Under normal circumstances, Danzo would've been eager to get involved in this. But right now, his mind was preoccupied with the missing chakra metal.
"You're suggesting you go yourself?" Hiruzen asked, assuming Danzo was volunteering to handle the matter personally.
"???"
I'm just giving my opinion! Who said anything about me going?
Danzo was stunned for a moment, realizing that the Hokage was trying to pin this on him. He quickly shook his head. "My health has only recently stabilized. I'm in no condition to make such a long journey. I won't be able to negotiate with Hanzo myself."
Danzo was clearly trying to bow out.
Even though Tsunade had confirmed that he was mostly fine aside from some reduced mobility, he was adamant about not getting involved.
With Danzo refusing, there was no way Koharu or Homura would volunteer to leave the village.
Hiruzen felt a headache coming on.
Maybe...
"Hehehe..."
Before the Hokage could finish his thought, Orochimaru, who had been watching the whole exchange, let out a quiet laugh.
"I refuse."
After earning the title of one of the Three Legendary Sannin, Orochimaru had no desire to ever see Hanzo again.
Unless he became strong enough to kill Hanzo, he didn't want anything to do with the man.
Besides, he still hadn't fully figured out the details of his current mission. Now Hiruzen wanted to dump this mess on him?
No way. This was a thankless job, and anyone who took it on would be a fool.
"Orochimaru, what are you laughing at?" Hiruzen asked, narrowing his eyes.
Feeling somewhat offended, Koharu Utatane said with displeasure, "Are you saying, as a member of Konoha, you're unwilling to serve the village?"
Great. Now it's escalated to the point of being about the village's interests.
Unfortunately for her, that didn't intimidate Orochimaru in the slightest.
With an unchanged smile on his face, he replied lightly, "Of course, I'm willing to serve the village. But I currently have other tasks to handle, so I can't get involved in this matter. Since we're all working for the good of the village, I'm sure you elders wouldn't mind taking a trip yourselves, right?"
"After all, negotiating with someone like Hanzo requires people of equal standing."
"Orochimaru, what are you implying?" Koharu felt more offended, realizing Orochimaru was suggesting she didn't have the courage to negotiate with Hanzo.
"Exactly what I said." Orochimaru gave her a smile and stood up, heading for the exit.
"Old man, don't even think about dumping this on me. Go ask Jiraiya. I need to prepare for my mission in the Land of Lightning."
"Mm." The Third Hokage nodded, not pressing Orochimaru any further. Since he wasn't willing to go, they would focus on his mission in the Land of Lightning instead. The situation with the Hidden Rain Village and the Land of Iron didn't need his involvement.