Chapter 99: The Village Decided, You're the New CEO!
"What!"
Uchiha Takashi stared at Orochimaru inside the carriage, utterly shocked.
Orochimaru's pale face had a tinge of green, lying there like a 'sickly beauty.'
Thinking about the future, where Orochimaru would use Living Corpse Reincarnation to become female, this scene felt all too vivid.
I am the tender M.JPG "I've been poisoned by Chiyo. You'll have to hold off the Sand Ninja's pursuit!"
Orochimaru repeated.
If not for this reason, he wouldn't have called Uchiha Takashi into the carriage alone.
"…"
Uchiha Takashi's expression was quite complex.
Is this like investing in stocks only to become a shareholder, or flirting with a girl only to become her husband? He just wanted to fish in troubled waters, make some money for research, and never intended to stand out as a 'tall figure.'
But given the situation, he couldn't refuse outright, so he tentatively asked.
"When will the village's reinforcements arrive?"
With Orochimaru poisoned, the village would surely send another Kage-level ninja to hold the fort, right?
Uchiha Takashi didn't mind being in the spotlight temporarily, but he didn't want to stay there permanently.
That was too exhausting.
Although he had been striving since graduation, it was to secure a safe position to relax, not because he enjoyed being the one in front.
"I've already sent the intel back. The village should be discussing it now!"
Orochimaru's tone was calm.
With his personality, if the poison could be suppressed or wasn't severe, he wouldn't have asked the village for help.
"Alright… I guess!"
Uchiha Takashi finally nodded.
If it was just about holding the line until reinforcements arrived, he thought he could manage.
Just as he left the carriage.
Ugh! Orochimaru coughed up a slowly wriggling mass of flesh and muttered, "Chiyo, that old lady, is truly impressive with poisons!"
Next, he needed to find a way to detoxify himself.
Meanwhile, in Konoha Village.
In the Hokage's office, the Konoha F4 were holding an emergency meeting.
"You've all seen the intel. Who do you think should hold off the Sand Ninja's advance?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi tapped the table with his pipe, signaling the others to speak.
"Hiruzen, with the Iwa Ninja attacking, Jiraiya and Minato can't be spared, and both the Cloud and Mist Villages are stirring. We don't have many options!"
Homura Mitokado analyzed.
Overall, Konoha had plenty of strong ninjas, but with enemies on all sides, even a surplus of strong ninjas wasn't enough.
Fortunately, they had recently sent the Uchiha clan to the Water Country front, so they didn't have to worry about the Mist Ninja, or the situation would be even worse.
Moreover, the strong ninja needed to be at least 'quasi-Kage' level.
Otherwise, if the commander was killed on the battlefield, it would be a devastating blow to morale.
"How about sending Shikaku?"
Koharu Utatane suggested.
Though young, Shikaku was an elite Jonin, and with the 'Ino-Shika-Cho' formation, he could be considered a quasi-Kage-level force.
The key was his sharp mind and leadership skills, which were on par with Orochimaru's.
A commander needed not only strength but also leadership ability, and Orochimaru was top-tier in both aspects. His poisoning was why they were so anxious.
"No, Shikaku needs to coordinate resources!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately rejected.
Konoha had more than just the Sand Ninja as enemies. Without Shikaku, they'd lose a strategic mind in emergencies.
Besides, the risk was too high; the Sand Ninja had more than one Kage-level ninja.
"Then…"
Koharu continued to think of someone suitable to recommend.
In truth, her first thought was 'White Fang.' His strength and leadership were exceptional, and during the Second Shinobi World War, he nearly single-handedly decimated the Sand Ninja.
Unfortunately… he was gone.
Thinking of this, she glanced at Danzo.
As an advisory elder, she knew the inside story of what happened back then. But regretting it now was pointless, so she quickly looked away.
Chapter 99: The Village Decides, You're the New CEO!
"Is Tsunade still unwilling to return?" Danzo suddenly spoke up after a long silence.
In this situation, she would definitely be the best choice.
"Tsunade... let's not consider her!" Hiruzen Sarutobi instinctively took a drag from his pipe, offering no further explanation.
It's a joke, really. The Senju clan is practically extinct, and her boyfriend is gone too. If it weren't for the fact that Konoha was founded by the Senju clan, she might have defected already. How could she possibly come back to serve?
Of course, the biggest reason was something Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't say out loud.
Who would have thought that the 'Princess Tsunade,' who fought her way through the battlefield, would develop hemophobia?
"Hiruzen!" Danzo frowned.
Now is not the time to coddle your disciples. The village is facing a life-or-death crisis, and you're not using a Kage-level powerhouse?
"Hiruzen, I am the Hokage!" Hiruzen Sarutobi emphasized, making it clear that not considering Tsunade was his decision as Hokage, and the advisors and elders just needed to comply.
Hearing this, Danzo nearly ground his teeth to dust.
Using the Hokage title to suppress him again!
One day, he would sit in the Hokage's chair and say, "Hiruzen, I am the Hokage."
"Then Danzo, how about you take Orochimaru's place?" Homura Mitokado proposed.
Despite Danzo's current state, he still had at least quasi-Kage-level strength. His Wind Release was the strongest in Konoha. If it weren't for his injured right hand and eye, he might even be considered Kage-level.
This suggestion also caught the attention of Hiruzen Sarutobi and Koharu Utatane.
"No, the Root needs me to oversee it!" Danzo calmly refused, facing the trio's gaze.
With the Sand Ninja's aggressive momentum, and more than one Kage-level enemy, even Orochimaru had fallen into their trap. If he went personally and something happened, what then?
Konoha still needed him to save it; he couldn't take the risk.
"Surely you don't expect us to go, do you?" Koharu Utatane grumbled.
At a time like this, for Danzo, a 'militant,' to shrink back was just too much.
"We must send reinforcements, no matter what. If Suna breaks through Kikyo Mountain, the village will be in danger!" Hiruzen Sarutobi set the tone.
Today, they had to decide on reinforcements; they couldn't delay any longer.
Kikyo Mountain was the largest defensive stronghold on Konoha's western front, essentially the village's 'western gate,' so it had to be defended at all costs.
"We don't have a good candidate. We can't possibly let that kid, Uchiha Takashi, take the lead, can we...?" Koharu Utatane was getting anxious.
"Wait!" Danzo interrupted Koharu Utatane. "Let's have Uchiha Takashi 'temporarily' take Orochimaru's position as commander. That will give us time to decide on a candidate. With his strength, he does have the qualifications!"
The Sand Ninja's current momentum was too strong; let that kid handle it for now.
If he manages to hold them off, Danzo would immediately seize the command position.
If he fails, it could be used to undermine him and the Uchiha clan behind him.
Brilliant, simply brilliant! Danzo couldn't help but applaud his own plan.
As for any casualties that might occur in the process?
It's all for Konoha! As long as he could ascend to the Hokage position, any sacrifice was worth it.
"No..." Hiruzen Sarutobi instinctively rejected the idea.
He liked the boy's 'Will of Fire,' but how could he agree to someone so young taking command?
"Hiruzen, it's just a temporary arrangement. I'll take over once I've dealt with matters in the Root. At worst, there's still Orochimaru; once his poison is cured, he can take charge. Plus, with the Nara clan's support, what are you worried about?"
When it came to his leverage for becoming Hokage, Danzo became quite persuasive.
...
In the end, the proposal was accepted.
There was simply no better option.
An appointment letter was sent to the front lines, along with reinforcements.
(End of Chapter)