At this time, Kōki was unaware that he had been placed on the Sunagakure's kill list and was still negotiating with the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi.
" Lord Hokage, why is the reward for this mission so meager?" In the Hokage's office, Kōki, having shed his Anbu uniform, was arguing with the old man before him.
He looked at the scroll in his hand, somewhat puzzled. He'd worked so hard to complete the task, and this was all he got in return?
Then he looked again at Hiruzen Sarutobi's slightly sinister face, his eyes filled with contempt. Fooling even a child, that's going too far.
Hiruzen Sarutobi also saw the disdain in Kōki's eyes. After coughing awkwardly a few times, he argued, " Kōki, I told you before that I would give you the Second Hokage's research data after you completed the mission. But I didn't say how much I would give you."
"If you complete an important task, I'll give you a portion; if you complete another, I'll give you more. In the long run, won't all this data be yours anyway?"
"Besides, the Second Hokage's research contains many extremely dangerous elements, which are not suitable for a ninja your age to learn. Come back to me when you're older."
Hiruzen Sarutobi first used sophistry, then offered earnest advice, essentially implying that Kōki was still too young to receive all the information. He suggested that Kōki should be given the complete data only after he had grown up and made more contributions.
Seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi's shameless expression, Kōki was at a loss. He could only think resentfully to himself, " Old Man Sarutobi needs to retire early. Worrying about so many things every day will shorten his lifespan. Yes, that's right, I'm thinking about Old Man Sarutobi's lifespan, not about research records."
After his demands went unanswered, Kōki could only leave Hiruzen Sarutobi's office in disappointment. Hiruzen Sarutobi, sitting in his seat, watched Kōki leave with a dejected expression, his sly smile vanishing, replaced by a complex and enigmatic look.
He was actually very satisfied with Kōki, and greatly admired Kōki's strength and will. He was also willing to hand over all of his teacher's research records to Kōki.
However, he was also somewhat worried. Looking at the exceptionally talented Kōki, he was reminded of his equally talented disciple Orochimaru.
He once poured his entire life's blood into Orochimaru. Whatever technique Orochimaru wanted, whether it was Ninjutsu or a forbidden technique, as long as it was in his possession, he gave it to him without reservation, hoping that one day Orochimaru could take over the position of Hokage from him and fight to protect Konoha.
But Orochimaru disappointed him, drifted further and further away from him, and became the person he couldn't understand now.
Now he discovers that Kōki has a similar temperament to Orochimaru, both having a strong pursuit of Ninjutsu.
Kōki's behavior was rather superficial, but he worried that if Kōki continued like this, he would eventually become like Orochimaru.
Therefore, in order not to repeat Orochimaru's mistakes, he hoped to limit Kōki by controlling the way he obtained Ninjutsu.
He would only hand over the complete information to Kōki when Kōki was older and had more connections with others.
This is being responsible to Kōki, and also to Konoha. Even if Kōki blames him or resents him now, he will not regret it.
If Kōki could understand Hiruzen Sarutobi's inner thoughts, he would definitely vehemently Hiruzen Sarutobi. How could such an outstanding young man like him become as cold and aloof as Orochimaru? He did admire Orochimaru's achievements, but he didn't want to become like Orochimaru.
Having already left the Hokage's office, Kōki couldn't see Hiruzen Sarutobi's complicated expression. He was currently preoccupied with figuring out where to obtain the latter part of Tobirama Senju's research records.
According to his guess, besides Hiruzen Sarutobi, only three people have such a thing. One is Shimura Danzō, known as the " Pot Kage " of the Shinobi World, whose Root must contain records of Tobirama Senju.
The second is Hiruzen Sarutobi, Orochimaru Sarutobi's good disciple. Given that Orochimaru and Hiruzen Sarutobi are not father and son but have a relationship that is closer than father and son, he will definitely have a share as well.
Thirdly, there's Tsunade, the " Legendary Sucker " with the highest milk production in the Shinobi World. She should have a copy too; there's no reason why Tobirama Senju wouldn't leave a copy of his research materials for the Senju Clan.
No, there should be another person who also has a record of Tobirama Senju. That is Madara Uchiha, known as the mastermind behind the Shinobi World and the King of Shinobi World Dance.
Kōki recalled that in the original story, when Kabuchimaru released the Impure World Reincarnation and allowed Madara Uchiha Madara Uchiha return to the Pure Land, he was then used by Madara, who also possessed the Impure World Reincarnation, and remained in the Shinobi World. This indicated that Madara Uchiha had also obtained Tobirama Senju's research records.
After this analysis, Kōki was completely dismayed. So many of Tobirama Senju's records had been circulated, yet he still couldn't get them. This made Kōki even more critical of Hiruzen Sarutobi's stinginess.
However, after reconsidering, since so many people have records of Tobirama Senju, there's no need for me to obsessively pursue Hiruzen Sarutobi.
After analyzing each item, Kōki discovered that there were two places where he could most easily obtain Tobirama Senju's research records.
The first option is naturally Tsunade. As long as you reveal that you are Wood Release test subject and have successfully inherited the complete Wood Release, show Tsunade how pitiful you are, and express your desire to revitalize the Senju Clan and restore the glory of the Senju, then the probability of getting something from Tsunade is very high.
The second option is to exchange the records for the records from Orochimaru. With the secrets of the Shinobi World that I currently possess, I believe I can definitely persuade Orochimaru.
He knew that Orochimaru, given his personality, would not miss out on learning the secrets of the Shinobi World.
Moreover, even if Orochimaru wanted to use force against him, he wasn't afraid. With his current strength, even if he couldn't defeat Orochimaru, Orochimaru couldn't do anything to him either. Wood Release was indeed a counter to Orochimaru.
Actually, there's another place that could satisfy Kōki's request: Danzo, the " Pot Kage." If he were to ask to join Root, Danzo would surely grant his wish.
Unfortunately, he wasn't the Danzo to enjoy being controlled, nor could he accept Danzo's cunning and treacherous nature, so he had to put the idea out of his mind. However, Danzo did indeed have quite a few good things, and if he had the chance to go to Root and steal some, he wouldn't miss the opportunity.
As for asking Madara Uchiha for the records, he didn't even consider it. With his current thin arms and legs, going to Madara Uchiha would be no different from courting death.
Therefore, in Kōki's opinion, the two most reliable people Tsunade and Orochimaru. He has no other choice but to choose one of them.