Dont forget to Vote and Review if you like story... your comment make me motivate posting hereread full story in patreon : ilham20
"For the Hokage seat?"
"Is the hat really that important? I was going to retire eventually—can't you even wait that long?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's face stayed dark as Orochimaru's image floated through his mind, along with every memory of their time together.
"Bring Orochimaru here."
"Yes, Lord Hokage."
When the ANBU found him, Orochimaru felt a cold knot form in his stomach.
"Hiruzen-sensei wants to see me? Did he say why?"
The ANBU shook his head.
"Fine. I'll head over soon."
After the ANBU left, Orochimaru went straight to Danzo. He didn't fully trust the man, but right now they were on the same side. Danzo might have useful insight.
"Danzo-senpai. Hiruzen-sensei just summoned me. Any idea what he wants?"
Danzo frowned. "Hiruzen reached out to you first? That's rare. He hasn't done that in a long time. If he's calling you in now, it's something serious."
Orochimaru told him about visiting Jiraiya right before the disappearance.
Danzo's expression hardened. "It's obvious. Hiruzen suspects you, Orochimaru."
He continued, voice dripping with bitterness. "Hiruzen's paranoia is off the charts. Look at me—I didn't touch Kakashi, but he's convinced I tried to kill him. First he thought I finished the job. Then when Kakashi turned up alive he decided I tried and failed. Private action and incompetence? Please. If I had gone after Kakashi, he wouldn't have escaped. And why the hell would I? The rumors say Hiruzen persecuted the White Fang, not me."
Danzo vented for a while before getting to the point.
"Right now Hiruzen is certain Jiraiya's disappearance has something to do with you. Either you killed him, or you said something that convinced him to vanish. But suspicion is all he has. Without hard proof he won't move against you directly. He'll use someone else's hands."
Orochimaru nodded. "Thank you, Danzo-senpai."
He left for the Hokage Tower. Danzo watched him go, a cruel little smile tugging at his lips.
"Looks like I'm not the only one Hiruzen's turning on. That actually makes me feel better. These days I can't even tell what's real anymore. But Jiraiya vanishing? That's not bad for me. The more Hiruzen doubts Orochimaru, the more Orochimaru will need me as an ally."
Orochimaru stepped into the Hokage's office. Hiruzen forced down his anger and put on a warm smile.
"Orochimaru. Sit."
Orochimaru took the seat across from him.
"Hiruzen-sensei, you wanted to see me?"
Hiruzen's eyes grew distant with nostalgia. "Remember when you three were just little kids fresh out of the academy? Now look at us. I'm old, and all of you have changed so much. Time moves too fast. Tsunade's hemophobia from losing Dan and Nawaki… Jiraiya nearly died fighting Rasa… It's been a long time since we just talked like teacher and student. Not since you led the village forces to crush Iwagakure."
Orochimaru lowered his head slightly. "Sensei…"
Hiruzen studied him but saw nothing suspicious. The nostalgic look faded.
"Orochimaru, I heard you visited Jiraiya. What did you two talk about? Did he say where he was going? Do you know where he is now?"
Orochimaru's mind sharpened. So that was it—Hiruzen really did suspect him.
"I did visit him, Sensei. We mostly talked about Rasa. Jiraiya gave me some intel on Rasa's abilities and warned me to be careful. That was all. He didn't mention going anywhere."
He kept the note hidden. Showing it wouldn't clear him—it would only make Hiruzen more suspicious.
"That's everything?"
"Yes."
Hiruzen stared at him for a long moment, then nodded. "Orochimaru, what do you think about the current state of the ninja world?"
Orochimaru answered carefully. "Sensei, I believe the war never truly ended. Iwagakure still resents losing to us. Sunagakure keeps provoking the Leaf—it's not just for fun. Kumogakure got the Byakugan and their appetite will only grow. Kirigakure lost its great-village status, but the Land of Water probably sees that as a blessing. Other major countries will think the same. The Leaf can't afford to sit and wait."
Hiruzen agreed on the surface. But inside his thoughts ran in a completely different direction. Orochimaru wanted the Leaf to prepare for the coming storm. Hiruzen, however, saw an opportunity. Danzo and Orochimaru were both plotting against him. His reputation had taken heavy damage from the recent rumors. Starting an external war would distract everyone, shift attention away from internal problems, and force Danzo and Orochimaru to take on the hardest, most dangerous work while others got the easy victories. New rivals to them could be cultivated. Only then could the Leaf return to stability.
After Orochimaru left, Hiruzen watched the door for a long time, eyes flickering with doubt and pain.
"Orochimaru… is it really you?"