A New Konoha, Changes Unlike Before

After visiting Naruto, Jiraiya left Konoha and set out on a journey to find Tsunade.

Among the Three Legendary Sannin, Tsunade was the most disappointed in Konoha.

The deaths of her younger brother Nawaki and her lover Dan Katō had left Tsunade utterly disappointed in Konoha and Hiruzen Sarutobi.

After leaving Konoha, she had cut off contact with it.

Jiraiya and Orochimaru had both remained in contact with Konoha, but Tsunade alone had completely severed her ties with it.

She drifted through major casinos, squandering nearly all of Jiraiya's manuscript fees. That was precisely how Jiraiya had learned of Tsunade's whereabouts.

Asuma Sarutobi returned to Konoha alongside the daimyo's delegation.

"What happened?"

The moment he returned, Asuma rushed straight to the Hokage's office.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was drinking tea, preparing for his retirement in a few days.

"Old man, why did you call me back so urgently?"

On his way back, Asuma had also learned that Danzo had been removed, Root had been temporarily disbanded by Hiruzen Sarutobi, and even Orochimaru had become one of Konoha's upper echelon.

Such major upheaval in Konoha would affect the entire balance of the Shinobi World.

"I called you home. What kind of person runs around outside all the time?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi was somewhat helpless when it came to his rebellious youngest son. Asuma was not particularly strong, yet he was exceptionally rebellious. If Asuma continued wandering outside, he would certainly encounter danger.

The so-called Twelve Guardian Ninja were quite weak, and they bore deep resentment toward Konoha. Some among them believed that Konoha should not exist at all, and that the entire Land of Fire should be under the daimyo's control.

In a few years, Asuma would clash with those people, leading to the dissolution of the Twelve Guardian Ninja.

With Konoha about to undergo turmoil, Asuma would face even more hostility. It would be better to bring the boy back to Konoha.

"This is what I pursue!"

However, Asuma did not accept Hiruzen Sarutobi's reasoning. Still young, he wanted to make a name for himself and prove his worth.

Asuma deeply respected Hiruzen Sarutobi, but their ideals clashed greatly, and he had been very dissatisfied with Hiruzen Sarutobi's previous actions.

"I am already old. The village may undergo great changes in the future, so come back and do your part."

Contrary to what Asuma had expected, Hiruzen Sarutobi did not get angry. Instead, his tone was extremely gentle.

Moreover, Asuma could not refuse what Hiruzen Sarutobi had said.

Much of the conflict between fathers and sons came from both sides being too unyielding. Now that Hiruzen Sarutobi had softened his attitude, Asuma also realized there was a problem with his own tone.

"Fine. I'll go find my older brother."

After saying that, Asuma turned and left. After seeing him, he had indeed realized that his father had changed.

That afternoon, Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura, and Orochimaru arrived at the Hokage's office together.

Besides them, the heads of Konoha's major clans had all gathered, and even Fugaku Uchiha was there.

"Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura will also resign from their positions as advisers. Tsunade and Jiraiya will return to the village as the new advisers."

The matter had already been decided, but the two advisers clearly still wanted to struggle.

"Hiruzen, they are unfamiliar with many matters. We can transition gradually; there is no need to rush the handover of duties."

Utatane Koharu was unwilling to give up, and even wanted things to remain as they had when Minato Namikaze was in office.

On the surface, Minato Namikaze had been the Hokage, but in truth, he had merely been a hired hand handling miscellaneous affairs.

The core decisions had still been made by the few of them in Konoha's upper echelon.

"The ANBU investigation into you is nearly complete. Did you really think I did not know about the evil things you people have done over the years?"

Over the past few days, Orochimaru had figured out Hiruzen Sarutobi's intentions.

His teacher was genuinely willing to temporarily relinquish some authority, and even his views of the Shinobi World had changed considerably. Hiruzen Sarutobi also seemed somewhat resistant to handling Konoha's political affairs, and over the past two days, he had asked Orochimaru to help deal with quite a few matters.

"You two should retire sooner rather than later."

Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke, delivering the final verdict on the matter.

In the Shinobi World, strength ultimately spoke for itself. Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura would now struggle even against a Jonin, so how could they compare with Jiraiya and Tsunade?

The reason Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura had once been able to wield such influence in Konoha was, in truth, Hiruzen Sarutobi's strength.

The heads of the major clans merely watched the show.

The shinobi clans had not been displeased with Konoha's upper echelon for merely a day or two.

The village had clearly been founded together by the major shinobi clans, yet in the end, a few commoners had risen above them.

The heads of both the Uchiha Clan and Hyuga Clan were considering what impact Orochimaru's rise would have on them.

The Uchiha Clan was clearly the most troubled. Fugaku Uchiha was no fool; Orochimaru had coveted their Blood Wheel Eye for far more than a day or two.

Although Danzo was gone, if Konoha still targeted the Uchiha Clan after Orochimaru became part of its upper echelon, life would only become harder for them.

No one spoke for the two advisers. After struggling a little, they still chose to compromise.

After all, they were old, and they already had grandchildren. If they truly tore all pretenses apart, things would become difficult later.

However, this time, Hiruzen Sarutobi did not speak of the Will of Fire. Instead, he looked toward the upper ranks of Konoha's shinobi clans.

"The Shinobi World is in the midst of changes unseen in a hundred years. Konoha needs new hope. I will lead Konoha onward."

After he spoke, the clan heads wore varied expressions. Although Orochimaru had a poor reputation, he was immensely powerful. Hearing that Jiraiya and Tsunade would also return to Konoha made everyone even more excited.

After Orochimaru became part of Konoha's upper echelon and began helping handle political affairs, Konoha's style began to change. Everything was simplified, with only greater efficiency in mind.

At the same time, the Science Research Division was established. Orochimaru directly took on the position of director and invited the Nara Clan to join.

It would have been far too wasteful not to use this group of high-IQ layabouts for scientific research and political affairs.

Another explosive piece of news spread.

The so-called "fox demon" was actually the Fourth Hokage's son! The son of a hero!

For a time, the vast majority of Konoha's villagers were overwhelmed with guilt.

Naruto and Kakashi now lived in the former Fourth Hokage's house, and all kinds of gifts had already piled up outside the door.

This brought Kakashi some comfort, but also bitterness.

His father had died because of public opinion. Why did these people have no judgment of their own?