Orochimaru was slightly surprised, then grinned, "Old man, are you serious?"
The position of principal of the Ninja Academy is not as simple as it seems on the surface. Basically, it has always been an extension of the Hokage's authority.
The Third Hokage letting him be principal is like separating this position out. It's easy to see that he definitely wouldn't do things the way the old man does.
"You were able to train Yakushi Kabuto, who was just a middle Genin a few months ago, to this level..."
The Third Hokage puffed on his pipe, slowly exhaling smoke, "It's a shame not to use this ability in education."
The clan leaders present had a gleam in their eyes, even Uchiha Fugaku was no exception.
Being young and able to make Jiraiya lose face, it's impossible for them not to be tempted by this kind of strength.
"You're going to be disappointed, old man. I can't agree to that."
Orochimaru smiled and refused decisively,
"Yakushi Kabuto's current skills are not solely due to my teaching. A large part of it depends on his talent."
Although putting his hand into the Ninja Academy and molding the Konoha kids into the shape he liked was very attractive to Orochimaru.
But the children at the Ninja Academy are too weak and too young. Even the older students are only eleven or twelve-year-old Genin.
His precious energy shouldn't be wasted on playing ninja games with them.
Even a genius like Uchiha Itachi was left to develop on his own. Others, at least let them go through a rough selection process a few times first.
"Talent?"
"Are you saying that you and Yakushi Kabuto both learned Sage Art within the past year because of talent?"
The Third Hokage gripped his pipe, his eyelids slightly raised,
"There are no more than a handful of ninjas in the ninja world who can use Sage Art. Are they so luckily gathered together?"
The ninja world hero, the Konoha Ninja Professor, was saying that he wasn't stupid. Orochimaru's excuses couldn't fool him.
The others also turned their attention over, especially Jiraiya, who made no secret of his suspicion of his teammate.
As a master of Sage Art, he knew how difficult it was to train in it.
Orochimaru licked his lips, feeling a little troubled. What he had just said wasn't really a lie.
He used the Genie to master 'Total Concentration Breathing' at an unimaginable speed, achieving communication with natural energy, which laid the foundation for his later training in Ryuuchi Cave Sage Art. That was talent!
Could others have a second Genie?
Saying the Genie was a kind of talent of his wasn't an overstatement.
And Yakushi Kabuto, although he had been helped a little by him, it was still his own talent that had an effect. Others wouldn't get that effect even if he used 'Shape Transformation' on them.
Right now, telling the truth wasn't easy, and might not be believed anyway.
But making up a perfect story would be too obvious and could lead people to discover the clues, and might even confirm the suspicions about Yakushi Kabuto.
Thinking of this, Orochimaru smiled, pretending to be casual and saying, "It's not all luck, there are some tricks involved."
"Jiraiya knows what I rely on."
Everyone present perked up their ears and turned to look at Jiraiya, their eyes showing intense eagerness.
Compared to the difficult Orochimaru, Jiraiya was definitely easier to talk to.
Jiraiya's scalp tingled from the staring, but soon he realized what was happening and asked in confusion, "Are you talking about breathing techniques?"
Being able to enter 'Sage Mode' on his own without relying on the two Toad Sages was all thanks to breathing techniques.
"That's right."
Orochimaru nodded, then looked at the Third Hokage,
"Instead of the kids at the Ninja Academy, if you really want to have more ninjas in the village who can train in Sage Art, you might as well choose some from Anbu and let me train them."
"They are the right age, their strength is okay, and maybe some good ones will come out."
At this point, he also realized that the old man wasn't really thinking of forcing him to be the principal of the Ninja Academy. After all, even if he succeeded, there was nothing the old man could do if he just lay down and did nothing.
He was just using this as an excuse to test him and find out the suspicious points about the Yakushi Kabuto incident.
You really want to see it? Fine, the Ninja Academy is too small of a bargaining chip. If you have the guts, bring up Anbu.
Orochimaru had seized the excuse and turned it back on him. The Third Hokage remained silent for a moment and said, "This matter will be discussed later."
In the end, he still didn't dare to do so. If Orochimaru got his hands on them, would this Anbu belong to the Hokage or to Orochimaru?
The matter of the Ninja Academy was dropped, but the clan leaders' enthusiasm only increased, and they were very curious about what Orochimaru meant by 'breathing techniques'.
But curiosity was one thing, and asking about it was too foolish.
Even the village couldn't force someone to hand over secret techniques, let alone someone like Orochimaru.
Hyuga Hiashi's eyes flickered. Although his daughter was only a disciple in name, she was still considered Orochimaru's disciple, so there might be an opportunity in the future.
Compared to the other clan leaders, Fugaku was much calmer. He knew his son's talent, and the child had been accepted as a disciple early on.
This meeting, which was originally aimed at Orochimaru, officially came to an end here. As they left, the clan leaders reflected on the entire process and felt very emotional.
Although they had vaguely sensed a decline after learning that Danzo and Root had been defeated by Yakushi Kabuto alone, it was still a feeling of the world is changing so fast, so rapidly, and so naturally.
They had to remember that he was a council elder with real power, and he had been bossing people around in Konoha for more than a day or two.
But no matter what, they were satisfied with this result.
Orochimaru didn't stay this time to talk to the Third Hokage, the old man was too cunning, if he really found something out, it wouldn't be good.
The sun was setting in the west, and it was almost dusk. The sunset glow in the sky was as bright as fire, dyeing the buildings on the ground in a reddish hue.
After leaving the Hokage building, Orochimaru caught up with Tsunade and asked with a smile, "It's been a few days. How is the physical examination you arranged going?"
"It's just getting started. You think this is something simple?"
Tsunade frowned, annoyed. Even though she knew Orochimaru's personality, she didn't like how he came right to the point without any small talk.
Moreover, the village couldn't possibly send people to help just to satisfy Orochimaru's request. They had already changed it into something else.
As a result, it had become even more troublesome.
"It's best to hurry up with this matter."
Seeing Tsunade's attitude, Orochimaru smiled and reminded her, then stopped talking.
Just as the two were talking, Jiraiya jumped out of the Hokage building, leaped to Orochimaru's side, and looked at him with suspicion,
"Orochimaru, the old man wants to see you and ask you about the specific process of forcing Kumogakure to retreat."
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