Konoha's Biggest Stars

Kenichi Amamiya was quite pleased by Shimura Danzō's disregard. As long as he did not attract that old man's attention, it was fine.

Besides, following Orochimaru was pretty good. Kenichi Amamiya had no plans to change allegiances for the time being, and even if he did, he would not choose Danzo.

Uncle Snake could be harsh and ruthless much of the time, but he truly treated his subordinates and disciples well. Under Orochimaru's guidance, Kenichi Amamiya had mastered several decent ninjutsu, and his combat strength had improved as well.

It was just that Kenichi Amamiya's body could not yet support him becoming a Chunin.

Orochimaru found that regrettable as well.

The moment he entered the laboratory, Kenichi Amamiya's heart turned completely cold. During experiments, if he showed any sympathy or other emotions Orochimaru called "weakness," he would suffer for it.

So Kenichi Amamiya had learned to make his heart as cold and hard as steel.

He dispassionately held his pen and recorded the process of this experiment. Thanks to his involvement, their research into Hashirama Senju's Cells had made some breakthroughs, and they had achieved some results with the lab mice.

But clearly, these test subjects could not withstand the immense power of the First Hokage's Cells. Once the cells were fused into them, they all died miserable deaths.

Kenichi Amamiya kept recording, his pen moving across the paper as life steadily slipped away with every turned page.

They conducted seven experiments in all, yet only one test subject successfully endured the initial fusion stage.

Based on the data from the Physiological Monitoring Instrument, Kenichi Amamiya knew that unless this unfortunate test subject had extraordinarily good luck, it would not live to see the next day's sun.

"Why have all the experiments failed?" Shimura Danzō seemed somewhat anxious. Kenichi Amamiya remained silent, though he wanted to laugh inside.

Of course he knew why this old bastard was anxious. The Third Great Ninja War had ended, and the Third Hokage was no longer young. No one knew how much longer this Ninja Hero could remain in office.

Shimura Danzō considered himself a strong contender for the Fourth Hokage's position. That was why he was so anxious.

He could not wait to increase his strength. The Hokage's seat had become an obsession haunting his dreams. To become Hokage, he would dare do anything—even research on the First Hokage's body, an act that desecrated the dead.

However, Kenichi Amamiya could no longer remember why the Third Hokage had stepped down. Logically, the Fourth would only be selected after the Third's death.

And though the Third was no longer young, he was not truly that old. At the very least, he could have kept working for some time longer.

Could it have been that?

"...Kenichi, bring me the experimental records." Orochimaru's voice cleared Kenichi Amamiya's mind. He respectfully handed the records to Orochimaru, then discreetly glanced at Shimura Danzō beside him.

Under Orochimaru's unhurried explanation, Shimura Danzō could only reluctantly accept that the First Hokage's Cells required further experimentation. He began ordering Root to capture test subjects without drawing attention.

And they had to be from other villages.

Orochimaru had no objections. At this point, he still cared greatly about his reputation in Konoha.

By the time the experiment ended and they could leave, the sky had already darkened. Orochimaru calmly led Kenichi Amamiya outside. Kenichi Amamiya knew what his teacher was going to do: take him out to eat.

And incidentally assess whether he had been attentive during the experiment today. It was an old habit.

"Sensei, Lord Danzo seems very anxious," Kenichi Amamiya asked softly. His relationship with Orochimaru was fairly close, so asking such a question would not provoke any displeasure or suspicion.

"Yes. In order to end the war as quickly as possible, Teacher signed armistice agreements with the other villages, which caused the village to suffer heavy losses in the war. Anyone with eyes can see it, but I doubt many would dare object. As for Shimura Danzō..." Orochimaru revealed a mocking smile.

Looking at the Konoha Civilians and Genin celebrating the end of the war, and at the Villagers grieving for the children, fathers, and husbands they had lost because of it, Orochimaru's eyes carried a trace of indifference and ridicule.

Civilians and ordinary ninja were all happy that the war had ended, but the clever ninja and the Great Families knew that the storm was not over yet.

This time, it would not drag countless people into bloodshed and carnage, but the coming storm would not be peaceful either. It might even determine Konoha's leader for a long time to come.

What Teacher had done was for Konoha's sake—at least, that was how it looked on the surface. But no matter how many benefits there were, it was undeniable that Konoha had suffered greater losses.

Other ninja might not dare say anything for now, but Shimura Danzō, who was deeply obsessed with the Hokage's position, would definitely not let this opportunity slip away.

A storm targeting Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi was about to descend, and Teacher might very well step down at this time. If he stepped down, then who would become the Fourth?

"Third is getting old. Doesn't Teacher always say that ninja must fight until the very end to know victory or defeat? But now, Third has become like a politician." Kenichi Amamiya spoke with the bluntness of a child, earning himself a flick on the forehead from Orochimaru.

"Do not disrespect Teacher." Feeling the neither-light-nor-heavy force on his forehead, Kenichi Amamiya curled his lips. You clearly think the same way. Yet when I say it out loud, I'm the one at fault.

Still, Orochimaru currently retained some respect for the Third.

Orochimaru took Kenichi Amamiya to the Akimichi Clan's BBQ Restaurant.

The Akimichi Clan's BBQ Restaurant was famous throughout Konoha, but with the war having just ended, business was exceptionally brisk today, and the line stretched a long way.

But the moment they saw Orochimaru's face, the rules about lining up immediately vanished.

The person at the front of the line respectfully and eagerly invited Orochimaru ahead of them, while even the manager of the Akimichi Clan's BBQ Restaurant came outside to greet him.

In this Ninja War, Orochimaru, one of the Sannin, had performed exceptionally well. Besides him, there was Minato Namikaze.

"Wow, it's Lord Orochimaru! If not for Lord Orochimaru's command, we might never have made it back."

"...Lord Minato Namikaze is amazing. The Yellow Flash! I heard the other ninja villages even issued orders saying that retreating upon encountering him did not count as mission failure."

Those who had come to eat were all Genin and ordinary Villagers, and their discussions represented who Konoha's biggest stars were now.