"What Fugaku said was right. Peace could only be maintained when the other Four Great Ninja Villages realized that starting a war would cost them troops instead of bringing them any gain," Orochimaru said.
"Senior, how has the Secret Laboratory been progressing lately?"
A faint smile appeared on Orochimaru's face. "The research has advanced quickly. War has brought chaos, but it has also brought us plenty of experimental material.
"Obtaining Test Subjects used to be our greatest problem. Now that's been solved. With enough Test Subjects, research into a technique concerning life and death can progress quickly."
That afternoon, the sky was clear. A large crowd of villagers had gathered outside the Konoha Gate, their excitement plain to see.
Not far away, a large group of Konoha shinobi had come into view.
Among them, the Fourth Raikage advanced with a grim expression. Uchiha shinobi surrounded him, watching his every move.
Orochimaru strode over and shook hands with Hitoshi and the other two at the head of the group. "Thank you for your hard work."
Cheers rose from the villagers. Orochimaru spotted the disheveled Fourth Raikage in the crowd and smiled.
Even the young, arrogant Fourth Raikage had ended up like this.
The Konoha shinobi entered the village to a proud welcome, then went home to rest.
The Fourth Raikage was taken to Orochimaru's office.
Looking at him, Orochimaru felt a twinge of emotion. They were both leaders of their villages. If the Uchiha had not risen so suddenly, the Four Great Ninja Villages might have joined forces, and his own fate as Hokage might not have been much better.
All four villages had wanted something from the Land of Fire, whether land or money. In that case, he might have been the one forced to sign a treaty.
"Lord Raikage,