"Four-Pillar House Technique, huh? What a great ninjutsu..."
In the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the scene in the crystal ball, sighing with emotion.
The people of Root were dead, but the base was still there. One day was enough for the Anbu to investigate thoroughly.
Secretly conducting human experiments, selling out ninjas in the village for Root's benefit, threatening and intimidating parents of talented children to forcefully recruit them into Root, and even assassinating envoys from other villages multiple times to incite war...
Of course, there were also things beneficial to Konoha, such as assassinating geniuses and radicals from other ninja villages, and erasing some small ninja villages or political organizations with development potential.
But this kind of thing was a matter of opinion. And compared to the evil Danzo did, this little achievement was really not worth mentioning.
Hiruzen had to admit that Minato was right.
The growth of Root indeed did more harm than good to Konoha.
He handed Root over to Danzo because he understood his own shortcomings and needed someone to take some tough measures for him.
But now it seemed that this guy used all his dirty tricks on his own people...
Although he held a slight grudge against Minato because of Danzo's death, he had to say that the other party was indeed an outstanding child.
Having kindness in his heart but not blindly naive, acting ruthlessly but not cruelly depraved.
Minato's help to the orphanage convinced him of this view even more.
Acting with rules and methods, advancing and retreating with evidence. If the rules are beneficial, use them; if the rules are unfavorable, jump out of them. Even without rules, he has the absolute power to make rules...
He couldn't be more satisfied with Minato.
This was his dream successor!
Looking at the figure in the crystal ball, Hiruzen suddenly laughed out loud. Although he was inferior to his teacher Tobirama in both strength and ability, at least in terms of vision, he was better than Tobirama.
However, it couldn't be ruled out that his teacher really had no choice...
Thinking of this, he suddenly couldn't laugh anymore.
Suddenly, a knock on the door sounded, and a cold and thin figure pushed the door open.
Orochimaru walked into the room. "Teacher Sarutobi, you were looking for me?"
"Yes, there are some things I want to discuss with you."
Hiruzen took a puff on his pipe. Danzo was dead, but it didn't mean there was no dirty work.
Hiruzen had a clear understanding of himself. He definitely couldn't do some things himself, but he could turn a blind eye.
Speaking of suitable candidates for this kind of work, the first person he thought of was his disciple Orochimaru. But when Orochimaru stood in front of him, he couldn't help but hesitate.
With his calm and composed personality, he could definitely take on this job.
But as his teacher, he could also faintly sense the dark qualities in him, worrying that he would go astray because of this.
After thinking about it, he decided to let Orochimaru choose for himself.
"Danzo died last night."
"Hehe... his death contributed more to Konoha than you, the Hokage, Teacher."
"Pfft... cough cough...!"
Hearing Orochimaru's hoarse words, Hiruzen choked on the smoke and coughed violently.
Sure enough, none of these three disciples gave him peace of mind!
"So you called me here to take over the mess he left behind, right?"
With a smile on the corner of his mouth, Orochimaru asked calmly.
"Ah, that's right."
Hiruzen took a deep breath, not knowing how to start for a moment.
To be honest, Orochimaru was originally his favorite successor for Hokage. As long as he didn't make mistakes, the future Hokage position was almost a certainty for him.
Hiruzen also knew clearly that although this disciple never said it, he must also be longing for the position of Hokage in his heart.
But Minato was just too outstanding!
That powerful talent was enough to suppress all doubts!
Orochimaru was already a genius seen once in decades, but even so, in front of Minato's terrifying talent, he seemed a bit eclipsed.
"Some things always need someone to do. You have this ability and this... aptitude."
Hiruzen said, pausing imperceptibly. "But before that, I want to hear your thoughts."
Orochimaru was silent for a moment, then suddenly chuckled. "Teacher, actually you don't have to be so cautious."
"Hm?"
Hiruzen was slightly stunned.
"Roots are roots. Being rooted underground forever is the best choice. That idiot Danzo didn't understand this truth, but I do."
Orochimaru said lightly, "Once I take over this job, it means I will have completely missed the position of Hokage. This is also what you are most worried about, right?"
"..."
Hiruzen fell into silence, not expecting Orochimaru to clarify this matter.
After a long time, he sighed. "That's why I wanted to hear your thoughts."
"My thoughts are not important. You should know best, Teacher."
Orochimaru spread his hands gently, his calm tone devoid of any unwillingness or resentment. "From the moment Minato Namikaze appeared, everyone in the village who wanted to compete for the position of Hokage lost the chance equally, didn't they?"
Hiruzen fell into silence again. Orochimaru looked at him and chuckled.
"Is Teacher feeling guilty?"
"I..."
Hiruzen paused. He indeed felt very sorry for Orochimaru.
Although he never said it explicitly, he was indeed cultivating him towards becoming Hokage.
If it were fair competition, he wouldn't feel guilty.
But the key was that Minato was internally decided!
And even if he didn't decide internally, the two advisors would fully support Minato. When his talent was completely revealed, the major families in the village, except the Uchiha, would definitely stand behind him one-sidedly.
"Sorry."
After a long time, Hiruzen spoke with a trace of guilt.
"Nothing to be sorry about. If I were in Teacher's position, I would make the same choice."
Orochimaru chuckled. "And from beginning to end, my ideal is to learn all the ninjutsu in the world. I do have a longing for the position of Hokage, but mostly because this position can better satisfy my ideal. But it has never been the only choice."
"Do you... really not mind?"
Hiruzen was shocked, and suddenly relaxed in his heart.
"Why should I mind? What happened last night can't be hidden from me..."
Orochimaru tilted his head slightly, with a playful smile on his face.
"I lost to Wood Style, lost to a double Bloodline Limit genius who killed Danzo at the age of five. It's not like Danzo, losing to a mediocrity like you. What is there for me to mind?"
"..."
Hiruzen's old face turned dark.
"And I am also very curious..."
The figure of a certain little blond boy flashed through his mind. Orochimaru had hidden expectations and a desire for a certain possibility in his heart.
Wood Style, Light Style, and all-round powerful talent...
"Exactly how far can that child go?"