Shindai encountered Kushina Uzumaki. After giving Shindai a glance and greeting him, Kushina's eyes moved toward Pakura, who was standing behind him.
Kushina's eyes lit up with excitement as she asked, "Eh... so you're Pakura?"
Pakura hesitated slightly. "How do you know me?"
Smiling brightly, Kushina replied, "Shindai told me about you. You're his only friend from Sunagakure. With your distinctive hair color—half hazel, half green—it wasn't hard to recognize you. Wow, Shindai, you come back from a trip and bring someone straight to Konoha! But... aren't things pretty tense between Sunagakure and Konoha right now? Is it okay bringing Pakura here?"
Shindai explained, "Pakura won't be returning to Sunagakure anymore. From now on, she'll be a citizen of Konoha—and she'll be living at my house."
"I see."
Kushina noticed the bandages wrapped around Pakura's body, with faint red stains showing through them—evidence of her injuries.
Therefore, Kushina guessed that Pakura had likely left Sunagakure for some reason and followed Shindai back to Konoha.
Worried that asking further might upset Pakura—who likely made such a decision because something unpleasant happened—Kushina wisely chose not to inquire further.
"And this little one is..." Kushina turned her attention toward Kabuto Yakushi.
"This?" Shindai introduced, "Ah, he's my new little brother, Kabuto Yakushi."
Kabuto nervously greeted, "Y-you too."
Raising an eyebrow, Kushina teased, "Well look at you—already taking in a little brother!"
Shindai urged, "It's getting late. Quickly grab some money and come with us, Sister Kushina!"
"Eh? Money? Why would I need that?" Kushina asked, puzzled.
Pulling both Pakura and Kabuto in front of him, Shindai said, "Pakura's visiting Konoha for the first time, plus there's my very first little brother! Don't you want to celebrate? I've already decided—we're having barbecue. Hurry up! I've been craving it for ages!"
Pakura, who lacked Shindai's boldness, lowered her head, her cheeks turning slightly red.
So embarrassing!
Kabuto stared at Shindai, surprised. "Wait, weren't you the one treating me?"
Shindai answered, "Exactly! But since Sister Kushina treated me, and I'm taking you, isn't that basically me treating you?"
Kabuto struggled to follow Shindai's twisted logic.
No matter how hard he thought about it, it still seemed like this was actually Kushina treating them.
Suddenly, he started to regret ever agreeing to become Shindai's little brother.
Under Shindai's urging, Kushina grumbled under her breath and stomped into the room to get some money before reluctantly trailing after Shindai and the others.
...
Meanwhile, deep inside the Root headquarters,
Orochimaru entered Danzo's office.
Danzo said to Orochimaru, "From what I heard from Hiruzen earlier, it seems he intends to choose a successor to become The Fourth Hokage once this war concludes. Orochimaru, I plan to recommend you for the position of Hokage. As for Hiruzen, he will likely recommend Jiraiya. Compared to Jiraiya, your chances are higher.
As long as you win and become The Fourth Hokage, you won't need to worry about handling the village administration—I'll take care of everything for you, so you can continue your research undisturbed."
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes slightly and replied, "After supporting my rise to power, are you planning to strengthen your own authority? Don't worry, Jiraiya won't become Hokage. Sarutobi-sensei doesn't intend to choose Jiraiya either."
For Danzo, the fact that Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't plan to choose Jiraiya as Hokage was definitely good news.
Because it meant Orochimaru would have no rival.
Delighted, Danzo eagerly confirmed with Orochimaru, "So does that mean Hiruzen has already spoken to you about succeeding him as Hokage? That's fantastic news! With both my support and his recommendation, your position as Hokage would be set in stone!"
Orochimaru answered, "Sarutobi-sensei indeed just talked to me about this matter, but not to appoint me as Hokage. Frankly, I'm not interested in becoming Hokage either. The reason I came here today is to resign from Root—I want to join Sarutobi-sensei's Anbu."
Danzo froze. This news was too sudden for him to process immediately.
After letting it sink in, Danzo suddenly slammed the table and stood up, glaring at Orochimaru fiercely as he questioned, "Are you planning to betray me?!"
Orochimaru calmly replied, "Betrayal? It hardly qualifies as betrayal, would it? Root was always a specialized branch of Anbu, so there's nothing improper about my direct transfer into Anbu. Moreover, I've never been loyal to you—we were simply in a cooperative relationship."
Enraged, Danzo said, "Orochimaru, right now you and I are on the same boat! If you follow Hiruzen, do you think he will support your research like I have?"
Orochimaru remained expressionless as he replied, "It's true that Sarutobi-sensei won't support my research without limits the way you have. However, each choice has its pros and cons. Although your support allows me to conduct unrestricted research, you're unable to provide me with a suitable research environment. Plus, if my research ever gets exposed, I'll have to go on the run again.
On the other hand, Sarutobi-sensei can provide me with that kind of environment—if I agree to certain restrictions, I can conduct my research in peace. After carefully weighing the pros and cons, I chose Sarutobi-sensei."
Danzo's face darkened ominously, "So you're saying you've already discussed this with Hiruzen?"
Orochimaru admitted plainly, "That's right. Sarutobi-sensei supports my decision, so there's no longer any reason for me to remain in Root or continue cooperating with you."
Danzo was so enraged that the veins on his neck and forehead throbbed furiously.
Orochimaru was the strongest contender for the title of the Fourth Hokage, and more importantly, he had never truly valued the power that came with the position.
Once Orochimaru became Hokage, his authority would reach its peak.
Then, create an opportunity for Orochimaru to step down, allowing him to smoothly ascend as the Fifth Hokage. Everything would make perfect sense.
He had always believed he was deeply aligned with Orochimaru, but at this critical moment, Orochimaru actually betrayed him.
Danzo threatened Orochimaru, growling, "I know far more about you than you think! Don't you dare forget that!"
Orochimaru smirked, "And what of it? Now that I've already come to terms with Sarutobi-sensei, none of that will have any effect on me. On the contrary, Danzo, don't forget—I also know plenty about you."
Danzo clenched his teeth in fury, but Orochimaru ignored him and continued, "I've already told you—have someone erase my records in Root. Oh, and one more thing: don't touch Nonou Yakushi. That's what Sarutobi-sensei asked me to pass along to you."
With that final remark, Orochimaru turned and walked out of Root.
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