Land of Fire, deep within the dense forest where Yamanaka Shinno had previously tested his Wood Release.
With a massive surge of chakra, thick smoke billowed up, and the enormous form of Manda materialized beneath Orochimaru's feet.
But that wasn't all.
Countless venomous snakes, their scales gleaming in toxic hues, slithered out from the smoke, hissing ominously. Like a tidal wave of fangs and scales, they swiftly filled the dense forest, the sound of their crawling and flicking tongues enough to make one's scalp tingle.
"I ca seeking cooperation with you in good faith, Shinno-kun, yet you respond with such arrogance. How disappointing."
Using the Orochimaru-Style Body Replacent Technique, Orochimaru slithered out from within his own discarded body like a shedding snake. With a casual flick of his wrist, he tossed the old skin—marked with the Flying Thunder God seal—into the writhing mass of serpents. The venomous creatures eagerly tore it apart, destroying any trace of the technique's markings.
As a forr disciple of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Orochimaru had long since mastered many forbidden techniques. And after collaborating with Danzo, he had essentially learned most of Konoha's restricted jutsu.
Being abruptly transported to this location, how could he not recognize the technique behind it?
The Flying Thunder God Jutsu, created by the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama.
Due to Jiraiya's student having learned the jutsu, Orochimaru had studied it for so ti as well. Though his aptitude for space-ti techniques was lacking, preventing him from mastering it, he still understood its chanics and combat applications inside and out.
Leaving a sealing formula unnoticed to teleport in silently—
It might work on those unfamiliar with it, but it was useless against him.
"You're reacting this strongly... do you seriously want to be Hokage?"
Standing amidst the sea of snakes, Yamanaka Shinno gazed up at Orochimaru, who stood atop Manda's head, his expression exasperated.
If not for Zero-Fra Startup, which let him react instantly when Orochimaru attacked, he wouldn't have been able to teleport them here in ti. Otherwise, his Laboratory No. 7 would've been destroyed!
That was money! An expensive research facility, funded by the Root with a massive budget!
"In Konoha, who else but is qualified to sit in that position, Shinno-kun?"
Orochimaru stood with one hand on his hip, looking down at Shinno from his perch.
His teacher, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was growing weaker with age—his thinking rigid, his thods soft, his decisions hesitant. He was no longer fit to be Hokage.
Among the younger generation, in terms of battle achievents, experience, strength, potential, and influence…
Who else could be Fourth Hokage if not him?
"How desperate would I have to be to want to be Hokage…? I'm asking if you truly want the position."
Shinno rubbed his forehead, ignoring the swarming snakes as he continued questioning Orochimaru.
He had just been negotiating seriously, laying out his terms and offering substantial benefits.
Didn't this guy want immortality?
He was offering vast financial support, manpower, guidance in research, the secrets of the Senju and Uchiha clans, and even insights into the origins of all ninja.
Was that not enough?
In exchange, he had only three conditions:
First, Orochimaru was not to conduct human experints recklessly without stable results, and all test subjects had to be provided by the Root—no private abductions.
Second, all research findings had to be shared. No hoarding information.
Third, Orochimaru had to give up competing for the Hokage position and stop ddling in political affairs. Focus on research, and research only.
Everything had been going smoothly… until that third condition.
The mont Shinno ntioned it, Orochimaru's eyes narrowed in displeasure, and he imdiately attacked.
If he wasn't determined to beco Hokage, then what was this reaction about?
But was this ambition truly Orochimaru's own desire?
Had he really thought it through?
...
Orochimaru's snake-like pupils contracted slightly into razor-thin slits.
What… did he actually want?
If the Hokage position truly ant so much to him, he wouldn't have ventured into forbidden human experintation. He wouldn't have pursued dangerous jutsu at the cost of his reputation.
If his ultimate goal had always been to beco Hokage, he wouldn't have used controversial thods to win battles—thods that often alienated the lower-ranking ninja.
With his intelligence and deep understanding of human nature, gaining influence and popular support would have been easy.
Yet…
mories flickered through Orochimaru's mind.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, placing a hand on his shoulder, saying he had high hopes for him—that he would always be watching.
Danzo, standing at his side, promising to help him beco Hokage.
The faces of Nawaki, Anko, and nurous subordinates flashing before his eyes…
The images wavered slightly—
"Release."
Orochimaru clasped his hands together.
The illusory mories shattered like a broken mirror.
Manda's chakra receded from within him, and the serpent's noisy demands rang in his ears once more.
"Release! Release! Release! Orochimaru, you idiot, you actually got caught in a genjutsu! Hahahaha! I did you such a huge favor this ti—200 sacrifices! I demand 200 sacrifices!"
"They'll be sent to you later."
Orochimaru's expression darkened as he wiped away the cold sweat forming on his temple from the ntal disturbance.
Earlier, when Shinno had used genjutsu on En Oyashiro, all he did was tap his arm.
Just now… was it that forehead-rubbing gesture?
What an unpredictable genjutsu technique!
"Awake now? Have you given it so more thought?"
Shinno looked at Orochimaru, who had broken free from the illusion, and genuinely wanted to punch Manda in the face.
He had almost convinced Orochimaru!
Just a little longer, and with so well-placed ntal suggestions, he might have made Orochimaru abandon his Hokage ambitions on his own.
But that damn snake just had to ruin it!
"Shinno-kun, do you think my desire to beco Hokage was imposed on by others?"
Orochimaru's tone was as composed as ever, but his hand remained pressed firmly on Manda's head, and he avoided direct eye contact with Shinno.
"Expectations, pressure, environnt, experience, sunk costs, and the belief that it's simply 'ant to be'?"
Shinno thought for a mont before answering.
"A reasonable perspective. In that case, Shinno-kun, show the strength to convince otherwise. Prove that turning back now is the right choice, or else…"
Orochimaru's lips curled into a sinister smile, his tongue flicking over them as he gave the command to attack.
He didn't care why Shinno didn't want to be Hokage. He didn't care why Shinno was trying to stop him.
But if their negotiations failed, then they would settle it with fists.
The victor would decide the loser's fate!
The Root? Once he took full control of its power, he would have everything he needed for his research!
"Alright, random question—are Tagitsuhi, Ichikishimahi, and Tagorihi good-looking?"
"A strong man like Shinno-kun still cares about appearances?"
"A little. Beautiful things lift the spirit. But really, I just enjoy collecting different summoning creatures. And if I'm going to fight, I'd rather not leave empty-handed."
"Heh… If you win, I'll personally take you to Ryūchi Cave. But if you lose—"
"Deal, Orochimaru-kun!"
RUMBLE—!
"ROOOAAAR—!"
Massive wooden dragons erupted from the earth, roaring into the sky!
A towering wooden colossus, dwarfing even Manda, rose from beneath Shinno, its enormous arms pushing up from the ground like an ancient deity blotting out the sun.
The surrounding trees seed to co alive, their branches stretching outward. Gigantic, abnormally large flowers blossod in vibrant hues.
Poof!
Manda wasted no ti dispelling the summoning jutsu and retreating back to Ryūchi Cave.
A fight? No way!
It was born a pacifist—it couldn't stand the sight of blood!
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Pls Drop so Power Stones
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