Danzo arrived at Orochimaru's hidden laboratory, his expression stern as ever. Without wasting words, he looked directly at Orochimaru and said, "I intend to recommend you to become the Fourth Hokage."
Orochimaru didn't react with excitement or surprise. He simply offered a faint, snake-like smile and replied with indifference, "Hokage? It doesn't matter to me. Whether I hold the title or not is of no consequence. My only concern now is my research."
He glanced away as if the topic bored him. "Had you asked me before I understood what truly fascinated me... perhaps then I'd have been interested. But now? It's a trivial honor."
Danzo's lips curled into a subtle, calculating smile. Orochimaru's current state was ideal—detached from politics, obsessed with experiments. If Orochimaru became Hokage, he wouldn't concern himself with running the village.
And that was perfect for Danzo.
As Hokage's advisor, the real power would fall to him. He could reshape the political structure behind the scenes—installing his loyal operatives across Konoha's key institutions. Eventually, if an opportunity arose to force Orochimaru to step down, Danzo could assume the role himself.
He spoke smoothly, "Then it's settled. You needn't worry about a thing. I'll handle the arrangements. Just make an appearance on the day of your appointment, remain in the Hokage Building for a few days, and after that—you're free to do as you like."
Danzo's eyes glinted darkly. "If your research requires materials, I'll supply them. Even certain… restricted experiments can be restarted."
Orochimaru studied Danzo calmly. "Very well," he said simply.
Danzo left without another word, already planning the future.
---
Not long after Danzo's departure, Chi Yu arrived.
Orochimaru was reclining on a chair, flipping through a scroll. He looked up, a rare trace of amusement in his eyes. "Hm? You've found time to visit today?"
Chi Yu scratched his head and offered an awkward smile. "I've been spending time with Tenten and Uzumaki Kushina lately, so I haven't visited in a while."
He sat across from Orochimaru and poured himself a cup of tea. "How's the experiment going? Still enough materials?"
Orochimaru answered coolly, "The materials are sufficient. As for the experiment—progress has stalled. Edo Tensei, the immortality research… both are at a bottleneck."
His tone remained detached, as if discussing someone else's work.
Chi Yu sipped his tea and recalled that in the original timeline, Orochimaru's Edo Tensei didn't reach its full potential until years later—after Naruto's birth. And the immortality technique—the Living Corpse Reincarnation Jutsu—was perfected only after Orochimaru defected from the village.
"You still have time," Chi Yu said reassuringly. "I believe in your success, Orochimaru-sensei. If you ever need test subjects, just say the word—I'll take care of it."
Orochimaru gave a quiet nod. "Mm. I'll rely on you, then. I'm being watched more closely these days. If I run out of test subjects, I can't replenish them as easily. That kind of delay could lead to… complications."
Chi Yu sighed. "Your prestige in Konoha is at an all-time high. Most people think you're the frontrunner for the next Hokage. By the way… sensei, what do you think about becoming Hokage?"
He leaned forward slightly, watching Orochimaru carefully. In the original timeline, Orochimaru had coveted the position, seeing it as a means to further his ambitions. Danzo had indeed planned to support him for his own benefit, but the Third Hokage—Hiruzen Sarutobi—ultimately chose Minato Namikaze instead, sensing Orochimaru's darkness.
Chi Yu's interference should have shifted that outcome, but he still couldn't read Orochimaru's thoughts entirely.
Orochimaru finally responded. "Danzo came to see me just before you arrived."
Chi Yu raised his eyebrows. So Danzo was already making his move. Typical.
"He wants me to become Hokage," Orochimaru said. "But I told him I wasn't interested. Still, he insisted that if I held the title, it would make conducting my research easier. So I let him do as he likes."
Orochimaru spoke as if the entire matter were of little importance.
Chi Yu was direct. "Orochimaru-sensei, don't take offense—but I don't think the position will fall to you."
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes, curious. "Oh? And why is that?"
Chi Yu leaned forward, voice calm but serious. "Your profile is tied to Root, and the Third Hokage doesn't fully trust you. You act too independently, and the fact that you're cooperating with Danzo—he knows something's going on, even if he doesn't have proof.
Besides, Hiruzen's stepping down now isn't just about age. Konoha may have won the war, but we gained little in terms of concessions. He's abdicating partly to take responsibility. But that doesn't mean he'll give up real power. He'll want someone he can still influence—someone from his faction, with no major alliances, and a mindset that mirrors his own."
Chi Yu looked him in the eye. "That's not you, sensei. You're brilliant, but too radical. Hiruzen likely suspects something about your human experimentation—ANBU surveillance isn't easily shaken. Even if Danzo puts your name forward, Hiruzen will block it."
Orochimaru tilted his head, thoughtful. "You make a compelling argument. Hiruzen-sensei and I are indeed… fundamentally incompatible. He values control and harmony, while I value discovery and evolution. If I were Hokage, he'd never sleep soundly."
He paused, then asked with genuine interest, "Then who do you think it will be? Jiraiya?"
Chi Yu shook his head. "No. Jiraiya doesn't want it. He's a wanderer. He'd never sit behind a desk for the rest of his life. That's why I believe the choice will be his student—Minato Namikaze."
Orochimaru blinked in surprise. "Minato? Hm… I hadn't considered that. Jiraiya's student… Hiruzen's grand-student. That might work."
He rubbed his chin, musing aloud. "Young, talented, untainted by politics, and well-regarded across the village… Yes, Minato would be a safe choice."
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