By now, Orochimaru had become utterly disillusioned with Hiruzen Sarutobi.
He had truly never imagined his teacher would say something like that at a Jonin meeting.
Every Jonin present could hear what Hiruzen Sarutobi meant. He intended to sacrifice Chihane!
"We've already defeated those three ninja villages once. Even if they attack again, they still won't be a match for Konoha. Lord Hokage, I believe this matter requires careful consideration."
After Uchiha Kageyama's death, Uchiha Fugaku had succeeded him as head of the Uchiha Clan. Now, he stood up and spoke.
The Uchiha Clan and Orochimaru shared common interests. They were already firmly bound together, rising and falling as one. If Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted to move against Chihane, he would have to get past Fugaku first.
Seeing Uchiha Fugaku take the lead, some of the Jonin who had still been wavering began voicing their own opinions to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Many of the Jonin here had fought alongside Chihane on the border, and many owed him their lives. Naturally, they leaned toward supporting him.
"Enough! This is a meeting! What is all this shouting?"
Faced with the reactions of so many Jonin, even Hiruzen Sarutobi's composure began to crack.
He had already made himself perfectly clear, yet they still dared to argue like this. Who exactly was Konoha's Hokage?
Having served as Hokage for so many years, Hiruzen Sarutobi's words still carried considerable weight. All the Jonin stopped speaking and turned toward Orochimaru, who had remained seated in silence.
He was Chihane's teacher. Having said nothing all this time, he surely had his own thoughts.
"Lord Hokage, may I ask what your position is on this matter? Do you intend to surrender to the three ninja villages? To obey their demands and hand Chihane over?"
Orochimaru deliberately pretended not to understand