Chapter 45: The Three Poisons Gather!
It was a good thing that Orochimaru had skin as tough as a snake and could take a beating.
If it had been Jiraiya, he would probably be half-dead by now.
"Kazama!?"
"Orochimaru said you agreed to let him return to the village?!"
Tsunade hauled Orochimaru up by the collar, then turned to glare at Uchiha Kazama.
Never mind that the two of them had already shared an intimate encounter.
Right now, Tsunade was capable of doing absolutely anything.
"Mmh."
"I did agree."
"As of now, Orochimaru is the head of the Konoha Research Department."
"In the future, Minister Orochimaru's abilities will definitely bring even greater convenience and development to the village."
"Alright, Tsunade, when Orochimaru left the village back then, it wasn't just because of his scientific research."
"Instead of letting a talent like that run loose outside, why shouldn't the village provide resources for him?!"
"Oh right, Minister Orochimaru, take a look at this. Do you need something like this?"
With that, Uchiha Kazama reached into a scroll and pulled out a massive pile of humanoid white monsters.
"This is..."
Seeing these things, Orochimaru froze.
Aren't these Zetsu!?
Except that these seemed to be just the white half.
The black ones...
"These are White Zetsu. Take them back and run some experiments."
"Root has been disbanded, so use that place as your laboratory."
"You must be somewhat familiar with it anyway."
Uchiha Kazama finished speaking, then firmly grabbed Tsunade's hand.
He stopped her from beating Orochimaru any further.
"Well, I'll... head back to the village first."
"No, you guys go ahead."
"I'll follow shortly."
Orochimaru thought about it.
He decided it was best to let Uchiha Kazama and the others return first before he made his own way back.
Otherwise, there would just be another misunderstanding like this one.
And he couldn't even fight back...
The next moment, Orochimaru vanished right where he stood.
Seeing Orochimaru disappear, Tsunade shifted her gaze back to Uchiha Kazama.
"Everything you just said... were you serious!?"
Tsunade looked at Uchiha Kazama with a rather peculiar expression.
There was no blame in her eyes, only confusion and deep inquiry.
"I don't need to elaborate on Orochimaru's talent; you know what he's capable of."
"Just give him a legitimate platform, and the value Orochimaru can unleash will definitely surpass what any Kage Level powerhouse can compare to."
"Alright, you'll understand all of this in time."
"Let's go. Time to head back."
Uchiha Kazama said no more, took Tsunade's hand, and began walking toward Konoha.
After the group departed, a tiny paper doll materialized on a nearby tree trunk in the distance.
Far off, Konan stared at the scene unfolding before her, utterly dumbfounded.
Orochimaru was a member of Akatsuki.
When Orochimaru joined Akatsuki, they had thoroughly investigated him.
Given everything Orochimaru had done, how on earth could Konoha possibly take him back?!
Now, Uchiha Kazama, acting as the Hokage, had actually personally sanctioned Orochimaru's return to the village...
Had this guy lost his mind!?
Such a move would surely make his already less-than-stable position even more unstable, wouldn't it?
Why would he do such a thing!?
Konan simply could not understand this kind of behavior.
This Fifth Hokage is too bizarre.
No, I have to go take a look inside Konoha.
After a moment of silence, Konan transformed into a flurry of shredded paper and vanished from the spot.
Evening.
Konoha Ninja Village.
Inside the Hokage's Office.
"Tsunade, you really are back!?"
Jiraiya looked at Tsunade, who entered alongside Uchiha Kazama, his face written all over with joy.
Of the legendary Sannin from back then, two had now returned to the village!
For Jiraiya, this held special significance.
If...
"Orochimaru!?"
Just as Jiraiya was thinking that if Orochimaru also returned, then...
Yet before he could even continue pondering, he saw Orochimaru walking in from behind.
In fact, Jiraiya's very first thought was to assume a combat stance.
"Bang!"
Before Jiraiya could make a move, Tsunade punched him.
"I'm the one who had Orochimaru come back."
"Advisor Jiraiya, go notify the people from the various departments to come to the Conference Room."
After saying this, Uchiha Kazama turned directly and headed toward the Conference Room.
"Long time no see, Jiraiya."
Orochimaru also greeted Jiraiya.
Then he followed along and left.
For a moment, Jiraiya was completely dazed.
Half an hour later.
The heads of the various departments had all rushed to the Conference Room.
Upon seeing Orochimaru, their state was much the same as Jiraiya's had been.
This is...
Clearly, Jiraiya was in no position to give them any answers.
Because at that moment, Jiraiya himself was still dazed.
"Kurenai, take the minutes."
"Next, I am going to announce two matters to everyone."
"First matter: the Senju Clan is being reorganized, with the current Senju Clan Head position to be held by Tsunade."
"At the same time, Tsunade will serve as the Medical Department Director."
Uchiha Kazama spoke evenly.
Hearing this news, everyone's attention shifted to Tsunade.
All of these people were very familiar with Tsunade.
They had all known about how Tsunade left the village back then and never returned.
They never expected that Uchiha Kazama not only reorganized the Senju Clan, but also brought Tsunade back.
"The second piece of news."
"We are establishing a Research Department, with Orochimaru to serve as Director."
"At the same time, all pursuit orders and charges against Orochimaru by the village are revoked."
"Of course, if Orochimaru commits any acts detrimental to the village, I will resign from the positions of Hokage and Uchiha Clan Head at once, and never return to the village."
"Alright, if anyone has any opinions or wants to know anything, you may speak now."
Having finished stating the second matter, Uchiha Kazama looked at everyone with a smile.
Originally they still had some worries about Orochimaru coming back.
However, now with Uchiha Kazama's promise, everyone suddenly had a feeling of being able to accept it.
It was as if... as long as this guarantee was made by Uchiha Kazama, then it possessed full credibility...
"Lord Hokage, Inoichi Yamanaka, Head of the Intelligence Department, obeys your decision!"
"Lord Hokage, Hyuga Hiashi, Head of the Konoha Military Police Force, obeys..."
Everyone expressed their thoughts.
"Alright, since everyone already knows about these matters."
"Shikaku Shadow Helper, take Minister Orochimaru to arrange personnel and the Research Department."
"Everyone else, return to your posts."
"Head Hyuga Hiashi, please stay behind for a moment."
Uchiha Kazama spoke once more.
The others stood up and left the Conference Room.
Hyuga Hiashi stayed behind.
At this moment, Hyuga Hiashi's expression was somewhat solemn.
Because he had already received briefings regarding what happened at the Daimyo Palace.
Could it be that the Fifth Hokage still decided not to let the Hyuga Clan go?
However, these things were also brought about by those fellows courting death.
Now, he could only wait for Uchiha Kazama's words...