Four-Pillar House Technique? It's truly a great Ninjutsu... In the Hokage Building, inside the office, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the scene within the Crystal Ball, his tone full of emotion. The people of Root were all dead, but the base remained. A single day was enough for the Anbu to search it inside out.
Conducting human experiments in secret, betraying village Ninjas for Root's interests, threatening and intimidating the parents of gifted children to forcibly recruit them into Root, and even assassinating messengers from other villages multiple times to incite war... Of course, there were things beneficial to Konoha, such as assassinating Geniuses and radicals from other hidden villages or wiping out small hidden villages and political organizations with potential.
However, such matters were a matter of opinion, and compared to the evils Danzo committed, these minor achievements were truly insignificant. Hiruzen Sarutobi had to admit that Minato was right. The expansion of Root indeed did more harm than good for Konoha. He had handed Root over to Danzo because he understood his own shortcomings and needed someone to take tough measures on his behalf.
But now it seemed that this fellow had used all his underhanded tricks on his own people... Although he held a slight grudge against Minato because of Danzo's death, he had to admit that the other party was indeed an outstanding child. He possessed kindness without being blindly naive, and acted ruthlessly without being cruel or depraved. Minato's help to the Orphanage further convinced him of this view.
Acting with order and method, knowing when to advance or retreat, utilizing rules when they were beneficial and breaking them when they weren't, and even if there were no rules, possessing the absolute power to establish them... He couldn't be more satisfied with Minato. This was the successor of his dreams!
Looking at the figure in the Crystal Ball, Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly laughed out loud. Although he was inferior to Teacher Tobirama in both strength and ability... At least in terms of judgment, he was still better than Teacher Tobirama. However, he couldn't rule out the possibility that his teacher truly had no other choice... Thinking of this, he suddenly couldn't laugh anymore.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door, and a cold, thin figure pushed the door open and entered. Orochimaru walked into the room: Teacher Sarutobi, did you call for me?
Yes, there are some things I want to discuss with you. Hiruzen Sarutobi picked up his pipe and took a puff. Danzo was dead, but that didn't mean there was no more dirty work. Hiruzen Sarutobi had a clear understanding of himself; there were some things he certainly couldn't do himself, but he could turn a blind eye.
When it came to who was suitable for this kind of work, the first person he thought of was his Disciple, Orochimaru. However, when Orochimaru stood before him, he couldn't help but hesitate. The other's calm and composed personality could definitely handle this job. But as his teacher, he could also faintly sense the dark traits within him, worrying that he might go astray because of it. After some thought, he decided to leave the choice to Orochimaru himself.
Danzo died last night.
Hehehe... With this death, his contribution to Konoha completely surpasses yours as the Hokage, Teacher. Pfft... Cough, cough...! Hearing Orochimaru's raspy words, Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly choked on the smoke and coughed violently. As expected, none of his three Disciples were easy to deal with!
So you called me here to take over the mess he left behind, right? A smile played on the corner of Orochimaru's mouth as he asked calmly.
Ah, that's right. Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep breath, momentarily unsure of how to speak. To be honest, Orochimaru was originally his most favored Hokage successor. As long as he didn't make a mistake, the position of Hokage in the future was almost a certainty for him. Hiruzen Sarutobi also knew that although his Disciple never said it, he must have longed for the position of Hokage in his heart.
But Minato was just too outstanding! That powerful talent was enough to suppress all voices of doubt! Orochimaru was already a Genius seen once in decades, but even so, he paled in comparison to Minato's terrifying talent.
Some things always need someone to do them. You have the ability, and you have the... Aptitude. Hiruzen Sarutobi said, pausing imperceptibly, But before that, I want to hear your thoughts.
Orochimaru was silent for a moment, then suddenly chuckled, Teacher, you really don't have to be so cautious.
Hmm? Hiruzen Sarutobi was slightly taken aback.
Root is Root; staying buried underground forever is the best choice. That fool Danzo didn't understand this principle, but I do. Orochimaru said indifferually, Once I take over this job, it means I will be completely out of the running for the position of Hokage. That's what you're most worried about, right?
Hiruzen Sarutobi was silent for a while, not expecting Orochimaru to bring this matter into the open. After a long time, he sighed, That's why I wanted to hear your thoughts.
My thoughts aren't important; you should know that best, Teacher. Orochimaru spread his hands slightly, his calm tone devoid of any resentment or bitterness. Ever since Minato Namikaze appeared, everyone in the village who wanted to compete for the position of Hokage has equally lost their chance, haven't they?
Hiruzen Sarutobi fell into silence again. Orochimaru looked at him and chuckled. Is Teacher feeling guilty?
I... Hiruzen Sarutobi paused; he indeed felt very sorry for Orochimaru. Although he had never explicitly said it, he had indeed been grooming him to be the Hokage. If it were a fair competition, he wouldn't feel guilty. But the key was that Minato was the predetermined choice! And even if he hadn't predetermined it, the two Advisors would have fully supported Minato. Once his talent was fully revealed, all the major clans in the village, except for the Uchiha, would definitely stand behind him in a landslide.
Sorry. After a long while, Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke with a hint of guilt.
There's nothing to be sorry about. If I were in your position, Teacher, I would have made the same choice. Orochimaru chuckled, And from the beginning, my ideal has been to learn all the Ninjutsu in the world. I did have longings for the position of Hokage, but mostly because that position could better satisfy my ideals. However, it was never the only choice.
You... really don't mind? Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart jolted, and he suddenly felt relieved.
Why should I mind? What happened last night couldn't be hidden from me... Orochimaru tilted his head slightly, a playful smile on his face. I lost to Wood Release, to a five-year-old dual Bloodline Limit Genius who killed Danzo. It's not like I lost to a mediocre person like you, as Danzo did. What is there for me to mind?
Hiruzen Sarutobi's old face darkened.
And I'm also very curious... The figure of a certain little blond boy flashed through his mind. Orochimaru felt a hidden expectation and a longing for a certain possibility. Wood Release, Light Release, and an all-around powerful talent... Just how far can that child go.
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