Tsunade! Orochimaru?

Mito glanced at Tsunade and shook her head. "You're looking at this too simply. This isn't just about Danzo, or I wouldn't have told Ziyan about it!"

Tsunade asked in confusion, "It isn't just about Danzo? Are you saying Sakumo was in the wrong too?"

"You're still too young!" Mito said. "You'll understand someday. Enough about them. Your little brother should be home from school soon, shouldn't he? Hurry and have someone prepare dinner!"

"Oh!" Tsunade clearly wanted to ask more, but seeing that Mito didn't want to continue, she held her tongue and went to arrange dinner.

After leaving Mito Uzumaki, Hatake Ziyan headed straight to the Hokage Building.

Hatake Ziyan sat in the Hokage's seat and looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi, who stood beside him. Though Hiruzen hid it well, Hatake Ziyan could still see the resentment in his eyes.

"Little monkey, how did you handle things?" Hatake Ziyan ignored his petty scheming and asked directly.

"Lord Ziyan, rest assured, everything has been handled. I've cleared up the rumors. Sakumo can return to the Anbu tomorrow and resume his position as commander!" Hiruzen Sarutobi answered.

"Good! As long as the rumors have been cleared up. As for whether he returns to the Anbu, let him decide for himself!" Hatake Ziyan nodded. "There's one more thing I need to tell you!"

"Please go ahead, Lord Ziyan!" Hiruzen Sarutobi replied respectfully.

"Mito is nearing the end of her life. I don't want any of you disturbing her again. You don't need to worry about the Nine-Tails' seal, either. I'll take care of it for you! You have no objections, do you?" Hatake Ziyan asked.

"Of course not. With you handling it, we can certainly rest easier!" Hiruzen Sarutobi answered. "But as for the Jinchūriki...?"

"Don't worry. I have no interest in the Nine-Tails. Shouldn't you already know who the Jinchūriki is? You were the ones who chose her!" Hatake Ziyan said.

"Yes, yes, of course! My memory isn't what it used to be!" Hiruzen Sarutobi replied, inwardly breathing a sigh of relief.

"All right, I'll be going! Get back to your paperwork!" With that, Hatake Ziyan rose and headed for the door.

"Take care, Lord Ziyan!" Hiruzen Sarutobi said.

The moment Hatake Ziyan stepped out, Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression darkened, his face filling with resentment and anger.

After leaving the Hokage's office, Hatake Ziyan went up to Hokage Rock and stood atop Hashirama's carved head.

"Do you think I should get involved in what's happening in Konoha? Hiruzen Sarutobi has really disappointed me. He has none of the bearing a leader or a powerful man should have! He clings far too tightly to that pitiful bit of authority!" Hatake Ziyan muttered to himself.

"Forget it. Asking you won't get me anywhere. All you'd do is stand there grinning like an idiot. I should ask Tobirama about things like this, but I don't much like the way he handled matters. He always assumed the worst of people!

"And his judgment of people was terrible. Of all his students, aside from Kagami Uchiha of the Uchiha Clan he hated so much, the rest were all useless. Yet Kagami Uchiha, whom he never thought much of, contributed a great deal to Konoha's stability!"

Hatake Ziyan continued voicing his opinions alone. Perhaps he was too absorbed to notice that someone behind him had been listening all along.

"It seems Lord Sword God is quite disappointed with how others are now governing the Konoha he worked so hard to build?" the person behind Hatake Ziyan asked.

"Who goes there!" Hatake Ziyan instantly turned, unleashing his full aura as he stared at the newcomer.

The man had loose hair, deathly pale skin, and snake-like pupils. It was Orochimaru.

Under the weight of Hatake Ziyan's aura, however, Orochimaru couldn't even raise his head. He could only struggle to keep himself from falling to his knees.

"You're Orochimaru, aren't you?" Hatake Ziyan asked, withdrawing his aura.

"To think Lord Sword God knows of me. I'm truly honored!" Orochimaru took several gasping breaths before answering.

"What did you come to see me for? Just say it!" Hatake Ziyan couldn't be bothered to guess what Orochimaru wanted and asked outright.

"I originally hoped to learn a move or two from you, my lord, but I've changed my mind. Now I would like your help in becoming the Fourth Hokage!" Orochimaru said.

Hatake Ziyan looked at Orochimaru before him. He hadn't yet become a scientist obsessed with researching immortality, and he actually still wanted to be Hokage. But considering what Orochimaru might become, Hatake Ziyan had no intention of agreeing.

"Orochimaru, you're little monkey's most prized student, and your strength is nearly at Kage Level. Surely you don't need my help to become Hokage?" Hatake Ziyan said, sidestepping his request.

Orochimaru paused, then said, "If you hadn't suddenly appeared, with Sakumo being persecuted by them, I would have had a very good chance of becoming Hokage. But now that Sakumo is here, with you backing him, I don't think anyone can surpass him to become the next Hokage!"

"Hahaha! I didn't expect you to be so bold, bringing that up in front of me. Aren't you afraid I'll kill you?" Hatake Ziyan asked with a laugh.

"Hehehe! You won't kill me, my lord! After all, I'm still useful to you, aren't I?" Orochimaru laughed along with him.

Hatake Ziyan stared at Orochimaru for a while, then said, "Go back."

Hatake Ziyan was unwilling to say more, and Orochimaru asked no further questions. He bowed to Hatake Ziyan, then turned and left.

Once Hatake Ziyan sensed that Orochimaru was far away, he looked down at the village below the mountain and asked, "What is it?"

At that moment, someone leaped out of the woods and knelt behind Hatake Ziyan. "Clan head, we've found the people you asked us to find, but someone is already teaching them!"

"All right, I understand. Leave two people to watch them and wait for an opportunity!" Hatake Ziyan said.

After receiving his orders, the person behind him left without another word.

It looks like all the pieces are being put into place! I'd better think about what choices to make from here on! Hatake Ziyan thought, then vanished from Hokage Rock.

Over the next six days, Hatake Ziyan spent his free time teasing Kakashi and giving him a little instruction, or visiting the Senju Clan Compound to chat with Mito. The six days passed quickly.

Early on the seventh morning, Hatake Ziyan got up and headed to the Senju Clan Compound.

"Mito, is there anything else you want to leave in my care? I'll do my best to fulfill your final wishes!" Hatake Ziyan asked, looking at Mito Uzumaki, who could no longer maintain her youthful appearance.

"Ziyan! You're not getting any younger. Find yourself a wife soon, so you can carry on the family line!" Mito Uzumaki said slowly.