" Orochimaru is destined not to become the Fourth Hokage; he lacks the most important condition for becoming the new Hokage..."
"These words again, these mild and decadent arguments again," Danzo sneered. Even if he was Konoha's shadow, he still had the ambition to declare his existence in the sunlight.
"What conditions? Those mild and outdated tones? Sarutobi Hiruzen, it was this outdated thinking that caused us to suffer such enormous losses in this Great Ninja War!"
"No! Orochimaru lacks is the trust of the many Jonin in the village, and most importantly, the support of the Jinchūriki."
Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed deeply. The many councilors from the Land of Fire discussed among themselves, their expressions showing considerable apprehension, as if they were unwilling to bring up that old matter.
During the Second Great Ninja War, the Land of Fire was preoccupied with its own problems and unable to support the Uzumaki Clan, who were distant relatives of the Senju Clan, which indirectly led to the destruction of the Land of Whirlpools.
Uzumaki Kushina, who succeeded the wife of the First Hokage as the Jinchūriki, was none other than Namikaze Minato's wife.
Upon hearing Sarutobi Hiruzen mention the Jinchūriki and the Konoha Jonin trust vote, Danzo was secretly furious. If Orochimaru had any popularity in the village, the matter of Fourth Hokage would have been almost certain long ago.
"How can a Hokage who is not trusted by the village's ninjas be considered a qualified Fourth Hokage? Orochimaru is indeed a genius, but he is a genius of wartime."
"Now that the Sand, Mist, and Earth have successively signed ceasefire agreements with Konoha, Konoha will usher in an unprecedented period of peace in the future."
"Therefore, the ninja who can become the Fourth Hokage needs to be someone who can completely win people's hearts and unite everyone!"
The daimyo of the Land of Fire gently waved his folding fan and nodded slightly.
"So, who does the Third Hokage intend to recommend?"
" Namikaze Minato has made countless contributions on the battlefield and is trusted by most of the Konoha ninja. Most importantly, the current Jinchūriki Uzumaki Kushina, is his wife, and Jiraiya, Jiraiya of the Sannin, is also his teacher."
Da Ming tapped his folding fan and suddenly realized the truth.
" Jiraiya? Actually, I also think highly of him, but I heard that he left the village to travel. In that case, Minato Namikaze will succeed him as the Fourth Hokage Namikaze Minato."
The folding fan swayed gently, and the wisps of breeze brought a touch of coolness to the agitated daimyo of the Land of Fire. The wealth Orochimaru had given him was only enough to offer him one piece of advice.
Although the relationship between the Land of Fire and Konoha is nominally one of superior and subordinate, in reality, the Land of Fire over Konoha is limited to resource control and provision.
The former Hokage defied public opinion and was determined to support a successor he deemed suitable to take the Hokage Position, and he had no good reason to stop him.
Having received a definite answer, Sarutobi Hiruzen's tense nerves relaxed. If the Daimyo disagreed, Konoha, with its resources cut off, might have to endure a difficult period.
Even so, he was willing to risk his life to push Namikaze Minato to the position of Hokage. If he fell into Orochimaru's hands, who knows what his hidden ambitions would lead him to do.
With the major decision made, the councilors were relieved. They had all contributed, so what could Orochimaru do even if he had ulterior motives? They couldn't be blamed for not having any support.
Danzo suddenly stood up, turned around and walked towards the outside, his figure disappearing into the shadows without saying a word.
Gazing at Danzo's Danzo figure, Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed softly.
'I am the trunk of the Konoha, and the branches and leaves are Konoha tender buds and pillars; you are the roots hidden beneath the trunk, unseen by the sun.'
'But if you wallow in darkness too much, one day you too will be swallowed by it, Danzo ...'
Meanwhile, in Konoha, in Orochimaru's laboratory.
It was almost dawn, but still dark. Huayue and Orochimaru face was bright with a smile but still repulsive, stared at each other for a long time without saying a word.
A moment later, the python, its winding lines revealing its markings, slowly opened its mouth, and a secret scroll emerged from it.
"How about it?"
"Heh, failed. That old man, the Third Hokage, would rather fight the Daimyo head-on than let his disciple become the Fourth Hokage."
Without the slightest hesitation, the secret scroll in his hand was burned to ashes. Orochimaru seemed to have expected this, and there was no discouragement or disappointment in his eyes.
What are you planning to do?
"Snakes that temporarily leave the village to wait for their prey often have unimaginable patience. The specimen you provided is very valuable and worth keeping quiet until I figure out a suitable way to use it."
Upon hearing this, Huayue immediately understood that Orochimaru had no intention of bowing down to the new Hokage, nor did he want others to interfere with his experimental field for exploring the truth of the world.
"Really? Then have a safe trip."
Orochimaru was surprised to see that Huayue refused his invitation without any hesitation.
"If you want to achieve your ideals, staying in this decaying Konoha won't work, unless you dare to conduct experiments under the nose of the new Hokage, or... have you found a viable path?"
Orochimaru was not entirely unaware of Huayue's secret research and tactical actions; in fact, he even supported them.
There are countless paths leading to immortality, and no one can say for sure which one is the smoothest. Learning from the ideas of others can also inspire you.
"They're roughly the same. Besides physical energy, isn't chakra mostly just spiritual energy? Relying purely on Natural Energy to sustain life is far less physically demanding than Summoning Beast beasts..."
"An immortal who has existed for a thousand years, if only I could..."
Before he could finish speaking, Orochimaru became wary and immediately shut his mouth. The ancient white snake in Ryūchi Cave, which had existed for over a thousand years, was not someone to be trifled with.
"Then I'll be going now. I'll take over all the laboratories you left in Konoha."
Orochimaru's eye twitched. He hadn't even had a chance to enjoy the fruits of his Huayue before Orochimaru were already on his years of hard work. Just as he was about to snort, he suddenly remembered something and revealed a strange smile.
"What do you think Anko will choose?"
Huayue paused, but instead of turning around, she let out a soft laugh.
What do you think?
Once the figure disappeared, Orochimaru's eyes flickered, and he looked at the experimental sample in his hand, which was still not in a stable state and served as the key to Sage Mode.
"Hehehe, the white snake is a symbol of rebirth. Even if the experiment is not yet complete, it is enough to plant the seeds of revival. Third Hokage, you will regret your choice today."
A few days later, news spread throughout Konoha that Sarutobi Hiruzen to take responsibility and that Namikaze Minato would succeed him as the Fourth Hokage.
The news also silenced those who had been secretly plotting and harboring ambitions. Namikaze Minato was in the prime of his life, and his strength and reputation were enough to quell any unrest in the shadows.
The next day, in Orochimaru's laboratory, Anko stood there, staring at her teacher who seemed like a stranger, and shook her head repeatedly.