It's settled!
The Third Hokage’s words set the tone for the entire eting—absolute, unquestionable, and unchangeable.
This is what a true leader should be.
Kyoichi thought to himself.
There was a reason why Tobirama Senju had chosen Hiruzen Sarutobi.
When decisiveness was needed, he could indeed be decisive… but such monts were rare.
This ti, however, the Third had been thoroughly provoked.
It was clear from his tone that he was aware of the connection between Orochimaru and Danzo. This incident was rely the spark that set everything in motion.
Danzo showed no emotion as he stood up and left.
He understood.
There was no point in saying anything more.
Orochimaru, on the other hand, didn’t seem to react much. He was still smiling—oddly so.
This ti, though, the smile seed genuine.
"Old friend, they were right about one thing. We've been too far from the battlefield for too long. Perhaps we should go to the frontlines and see for ourselves… only then can we truly understand more."
"Uh…" Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado silently exited. The eting room had been a chaotic ss, but with the three elders gone, the tension eased considerably.
"Sensei, this is who you are! You're the Hokage—you don’t need them telling you what to do."
Tsunade leaned back in her chair, speaking casually.
Still, there was a hint of newfound respect in her tone.
At least she didn’t call him "old man."
"You can't put it that way. Everyone has different perspectives. It's just that… perhaps our way of thinking is no longer suited for Konoha’s future."
The Third sighed.
Despite years of governance, Konoha hadn’t grown stronger. In fact, it had been in decline.
And yet, Kyoichi’s reforms—thods belonging to a new generation—had drastically strengthened the village in a short ti.
Lately, he often found himself wondering…
Was fate truly favoring the Senju Clan?
In the end, he ca to a conclusion—
It didn’t matter.
As long as Konoha beca stronger, that was enough.
"Sensei, I have a different opinion on this. So forbidden techniques should be unsealed, while others shouldn’t be abandoned altogether."
Orochimaru spoke up.
"If the purpose of researching forbidden techniques is rely to prohibit their use, then why did Lord Second spend so much effort developing them?"
"Orochimaru, this is my bottom line."
The Third issued what was nearly an ultimatum.
"Uh…"
Orochimaru fell silent for a mont. Then, he stood up, bowed slightly, and said,
"I understand. I still have research to conduct. Sensei, once you've made your final decision, please inform ."
Tsunade remained silent, her mood sowhat somber.
Orochimaru… was definitely acting off.
Her suspicions had been correct.
But…
She just couldn’t understand why Orochimaru was doing this.
She knew him too well.
If he wanted to hide sothing, there was no way he would be so careless as to leave such obvious clues.
What was he after?
"Everyone, today’s eting took an unexpected turn. Emotions ran high. I suggest we end things here for now. The key points have been set—we can all take so ti to reflect. A final decision can wait a few more days."
Minato stood up and spoke.
The atmosphere…
Was way too tense.
"Very well, we’ll pause here. Tsunade, stay behind for a mont."
The Third, visibly exhausted, waved a hand, signaling for the others to leave.
Once the room was empty—
Tsunade, visibly impatient, crossed her arms. "Say what you need to say. I’m in a hurry."
"Can’t you stay? I want you to beco the Fourth Hokage… I’m truly getting old. But as a teacher, I have failed."
Boom!
Her response was the complete destruction of the conference table.
"Only an idiot would beco Hokage!"
With that, Tsunade leapt out the window.
The Third let out a bitter sigh.
He wanted to step down.
But…
Out of all three of his students, there wasn’t a single one he could entrust the title to.
Even Tsunade wasn’t a truly satisfactory choice, because deep down, he knew she had problems.
And now, it seed her issues ran deeper than he had initially thought.
—
Outside the building.
Kyoichi stepped out, only to see Tsunade land from the window above.
In the distance, Shizune was rushing toward them.
"Tsunade-nee, weren’t you still upstairs?"
“Nothing to talk about with that old man. Co on, to the tavern! We’re drinking till we drop!”
Tsunade didn’t hold back at all.
With a flick of her green robe, she strode forward with purpose.
“Tsunade-nee, I didn’t expect you to show up.”
“Brat, if I hadn’t, you’d have been eaten alive.”
Tsunade smirked coldly.
“Not necessarily. It just would’ve been a bigger hassle.”
Kyoichi shook his head.
Even without Tsunade, the spread of the Eight Gates and Breath Activation Technique would have continued—it just would’ve involved more back-and-forth negotiations.
“Doesn’t matter now. I got to co back and tear into those old geezers. Felt pretty damn good.”
Tsunade chuckled.
Koharu Utatane, Homura Mitokado, and Danzo.
Those three had been on her nerves for years. She’d wanted to let loose on them for the longest ti, but the opportunity had never been right.
This ti, she finally got her chance.
And after her tirade, not one of them could even argue back.
Of course…
The Third’s stance had been a surprise.
Still…
She sighed softly, glanced at Kyoichi, and asked, “You said you were researching the Yin Seal. Have you tested it yet?”
“I have. I wouldn’t say it’s a complete success, but it’s at least functional.”
Kyoichi explained the current state of his Yin Seal.
Tsunade pondered for a mont but couldn’t imdiately think of a solution.
The chakra pathways on the forehead were simply too intricate.
Altering the flow was practically impossible, but when it ca to the Yin Seal itself, Kyoichi had already pushed it as far as it could go.
For now, this was the best he could do.
“As for the chakra control thod you ntioned, I gave it a try. It wasn’t difficult for , but passing it down to others would be incredibly challenging.”
Tsunade sighed.
The Strength of a Hundred Seal had been easy for her to grasp.
But that was only because of her unparalleled chakra control and deep dical knowledge.
Even if soone else had her level of chakra control, it didn’t an they could distribute chakra evenly throughout their body.
“We’ll take it step by step. People can start by learning simpler chakra modes, like…”
As Kyoichi spoke, he activated Wind Release: Chakra Mode, coating his entire body in flowing wind chakra.
Tsunade blinked in surprise, then thought for a mont before nodding.
“If they can progress from simple techniques to advanced ones, they might have a chance. But the threshold will still be extrely high.”
“Can’t be helped. S-rank techniques were never ant for mass adoption.”
---
“Forbidden techniques were never ant to be widespread. They should only be mastered by a select few. First, it’s the Eight Gates and Breath Activation. What’s next? Danzo, we need to stop Hiruzen!”
“This must be done gradually.”
Danzo gave a noncommittal response.
Koharu and Homura continued to grumble for a while before leaving in frustration.
Danzo narrowed his eyes slightly, then let out a cold chuckle.
They weren’t wrong about one thing.
But those two…
All they did was talk.
A mountain of theories, but when the ti ca, where was their opposition?
Idiots.
With a flicker, he disappeared using the Body Flicker Technique.
Upon arriving at a hidden laboratory, Danzo found Orochimaru packing up his belongings.
His brow furrowed. “Orochimaru… don’t tell you’re betraying as well?”
“Heh… Danzo, we were rely partners. I never pledged loyalty to you.”
Orochimaru sneered.
Danzo’s expression darkened, his voice tinged with anger. “Do you really think you can just walk away?”
Orochimaru smirked. “I know exactly what I’m doing. If soone wants to stop , let them try… But more importantly, this experint is aningless. I’ve found a better approach.”
“Kanda Kyoichi?”
Danzo had always been composed and ruthless. But this ti, his irritation was obvious. His anger flared.
“Perhaps. Regardless, our partnership ends here.”
Orochimaru turned to face Danzo directly.
This ti, he was serious.
“Danzo, people who dwell in the shadows have no right to beco Hokage.”
“Heh… and I suppose you think you’re noble now?”
“No. I’m just the sa.”
“…”
Danzo was montarily stunned.
This bastard…
Did he really think Hiruzen would let him go just because he backed out now?
Danzo’s voice dropped into a low, furious growl. “There’s no turning back for you. That technique—you need to complete it!”
Orochimaru chuckled. “I have a new plan, Danzo. Don’t expect to take the fall for you.”
Reviews
All reviews (0)