The Scapegoat Refuses to Take the Blame

Over the next few days, Kenichi Amamiya focused on improving his strength. He had a feeling that some major event was about to happen, and there was certainly nothing wrong with becoming stronger.

His teacher, Orochimaru, had not shown himself during this time. Even their daily experimental work had come to a halt.

But Kenichi Amamiya knew this was merely the calm before the storm. Unless the Third died now, there was no way his teacher, Orochimaru, could become the Fourth Hokage.

Sure enough, when talk of Minato Namikaze becoming the Fourth Hokage began to spread through the streets, Teacher Orochimaru finally appeared before Kenichi Amamiya.

"Kenichi, let's go. It's time to conduct experiments." Orochimaru looked as usual, but Kenichi Amamiya could sense that he was in a bad mood. His eyes held a trace of anger he could not hide.

Kenichi Amamiya rarely saw his teacher wear such an expression. But this was clearly not the time to ask questions, so he said nothing and silently followed Orochimaru.

"Kenichi, you're a smart person. Let me ask you: what do you plan to do in the future?" Orochimaru asked calmly as they walked through the woods.

He did not elaborate, but Kenichi Amamiya knew exactly what he meant.

Although Minato Namikaze becoming the Fourth Hokage was still only a rumor, Konoha's higher-ups all knew that the Next Generation Hokage would be Minato Namikaze, not Orochimaru.

His appointment as the Fourth Hokage would be announced soon.

It would not take long. Minato Namikaze would soon become the village's new leader; the only question was whether he would be a puppet or a Hokage with real authority.

"Teacher, I want to follow in your footsteps." Kenichi Amamiya answered honestly. Orochimaru knew quite a few of his secrets. Strictly speaking, they were tied to the same rope now.

He could not easily break away. Danzo also knew about him, and if he stayed behind, he would have to face that Old Silver Coin, Danzo.

Hearing Kenichi Amamiya's words, Orochimaru nodded. However, he did not stop walking and merely continued onward.

"You're very smart. I plan to leave this rotten, stinking village. If you don't leave with me, you'll very likely be purged as my scapegoat," Orochimaru said casually.

He knew that this disciple of his was clever, not at all like a child but rather remarkably mature. That was precisely why he was willing to take him along.

As for Mitaraishi Anko, the best choice was to make that pitiful girl forget him.

Kenichi Amamiya obediently followed Orochimaru. He knew what Orochimaru said was indeed true.

Frankly, Kenichi Amamiya did not particularly want to leave Konoha. The resources here were simply too abundant. But he had no choice but to leave.

Once the research into First Hokage's Cells became public, even if only the upper ranks learned of it, it would still be a tidal wave Kenichi Amamiya could not withstand.

Konoha would definitely have to give the Senju Clan an explanation. Tsunade, one of the Sannin, would not completely ignore it either. But if Orochimaru ran away and Danzo shifted the blame, who would carry the black pot?

Whoever had no backing and no strength would naturally get it.

When you ran with the crowd, the underlings were always the ones who took the blame. Kenichi Amamiya was an excellent scapegoat.

"I can already guess what comes next. Danzo will definitely have you join Root under the pretext of letting you atone for your crimes, allowing him to control you and continue those experiments." Orochimaru had arrived at the entrance to the secret Underground Laboratory.

Kenichi Amamiya followed his teacher into the Underground Laboratory. This was the place where he had spent the second-longest amount of time in Konoha.

"If circumstances force their hand, I might even have to be thrown out and killed to quell the resentment." Kenichi Amamiya shrugged. This was one of the reasons he had considered.

It was why Kenichi Amamiya had decided to leave with Orochimaru.

Danzo was no outstanding leader. Throwing out his subordinates to take the blame when something went wrong was exactly the sort of thing he would do.

At the very least, if he followed his teacher, he would not die, would not be branded with the Tongue Curse Seal, and would not be made a scapegoat.

"You're very smart." Orochimaru smiled. He did not like talking to idiots. It was troublesome and exhausting; communicating with smart people was much simpler.

Jiraiya was that idiot. Earlier, he had actually tried to comfort him and tell him not to feel too upset.

Who would be upset?

It was merely the position of Fourth Hokage.

"...Teacher, you seem a little uncomfortable?" Kenichi Amamiya glanced at Orochimaru and probed cautiously.

"You saw wrong." Orochimaru's expression turned cold. Kenichi Amamiya gave an "oh" and followed behind him with a blank expression.

But inwardly, Kenichi Amamiya wanted to laugh. Teacher Orochimaru was still Teacher Orochimaru. It was obvious he cared deeply about the position of Fourth Hokage, yet he still put on an act as though he did not care.

"That Rejection you mentioned has now been formally incorporated into future experimental procedures. If you have any other unique ideas, you can tell me." Orochimaru picked up an Experiment Log, flipped through it, and mentioned it casually.

Kenichi Amamiya nodded. It seemed that although Teacher Orochimaru had not brought him here lately, the experiments had not stopped and had continued all along.

Danzo was probably getting anxious too, wasn't he?

That was perfectly normal.

It had to be said that although Hiruzen Sarutobi had stepped down from being a qualified ninja, he truly was an outstanding Politician.

He was exceptionally sinister and shameless, with superb methods.

His suppression of Danzo had been extraordinarily effective. As long as Sarutobi was alive, Danzo had been beaten so thoroughly that he could not raise his head.

"Teacher, can you give me these failed test subjects?" Kenichi Amamiya saw the Experiment Log as well, and his eyes lit up.

Good heavens, Root truly was Root. In such a short time, they had gathered eighty-two test subjects.

These were the ones who had survived after Kenichi Amamiya brought up Rejection. Without his suggestion, These Guys would have long since died at the hands of First Hokage's Cells.

"I'll take fifty. You can have the rest." Orochimaru did not care much. They were merely expendable materials, but he had his own project now, so he took a portion.

"Thank you, Teacher." Kenichi Amamiya licked his lips. Thirty-two test subjects were enough, and this time, he finally did not need to worry about whether they would die.

Even if they died, it did not matter. He could simply replace them. Besides, honestly, they were not that likely to die.

Yang Release Chakra could instead make their lungs more active. It was practically healing the sick and saving lives.