"Long time no see."
Orochimaru's gaze fell on the child beside Jiraiya, his laughter tinged with mockery: "By the way, when did you start playing babysitter?"
"How are you here?"
Ever since Orochimaru's defection, Jiraiya had been tracking his movements. He didn't expect Orochimaru to show up at his doorstep today.
Orochimaru replied lightly: "Just getting used to a new life in advance."
Jiraiya frowned: "By 'getting used to,' what exactly do you mean?"
"In a while, I think the wanted notice for me will be canceled," Orochimaru said with a smile. "Until then, I'll quietly live in the village."
With Tōshirō's current authority, revoking his wanted status wouldn't be difficult.
Jiraiya was surprised to hear Orochimaru would return to the village, and suddenly recalled something: "Tōshirō has contacted you."
Orochimaru did not deny it: "Yes, something like that."
Jiraiya's expression darkened: "You had a hand in killing the higher-ups too?"
Orochimaru shook his head, with a hint of regret: "I had the idea, yes, but Tōshirō didn't plan to let me participate directly. Probably didn't want me to bear the title of traitor."
Jiraiya chuckled bitterly. He had once hoped to bring Orochimaru back to the village, but never imagined it would happen this way. Fate, it seemed, had played a cruel joke on him.
"So, now that you're back in the village, what do you plan to do?"
If Orochimaru continued his human experimentation, Tōshirō, in his current position, would likely let it slide.
Orochimaru didn't hide his plan: "I'll help Tōshirō revive Tsunade."
Revive Tsunade?
Jiraiya was stunned.
Such an unnatural act would undoubtedly require numerous sacrifices.
Orochimaru observed Jiraiya's expression: "Once Tōshirō and I revive Tsunade, would you consider returning to the village?"
He extended a hand, inviting theatrically: "Just like old times."
Jiraiya remained silent, his attitude clear. After all that had happened, he could never return to the past.
Orochimaru understood, retracting his hand: "I see. That's a shame."
Jiraiya asked: "You're confident you can revive Tsunade?"
Orochimaru shook his head: "If it were just me, of course not. But with Tōshirō? I think it's possible."
To Jiraiya, Orochimaru's trust in Tōshirō bordered on blind faith. "After all this time, why do you still trust him so much?"
"Being with him is interesting. That's something you and Sarutobi-sensei could never give me."
"What?"
"The truth."
Jiraiya shook his head: "As expected… I still don't understand you, even after all these years."
With that, he left, taking Sarutobi Hiruzen's grandson with him, wandering the world.
◎
The first thing Tōshirō did as Hokage was enter the forbidden library, studying countless jutsu. From the catalog, he saw that two jutsu were missing: Edo Tensei and the Yamata no Jutsu.
Coincidentally, these were the two jutsu Orochimaru had taken.
Tōshirō looked at the Flying Thunder God Technique in his hand, puzzled as to why Orochimaru hadn't taken it.
He pocketed the technique and left the forbidden library, returning to the Hokage office.
On the desk lay a mountain of documents waiting for him to review. Tōshirō casually flipped through them and tossed them aside.
He stroked his chin, considering whether to appoint a secretary to help with his work.
He recalled that the Raikage had appointed a secretary to handle all the mundane tasks while he focused on training. Only the most important matters required his attention.
Choosing a secretary wasn't about strength—it was about intelligence and trustworthiness.
Tōshirō planned to select someone from his own clan to serve as his secretary.
He considered Itachi—smart, and perfect for mentoring. But Itachi's combat talent was too high; being a secretary would be beneath him.
As he pondered, a knock interrupted his thoughts. He set the secretary matter aside: "Come in."
Soon, two middle-aged men entered: Fugaku and Nara Shikaku.
"Hokage-sama, there's a matter to report."
With Tōshirō now Hokage, Fugaku's address changed accordingly.
"What matter?"
Tōshirō already knew some of it.
One of his first orders as Hokage was a full investigation of the Four Great Clans, sending both Uchiha and other personnel to monitor each other and prevent corruption.
"We found several clans leveraging ties with the higher-ups to take kickbacks, even involving the Sarutobi clan," Fugaku reported.
Tōshirō showed surprise and looked at Shikaku: "Are you certain?"
Shikaku nodded.
"Hokage-sama, what should we do?"
"This must not be leaked. Anyone who leaks it will be severely punished."
Tōshirō wasn't protecting the higher-ups; some things, if exposed, would destroy public trust, hampering governance.
Both men understood without need for further explanation, replying with "Yes."
Tōshirō crossed his hands on the desk: "Fugaku, you may leave. I need to speak with Shikaku alone."
Fugaku understood and exited, giving them privacy.
"Take a walk with me."
Tōshirō stood. Shikaku, unsure of his intentions, followed.
News of Tōshirō's appointment spread quickly. Walking through the streets, villagers recognized them and bowed respectfully.
Soon they arrived at the ninja academy to visit the children.
On the school rooftop, Tōshirō sighed: "These kids are truly the flowers of the village, aren't they?"
Shikaku asked: "Forgive my ignorance, Hokage-sama, but why did you call me out?"
Tōshirō paused: "I plan to expand admissions at the ninja academy and extend the six-year curriculum to nine years of compulsory education."
Shikaku was stunned: "You said what?"
Tōshirō clarified: "I know you have opinions about me, but it's best we coexist peacefully. It benefits both of us and the village."
"…"
"The rights you currently enjoy won't be touched. In fact, I'll grant you more," Tōshirō promised.
"Why must you be so extreme?"
"For both public and private reasons, I must."
Shikaku saw Tōshirō reveal part of the "private" reason: the higher-ups intended to annihilate the Uchiha Clan. Tōshirō's extreme approach prevented future trouble.
"I chose the most direct and effective method. With your intelligence, you can judge if I'm lying."
Shikaku fell silent after learning the truth.
Outsiders might see Tōshirō as extreme, but the Uchiha's current state was the result of severe oppression—an example of extremes causing reversal.
Shikaku asked: "Then what is the public reason?"
He expected a vague moral lecture but was surprised by Tōshirō's detailed, reasoned explanation.
Tōshirō implemented welfare policies from a previous life—ID cards, social security, and other benefits. In this backward era, these measures were revolutionary.
Even Shikaku, known for his intelligence, was stunned.
Although hearing them for the first time, he recognized these policies as highly profitable and beneficial.
If fully implemented, the village would achieve unprecedented prosperity and peace.
But one critical question remained: the funds?
Shikaku voiced his concern.
The village's finances were controlled by the daimyo, who rarely allocated funds for such initiatives.
His concern was valid, yet Tōshirō laughed: "Then they have no choice but to comply."
Shikaku sensed a hidden meaning.
Tōshirō had exterminated the higher-ups' families; the Land of Fire's daimyo were irrelevant.
"Are you threatening them…?"
Tōshirō's face darkened, displeased.
Shikaku froze, worried he misspoke.
"Do you think I'd stoop so low as to threaten? I, Tōshirō Uchiha, don't need such childish tricks."
Shikaku wondered if he had misjudged him.
"I'll just eliminate them and take their money. Threats? Unnecessary," Tōshirō sneered.
Shikaku's expression stiffened—this Uchiha was terrifying.
Tōshirō glanced coldly: "Do you object?"
Shikaku stammered: "Hokage-sama, please calm down. Your ideas are… dangerous."
"Dangerous? How?"
"Well…"
Shikaku struggled to find a reason and could not.
"A bunch of powerless trash," Tōshirō scoffed. "Killing them is like slaughtering chickens. Tell me, where's the danger?"
Shikaku tried: "But… the nations might condemn us, giving them reason to attack."
"I don't care. I'll act."
"???"
Tōshirō crossed his arms, disdainful: "Perfect. Gives me reason to strike. A nation's respect is earned, not negotiated. Previous Hokage were too weak, allowing neighboring countries to bully Konoha."
Shikaku's attempt to persuade only inflamed Tōshirō further. He clenched his jaw, mentally exhausted.
Tōshirō's style was the polar opposite of the Third Hokage—he wielded decisive force rather than cautious diplomacy.
"Anything else to say?" Tōshirō asked, leaving no room for objection.
Shikaku thought: why bother? This terrorist wouldn't listen anyway. He stayed silent.
"Since you're done, it's my turn." Tōshirō raised a fist, proud: "The old system of one country, one village is outdated. This is a new era. I will conquer the Land of Fire and create a brand-new nation."
Shikaku's eyes widened. Tōshirō's ambition exceeded expectations; Hokage alone was not enough—he sought the daimyo's position as well.
"Will you follow me to create new glory, or cling to outdated ways and enter the grave? Think carefully."
Tōshirō turned, leaving a shadowed back.
Shikaku lowered his head.
Before leaving, Tōshirō added casually: "Oh, by the way, I'll bring Orochimaru back to the village soon. Consider this advance notice to you, Jonin team leader."
"Orochimaru?"
Shikaku froze, shocked: "Wait, isn't Orochimaru a missing-nin?"
"So what? Cancel it."
"But…"
Tōshirō asserted: "No buts. Now, I am the Hokage."
Shikaku: …
End of Chapter)
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