After listening to Sarutobi Hiruzen's narration.
The Sannin fell into a long silence and shock.
Why did their teacher always emphasize a conservative style in the past?
Why did the Hokage suddenly change his style, as if he were a different person?
Everything had an explanation.
Tsunade and Jiraiya looked at each other, both able to see the complex emotions in each other's eyes.
On the point of why they didn't want to be Hokage, they had something in common.
It wasn't just because the administrative affairs were busy.
On a deeper level, there was also the reason that the previous Hokage's radiance was too bright...
Senju Hashirama was the God of Shinobi; his prestige needed no elaboration.
And the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, although he didn't have Senju Hashirama's mighty power, the various ninjutsu he invented and the various policies he initiated were all an era ahead of the Ninja World.
In a sense, his deterrence to the enemy was close to the same level as Senju Hashirama.
After all, although the God of Shinobi was powerful, he was too peace-loving.
But Senju Tobirama was a ruthless character who could resurrect enemies' relatives and friends to act as human bombs...
Subconsciously, both Jiraiya and Tsunade had once had thoughts similar to Sarutobi Hiruzen's...
If they became Hokage, could they surpass their predecessors?
Even leaving aside Senju Hashirama and Tobirama, just looking at Sarutobi Hiruzen in his youth, the ability and talent he displayed were probably something the two of them couldn't catch up to, right?
Orochimaru's gaze softened a lot.
Compared to Jiraiya and Tsunade, his sense of responsibility for the village wasn't that heavy.
He cared more about the relationship between him and Sarutobi Hiruzen, Jiraiya, and Tsunade.
Especially Sarutobi Hiruzen, who was 'both a teacher and a father' to him.
The teacher who once taught him everything and valued him immensely, yet one day drifted away from him. This rift was a big lump in his heart...
And geniuses are always proud.
Orochimaru never thought of admitting mistakes to Sarutobi Hiruzen, nor did he think he was wrong...
He wanted to achieve great merits for his teacher to see, and right or wrong would be self-evident then...
But today, Sarutobi Hiruzen revealed his heart so frankly.
Obviously, he still regarded him as a trusted disciple.
Coupled with the understatement of the blackmail material and the care shown to him in front of everyone...
A tinge of sourness actually arose in Orochimaru's heart.
Sarutobi Hiruzen silently took in the reactions of his three disciples.
At this point, his sudden change in personality already had a relatively appropriate explanation.
In the future, if he did things that didn't fit his previous persona, he wouldn't need to worry about it.
It was about what he thought...
With the master-disciple affection as a foundation, even if there were some misunderstandings and rifts before, as long as nothing irreparable had happened, it was easy to talk things out.
It was different from facing the crowd in the village.
In front of the masses, Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't show this scene. At most, it was 'endurance', because the ninja wanted a reliable leader, not an old man who needed sympathy.
But with his three disciples here, this 'weakness' of revealing his heart could make them empathize.
They were 'master and disciples', not just a simple superior-subordinate relationship.
Being too closed off or perfect would create a sense of distance. A self with weaknesses would be fuller and more real, thereby stimulating their emotion of 'wanting to give back'.
"Teacher, you've worked hard..."
Tsunade spoke slowly, a trace of tears faintly flickering in her eyes: "You've already tried very hard, don't push yourself to a breakdown..."
So, the Old Man was once under so much pressure that he felt 'death' would be a relief?
She, as a disciple, actually didn't notice...
Or rather, she noticed a trace but didn't care for her teacher in time!
That was really too much...
Jiraiya's gaze was firm, and he spoke in a deep voice: "Teacher, don't look down on me! Although I am your stupidest disciple, I can definitely help you!"
Orochimaru said softly: "Teacher, I will help you."
Sarutobi Hiruzen laughed: "Good... With these words from the three of you, I feel much more assured."
"In today's Konoha, there are many problems."
"The first major problem is the multitude of factions. There is a lack of trust and cooperation between the various ninja clans and the village's high-level officials. The Hyūga Clan is like this, and the Uchiha Clan even has confrontational sentiments."
"And even for clans like Inuzuka, Aburame, and Kurama, although they are willing to cooperate with the village, the degree of integration is far from ideal."
"Why?" Sarutobi Hiruzen threw out such a question.
"Because they don't have the Will of Fire?" After thinking hard, Jiraiya tentatively spoke.
Hearing this, Sarutobi Hiruzen laughed: "Good disciple, I didn't expect Mount Myōboku to teach you an S-rank forbidden technique. This is a method of labeling people that even I, the Hokage, don't use lightly..."
"You are self-taught!"
Expel you from Konoha citizenship!
"Mount Myōboku's Toad Spirit Sage is truly mighty, wanting to expel others from their Konoha citizenship just like that?" Orochimaru raised an eyebrow:
"If you became Hokage, I'm afraid Konoha would lose a third of its population..."
Tsunade couldn't hold back either: "Jiraiya, I think you are the one with the least Will of Fire. What do you have to say?"
Jiraiya looked at Tsunade and waved his hand resentfully: "You have a pure background, whatever you say is right... Smelly snake, I didn't mean that. I just can't figure it out..."
"Then what do you think?"
"Probably because there's nothing to look forward to, right?" Orochimaru spoke faintly:
"Those who can be called high-level officials in the village, besides the four of you, Teacher, at most add a Nara Shikayama, the Jōnin Commander with little presence."
"The First passed it to the Second, the Second passed it to his disciple, you, Teacher, and the other three disciples held seats alongside."
"The Nara Clan is Teacher's base, where is there room for anyone else?"
"If you were a Jōnin, seeing this situation, not to mention whether you would be dissatisfied, with the path of advancement blocked, it's inevitable that other emotions would breed in your heart."
Jiraiya opened his mouth.
"You, a disciple of the Hokage, don't want to be Hokage. That is your personal freedom; I won't judge much."
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes: "But do you know how many ninja clans would smash their pots and sell their iron just to desire your status?"
Tsunade unconsciously twiddled her fingers.
Although her grandfather, granduncle, and teacher had done all the work of her life when they were Hokage.
But hearing these words, her heart felt strangely uncomfortable...
"Good kid, no wonder you could pull a gang to support you!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen scolded Orochimaru with a laugh and nodded: "What Orochimaru said is basically correct."
"The village's advancement route is too monotonous. We need to mobilize the enthusiasm of the major ninja clans and civilian ninja, letting them see sincerity."
Jiraiya nodded. Being relatively simple-minded, he had a good impression upon hearing this kind of policy: "Is this to let other ninja clans enter the high level too? I support it!"
Tsunade frowned slightly: "Then do we have to accept the Uchiha Clan? And the Hyūga? What if they take power but still persist in their old ways?"
"It might even fuel their ambition."
Jiraiya looked at Tsunade in surprise. He thought this woman usually only studied medicine, gambling, and drinking. She was actually so brainy?
Orochimaru's pupils became vertical like a snake's: "This matter is very serious. If we wait for them to enter the high level and carry out reactionary activities, even if we get rid of them then, it will greatly damage the village's vitality."
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Orochimaru with satisfaction.
Understands research, is strong, and can keep up with his train of thought...
Truly a useful deputy.
And what Orochimaru wanted, from the current point of view, were the two sectors of 'research support' and 'heir apparent'.
This did not conflict with Sarutobi Hiruzen.
At least for now.
"We need layering. Not just the four decision-makers, but a new promotion channel must also be established among the Jōnin."
Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke slowly: "Among the hundred or so Jōnin, a new tier will be established, about twenty people."
"These twenty ninja will have better treatment than ordinary Jōnin. Those with administrative ability should be allowed into the management layer and given the power to participate and propose village affairs."
"Those unwilling to participate in government affairs, for example, those good at frontal combat, will be given combat resource subsidies."
"In this way, we solve the problem of advancement channels for most Jōnin."
"As for the purity of the members..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen said slowly: "The list of candidates is designated by me, the Hokage, and the main body of voting is also mainly Jōnin. I won't let problems arise in this link."
Jiraiya blinked: "Then ultimately, people like the Hyūga and Uchiha will occupy seats, right? After all, if we ignore them, then this..."
Tsunade nodded slightly.
Although what Jiraiya said was plain talk, if the Hyūga and Uchiha were still excluded in this reform, it might instead increase the conflict between these two clans and the village.
After all, if they can't be decision-makers, can't they even be core Jōnin?
And Orochimaru seemed to have thought of something. His eyes suddenly lit up, looking at Sarutobi Hiruzen with burning eyes: "Teacher, did you think of this layer long ago?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded with a smile.
"Thought of what? Don't speak in riddles, Orochimaru!" Jiraiya leaned anxiously next to Orochimaru, almost face to face: "Just say it directly!"
"Too close, idiot Jiraiya."
Orochimaru pushed Jiraiya away with disdain, but the corners of his mouth carried a smile: "It's very simple. It is to let those ninja from noble clans whose hearts are with the village, or who can only get close to the village, enter the list."
"You remember, right? Teacher let Hyūga Hizashi join the Anbu in public... As a member of the Hyūga Branch House, having accepted the Hokage's protection, he is one of the best candidates."
Tsunade also realized it and slammed the table.
"Wait, what did you understand?" Jiraiya also slammed the table: "Isolating me, right! Isn't he a member of the Hyūga Branch House? He has the Caged Bird Seal on his head..."
"Who dares to use the Caged Bird Seal on the Anbu directly under the Hokage?"
Orochimaru chuckled lightly, his eyes gradually becoming excited: "Do they want to spy on village secrets, or are they plotting rebellion? The Hyūga Main House absolutely doesn't have the guts."
Tsunade took up the conversation: "That's right. As long as Hyūga Hizashi is not punished for contradicting the Main House as a Branch House member, he will naturally become the third force within the Hyūga."
At this moment, Jiraiya finally understood, saying with sudden realization:
"Behind him will stand a steady stream of Hyūga Branch House members, and they must support the Old Man because they need the Hokage's protection."
"As for other neutral ninja clans, they were lacking an advancement channel anyway. They won't go against the Teacher who opened the way for them..."
Jiraiya bared his teeth and sighed repeatedly: "Oh my, oh my, I really can't be this Hokage... Old Man, how did you come up with all this?"
Tsunade downed a mouthful of sake and laughed loudly: "Yeah, feels like your heart is as black as Second Grandpa's in First Grandpa's mouth!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't hold back his laughter either.
When the First was still around, he loved to veto the Second's proposals whenever something came up, saying his heart wasn't honest...
"As for the Uchiha Clan, I haven't found a very suitable candidate yet. Let's find an overt Dove faction member first."
Sarutobi Hiruzen said:
"Before there is a suitable candidate, I won't let them into the highest level. Moreover, among the seven seats I currently envision for the highest level, I'm not in a hurry to fill them."
"Me, Danzō, Orochimaru, one elected from the neutral ninja clans, plus Sakumo representing the civilian ninja."
"For the remaining two seats, let this leverage of interest catalyze Dove faction forces within the Hyūga and Uchiha..."
Jiraiya shivered for no reason.
Fortunately, he wasn't from any ninja clan and was lucky enough to be accepted by the teacher, so he didn't have to mix in these things.
"Wait a minute, Teacher, how did the smelly snake also enter the high level?" Jiraiya shouted in hindsight: "Ouch, don't assign me to work under him!"
"Teacher, excellent design."
Orochimaru tried hard to suppress the corners of his mouth from curling up.
The teacher gave him a seat so lightly, which showed that he always had him in his heart.
"Shouldn't Orochimaru enter?" Sarutobi Hiruzen asked Jiraiya back with a chuckle.
"He should..."
Jiraiya wanted to be stubborn, but thinking that Orochimaru's line of thought was highly consistent with the teacher's, he said stubbornly: "Hmph, it's just that this great lord is too lazy to deal with these matters."
"The system is a good system."
Orochimaru spoke: "But how to implement it, Teacher? Whether it is subsidies for Jōnin or appeasement for the elderly, these all require resources, require money..."
"Are the village finances ample? Or is the Daimyō's Manor willing to increase appropriations?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Orochimaru appreciatively.
Although this sounded like pouring cold water, it was a solid statement.
Castles in the air don't count; everything must start from a realistic attitude.
"That's right. Without money and resources, no matter how good the system is, it cannot be implemented."
"So we have to generate revenue first, then reform..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen asked: "In the Land of Fire, who has the most money?"
"Naturally, the Daimyō has the most money," Jiraiya said without thinking.
"Correct, but the Daimyō is just the person with the most money. From a class perspective, the nobles, big and small, of the Land of Fire have the most money..." Sarutobi Hiruzen said.
Jiraiya pondered for a moment, his gaze gradually becoming suspicious: "Teacher, you're not going to kill these nobles, are you?"
This time, Tsunade couldn't hold back again: "Jiraiya, are you going to kill my family? Do you have to put a hat of 'no Will of Fire' on them before killing them?"
"There are descendants of my grandfather and father in there!"
Jiraiya waved his hands repeatedly: "Ouch, I didn't mean that. I was afraid Teacher would be too extreme..."
Orochimaru and Sarutobi Hiruzen laughed heartily.
"Our population isn't large enough. We can't take over the Land of Fire's system. Declaring full-scale war on their nobles does more harm than good."
"It would also make the nobles run to enemy countries. The Daimyō of enemy countries would also fully support other hidden villages because of such an attitude. This would instead be aiding the enemy."
"Moreover, as Tsunade said, the Daimyō's Manor has the Hokage's clansmen."
The delicate relationship between the Daimyō's Manor and the hidden villages lay not only in the fact that the intense situation in the Ninja World would affect the population of the hidden villages, requiring relative unity between each other.
It also lay in the fact that the Daimyō's Manor absorbed some clansmen of the 'Kage' of each village.
Pull one hair and the whole body moves.
"So, we have to make these nobles willing to take out their money..."
"And for this step, we have to rely on you!" Sarutobi Hiruzen said slowly, conjuring a clod of earth from his palm and placing it on the table:
"Do you know what this is?"
Jiraiya and Tsunade looked at each other. This time, even Orochimaru looked confused.
"This is dirt, right, Teacher?" Jiraiya said uncertainly.
"This is a special pill developed by our Konoha, through researching Lord Hashirama's self-healing genes, perfecting the scrolls left by Lord Tobirama, via the Ninja World's number one medical ninja Tsunade, research expert Orochimaru..."
"Tested for safety by Lady Uzumaki Mito, and passionately recommended by the three great holy lands of Ryūchi Cave, Mount Myōboku, and Shikkotsu Forest. It has the qualities of gentle nourishment, prolonging life, dissolving hidden ailments, and even aphrodisiac effects!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen said with such solemnity.