Konoha.
Sarutobi Clan Compound.
Jiraiya stood there, stunned.
Sarutobi Hiruzen slowly rose to his feet and brushed the ash from his clothes.
The look he gave Jiraiya also sharpened.
"Jiraiya."
"You only saw Orochimaru's experiments."
"But you did not see those young people in Konoha Hospital who survived because of that research!"
"And the wounded who came back from the front lines."
"Those crippled frontline shinobi, missing hands and feet."
"In the past, they could only retire in despair and spend the rest of their lives as useless invalids."
"But now, after receiving Orochimaru's medicine—"
"A few months later, they could form hand seals again and stand back up!"
"..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen extended a finger toward the center of the village.
His voice rose several degrees, carrying an indescribably complicated emotion.
Back when Danzo was still alive—
He had known that Danzo and Orochimaru were conducting experiments in secret.
But those experiments had all involved Bloodline Limits.
They had never considered using those abilities to help the village.
And because of that—
After learning of Orochimaru's results—
Sarutobi Hiruzen had been even more shaken.
If he had thought of these things back then—
Would he have achieved better results while leading Konoha?
"Jiraiya."
"You said Orochimaru's research was wrong?"
"Indeed."
"Orochimaru's past research involved hiding in the shadows, stealing and robbing, harming the village's comrades."
"Those things truly could not be tolerated."
"But what about now?"
"Chiba put him out in the open."
"All experimental data was made public."
"All experimental materials came from enemy corpses on the battlefield."
"Not only could he no longer harm the people of the village, he also had to rack his brains to save them."
"The old Orochimaru was a demon."
"But now, he was using his talent to create value for Konoha."
"If