

When Kushina was in danger, Danzo's Root would already be long gone.

Since he couldn't rely on Danzo or the Third Hokage, he had to find a way to save Kushina before then.

After Gentō left, the others in the Hokage's Office gradually dispersed as well.

Danzo left the office building, but instead of returning to the Root Base, he took two Root subordinates straight to the Forest of Death.

The three stopped beside a large boulder.

Danzo formed hand seals, and the boulder slowly shifted aside, revealing the pitch-black entrance to an underground passage.

Without a word, he led the way inside.

The passage sloped downward, growing eerier the deeper they went.

The pungent smell of chemicals filled the air.

Farther in, laboratory equipment began to appear in greater numbers.

Test tube racks, petri dishes, and precision instruments crowded stone benches. Tubes connected a series of glass tanks, with curled-up human silhouettes faintly visible inside.

Danzo walked past them without expression, the two Root ninja following close behind.

He didn't stop until he reached a large laboratory at the very back.

Orochimaru stood with his back to the entrance, facing a laboratory bench covered in containers.

He wore a white robe and held a test tube filled with liquid that gave off a faint green glow.

"Danzo, what brings you here?"

Orochimaru didn't turn around, a hint of amusement in his voice.

Danzo snorted.

"They've chosen the next Hokage. It's Minato Namikaze."

He paused, then added,

"Everything has gone exactly as Hiruzen wanted."

Orochimaru's hands paused.

He gently returned the test tube to its rack and turned around, fixing his narrow eyes on Danzo.

"The old man's intention is to use Minato as a puppet, with the two of them controlling Konoha together."

Danzo spoke darkly.

"Konoha has no future if he keeps doing things this way."

Orochimaru gave a sinister smile.

"It's not time to give up yet. My research into transplanting hashirama cells is on the verge of another breakthrough."

"Once this experiment succeeds, taking control of Konoha will be child's play!"

"If it's power we want, there's nothing wrong with preparing a few forceful measures!"

A sharp gleam appeared in Danzo's eyes.

"Once the time is ripe, we must use whatever means necessary!"

"But that time hasn't come yet..."

With that, Danzo turned and left with his two subordinates.

After returning to the Root Base, Danzo stopped at the entrance and waved a hand.

"You two are dismissed."

"Yes, Lord Danzo!"

The two figures swiftly withdrew.

After leaving the base, one of the Root ninja did not head home.

He circled through the darkness several times, confirmed that no one was following him, then vanished in a flash and slipped straight into the Hokage's Office.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was smoking behind his desk. He showed no surprise when the ninja entered and exhaled a mouthful of smoke.

"Hmm... more information?"

The ninja nodded and dropped to one knee.

"Lord Hokage, Danzo met with Orochimaru again!"

He then recounted Danzo and Orochimaru's conversation word for word.

Hiruzen listened calmly at first, but the moment he heard the words "transplanting hashirama cells," his expression changed.

His pupils contracted sharply, and the hand holding his pipe froze.

"Hashirama cells... far too dangerous..."

He muttered to himself.

"I absolutely cannot let Orochimaru complete this research!"

He abruptly stood and began pacing around the office.

Only after several circuits did he stop and wave at the ninja.

"Understood. You're dismissed. If anything else important happens, report to me immediately!"

"Yes, Lord Hokage!"

The ninja answered, then flickered out of sight.

Hiruzen turned to look at the darkening sky outside the window, taking deep draws from his pipe. Clouds of smoke rose around him, obscuring his face.

After a long while, he sighed.

"Ah... Orochimaru..."

He remained silent for another long moment, then finally made up his mind and waved behind him without turning around.

"Come!"

Two figures instantly appeared behind him, wearing animal masks and kneeling on one knee.

"Lord Hokage!"

Hiruzen did not turn around.

"Assemble a squad of Anbu immediately. Tonight... we arrest Orochimaru!"

Meanwhile, Gentō was on his way home.

The sky had already darkened, and few people remained on the streets.

Suddenly, a system notification sounded in his mind.

[Ding! The host has triggered a side quest.]

[Side quest issued: Orochimaru's Defection!]

[Quest description: Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi has finally decided to move against Orochimaru-tonight! You may help Hiruzen capture Orochimaru, or choose to help Orochimaru escape.]

[Quest reward: S-rank ninjutsu, Flying Thunder God.]

Gentō froze, then began to feel a little excited.

This was the first time he had triggered a side quest.

And... was Orochimaru's defection really about to happen this soon?

His eyes lit up as he read the quest details.

Flying Thunder God!

That was Space-Time Ninjutsu, allowing him to come and go at will.

As for whom to help?

Gentō barely hesitated before choosing Orochimaru.

It had nothing to do with their cooperation. He simply couldn't stand the Third Hokage.

He looked up at the sky. Night had already fallen.

Hiruzen's operation was about to begin. He had to hurry.

Without another thought, Gentō immediately changed direction and raced toward the Forest of Death.