Traveling through three generations: Making Konoha great again!

Above the Hokage Rock.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Orochimaru sat cross-legged on the grass, their postures relaxed.

"Orochimaru, what is your dream?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked.

"Let us master all the ninjutsu in the world, so that life will no longer be fragile..." After their heart-to-heart talk, Orochimaru did not intend to say any high-sounding words.

But after a pause, he said seriously, "Gaining the approval of the teacher and the whole village, and becoming the rightful Fourth Hokage, is also one of them."

"You're a lot like me back then, Orochimaru..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled and shook his head: "When I was young, I also thought I could master all ninjutsu and become the strongest Hokage. I was even called something like 'Professor of Ninjutsu'..."

"Later I realized that I was just an ordinary person, and I was exhausted just maintaining the village."

"If it weren't for that chance dream of Tobirama-sama's guidance, which instilled in me the spirit of 'no destruction, no construction,' perhaps things would be different now..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi then changed the subject, his tone becoming wistful:

"But you and I are different, Orochimaru..."

"You're young and more talented than me. Seeing you is like seeing a better version of myself..."

Orochimaru was filled with mixed emotions.

On the one hand, the teacher's recognition and praise made him very happy.

On the other hand, he always felt that the teacher was being far too modest…

Given his current state of daily practice and vigorous progress, is my talent really better than my teacher's?

Forty years old is considered old age for an ordinary ninja.

But for Hiruzen Sarutobi, it might just be the age to strive and fight...

"That's not necessary, teacher."

Orochimaru couldn't help but say, "You...you're different from ordinary ninjas!"

"Perhaps, but a person's life is not only about talent."

Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed, "The historical context and the situation in the ninja world would have had a huge impact. If Lord Tobirama had returned from the battlefield back then, I might indeed be a different person..."

"But he gave his life for the village and for me, so whatever I do is what I should do."

Orochimaru nodded.

Taking on the responsibility of Hokage at a young age must have been an immense burden.

Self-improvement requires leisure time.

If the pressure of work has already overwhelmed a person, where would they find the time to do anything else?

"But you're different; you're better than me."

"You have me as your teacher to support you."

Orochimaru's pupils dilated, and he felt as if a fire had been poured into his heart.

The teacher's words were...

Even cold-blooded animals like snakes find it hard not to feel warm.

"I have only one requirement for you: before you do anything, remember that you are a Konoha ninja, someone who grew up bathed in the Will of Fire of your predecessors."

"Even when faced with irresistible temptations, you must restrain your desires and not let them cloud your judgment."

"Desire makes people impatient, but if you calm down and look at things, there are many ways to solve problems." Hiruzen Sarutobi gazed at the sky:

"Going slower might be more solid, and it won't hurt your loved ones or make you regret it."

Orochimaru seemed to be deep in thought.

He understood the implication in Hiruzen Sarutobi's words.

The resurrection technique, combined with technological limitations, allows the target of the spell to be essentially another person.

But technology is not static.

From the Sengoku period to the Kunimura period, over several decades, ninjutsu and bioengineering developed rapidly, with various forbidden techniques emerging one after another…

Perhaps one day, the technological barriers will be broken.

On that day, even if Orochimaru took a fancy to the talent of a Konoha ninja, it wouldn't be difficult for him to openly obtain the material from that person.

Let's not even talk about the fact that there hasn't been a genius who has captured Orochimaru's heart like this yet...

Even if it exists.

Just like Tobirama Senju covering the rear, it made Hiruzen Sarutobi resolutely take on the responsibility of the village.

Isn't his teacher's care for him over the years, his support and recognition now enough to earn his restraint?

Moreover, taking a step back and analyzing it solely from the perspective of interests...

Thanks to the village's resources, his research was able to proceed more effectively...

Moreover, for Orochimaru at present, the Reanimation Jutsu is merely a trump card leading to pseudo-immortality.

As a genius, what I want to do is to complete myself; to "possess" others is always a subordinate replacement...

In a sense, that means self-denial.

"Teacher, I will always remember that I am a Konoha ninja." Orochimaru didn't make any cruel vows, but his tone was extremely serious.

"Okay, that's good." Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded.

Conversations and promises between men can sometimes be so simple and unadorned, yet they carry immense weight.

"Who knows, one day you might become an immortal being, just like the White Snake Sage of Ryuchi Cave..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi lit a cigarette, looking relieved, and even cracked a joke:

"By then, you won't need to be Hokage anymore. Just remember to find a few more contractors in Konoha."

Looking at Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression, Orochimaru felt a tightness in his chest.

It's like an ordinary old father fantasizing that his son, after graduating from the Jonin Academy, will become a Jonin or even Hokage, reaching a peak that he himself could never achieve.

"When that time comes, I will write a plaque that says, 'Hiruzen Sarutobi, the great Third Hokage will always be my teacher...'" Orochimaru cheered himself up and started teasing each other.

But he sighed inwardly.

If a teacher has the resources and luck, he might achieve extraordinary success, and these fantasies are not necessarily impossible for him to realize.

These words, of course, are filtered through a lens.

But that's really what Hiruzen Sarutobi thought.

He's different from others...

The effort he put into making Konoha strong was not wasted; instead, it transformed into his talent.

Getting stronger step by step and realizing the increased potential is what Hiruzen Sarutobi has always been doing.

Although it may not be obvious at the moment, quantitative change leads to qualitative change...

He has enough patience and perseverance.

He just wouldn't tell anyone about this.

"This technique still needs to be reported. The title will be attached to me, as if we're developing it together."

Hiruzen Sarutobi said slowly, "My credit is still good, and no one will think too much about it."

To research and improve surgical techniques, resources will inevitably need to be mobilized.

Things are progressing so smoothly that it would be unreasonable to stop Orochimaru from continuing his research.

However, resources are attracting attention from all sides.

Characters like Orochimaru's rival Danzo Shimura, the unaffiliated Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, and even his colleague Hiruko…

Without an official title, conducting private experiments could have serious consequences if exposed.

This could become a media storm capable of destroying Orochimaru's reputation...

But it's different when it's under the Hokage's name.

The stereotypes surrounding Hiruzen Sarutobi are that he's a nice guy, a dove, and a steady person.

If it's registered under his name, it can be classified with the highest level of security, and no one will question it.

This is a way to protect Orochimaru.

It will not have any impact on Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Teacher, there's no need for that. I've already assured you..."

Orochimaru frowned: "I wouldn't say I would never use this technique, but the possibility is close to zero, unless I never make any breakthroughs by the time I die."

"Anyone who dares to throw dirty water on me, I'll fight them!"

The teacher really thought too much about him...

Even Orochimaru felt somewhat ashamed.

Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly said, "Some say that Danzo Shimura was there to bear the dark side of me..."

"That might make sense, but I have more to bear than that."

"You may understand later, or you may not, but it doesn't really matter."

"They're all the same."

Orochimaru listened, somewhat puzzled.

But Hiruzen Sarutobi simply waved his hand, brushing the topic aside.

#

A few days later.

Hokage Building.

Danzo Shimura brought with him crucial intelligence.

The final piece of the puzzle for the resurrected adult.

Information about Kakuzu, the holder of the Earth Grudge Fear!