Konoha.
Hokage Office.
"Looks like it."
"You've been talking plenty about me behind my back."
Seeing Kakashi lower his head in silence.
Chiba couldn't help but chuckle.
He turned and walked back to his desk, sitting down again.
"Don't worry."
"I have no interest in becoming some tyrant bent on destroying the world."
"But I have a bad habit."
"I hate trouble, and I hate it even more when people pull little tricks behind my back."
Chiba's tone was casual.
It was as though he were merely commenting on how nice the weather was today.
But Kakashi's body immediately tensed.
Because he knew full well that Chiba had more to say.
"The four major ninja villages may be behaving themselves now."
"But behind the scenes, they're definitely expanding their arsenals like mad."
"They fear me."
"So they'll form alliances and do everything they can to deal with Konoha."
"It's human nature."
"To completely eliminate this hidden danger."
"There are only two ways."
"Either kill them all."
"Or build an absolute barrier."
"Make everyone understand that resistance is futile."
"And Orochimaru's research is the key to building that barrier."
"Impure World Reincarnation, Cursed Seals, Hashirama Cell transplants..."
"The techniques he possesses can bring a qualitative change to Konoha's combat power."
"..."
Chiba made no attempt to conceal his coveting of Orochimaru's research findings.
In Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes, these were all heretical forbidden techniques.
But in Chiba's eyes, they were priceless treasures.
Power itself was neither right nor wrong.
What mattered was who controlled it.
Kakashi finally understood completely.
Chiba wanted Orochimaru not just for his brain, but to take over all of his research as well.
If those old fossils from before heard this, they would surely vomit blood in rage.
But Konoha now was Chiba's personal domain.
No one could