Tōshirō said regretfully, "I'm sorry, this jutsu cannot last long, and performing it requires paying a certain cost."
"Alright…"
Nohara Rin nodded understandingly: "Then could I trouble you, Hokage-sama, to deliver a message to Kakashi?"
"That's fine."
"I caused him some trouble back then…"
Tōshirō was silent for a moment, then said, "Alright…"
With that, he released the Edo Tensei, and Rin returned to her coffin.
Orochimaru teased: "You're truly heartless. You can't even grant such a tiny wish."
Clearly, Tōshirō was lying—Edo Tensei could never be as he described.
"The fewer people who know about this, the better."
Tōshirō had little hope when reviving Rin. He had assumed Obito's rampage would take her body away.
However, the original story never clarified this, so Tōshirō hadn't concerned himself with it.
"Then you shouldn't even have known about it," Orochimaru remarked.
Tōshirō smiled: "What are you saying? You're an important partner."
"Being trusted by Tōshirō like this… I'm truly moved."
"…Alright, enough teasing. Have you noticed anything unusual?" Tōshirō asked.
Orochimaru nodded: "Indeed, there are many suspicious points. It feels deliberate."
A curve appeared at Tōshirō's lips: "Speaking of which, I just recalled something interesting."
Orochimaru leaned forward with interest: "Interesting? Do tell."
Tōshirō analyzed: "Kakashi's eye was taken. Witnesses saw the person had a Sharingan. At first, I thought this was a ploy to frame the Uchiha and the village, escalating conflicts for personal gain. But now, escalating conflicts seems secondary. He wanted to use his own eye against me. You know, a Sharingan only truly works in a pair."
Orochimaru sighed: "The truth is absurd."
"There's a saying: reality is often more exciting than fiction."
"Who knows what absurd story the truth of this world will reveal in the future."
"Then, Orochimaru, I'll need your wisdom to help clear the fog."
"I will."
After showing off a little, Tōshirō asked about the Dragon Blood Reincarnation technique and its progress.
Orochimaru responded: "This technique doesn't seem usable by just anyone."
Tōshirō narrowed his eyes, signaling him to continue.
"It's a bloodline limit jutsu."
Tōshirō was surprised: "Bloodline limit?"
Orochimaru nodded firmly: "Yes."
Tōshirō paused, then said: "Alright, I understand."
"What will you do?"
"Go to the Land of Grass. You'll come with me."
"Now?" Orochimaru was curious about the bloodline limit.
Tōshirō shook his head: "No, first I'll take the Land of Fire."
Orochimaru looked puzzled. Tōshirō should have been more eager to revive Tsunade.
Tōshirō explained, anticipating his thoughts: "If I revive Tsunade, do you think she'd agree to my methods?"
"…"
"At the very least, she wouldn't agree to a forceful approach."
"So, you'll finish everything before reviving her?"
"More or less."
Tōshirō confirmed Orochimaru's guess: "But this won't take long. Handling the Land of Fire's daimyōs is just a thought for me. They're weak anyway, aren't they?"
"That's true."
"Orochimaru, prepare yourself. In a couple of days, we return to the village."
"Understood."
The next day, Tōshirō used his authority to cancel all warrants on Orochimaru. The reason given: Orochimaru refused to continue Danzo's orders for human experiments and intentionally exposed himself, leaving Konoha.
The blame was fully shifted to the deceased Danzo. Since he had no strong supporters in the village, there was no risk for the new Hokage—Tōshirō had removed all of Danzo's backing.
Now, Orochimaru strode confidently through the village. Some Jonin were uncomfortable, especially Kakashi, who had been pursuing him.
"Well, long time no see, Kakashi…"
Orochimaru greeted with a mischievous smile: "I remember you were chasing me back then."
Kakashi's face darkened.
The warrant was lifted, and Orochimaru immediately returned to the village.
No one believed they had colluded.
But even if they did, resistance was impossible. With their families at stake, no one wanted trouble.
Shikaku Nara stiffly said: "Orochimaru-sama, please continue to guide us."
"Being in Konoha is more comfortable anyway."
Orochimaru smiled, slightly sinister.
Shikaku: …
Tōshirō patted Orochimaru on the shoulder, feigning solemnity: "Now that the injustice is cleared, those years as a rogue ninja… it was truly unfair to you."
Orochimaru played along with a nod.
Shikaku, watching the act, was speechless.
At that moment, Fugaku appeared beside Tōshirō, voice grave: "Tōshirō, we have leads on the Third Hokage's killer."
Tōshirō feigned surprise: "What leads?"
Fugaku, following Tōshirō's cue, deflected and acted convincingly.
Tōshirō smiled: "It's fine, say it here. We're all comrades, nothing to hide."
Fugaku hesitated, then gritted his teeth: "It's the Land of Fire's daimyō."
The group gasped: "The daimyō?"
Shikaku recalled Tōshirō's earlier words, feeling uneasy.
Tōshirō was serious about this.
He intended to eliminate the Land of Fire's aristocrats and daimyōs.
Tōshirō frowned: "Fugaku, don't speak carelessly."
Fugaku, not eloquent, gave a glance. Two subordinates understood and brought a sack, dropping it before Tōshirō. They opened it to reveal a middle-aged man with black hair and a beard.
Though a cloth muffled his mouth, his resolute eyes showed defiance.
Tōshirō asked curiously: "Who is he?"
Fugaku replied: "One of the Twelve Guardian Ninja."
Tōshirō understood: "Why bind him?"
Fugaku answered seriously: "I heard from them that the Hokage is unnecessary. Ninja villages should be controlled by the daimyōs."
Tōshirō frowned in disbelief: "Impossible… no way…"
"Absolutely true."
Tōshirō bent down, removing the cloth: "You think the Hokage is unnecessary, and the ninja should be controlled by the daimyōs?"
"Don't misquote me! I never said that!"
This Guardian Ninja was radical and had such thoughts, but he wasn't foolish enough to speak them openly.
Tōshirō, unwilling to argue, activated his Sharingan to interrogate: "Answer me again. What did you just say?"
The Guardian Ninja's gaze went blank: "Kill the Hokage, and let the daimyō control the ninja."
Hearing this, Tōshirō understood. No questions needed—any more probing would reveal the truth.
Tōshirō raised his voice, furious: "The Land of Fire's daimyōs, you've gone too far!"
End of Chapter)
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