Tsunade Returns to Her Position

Oguri Hayashi said many things, but Zetsu could only hear some of them.

He had actually been watching Orochimaru the entire time. Orochimaru was under Uchiha Madara's close scrutiny. Madara considered Orochimaru a genius second only to himself. Therefore, Orochimaru's eventual expulsion from the village wasn't solely due to the Third Hokage and Danzo; Uchiha Madara had also played a part. It took the combined efforts of multiple parties to drive a genius like Orochimaru out of the village.

And the surveillance of Orochimaru began now.

Of course, Zetsu's mission was quite demanding. He also needed to keep a constant watch on Kakashi's teammate, the idiot Obito.

Because he was so stupid, he was easier to control and easier to awaken his Sharingan.

However, he knew that what was happening to Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Oguri Hayashi right now could indeed affect the entire ninja world.

If nothing else, the fact that he vaguely heard "Tsunade returning to Konoha to lead the battle against the Land of Wind" was a major event.

If we're talking about poison, Chiyo of the Land of Wind, Orochimaru of the Land of Fire, and Hanzo of the Land of Rain were all masters of poison. But when it came to medical ninjas, the entire ninja world couldn't bypass Tsunade's name.

Once Tsunade returned to her rightful place, the entire Land of Wind would tremble. The Land of Wind, which relied on poison to inflict casualties, was actually far inferior to Konoha ninjas in overall quality once their trump card, poison, was lost.

With Tsunade leading the medical squad on the front lines, the Sand Shinobi wouldn't gain any real advantage.

It might even prevent the Third Great Ninja War from happening altogether.

This was crucial information.

However, Oguri Hayashi knew that even after Tsunade, enduring her hemophobia, took her position in the rear as a doctor and commander, the war would still have begun.

War was unavoidable. Everyone had grudges and conflicts of interest. If the Land of Wind didn't declare war on Konoha today, the Land of Earth would declare war on the Land of Thunder tomorrow. The landmines buried during the Second Shinobi World War had not been defused with its end; instead, they had exploded at a certain point, engulfing the ninja world.

And that point in time was now. Even with Oguri Hayashi, the Sannin, or even the five Kage-level powerhouses including the Hokage, what could they do?

They needed to survive, to gain land, to obtain benefits, to complete missions, and to earn fame, all through war and by taking lives.

The war between the Land of Wind and Konoha was irreversible, and Tsunade's role was to lead Konoha's ninjas to win this war.

"Orochimaru... Lord." Wuying listened from the side, occasionally being used by Orochimaru as a rubber stamp to confirm Oguri Hayashi's authenticity. After the Sannin finished their discussion, he could only suppress his resentment and speak, "Can I remain in the Impure World Reincarnation state?"

"If it were me, I could definitely help Lord Orochimaru avoid many detours."

Orochimaru glanced at him, a mocking smile appearing on his face.

Even now, this person still maintained that condescending attitude of an outsider?

Help him, Orochimaru, avoid many detours?

Who did he think Orochimaru was! Orochimaru wouldn't take the wrong path; even a wrong path would be the right and suitable one for him.

If Orochimaru truly followed the "opinions and truths" he offered, he wouldn't be Orochimaru!

"You can remain in that state." However, Orochimaru didn't voice his thoughts. He had very good intelligence, and Orochimaru still needed his information.

"Then, Lord Orochimaru, Tsunade, let's proceed as we discussed earlier." Oguri Hayashi took two steps back, smiling as he spoke to them.

Ever since he became stronger, he had started smiling more. Tsunade looked at Oguri Hayashi, unable to help but recall the young man who had been so stoic under her command three years ago. However, "Why is he 'Lord,' but I'm just 'Tsunade'?" Tsunade asked with a displeased expression.

"Because Tsunade is Tsunade," Oguri Hayashi smiled and formed a hand seal. "Well then, see you both later."

"Remember our agreement. You can tell the Third Hokage, but don't tell Danzo."

Oguri Hayashi instantly vanished before their eyes.

Flying Thunder God Technique! Orochimaru, Wuying, and Zetsu all looked at the disappearing Oguri Hayashi with astonishment. They were already amazed to have a genius like Minato Namikaze, who could replicate the Second Hokage's ultimate technique. But Oguri Hayashi's talent surprised them even more.

This person not only had exceptional taijutsu talent but also profound mastery of spatial ninjutsu. Yet, Konoha had deemed his limit to be High Ninja solely due to insufficient chakra reserves. Wasn't that too hasty?

Tsunade thought of the system Oguri Hayashi had implemented in Takigakure, and a thoughtful expression appeared on her face.

"Well, I'm taking this guy with me. Tsunade, you should also go back and report to the old man. After all, you haven't been active for three years," Orochimaru said to Tsunade.

Tsunade nodded. "I will go back and report to the old man."

They nodded to each other and parted ways.

Tsunade not only had the task of reporting to the Third Hokage but also needed to convene a meeting with Jiraiya and the Third Hokage.

Regarding the future of the ninja world, the future of Konohagakure.

Should these futures be allowed to unfold as they were, or should they defy fate and change the future?

Since Oguri Hayashi had told Tsunade and Orochimaru these things, he had no intention of hiding them from the Third Hokage.

Regarding future events, powerful individuals would not blame or reprimand their subordinates for something that hadn't happened yet. "The future" could only serve as a reference, not as a basis for decision-making.

Orochimaru was still the diligent and loving genius ninja of Konoha, the commander of the Western Front.

Tsunade was still the medical god of Konoha, the founder of medical ninjutsu.

Jiraiya... well, he was still that perverted Sage.

But no matter what, they were thoroughly the darlings of this era, undeniably talented ninjas. When Tsunade returned to Konoha, the entire village was in an uproar.

As ninjas, they were most aware of the turmoil in the Land of Wind.

Although Orochimaru, as one of the Sannin, was stationed in the west, the only one they could truly rely on, the one they could entrust their lives to, was Tsunade.

As Tsunade walked through the gates of Konoha.

Countless ninjas, having heard the news, came to see her. They didn't crowd forward but lined the path on both sides, looking at Tsunade with earnest anticipation.

"Lady Tsunade."

"Lady Tsunade!"

"Lady Tsunade!"

"Princess Tsunade!"

"Lady Tsunade has returned!!"

The entire Konohagakure village erupted in enthusiastic cheers, as if welcoming the return of its mistress.