Seeing the clear look of disdain on Orochimaru's face, the Third Hokage let out a quiet sigh inside.
To be fair, Orochimaru was very active and outstanding in this war against Kumogakure.
In terms of personal strength, not only did he show overwhelming power against the enemy forces like a tailed beast, but even one-on-one, he beat the Raikage and left him badly injured.
As for strategy, at the cost of one pair of Mangekyou Sharingan losing its sight, he avoided heavy casualties in the police force and eased the tension between the Uchiha and the village.
Although things didn't go exactly according to plan, the current situation was much less bloody, and it was easier for the village and the Uchiha to mend their relationship.
Unlike Danzo and the two advisors, the Third Hokage wasn't overly sensitive toward the Uchiha, and he welcomed the current state of affairs.
Orochimaru truly lived up to being his proudest student.
Still, even so, he had to suppress Orochimaru's growing influence and status in the village.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at Orochimaru, a hint of caution and wariness in them.
Through this war with Kumogakure, the Third Hokage finally saw it clearly: Orochimaru was not on the same side as him or as Konohagakure.
"When they've died… enough of them… so many that you start to feel it, so many that even the Chunin believe the Nine-Tails attack wasn't the Uchiha's plot—when that time comes…"
Back when they were in the Hokage's office, the same three people in the room, Sarutobi Hiruzen had only seen the cruelty in that plan when he first heard it.
But now, with temporary blindness from Mangekyou Sharingan taking the place of Uchiha sacrifices, it looked almost merciful.
The Third Hokage had wondered before which side of his student was real.
But after Orochimaru mocked Utatane Koharu and used public opinion to hold on to the Mangekyou fair and square, the Hokage started to understand.
The change from cruel to merciful happened when Orochimaru learned about Shisui's eyes.
That last move was made on impulse, just to keep that pair of Mangekyou Sharingan for himself.
Good and evil, kindness or cruelty—for this student, they're just tools. No matter which one, as long as it fits the situation, Orochimaru probably won't hesitate to use it.
This way of doing things reminded the Third Hokage of Danzo.
But compared to Danzo, who could only stay hidden in Konoha's Root, his student was far more capable—and of course, far more dangerous.
Someone who takes benefits so precisely and puts personal gain above the group can never be Hokage. In fact, even being part of the top leadership would be a huge problem.
Konoha already has one Danzo who's hard to deal with; it can't afford to have an even harder parasite.
After thinking for a while, Sarutobi Hiruzen made up his mind.
While there's still a chance to limit Orochimaru a bit, he needs to suppress his fame as much as possible. Otherwise, the new Hokage won't stand a chance against him.
Inside the meeting room, the atmosphere grew a little heavy.
Orochimaru licked his lips and frowned slightly.
He didn't know that in such a short time, the Third Hokage had already seen through his recent actions and figured out his intentions.
But even if he did know, Orochimaru wouldn't care. At most, he'd laugh in his heart and say, "As expected of the old man."
Right now, Orochimaru was thinking about something else.
In the war with Kumogakure, he guided Shisui to take Uchiha's place as the sacrifice, all for the Mangekyou Sharingan.
There was nothing wrong with that. Even if he had to do it again, he'd make the same choice. But it did break the agreement they had before the war and gave him credit he wasn't supposed to have.
Reputation can't be seen or touched, but in a deal, it matters a lot.
Take now, for example. The Third Hokage doesn't want to give, and Orochimaru doesn't want to take, so they're in agreement. But if they just keep going like this, what will happen?
The other clan leaders, the chunin, the villagers—they don't know about the secret deal between them. They only see that Orochimaru made huge contributions but got no reward, still just a "Sannin" in name.
Public opinion is a strong force in the village. People might not side with someone who sacrifices comrades coldly, but they will support a strong ninja who can bring them peace.
Especially now, when everyone is still nervous after the Nine-Tails attack.
Orochimaru's performance in the Kumogakure war was too impressive. If the Third Hokage ignores it, his own reputation will take a hit.
Looking at it this way, in the war with Kumogakure:
The Uchiha clan cleared their name, broke free from restrictions, and gained a lot of credit.
Orochimaru gained fame and an open chance to study the Mangekyou Sharingan.
Both sides profited greatly, while the Hokage's side only got a small win.
When others make huge profits, a small gain is the same as a loss. And if the Third Hokage's reputation takes a hit on top of that, then it's a total disaster.
This is nothing like the original plan.
Originally, Uchiha was supposed to clear their name but pay a heavy price.
Orochimaru was supposed to lead Konoha's forces to repel Kumogakure but get no obvious reward.
The Hokage's side was supposed to defeat an outside enemy without losing anything, regain control over Uchiha, and hold the upper hand in improving relations later.
The Hokage's side was meant to be the biggest winner.
None of this was written down, but Orochimaru understood it well and agreed to it in his heart.
Because from the start, what he valued most was Uchiha's fresh bodies and financial support.
Sure, at this point, he could choose to turn hostile and deny the deal, but that wouldn't be worth it.
The villagers' approval, the fame, the path to becoming Hokage… none of that mattered to him. What was truly useful was already in his hands.
To ruin trust for something so meaningless would be a huge loss.
Silence filled the meeting room for two or three minutes before laughter broke it.
Orochimaru curved his lips into a faint smile. He looked at the Third Hokage and said with a grin, "If you want things to go back on track, that's easy."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes narrowed slightly as he waited for what Orochimaru would say next. He had a feeling the answer wouldn't be something easy to accept.
"Just give me one forbidden jutsu."
Orochimaru said, "Then the villagers' respect for me will turn into fear and rejection."
Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned. "Which one do you want?"
Orochimaru smiled. "Edo Tensei, the forbidden jutsu created by the Second Hokage. How about that?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen heard this, and his eyebrows furrowed deeply.
Putting emotions aside, this is a good idea.
Using a forbidden art to lead the ninja army to victory would undoubtedly fit the public's image of Orochimaru.
As for Edo Tensei, even the Second Hokage had issues with it. Naturally, Orochimaru will be no exception. The villagers will definitely reject and even hate Orochimaru.
In this case, as the Hokage, not rewarding Orochimaru would not only avoid the villagers' opposition, but might even be applauded.
The Hokage's prestige would also increase.
"..."
The Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Orochimaru with a somewhat complex expression.
Was all of this Orochimaru's spur-of-the-moment idea, or was it premeditated?
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