Kenichi Amemiya was actually pleased to be ignored by Shimura Danzo.
As long as that old viper didn't notice him, everything was fine.
Following Orochimaru was already the best option he had, and for now, Kenichi had no intention of changing teachers. Even if he did someday, the last person he would ever choose was Danzo.
Uncle Snake could be ruthless and cruel, yes—but at least he genuinely treated his subordinates and disciples well. Under Orochimaru's guidance, Kenichi had learned several solid jutsu, and his combat ability had improved a lot.
The problem was his body.
Right now, Kenichi's physical condition simply couldn't support the leap to chunin level.
Even Orochimaru felt it was a pity.
Once they entered the underground lab, Kenichi's heart cooled completely. During experiments, any hint of sympathy—or any emotion Orochimaru considered "weakness"—would earn him a harsh lesson.
So Kenichi had already learned how to turn his heart into iron—cold and hard.
Expressionless, he held a pen and recorded every step of the experiment. Thanks to his participation, their research on Hashirama Senju's cells had made real progress, with promising results on test animals.
But these human test subjects were different.
They simply couldn't withstand the overwhelming power of the First Hokage's cells. After fusion began, one after another, they died in miserable ways.
Kenichi kept writing, page after page flipping under his fingers as lives quietly disappeared.
By the time they finished seven rounds of experiments, only one subject had survived the initial fusion phase.
Judging from the data on the monitors, Kenichi knew that unless this unlucky soul had god-tier luck, he probably wouldn't live to see the sunrise.
"Why are all the experiments failing?"
Danzo's voice was edged with impatience. Kenichi said nothing, but inside, he wanted to laugh.
Of course he knew why the old man was so anxious.
The Third Great Ninja War was over. The Third Hokage was getting on in years, and no one knew how much longer this "Professor" could hold his seat.
Danzo considered himself a strong contender for Fourth Hokage.
To seize that position, he needed power—more and more power. Becoming Hokage had turned into a nightmare obsession for him. For that goal, there was nothing he wouldn't do. Even desecrating the dead by experimenting on the First Hokage's body didn't make him hesitate.
Kenichi, on the other hand, couldn't clearly remember why the Third Hokage had stepped down in the original story. Normally, a Fourth Hokage should only be chosen after the Third died.
And although Hiruzen was old, he wasn't that old. He could definitely stay in office for a while longer.
Unless… it was that incident?
"Kenichi. Bring me the experiment log."
Orochimaru's voice pulled him out of his thoughts. Kenichi respectfully handed over the stack of notes, sneaking a discreet glance at Danzo.
Listening to Orochimaru's slow, detailed explanation, Danzo could only grit his teeth and accept the conclusion: "The First Hokage's cells require further testing."
He immediately ordered Root to capture more test subjects—people whose disappearance wouldn't draw attention.
Preferably from other villages.
Orochimaru had no objections. At this stage, he still cared a great deal about how Konoha viewed him.
By the time the experiments were done and they were allowed to leave, the sky had already darkened. Orochimaru walked out calmly with Kenichi at his side.
Kenichi knew what his teacher was planning.
He was going to take him out for dinner—and, as usual, quiz him a bit about whether he'd been serious and focused during the experiments.
Old routine.
"Sensei, Lord Danzo seemed pretty impatient today," Kenichi said quietly.
His relationship with Orochimaru was close enough that asking this kind of question wouldn't trigger suspicion.
"Mmm." Orochimaru chuckled softly. "To end the war quickly, the Third signed ceasefire agreements with the other villages. The losses Konoha suffered because of it are obvious to anyone with eyes. But very few dare to criticize him openly. As for Shimura Danzo…"
A faint, mocking smile appeared on Orochimaru's lips.
Looking at the celebrating villagers and genin around them—at the people crying because they'd lost children, fathers, husbands in the war—there was a hint of coldness and sarcasm in his golden eyes.
The civilians and ordinary ninja were rejoicing that the war was finally over.
But the truly sharp ninja and major clans all knew: the storm wasn't over yet.
This time, the storm wouldn't drown the entire world in blood, but it wouldn't be calm either. It would decide who would lead Konoha for a long time to come.
On the surface, the Third Hokage's actions were "for the good of the village." In many ways, that was true. But no matter how you spun it, Konoha's losses were still very real.
Others might not dare speak…but a man as obsessed with the Hokage's seat as Danzo would never let such a chance slip by.
Soon, a political storm targeting Hiruzen Sarutobi would descend on Konoha.
And in that chaos, the Third might choose to step down.
If he did… then who would become the Fourth?
"Lord Third really has gotten old," Kenichi said in a "thoughtless" childlike tone. "Didn't you always say, sensei, that a shinobi should fight until the very end to decide victory? But now, Lord Third is starting to look more like a politician."
Orochimaru flicked him on the forehead.
"Don't be rude to your elders."
The pressure wasn't heavy, but Kenichi still pouted.
Come on, you're thinking the same thing, he complained silently. I just said it out loud, and somehow I'm the one in the wrong.
For now, though, Orochimaru still held a certain respect for the Third.
They soon arrived at the Akimichi clan's barbecue restaurant.
In all of Konoha, the Akimichi barbecue was famous. Because the war had just ended, the place was packed. The line stretched far out the door.
But the moment people saw Orochimaru, the "queue rules" vanished.
The person at the front of the line immediately stepped aside with respectful enthusiasm, inviting Orochimaru to take his place. The shop owner himself hurried out to greet them.
During this war, one of the heroes who had shone the brightest was Orochimaru of the Legendary Sannin. The other was Namikaze Minato.
"Wow, it's Lord Orochimaru! If it weren't for his command on the front lines, we might never have come back alive…"
"And Lord Namikaze is incredible too—the Yellow Flash! I heard the other villages even issued an order saying retreating on sight of him doesn't count as a failed mission…"
The customers inside were all genin or ordinary villagers. Their casual chatter clearly showed who the hottest names in the village were right now.
The top stars of Konoha—Orochimaru and the Yellow Flash, Namikaze Minato.
(End of Chapter 3)