Seeing Orochimaru stand up, the Third Hokage cast an inquiring glance toward Danzo.
Orochimaru was currently a ninja under the Root's jurisdiction. Had he not discussed this stance with Danzo beforehand? Danzo sat with his eyes half-closed, thinking to himself that Hiruzen's disciples were becoming increasingly prone to insubordination.
Nawaki's death had left Orochimaru harboring a deep sense of guilt toward Tsunade. Seeing her so resolute, he decided to lend her his support.
"I've been rather busy lately and forgot to submit my Jonin recommendations," Orochimaru said smoothly. "It seems this list is quite controversial. Why not wait for me? We can re-evaluate the candidates once my recommendations are included."
Tsunade turned to look at him, confused as to why he was delaying the process or seemingly "helping" the Third.
Orochimaru had his own following. War was the most fertile ground for forging unbreakable bonds, and many had gained promotions or jutsu through him. He, too, needed a cadre of obedient subordinates to carry out his will.
Shikaku Nara looked at the Hokage. Seeing no objection, he announced: "In that case, we will wait for Orochimaru's list and the hospital's investigation report before re-evaluating the Jonin promotions."
The meeting ended abruptly, cut short by Orochimaru's sudden intervention.
...
On the streets outside the Hokage building, Orochimaru and Tsunade walked side-by-side. The surrounding Jonin tactfully gave them a wide berth.
"Orochimaru, why did you interfere? Why disrupt my plan? Why help the Old Man?"
"Heh," Orochimaru chuckled. "You think I was helping Sensei? I was helping you, Tsunade. Sakumo Hatake is soft, and the Uchiha carry original sin. What made you think an alliance with them would work?"
"Sakumo is soft? He's the 'White Fang' feared by the Sand! How is that soft?"
Orochimaru looked at her as if she were a simpleton idiot.
"Anyone can be ruthless toward an enemy. Being ruthless toward your own village—that is true strength. You don't understand Sensei or Danzo at all. You see Uncle Homura looking all mild and gentle? He has the lives of at least eight or ten Leaf ninja on his hands. Tsunade, how many Leaf ninja have you killed?"
"The Senju believe in inclusion and universal love. Sakumo believes in the bonds of comrades. The Uchiha believe in gaining strength through self-torture. Which of them is a match for Danzo? In this promotion cycle, would you dare kill five Sarutobi Special Jonin to force Sensei's hand? They wouldn't hesitate to use an 'accident' on a mission to kill your people. Would you dare retaliate in kind? Would you?"
Tsunade stood frozen, her eyes glazed, looking as vulnerable as a student who hadn't even graduated from the academy.
"Does it... does it have to be that cruel?"
Orochimaru sneered. "Look at your answer. Soft, like the body of a slug. If you lack the stomach for it, then stay quiet and gather your strength. The shadow of the Great Tree is darker than you can imagine. You either wait for this generation of leaders to die of old age, or you become more ruthless than they are. This 'alliance' of yours was a childish farce."
Tsunade felt the blood pounding in her temples, a splitting headache taking hold. 'Was Orochimaru right? Was she truly that ignorant of the village's darkness?'
...
Yagami was disappointed. The climax of the struggle had been cut short by Orochimaru, leaving him unsatisfied.
Back at the Tsuruzuki Tavern, he set up an Earth Tremor Barrier. Knowing the village's security layout perfectly, he confirmed there were no Hyuga nearby. After thirty minutes of careful scouting, he performed the Summoning Jutsu.
"Something big again?" Pakkun asked, appearing in a cloud of smoke.
"Extremely big," Yagami said. "Pakkun, the village just mandated that all Jonin—excluding ANBU—must serve as academy sensei within the next three years. Tell Lord Sakumo to keep an eye on a student named Minato Namikaze. He must, at all costs, take him as a disciple. The struggles in the council are temporary; for Sakumo, taking Minato as a student is far more important."
Pakkun was bewildered. A specific request for a specific student? It sounded absurd, which meant it was likely vital. He didn't ask questions and prepared to relay the message.
Late that night, Sakumo Hatake was equally surprised by the message. The following morning, he took Kakashi to the Ninja Academy.
"Lord White Fang! What brings you to the school?" a ninja greeted him. In the council, Sakumo was a lower-tier official, but to ordinary ninja, he was a legend.
"I'm just letting Kakashi get a feel for the atmosphere," Sakumo replied.
He quickly spotted his target: a boy with bright yellow hair. Minato Namikaze was sparring with an Uchiha student. The Uchiha were known for being precocious, their children often outclassing peers early on.
But Sakumo immediately noticed something unusual about Minato.
Calm. Too calm.
Whether it was a fist to the face or a kick to the knee, Minato's eyes tracked every movement. His pupils shifted with the Uchiha student's actions, taking in every detail. It was insight and reaction speed far beyond his years.
Sakumo's own swordsmanship was built on superior reaction time. Even with a simple kunai, he could be deadly. He was inwardly stunned; with this kind of talent, the boy could easily become an elite Jonin—perhaps even higher.
'No wonder Fox was so insistent.'
"Let's go, Kakashi. You'll enroll next year. Make sure you listen to your teachers then."
...
The next morning at the ANBU base, Purple Cat submitted a report. Yagami opened the scroll to find it was regarding the Jinchuriki surveillance.
All suspicious individuals around Kushina Uzumaki were monitored. Her friends—Minato Namikaze, Mikoto Uchiha, and Sho Senju—had high surveillance priorities.
Last night, Yak Team had been on duty. They noted that Minato had stayed late at a training ground and "coincidentally" encountered a father and son. Sakumo had begun teaching Kakashi the basics of kunai and shuriken throwing, and the three had met.
"Purple Cat," Yagami said, his voice steady. "Give this report to Butterfly. Tell them I will handle the follow-up surveillance personally. This involves Sakumo Hatake; other squad leaders might be spotted. Only I can complete this mission undetected."
"Understood, Captain."s