The Hidden Mist Blacksmith, forging the glory of the Ninja Sword Style!

"The fate of Konoha has now become critical."

"If we don't find a way to break this deadlock, it's very likely that Konoha will become the first major ninja village to perish."

"Konoha will be removed from the ninja world."

"All of us ninjas will be displaced and become wandering ninjas."

"The villagers had nowhere to go."

"Leaving aside the deaths and injuries, how can we face the Second Generation Lord and the First Generation Lord once we arrive in the Spirit Realm?"

"I've been thinking about it."

"If I were already dead, and Konoha were to suffer such a calamity, I wouldn't mind if Konoha's descendants resurrected me through Edo Tensei to fight for Konoha. Even if I die, I would still want to protect Konoha."

"I will not abandon the village for the sake of my own soul's rest."

"That would be too selfish."

"Xiaochun, Yan, where are you?"

Danzo looked at the two of them.

Mitokado En and Utatane Koharu exchanged a glance.

“Of course we are willing.”

Danzo has even resorted to moral blackmail.

To refuse means one doesn't love Konoha enough and is too selfish.

Mitokado Hō and Utatane Koharu could only answer "yes".

Moreover, neither of them is dead.

The ones who were to be resurrected using the Impure World Reincarnation technique were the First Hokage and the Second Hokage.

"Jiraiya, what about you?"

Danzo then looked at Jiraiya.

"After Jiraiya's death, do you still have Konoha in your heart? Are you still willing to fight to protect Konoha? Or do you have the ability to protect Konoha, but would rather watch Konoha be defeated?"

Jiraiya had just come to his senses.

"I"

Jiraiya also wanted to say that the Impure World Reincarnation technique was wrong.

However, given Danzo's numerous preconditions, Jiraiya was unable to utter those words.

"I am willing to give everything for Konoha."

Jiraiya did not give a direct answer, but instead said something like this.

However, in this context and atmosphere, Danzo could directly take Jiraiya's answer as a yes.

Hiruzen, what about you?

Danzo's gaze returned to Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"What if you were already dead?"

"Konoha has suffered a great calamity."

"The younger generation of Konoha, Shinnosuke, Asuma, and Kakashi are all facing life-threatening situations. Are you willing to break the slumber of your soul to protect them?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi fell silent.

When Orochimaru proposed the Impure World Reincarnation technique, Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately opposed it.

However, Danzo has now changed his story.

Then things changed.

It is no longer about toying with the souls of the dead.

Rather, it is the soul of the deceased who, seeing the plight of their descendants, could not bear it and thus sacrificed itself into a deep slumber.

The meaning of a thing can be completely changed by saying it in a different way.

"Orochimaru, how much do you know about the Impure World Reincarnation technique?"

After a long while, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Orochimaru.

Orochimaru raised an eyebrow slightly.

"Not much. All I know is that this ninjutsu uses a method similar to spirit summoning to bring the soul of the dead back from the spirit world. I don't know the specific details."

"If you want me to study this ninjutsu, you must give me all of the Second Hokage's research data."

"Otherwise, it would take a considerable amount of time, and I can't even guarantee success."

Orochimaru said.

Hiruzen Sarutobi remained silent for a while.

"Orochimaru, if you want to use the Impure World Reincarnation technique, you must agree to a few conditions."

"What conditions?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi was listed one by one.

"First, respect the will of the deceased. If the deceased does not wish to be reborn through the impure world, then immediately dispel the restrictions."

Second, the deceased must not be forcibly controlled.

"Third, Orochimaru, you will serve as the Fifth Hokage of Konoha."

The first two points were within Orochimaru's expectations.

Orochimaru understood Hiruzen Sarutobi.

However, Orochimaru did not expect that Hiruzen Sarutobi's third condition would be for him to succeed as Hokage.

Orochimaru couldn't help but show a surprised expression.

"Sarutobi-sensei, what did you say?"

Not only Orochimaru, but also Danzo, Mitokado Homura, Utatane Koharu, and Jiraiya all showed expressions of surprise.

No one expected Hiruzen Sarutobi to make such a decision.

Everyone thought that Hiruzen Sarutobi was definitely going to take over the position of Hokage himself.

Orochimaru didn't have the chance to succeed as Hokage before.

The same is true now.

Sarutobi Hiruzen said.

"I am indeed getting old and my strength is failing me. Otherwise, I would not have stepped down from the position of Hokage. Due to the special circumstances, I will be acting as Hokage for a few days."

"However, with my current energy, I no longer have the energy to continue serving as Hokage."

"Orochimaru, you will be appointed as the Hokage."

"Because of the special circumstances, there will be no grand succession ceremony. Everything will be kept simple. However, once you succeed as Hokage, you will have all the rights of the Hokage."

"If you think there are no problems, I will convene a meeting of the village's senior management tonight."

Orochimaru still found it hard to believe.

I worked so hard before, but I still couldn't beat Minato Namikaze.

No, it's not that they don't even have the opportunity to compete fairly.

Orochimaru believed that the position of Hokage was no longer within his reach.

But unexpectedly, they've come to us of their own accord.

Orochimaru's feelings were quite complicated at that moment.

However, after thinking about it for a while, Orochimaru understood.

In other words, after some thought, Hiruzen Sarutobi also felt that apart from the Impure World Reincarnation technique, there was no other way to save Konoha; it was the only solution.

The situation in Konoha is terrible.

Hiruzen Sarutobi did not want to bear the responsibility of using the Impure World Reincarnation technique.

That's why he wanted to succeed as Hokage.

I will take responsibility for this myself.

Orochimaru glanced at Hiruzen Sarutobi and thought to himself.

Sarutobi-sensei, you really are something else. When things are going well, you never think of me, but when things get bad, you're willing to give me the Hokage position. This preferential treatment is just too obvious.

But I want the Hokage position.

Orochimaru knew that the current Hokage position was not a good thing; it was actually a hot potato.

However, succeeding as Hokage was an idea Orochimaru had considered before.

In addition, it would be legitimate to study Tobirama Senju's secret techniques and forbidden arts.

They can also obtain resources from the village.

This is absolutely wonderful.

"Sarutobi-sensei, I do."

Orochimaru nodded emphatically.

"I'll pass the word down now, the meeting is adjourned."

Everyone left one after another.

Jiraiya seemed still immersed in the events surrounding Minato Namikaze and the Nine-Tails' rampage, and didn't seem to care much about the new Hokage. He appeared somewhat lost and dejected.

Long ago, Jiraiya heard Gamamaru speak of a prophecy about the Chosen One.

Jiraiya thought it would be Minato Namikaze.

A genius who emerged from among ordinary ninjas.

Sunny and positive personality.