After listening to Hiruzen's account, the Sannin fell into a long silence, stunned.
Why had their sensei in the past always emphasized a conservative approach?
Why had the current Hokage suddenly changed his style, becoming a completely different person?
Everything now had an explanation.
Tsunade and Jiraiya exchanged a glance, each seeing the complex emotions reflected in the other's eyes.
On the matter of why they did not wish to become Hokage, the two of them shared common ground.
It was not merely because governmental affairs were burdensome.
On a deeper level, it was also due to the overwhelming brilliance of the previous Hokage.
Senju Hashirama was the God of Shinobi; his fame needed no elaboration.
As for the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, although he did not possess Senju Hashirama's overwhelming might, the various ninjutsu he invented and the many policies he established were all an era ahead of the shinobi world.
In a certain sense, his deterrent power in the eyes of enemies was only half a tier below that of Senju Hashirama.
After all, although the God of Shinobi was powerful, he was overly fond of peace.
But Senju Tobirama was a ruthless figure capable of resurrecting an enemy's relatives and friends and turning them into bombs…
Deep in their subconscious, both Jiraiya and Tsunade had once harbored thoughts similar to those of Hiruzen…
If it were them who became Hokage, could they surpass their predecessors?
Even setting aside Hashirama and Tobirama, just considering the abilities and talents that the young Hiruzen had displayed back then, the two of them likely could not match him.
Orochimaru's gaze softened considerably.
Compared with Jiraiya and Tsunade, his sense of responsibility toward the village was not as heavy.
What he cared about more was the bond between himself and Hiruzen, Jiraiya, and Tsunade—especially Hiruzen, who had been both sensei and father to him.
A sensei who had once poured out everything he knew, who had valued him immensely, yet one day had grown farther and farther away—this estrangement was a huge knot in Orochimaru's heart…
And geniuses were always proud.
Orochimaru had never thought of admitting fault to Hiruzen, nor did he believe he was in the wrong…
He wanted to achieve great merits, to let his teacher see them—then right and wrong would speak for themselves…
But today, with Hiruzen laying his heart bare with such candor, it was clear that he still regarded him as a trusted disciple.
And on top of that, the way he spoke so lightly of the black material, and the concern he showed for him in front of everyone…
A trace of bitterness actually rose in Orochimaru's heart.
Hiruzen silently took in the reactions of his three disciples.
At this point, his sudden change in temperament already had a relatively fitting explanation.
Going forward, if he did things that did not match his previous persona, there was no need to take it to heart.
It was much as he had thought…
With the sensei-disciple bond as a foundation, even if there had been some misunderstandings and estrangement in the past, as long as matters had not reached the point of becoming irreparable, it would all be easy to talk through.
Unlike how it was before the people of the village.
In front of the masses, Hiruzen could not display such a scene; at most, he could show "forbearance," because what ninjas needed was a reliable leader, not an old man who required sympathy.
But with his three disciples, this kind of heart-bare "weakness" was precisely what allowed them to empathize.
They were sensei and disciples, not merely a simple superior–subordinate relationship.
Being overly closed off or flawless would create distance; a self that possessed weaknesses was fuller and more real, and could in turn stir their impulse to "give back."
"Sensei, you've worked so hard…"
Tsunade spoke slowly, a faint glimmer of tears flickering in her eyes. "You've already done your utmost. Don't push yourself to the point of collapse…"
So it turned out that the old man had once been under such immense pressure that he felt even "death" would be a kind of release?
And she, as his disciple, had actually failed to notice…
Or rather, she had sensed a trace of it, yet had not cared for her sensei in time!
That was truly unforgivable…
Jiraiya's gaze was firm as he spoke in a low voice, "Sensei, don't look down on me! Even if I'm your dumbest disciple, I can still help share the burden!"
Orochimaru spoke softly, "Sensei, I will help you."
Hiruzen laughed. "Good… With those words from the three of you, my heart feels much more secure."
"The current Konohagakure has many problems."
"The first major problem is the proliferation of factions: the various ninja clans lack trust and cooperation toward the village's upper leadership—this is true of the Hyūga clan, and the Uchiha clan in particular harbors a confrontational attitude."
"And even clans like the Inuzuka, Aburame, and Kurama—although they are willing to cooperate with the village—the degree of integration is far from ideal."
"Why?" Hiruzen threw out the question.
"Because they don't have the Will of Fire?" Jiraiya ventured after thinking hard.
Hearing this, Hiruzen laughed. "Good disciple—who would have thought Mount Myōboku even taught you an S-rank Kinjutsu? This is a hat-labeling method that even I, as Hokage, don't use lightly…"
"You really picked it up without a sensei!"
"Expel you from the Konoha registry!"
"So the toad sage spirit of Mount Myōboku is truly awe-inspiring—this is already going to expel people from the Konohagakure registry?" Orochimaru raised an eyebrow.
"If you became Hokage, Konohagakure would probably lose a third of its population…"
Even Tsunade couldn't hold it in. "Jiraiya, I think you're the one with the least Will of Fire. What do you have to say for yourself?"
Jiraiya looked at Tsunade and waved his hand awkwardly. "You're orthodox and upright—whatever you say is right… Stinking snake, that's not what I meant. I just can't figure it out…"
"Then what do you think?"
"Probably because there's no future to run toward," Orochimaru said quietly.
"In the village, those who can be considered upper leadership—aside from the four people led by Sensei—at most you add one jōnin squad leader with little sense of presence, Nara Shikayama."
"The First passed it to the Second; the Second passed it to his disciple, our sensei, and the other three disciples hold parallel seats."
"The Nara clan is even sensei's core base—where is there room left for anyone else?"
"If you were a jōnin and saw this situation, setting aside whether you would harbor resentment, with your path of advancement completely blocked, it would be inevitable for other emotions to take root in your heart."
Jiraiya opened his mouth.
"The fact that you, as the Hokage's disciple, don't want to become Hokage—that's your personal freedom. I won't judge it further."
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes. "But do you know that this status of yours is something countless ninja clans would exhaust everything to covet?"
Tsunade unconsciously twisted her fingers.
Although when her grandfather, her grand-uncle, and her sensei were Hokage, they had already done all the work she would ever have to do in her lifetime, hearing this still made her feel uncomfortable…
"Good kid—no wonder you can rally a whole bunch of groups to support you!"
Hiruzen laughed and scolded Orochimaru lightly, then nodded. "What Orochimaru said is basically correct."
"The village's path of advancement is far too monotonous. We need to mobilize the enthusiasm of the major ninja clans and civilian ninjas alike, and let them see our sincerity."
Jiraiya nodded. With his relatively simple way of thinking, he was immediately favorable toward this kind of policy. "So this means letting other clans enter the upper leadership as well? I support it!"
Tsunade frowned slightly. "Then do we accept the Uchiha clan as well? And the Hyūga? If they take hold of power but still act entirely on their own, what then?"
"It could even fuel their ambitions."
Jiraiya looked at Tsunade in surprise. He had thought that this woman spent her days studying medical ninjutsu, gambling, and drinking—who would have thought she was actually this sharp-minded?
Orochimaru's pupils narrowed like a snake's. "This matter is very serious. If we wait until they enter the upper ranks and start opposing actions, then even if we eliminate them at that point, it will still leave the village badly wounded."
Hiruzen looked at Orochimaru with satisfaction.
Knowledgeable in research, strong in combat, and able to keep up with his line of thinking…
Truly a useful deputy.
As for what Orochimaru wanted, at present it appeared to be two things: "research support" and "the position of heir."
This did not conflict with Hiruzen.
At least, for now, it did not.
"We need stratification. Not only the four decision-makers—among the jōnin as well, a new promotion pathway must be established."
Hiruzen spoke slowly. "Out of just over a hundred jōnin, set up a new tier, roughly around twenty people."
"These twenty ninjas are to receive better treatment than ordinary jōnin. Those with administrative ability are to be brought into the management layer and granted the right to participate in and propose village affairs."
"Those unwilling to take part in administration—such as those skilled in direct combat—will instead receive subsidies in combat resources."
"In this way, we resolve the advancement-channel problem for the majority of jōnin."
"As for the purity of the members…"
Hiruzen continued slowly, "The list of candidates will be designated by me, the Hokage. I will not allow problems to arise at this stage."
Jiraiya blinked. "Then Hyūga, Uchiha, and the like will still have to occupy seats eventually, right? After all, if they're ignored, then this also—"
Tsunade nodded slightly.
What Jiraiya said was plain and straightforward, but if, in this round of reforms, the Hyūga and the Uchiha were still excluded, it might instead intensify the conflict between those two clans and the village.
After all, if they couldn't enter the decision-making level, were they not even allowed to become core jōnin?
Orochimaru seemed to realize something. His eyes suddenly lit up, and he stared intently at Hiruzen.
"Sensei, had you already thought this far ahead?"
Hiruzen smiled and nodded.
"Thought of what? Don't speak in riddles, Orochimaru!" Jiraiya hurriedly leaned in beside Orochimaru, almost face to face. "Just say it outright!"
"You're too close, idiot Jiraiya."
Orochimaru pushed Jiraiya away in disgust, though there was a smile at the corner of his mouth.
"It's very simple. The idea is to let those great-clan ninjas who are inclined toward the village—or who can only draw close to the village—enter the list."
"You remember, right? Sensei publicly had Hyūga Hizashi join ANBU. As a member of the Hyūga branch family, once he accepted the Hokage's protection, he became one of the best possible candidates."
Tsunade also caught on and slammed her fist on the table.
"No—what did you all figure out?" Jiraiya also struck the table. "You're isolating me, aren't you! Isn't he from the Hyūga branch family? He's got the Caged Bird Seal on his head—"
"Who would dare use the Caged Bird Seal on ANBU directly under the Hokage?"
Orochimaru chuckled softly.
"Do they want to probe village secrets, or are they preparing to plot rebellion? The Hyūga main family would never have the nerve."
Tsunade picked up the thread. "That's right. As long as Hyūga Hizashi, as a member of the branch family, can confront the main family without being punished, he will naturally become a third internal faction within the Hyūga."
At that moment, Jiraiya finally understood. He spoke with sudden realization: "Behind him will stand a steady stream of Hyūga branch-family members, and they will have no choice but to support the old man, because they need the Hokage's protection."
"As for the other neutral ninja clans, they were already lacking an avenue for advancement. They won't oppose the sensei who opens that path for them…"
Jiraiya bared his teeth and sighed repeatedly. "Ahh, ahh, this Hokage position really isn't something I can handle… Old man, how did you even come up with all this?"
Tsunade downed a mouthful of sake and laughed loudly. "Yeah—this is starting to feel as dark as great-uncle's heart, the way grandfather used to talk about it!"
Hiruzen couldn't help laughing as well.
Back when the First was still around, he would constantly veto the Second's proposals, saying his mind wasn't exactly honest…
"As for the Uchiha clan, I haven't yet found a truly suitable candidate. For now, we'll start by looking for an overt dove faction."
"Before an appropriate candidate appears, neither the Hyūga nor the Uchiha will be allowed into the decision-making level."
Hiruzen continued, "But the decision-making level itself still needs to be expanded: myself, Danzō, Orochimaru, one chosen from the neutral ninja clans, and Sakumo."
"Koharu and Homura will have other appointments. Their seats will be retained—this will help foster dove factions within the Hyūga and the Uchiha…"
Jiraiya shivered for no apparent reason.
Fortunately, he himself did not come from any ninja clan and had been lucky enough to be taken in by his sensei, so he did not need to get entangled in these matters.
"Wait a second, sensei—how did that stinking snake also enter the upper ranks?" Jiraiya shouted belatedly. "Hey, don't put me under him to work!"
"Sensei, it's a very good design." Orochimaru's lips curled upward.
Sensei had casually given him a seat; this showed that he had always held a place for him in his heart.
"Shouldn't Orochimaru enter?" Hiruzen asked Jiraiya with a chuckle.
"He should…"
Jiraiya originally wanted to argue back, but thinking about how Orochimaru's thinking aligned closely with the sensei's, he stiffened his neck and said, "Hmph, it's just that I can't be bothered to handle this kind of thing."
"The system is a good system,"
Orochimaru said. "But how is it to be implemented, sensei? Whether it's subsidies for the jōnin or soothing the elders, all of this requires resources—it requires money…"
"Is the village's treasury sufficient? Or is the daimyō's residence willing to increase its allocations?"
Hiruzen looked at Orochimaru with appreciation.
Although it sounded like pouring cold water, it was a solid and practical remark.
Castles in the air were worthless; everything had to proceed from a pragmatic, fact-based attitude.
"That's right. Without money and resources, no matter how good a system is, it cannot be put into practice."
"So we must first generate revenue, and only then reform…"
Hiruzen posed a question. "In the Land of Fire, who is the wealthiest?"
"That would naturally be the daimyō," Jiraiya replied without thinking.
"Correct—but the daimyō is merely the single wealthiest individual. In terms of class, it is the large and small nobles of the Land of Fire who are the wealthiest," Hiruzen said.
Jiraiya thought for a moment, his gaze gradually turning startled.
"Sensei… you're not planning to take out those nobles, are you?"
This time, Tsunade finally snapped again.
"Jiraiya, are you trying to kill my family? What—are you planning to slap a label of 'lacking the Will of Fire' on them before doing it?"
"There are my grandfather's descendants in there, and my father's as well!"
Jiraiya waved his hands repeatedly. "Hey, no, I'm not—I'm just worried sensei might go too extreme…"
Orochimaru and Hiruzen burst out laughing.
"Our population simply isn't large enough to take over the Fire Country's entire system. Launching a full-scale confrontation against the nobility would be more loss than gain."
"It would also drive those nobles to flee to enemy countries, and their daimyō would then fully support other hidden villages because of this attitude. That would amount to aiding the enemy."
"Moreover, just as Tsunade said, the daimyō's residence also has clansmen of the Hokage."
The subtle relationship between the daimyō's residence and the hidden village lay not only in how turmoil in the shinobi world could sharply affect the village's population—requiring both sides to maintain relative unity—but also in the fact that the daimyō's residence absorbed some of the clansmen of each village's 'Kage.'
"So, we need to make those nobles willingly put up the money…"
"And this step will have to rely on you," Hiruzen said slowly. From his palm, he produced a lump of earth and placed it on the table.
"Do you know what this is?"
Jiraiya and Tsunade looked at each other. This time, even Orochimaru showed a puzzled expression.
"Uh… it's dirt, sensei?" Jiraiya said uncertainly.
"This," Hiruzen said solemnly, "is a special medicinal pill developed by Konoha—derived from researching Hashirama-sama's self-healing genes, refining the scrolls left behind by Tobirama-sensei, tested for safety by Uzumaki Mito-sama, perfected by the shinobi world's number-one medical ninja Tsunade and research expert Orochimaru—"
"—and enthusiastically recommended by the three great sage regions of Ryūchi Cave, Mount Myōboku, and Shikkotsu Forest. It possesses gentle restorative properties, extends lifespan, dispels latent ailments, and even has nourishing, warming effects!"