The Returning Prodigal

How could Konoha be changed?

There were actually many ways. Orochimaru was a genius through and through, and his talent was astonishing in both ninjutsu and scientific research.

Moreover, Orochimaru possessed considerable personal charisma. He would have no problem being a qualified leader. Entrusting most of Konoha's affairs to him would be an excellent choice.

The reason the village had not chosen the genius Orochimaru in the past was merely a matter of power struggles.

To the Hiruzen Sarutobi of the past, Orochimaru was clearly harder to control than the innocent Minato Namikaze.

"I have many different ideas about changing this village. They need to be carried out slowly, step by step."

"Now that you've become part of Konoha's upper ranks, you need to help me handle some of the village's affairs."

Hiruzen Sarutobi certainly could not allow himself to be bogged down by the village's administrative work and decisions. He only needed to remain Hokage in name.

It was a tiny village with no shortage of matters to handle. A village chief actually had to deal with administrative affairs? How laughable.

Orochimaru nodded without probing further. His teacher might have encountered some sort of problem.

However, one thing was certain: this time, his teacher truly trusted him and was allowing him to help handle some of Konoha's affairs and decisions.

And now, his teacher was someone he could trust.

"How about telling the villagers that Naruto is the Fourth Hokage's son?"

"You can decide that yourself."

Orochimaru was a prime example of love turning into hatred. His later desire to destroy Konoha had stemmed from his utter disappointment in Hiruzen Sarutobi.

He had brought up the matter to test Hiruzen Sarutobi's limits, yet Hiruzen Sarutobi had agreed so readily.

Orochimaru had to seize this opportunity and change everything!

"Orochimaru, pursuing immortality is not a bad thing, but excessively desecrating the body and toying with souls is not the right path."

Orochimaru froze at Hiruzen Sarutobi's words.

"Teacher, I have my own choices."

Clearly, Orochimaru had absolute confidence in his own research.

"Each time Impure World Reincarnation changes bodies, it weakens the soul further."

"Perhaps changing bodies can let you live for two or three hundred years, but what about after a thousand years?"

When Hiruzen Sarutobi actually mentioned Impure World Reincarnation, Orochimaru's eyes widened at once.

"Teacher, how do you know?"

"The soul and the body are equally important. Think it over carefully."

Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted Orochimaru to help him with certain research. The Otsutsuki Clan's bloodline did have some worthwhile qualities, but after cultivating Impure World Reincarnation, one would become neither male nor female, and its weaknesses were far too obvious.

Orochimaru was his disciple, after all. He still needed to offer him some guidance.

Orochimaru did not dwell on the topic, and the two continued discussing Konoha's current situation.

Orochimaru discovered that Hiruzen Sarutobi intended to relinquish part of his authority rather than clutching everything in his own hands.

Whether it was revealing Naruto's true identity or changing Konoha's policy toward the Uchiha Clan, Hiruzen Sarutobi raised no objection.

Over the next few days, the events of recent days gradually began to ferment.

News that Orochimaru was to become part of Konoha's upper ranks, the new Hokage adviser, and a Konoha elder had already spread without prompting. Everyone in Konoha, from shinobi to civilians, had heard it.

Orochimaru's reputation was not very good at the moment, and quite a few people objected.

Perhaps it was also because the Fourth Hokage had been too radiant; compared to him, Orochimaru seemed somewhat too gloomy.

However, the opinions of Konoha's civilians could not influence the decisions of the upper ranks.

Having left the Hokage's office, Orochimaru had already begun to see himself as part of Konoha's decision-making class.

He had his own plans for Konoha's development.

Konoha welcomed a prodigal returning home.

After learning that the Child of Prophecy no longer existed, Jiraiya chose to return to Konoha after two days of confusion.

Following an internal struggle, Jiraiya decided to return to Konoha and attempt to succeed the Hokage.

Before this, Hiruzen Sarutobi had always believed that Jiraiya was the candidate to succeed him as Hokage.

More than once, he had wanted Jiraiya to return and take over the position of Hokage.

But Jiraiya had wanted to seek out the Child of Prophecy. He also understood Konoha's internal conflicts well and did not wish to involve himself in them.

Now that Mount Myoboku had chosen to close itself off for the time being, Jiraiya considered the matter from every angle and decided to return to Konoha.

After all, Konoha still had his grand-disciple. Perhaps if he succeeded the Hokage, he could change Konoha's current state?

Thus, Jiraiya used the Summoning Technique to travel and quickly returned to Konoha.

To a wanderer returning home, everything in his homeland could draw his attention.

However, Jiraiya's first stop was naturally the Hokage Building.

As he walked through Konoha's streets, Jiraiya was met with waves of startled cries.

The Three Legendary Sannin still had considerable influence, after all. Although Orochimaru's reputation was not particularly good, he still had many admirers.

Though Jiraiya loved peeping into women's bathhouses, his strength was the real deal.

A great many things had happened in Konoha these past few days, and the village was still at war with other shinobi villages. The return of someone with Kage-level combat power was deeply reassuring.

"Teacher, I'm back!"

The ANBU had informed the Third Hokage of Jiraiya's return long ago.

"Mm."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's attitude was not as delighted as Jiraiya had imagined.

"Teacher, can't you be a little more excited?"

"What are your plans now that you've returned?"

At this, Jiraiya's expression turned serious as well.

"The Great Toad Sage said that the future of the Shinobi World can no longer be predicted, and the Child of Prophecy no longer exists either."

This did not surprise Hiruzen Sarutobi either. The future had always been uncertain.

Cultivators never believed in so-called fate.

"Prophecies are always ambiguous. I told you long ago not to sacrifice too much for someone else's words."

Jiraiya's wandering throughout the Shinobi World had long displeased Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Whether it was the Hiruzen Sarutobi of the past or the current Hiruzen Sarutobi, both considered Jiraiya's actions somewhat foolish.

"I've decided to enjoy my own life."

Jiraiya also felt helpless about the unreliable Mount Myoboku. He had pursued this for decades, only for it to amount to nothing.

"This time, I returned because I want to take over your position and lead Konoha to glory!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi was somewhat speechless. He had not expected Jiraiya to return with such intentions.

"Too late. I'm not planning to retire for now. You and Orochimaru can become Konoha's elders together."

"What?!"

Jiraiya's mouth fell open and his eyes widened. He had thought Orochimaru was about to defect and had returned to stop his close friend.

"Enough. Since you're back, go have a talk with Orochimaru. Then go see Minato's son. I still have some matters to handle."

Seeing his teacher's indifferent attitude, Jiraiya found it hard to believe. Was this really his teacher?

Driven from the office by Hiruzen Sarutobi, Jiraiya felt rather helpless.

"Where is Orochimaru?"

Seeing that Shinnosuke Sarutobi was on duty at the entrance today, Jiraiya asked him.

Shinnosuke was still very respectful toward Jiraiya. Though their ages were similar, his father's three disciples were all far stronger than him.

"Lord Orochimaru should be handling matters at the former Root site."

"The former site?"

Jiraiya's mind crashed once again. The former Root site?

"Danzo attempted to assassinate the Third Hokage and has already been apprehended. Root was also abolished and merged into the ANBU."

Jiraiya: ?