"Konoha, February 6, 51st Year of the Shinobi United News Agency."
"Konoha's renowned ninja, one of the legendary Sannin, Orochimaru, has been officially declared a rogue ninja due to charges of conducting illegal human experiments and intentionally killing comrades!"
"Konoha's high-ranking officials, including the Hokage's advisor, Danzo Shimura, stated that no matter who it is, no matter how powerful their background or influence, anyone who threatens the overall interests of Konoha and betrays the village is an enemy of Konoha!!"
"Konoha will spare no effort, utilizing all resources and manpower to pursue such individuals to the end!"
"We will resolutely judge all enemies who dare to betray the village and its people!!"
"All those who betray the village and its people will be nailed to the pillar of shame in history!"
With the release of the latest issue of the "Shinobi United News," the news of Orochimaru's defection quickly spread across the world.
Along with it, Danzo's resolute vow to hunt down traitors also reached far and wide.
Even if he is one of the legendary Sannin, even if he has made great contributions to Konoha, even if he is the disciple of the previous Hokage, betrayal of the village means death without exception!
Danzo's actions undoubtedly demonstrated Konoha's determination and strength in dealing with rogue ninjas to the entire shinobi world.
Not only did it show Konoha's stance to other countries and villages, but it also served as a warning to those within the village who might consider betraying its interests—think twice before acting.
If even Orochimaru, one of the Sannin, could be condemned to death for betraying the village, others should consider whether they hold more importance than the Sannin!
It can be said that with the release of this news, Konoha became much quieter.
Certain scheming individuals, under such intense scrutiny, could only retreat back into the shadows.
As for the outside world, the news was equally shocking!
"As expected of the 'Darkness of the Shinobi,' Danzo, that old fool, really went all out," Ōnoki remarked while reading the newspaper.
From a conspiracy theory perspective, he even had good reason to believe that Danzo orchestrated this to suppress the Sarutobi Hiruzen faction.
But wasn't the cost a bit too high?
After all, Orochimaru was a Kage-level fighter!
However, this level of internal strife is somewhat of a tradition in Konoha.
The once-renowned White Fang of Konoha died by his own hand, didn't he?
Regardless, this was good news for Iwagakure, which desperately needed time to recover.
In Kumogakure, the Third Raikage, A, who had just finished his morning training, was thrilled when he saw the news.
"Indeed, that old fool Danzo is utterly reckless, utterly reckless!"
The Third Raikage wore an expression that said, "I knew this would happen."
"Konoha might be able to unite and cooperate during wartime, but once peace arrives, their internal factional struggles are enough to cripple them!"
Despite his rough appearance, the Third Raikage displayed unexpected insight into the political landscape of the shinobi world.
If Danzo had heard this analysis, he might have applauded.
Because in the original timeline, that's exactly what happened.
In fact, it was even worse!
After the Third Shinobi World War, not only did Orochimaru defect, but the newly appointed Hokage, Minato Namikaze, also perished alongside the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki during the Nine-Tails' attack.
And the one who orchestrated their deaths was none other than a Konoha ninja—Obito Uchiha.
Konoha lost two Kage-level fighters, Orochimaru and Minato, as well as a fully matured Nine-Tails Jinchūriki.
If that were the end of it, it might have been manageable, given Konoha's abundance of talent. Losing two Kage-level fighters wasn't the end of the world.
But then, the higher-ups, including Danzo, used the incident to pressure the Uchiha clan, causing a rift between the Uchiha and the village.
Later, they drove another Kage-level fighter, Shisui Uchiha, who had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, to his death.
They also forced another Mangekyō Sharingan user, Itachi Uchiha, to massacre Konoha's largest shinobi clan—the Uchiha.
In the process, they also killed another Mangekyō Sharingan user, Fugaku Uchiha.
Finally, Itachi Uchiha declared his defection.
When you tally it all up, this series of actions cost Konoha at least five Kage-level fighters.
And they lost an entire bloodline clan.
To say the Third Raikage's analysis was conservative would be an understatement!
In Sunagakure, Rasa, who was using his Magnet Release to extract gold from the mines, also smiled when he saw the news.
He felt a bit of regret, though—why didn't Orochimaru take Danzo down with him?
What a pity.
But his regret didn't last long.
After all, the entire Sunagakure was counting on him to provide for them.
After a brief moment of joy, he returned to using his Magnet Release to extract gold.
In Kirigakure, the news from the "Shinobi United News" didn't reach them.
Under the orders of the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi, the Land of Water had cut off all ties with the outside world.
Only a few ports established through agreements with Konoha allowed some information to flow in, or else Kirigakure would have become a true isolated island.
Even so, goods coming through these ports were strictly controlled by Kirigakure, significantly reducing the flow of commerce.
This left the Konoha clans who had invested in building the port towns deeply dissatisfied.
They had spent a fortune building ports and towns, only to have Kirigakure pull this stunt before they could even recoup their investments.
Meanwhile, the mastermind behind all this, Yagura Karatachi, sat like a puppet in the Mizukage's office.
In front of him, Obito Uchiha, wearing a mask, reached into his pocket and pulled out a small white snake.
"The time has come, Mr. Orochimaru."
As he spoke, a White Zetsu slowly emerged from the ground in front of him.
Most importantly, this White Zetsu had already been marked with Orochimaru's reincarnation seal.
Obito then placed the small white snake on the seal.
With a single hand seal, he activated the "Curse Mark Release" technique taught to him by Orochimaru.
As the seal turned red and began to spread, the small white snake's body rapidly expanded like a frenzied mass of unknown life.
From the growing mass of white cells, a giant white snake emerged.
As soon as the snake's menacing head appeared, it opened its mouth wide.
From within, a dripping wet Orochimaru emerged, successfully resurrecting himself using the reincarnation seal he had left behind.
"That old fool Danzo really has some tricks up his sleeve," Orochimaru said as he stood up, licking his lips with a tone full of caution.
If he hadn't left a reincarnation seal outside the village, he might have truly fallen into Danzo's hands.
Indeed, the reincarnation seal on the White Zetsu was just one of many Orochimaru had prepared.
Cunning and deceitful as he was, Orochimaru would never entrust his life to the masked man before him.
Even if the other party failed to keep their promise, he had enough backup plans to ensure his resurrection.
The only difference would be the quality of the resurrection.
"Truly impressive, Mr. Orochimaru. Your ability to survive is unmatched in the shinobi world," Obito Uchiha praised as he watched Orochimaru's rebirth.
However, Orochimaru remained unimpressed, casually remarking, "Compared to the pursuit of truth, this is but a trivial tool."
Seeing Orochimaru's indifferent and somewhat arrogant demeanor, Obito sneered inwardly.
Once his "Eye of the Moon Plan" succeeded, concepts like immortality and truth would all become part of an endless dream.
But Obito dared not voice these thoughts now.
"Now that Mr. Orochimaru has successfully resurrected, isn't it time to fulfill our agreement?" Obito asked, his Sharingan fixed on Orochimaru, ready to use genjutsu to control him if necessary.
Fortunately, Orochimaru had no intention of reneging on their deal. He nodded coldly and said, "Of course, as long as you can provide me with sufficient test subjects and funding, I am more than willing to cooperate."
This was the agreement Obito and Orochimaru had reached earlier:
Obito would help Orochimaru escape Konoha and provide him with the necessary resources, while Orochimaru would join the "Anti-Danzo Alliance" and serve as its chief scientist.
It was a mutually beneficial arrangement.
"In that case, welcome to the organization, Mr. Orochimaru," Obito said, extending his hand.
Orochimaru, with a faint smile, shook Obito's hand.
——————
Back in Konoha, in a local tavern, a tall, white-haired man was heavily intoxicated.
He was none other than Jiraiya, another member of the Sannin, known as the "Toad Sage"!
Upon hearing the news about Orochimaru, he had rushed back to the village.
After learning the full story, he drowned his sorrows in alcohol at the tavern.
Those around him could only watch from a distance, not daring to approach.
After all, with Orochimaru branded a rogue ninja, no one knew if Jiraiya and Tsunade, the other two Sannin, would be implicated.
The defection of a Hokage's disciple was a massive blow to Konoha.
And so, Jiraiya continued to drink, bottle after bottle.
Until a woman arrived.
Tsunade, still wearing her green haori with the large "Gamble" character on the back, looked at the drunken Jiraiya with impatience in her eyes.
"Come with me," she said coldly, patting Jiraiya on the shoulder.
Jiraiya looked up and, out of habit, flashed a lecherous grin.
"Tsunade, you're finally here! Sit down and have a drink with me..."
Before he could finish, Tsunade grabbed him by the collar.
"Jiraiya, cut the crap! Aren't you embarrassed enough for Konoha and our teacher?"
Tsunade's icy rebuke was like a bucket of cold water, sobering Jiraiya up.
He paused for a moment, then the alcohol seemed to evaporate from his system as his expression turned serious.
"I understand," he said, quickly straightening his clothes and taking a deep breath.
"Take me to see Minato and that old fool Danzo."
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