Danzo, I Am Konoha's Elder!

The change in the villagers' attitude toward Orochimaru was obvious.

After being influenced by several Hokage, Konoha's people trusted the Hokage almost blindly.

After Hiruzen Sarutobi made Orochimaru one of Konoha's higher-ups, even with his poor reputation, he gradually gained everyone's recognition.

"How is Danzo doing?"

"He regained consciousness today, but he hasn't said a word. I don't know whether there is something wrong with his mind."

The doctor in charge of Danzo answered Orochimaru's question.

Orochimaru nodded and pushed open the door.

Hearing the sound, Danzo raised his head. Upon seeing Orochimaru, he glared at him fiercely, his eyes filled with unwillingness.

At that moment, Orochimaru looked incomparably bright and cheerful, the gloomy aura he once carried completely gone.

And that had been the goal Danzo had pursued his entire life.

"How is your recovery?"

Orochimaru looked down at Danzo with a faintly mocking smile.

"Orochimaru, you will regret this. This matter is not as simple as you think. Hiruzen Sarutobi will not give up the power in his hands. You are merely his new puppet."

"Just the howling of a defeated dog."

Orochimaru's reply instantly made Danzo fly into a rage from humiliation.

Danzo's cooperation with Orochimaru had not begun just yesterday. He knew Orochimaru very well.

Precisely because of that, he believed that Orochimaru becoming one of Konoha's higher-ups would not make Konoha any better.

"I will lead Konoha to greatness. Just watch."

Out of consideration for Hiruzen Sarutobi, Orochimaru did not intend to do anything to Danzo. Like the other two advisors, Danzo could retire and watch as he led Konoha toward prosperity.

Danzo fell silent for a while before speaking again.

"The Uchiha Clan must be watched carefully. It would be best to eliminate them."

Danzo still could not let go of the Uchiha Clan.

As for Hiruzen Sarutobi killing him instantly with a single technique, Danzo believed that Orochimaru had left some hidden measure behind during the modifications to his body, allowing Hiruzen Sarutobi to finish him so cleanly.

"I will make good use of the Uchiha Clan and help them integrate into the village."

Orochimaru did not agree with Danzo's view.

If he were not one of Konoha's higher-ups, he would naturally fear the Uchiha Clan's power and might even covet it. But now that he had become one of Konoha's higher-ups and his interests aligned with Konoha's, his perspective had changed.

Now, he could openly study the Uchiha Clan's secrets.

"The Uchiha Clan cannot be trusted!"

"Danzo, I am Konoha's elder!"

Hearing Orochimaru say that, Danzo was helpless. He did not know what else he could say.

He had lost. Root would certainly cease to exist, and he, the darkness of the Shinobi World, would never again be able to realize his ideals.

After saying those words to Danzo, Orochimaru felt utterly refreshed.

He had wanted to say that for a long time. Danzo had always been ordering him around.

He had long found the man unbearable.

He had seen Hiruzen Sarutobi say similar things to Danzo more than once before, and he had long wanted to experience it for himself.

Sure enough, in Konoha, power was the most precious thing!

Afterward, Orochimaru left the hospital.

Having lost Root, his arms, the First Hokage Cells, and even his Blood Wheel Eye, Danzo's strength now was at most that of a Chunin.

Jiraiya spent a night in Tanzaku Street. The so-called three ninja taboos had long been thoroughly violated by the Legendary Sannin.

Like teacher, like students. Hiruzen Sarutobi, that man who liked peeping into women's bathhouses, had taught three disciples who loved gambling, lust, and human experimentation.

It was only natural for Tsunade to look down on Jiraiya. No woman would like a man who regularly frequented pleasure quarters.

However, Jiraiya had come this time with a mission.

No matter what, he had to bring Tsunade back to Konoha and reunite the Legendary Sannin!

Finding Tsunade was simple. The legendary Big Fat Sheep was no mere nickname.

Tsunade was an honored guest and super VIP at every casino in Tanzaku Street!

After all, Tsunade had powerful backing. With Konoha and the Land of Fire supporting her, she did not need to fear being unable to repay her gambling debts.

Tsunade's luck today was neither good nor bad, but she kept feeling that something was off.

"Tsunade, long time no see!"

Seeing Tsunade put Jiraiya in a good mood.

He had not liked Tsunade for merely a day or two. Being able to bring her back to Konoha and have her work alongside Orochimaru to make Konoha better was something that could only come true in dreams!

Yet Tsunade was not particularly happy to see Jiraiya.

She had left Konoha with the still-young Shizune long ago.

If they truly had a choice, who would be willing to leave their homeland?

Tsunade had been far too disappointed in Konoha. The First Hokage's grandson dying in war was a joke in itself.

"Jiraiya, what happened in the village for them to send you to find me?"

The moment she saw Jiraiya, Tsunade knew something must have happened in the village.

However, Tsunade did not want to return, so her attitude toward Jiraiya naturally was not very friendly.

"Tsunade, Orochimaru has become one of Konoha's elders."

"You and Orochimaru successfully rebelled?"

Tsunade was somewhat surprised, but she was not particularly excited. She thought it was some sort of plan between Danzo and Orochimaru.

Jiraiya shook his head. He understood Tsunade's concerns and pain.

"It was our teacher who made Orochimaru one of Konoha's elders."

"Heh, is Orochimaru willing to become a puppet for that title?"

Among the Legendary Sannin, Tsunade was perhaps the one who respected Hiruzen Sarutobi the least.

She had many grievances with Hiruzen Sarutobi and disagreed most strongly with Konoha's direction.

"Root has been abolished, and the advisors have all gone home to retire. Most of Konoha's affairs are now being handled with Orochimaru's help."

Tsunade could hardly believe it, but seeing Jiraiya's serious expression, she knew he was not joking.

"How is that possible?"

"I don't know either. Perhaps our teacher has truly grown old? Tsunade, come back with me. Konoha's Medical Division needs you."

"Heh, even so, isn't it too late? He could have done this when Minato became Hokage."

Jiraiya scratched his head, knowing that Tsunade was actually softhearted beneath her stubborn words.

As the First Hokage's granddaughter, Tsunade was the one who most wanted Konoha to grow better and better.

"Come back. Konoha truly needs our protection this time. There is no scheming anymore. Even Orochimaru has changed."

Tsunade remained silent for a long time, then took another sip of wine.

"Pay off all my gambling debts, and I'll go back."

Jiraiya naturally agreed, but when he actually received the bill, he finally understood what it meant to want to cry without tears.

"Tsunade, how about you don't go back after all? Even if the village pays this much money, it will have to think twice!"

"Stop talking nonsense and hurry back. I want to see what that old man is really up to, whether he truly intends to change!"

With Tsunade willing to return to Konoha, the village would certainly be willing to pay the bill. Compared to strength, money was not important.

The Land of Fire lay at the center of the continent, its terrain mostly hills, with vast farmland and forests. It had always been the wealthiest region, and Konoha's income was far from small.