Shindai wanted to find out whether Orochimaru currently had any aspirations of becoming Hokage.
Yet Orochimaru threw the question right back at Shindai.
"Many people assume I'll become the next Hokage. What do you think?"
After carefully choosing his words internally, Shindai replied, "I also believe it's very likely that Orochimaru-sama will become the next Hokage. However, I feel that Orochimaru-sama is not suited to be Hokage."
Inside, Shindai kept repeating 'why' over and over again...
As he had hoped, Orochimaru asked, "Why do you say that?"
Suddenly feeling energized again, Shindai explained to Orochimaru, "You see, someone like us isn't really cut out for being Hokage. Think about it, Orochimaru-sama—becoming Hokage requires strong personal charisma. Of course, I'm not saying you don't have charm. If I were a girl, I'd marry you in an instant.
You belong to the reserved type, and many girls who admire you describe you as Disciplined Darkly Charming.
But being Hokage doesn't allow for reserve. You need to maintain smiles constantly, giving everyone a sense of approachability, providing villagers with feelings of safety. Keeping a smile all day long? Just thinking about it makes me shudder.
And that's not even the worst part. The endless administrative tasks are what really matter. Have you seen the current Hokage's hairline? It has receded so badly. A fifty-year-old would look like an old fart if his hair weren't still black.
With endless work piling up, we wouldn't be able to focus on our research properly. Inspiration is extremely important for people like us. Sometimes inspiration suddenly strikes, but if these duties hold you down, the inspiration disappears, and it might take days to recover.
As for myself, even if they begged me to become Hokage, I wouldn't accept. It may look glorious on the surface, but it's actually exhausting. It's simply hard work. I believe Orochimaru-sama must share my opinion, right?"
Orochimaru looked at Shindai with an odd expression and said, "It seems no one's particularly eager to ask you to be Hokage either."
Shindai gave Orochimaru a reproachful look, "Orochimaru-sama, I was just making a point. Did you really have to spoil my example like that?"
Orochimaru waved a hand toward Shindai, "Enough. You may go rest now."
Shindai gave Orochimaru a puzzled look, "Huh? Can I leave already?"
Orochimaru nodded, "Yes. You may leave."
Shindai stood there hesitating briefly before finally asking curiously, "Orochimaru-sama won't share your own thoughts? I've finished speaking. Won't you tell me something too?"
Shindai really wanted to know what Orochimaru was thinking now.
Orochimaru's face remained expressionless as he told Shindai, "There's nothing much to say. If you still have energy left, you can keep watch with the other ninjas tonight."
"I'm tired. I'll head off first. See you tomorrow, Orochimaru-sama!"
Shindai ran swiftly, fearing even a slight delay would get him caught by Orochimaru for night watch duty.
Shindai left the tent where Orochimaru was.
Orochimaru sat staring blankly at the flickering candlelight inside the tent, its wavering glow casting shifting shadows across his face.
At this moment, Orochimaru's mood was equally unstable.
His parents died when he was very young. At six years old, after graduating from the Ninja Academy, Orochimaru was assigned to a class led by Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Hiruzen treated him exceptionally well, practically raising him as his own son.
Orochimaru felt deep gratitude toward Hiruzen. To him, Hiruzen had been like a father figure.
But Orochimaru knew his own nature—he leaned toward negativity and self-centeredness. Because he feared for his teammates' safety and doubted their strength, he preferred to handle everything on his own.
During the Second Great Ninja War, his apprentice Nawaki accidentally stepped into an Explosive Tag trap and was killed in the blast.
When Nawaki died, Orochimaru was right behind him. He didn't have time to save his apprentice and could only watch helplessly as he passed away.
This incident made Orochimaru experience the fragility of life for the first time.
Later, Tsunade's lover Dan Kato suffered critical injuries. Even Tsunade, despite her exceptional Medical Ninjutsu skills, couldn't save Dan. She could only watch him die—and developed hemophobia as a result.
The ruthless killing among ninja during the war made Orochimaru increasingly believe that life was as fragile as glass—easily shattered.
Orochimaru wanted to master all techniques in the world to uncover the truth.
However, one's lifetime is limited, and death can come at any moment.
Earlier, Orochimaru had secretly infiltrated Konoha's forbidden technique archives and read countless jutsu scrolls. Among them, what fascinated him most was the [Impure World Reincarnation] technique invented by Tobirama Senju.
[Impure World Reincarnation] could summon the souls of deceased ninja back to the human world and resurrect them in physical form.
Because of this technique, Orochimaru began entertaining thoughts of immortality.
He believed that as long as he continued living, he could keep mastering every single jutsu.
Currently, the only person in Konoha who supported his research was Danzo.
Danzo provided all the resources and support Orochimaru needed for his studies.
Orochimaru clearly understood Danzo's intentions—it was simply about acquiring the results of his research.
Earlier, while in the Hokage's office, when Hiruzen spoke those words, it meant he had already begun to suspect what Orochimaru was doing—in other words, there was now a risk of exposure.
If exposed, he would inevitably have to leave Konoha.
If possible, Orochimaru naturally preferred not to leave Konoha, since everything meaningful to him existed within Konoha.
Orochimaru thought it was pretty accurate when Shindai called him a solitary and single-minded pursuer of truth.
He only wanted to seek the truth, no matter what methods he had to use.
"Tch, didn't think a kid like you could see through me so easily. Would my research really get support if I stuck to ethical limits?"
As for the Hokage? Orochimaru didn't really have any interest in it right now. Just like Shindai said, being Hokage was nothing but trouble—it would just interfere with his research.
If he ever did want the Hokage title, it would mean he needed that power to keep doing his research.
Orochimaru wasn't that far gone yet, so he began seriously thinking—could Shindai's idea, that scientific progress and ethics could help each other, actually work?
If he could get Sarutobi-sensei's support for his research, then even if the process became a little complicated, it wouldn't really matter.
The candle on the table flickered and flared, casting full light on Orochimaru's face.
"Sigh… I'll talk to Sarutobi-sensei first once I get back to Konoha. If we come to an understanding, I'll leave Root. If not, I'll still have to rely on Danzo for research support."
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