Only I can make Konoha Village great again.

"Earth Release: Rising Earth Digging!"

The collapsed ruins rose and fell under the influence of ninjutsu, the building rubble was completely lifted up, and the bodies buried underneath were exposed.

Yamanaka Chujiu stepped forward, dragged the body out, and after a quick wash using water-style ninjutsu, confirmed the deceased's identity.

If the deceased had relatives, the body would be returned to them on the ninth day of the month.

If the deceased has no relatives, the body should be sealed in a roll of paper on the ninth day of the month; this is useful.

Besides the corpses, valuable items such as furniture, food, and intact clothing found under the ruins should also be salvaged.

It was supposedly intended to help families in need, but where it actually went, only God knows.

As for precious metals such as gold and silver, as well as cash and banknotes, they were divided up by the ninjas present.

We can't work on an empty stomach.

Once the ruins are confirmed to be cleared, the ninjas will use earth-style ninjutsu again to bury the ruins deep underground and completely level the ground.

After carefully collecting his share of money and a small bag of gold, Shan Zhongchujiu shouldered the huge sealed scroll and followed his companions to the next ruin.

Another group of ninjas arrived, bringing bricks, stones, and timber, and began rebuilding the house according to the design blueprints.

Throughout the entire village of Konoha, there are scenes of post-disaster reconstruction work everywhere.

However, in some remote locations, the work was handed over to inefficient villagers.

Today is the fifth day after the Nine-Tails attacked the village. Konoha Village is no longer a scene of devastation, but an atmosphere of grief still lingers in the air.

The respected Fourth Hokage has sacrificed himself.

The wives of the Third and Fourth Hokage sacrificed themselves.

Thousands of Konoha ninjas were killed.

Tens of thousands of Konoha villagers were buried in the ruins, becoming a silent figure of loss in this war.

But no matter what, life goes on.

The work continued until nightfall. Exhausted ninjas and villagers stopped working; those with homes went home, and those without went to temporary shelters.

Carrying a huge scroll, Yamanaka Chujiu silently entered the secret door, walked down the dimly lit passage, and finally entered a spacious and bright laboratory.

Standing in the center of the laboratory was a ninja with a sinister aura, fair skin, and long flowing hair—Orochimaru, one of the Legendary Sannin of Konoha.

After the sacrifice of the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, this ninja who competed with Minato for the Fourth Hokage position is currently the most popular and promising candidate to become the Fifth Hokage in Konoha.

Yamanaka Chukyu knew that Orochimaru would fail.

Because the Third Hokage will be reinstated.

Orochimaru smiled when he saw Chu Jiu: "Chu Jiu-kun, how many corpses are there this time?"

Chu Jiu patted the huge scroll: "A full one hundred fresh corpses."

Orochimaru habitually stuck out his tongue and licked his cheek: "Alright, that's enough for the ten thousand daimyo to have a good meal."

Chu Jiu grinned and said, "Lord Orochimaru, you're becoming more and more inhuman."

Orochimaru glared at Chu Jiu with his snake-like eyes, as if to say: What nonsense are you spouting?

Yamanaka Chuku seemed oblivious to Orochimaru's stare and calmly said, "I suggest you stockpile as many as you can now. The village will be cleaned up soon, and it won't be so easy to get so many fresh corpses again."

Orochimaru chuckled: "I trust you. Go ahead and do it, but I won't pay in advance."

Yamanaka Chukyu clicked his tongue and changed the subject, saying, "Lord Orochimaru, do you think you're going to become the Fifth Hokage?"

Orochimaru was still smiling: "Oh, is there a problem?"

Chu Jiu said, "Specific information will cost extra."

Orochimaru nodded: "If the information is valuable, we can offer more money."

Yamanaka Chukyu stated directly, "The intelligence is that the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, is considering returning to the Hokage position."

Orochimaru was momentarily stunned, then looked at Chu Jiu and said, enunciating each word clearly, "The abdicated Sarutobi-sensei has been reinstated as Hokage? Chu Jiu-kun, are you kidding me?"

Chu Jiu believed that Orochimaru was only unable to accept it emotionally, and that he would be able to eliminate the emotional factor in a day or two and fully understand it.

But after a day or two, Orochimaru's emotions will calm down, and paying won't be so easy anymore.

To protect his wallet, he patiently explained:

"During the reign of the Fourth Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, as the Hokage's assistant, was in charge of the Mission Department, Intelligence Department, Sealing Team, Barrier Team, and most importantly, the Anbu."

"That's the Anbu! Even the Anbu directly under the Hokage can't control it. The Fourth Hokage is just a puppet!"

"Hiruzen Sarutobi said he stepped down, but nothing changed. He has always been the true Hokage."

"Lord Orochimaru, which do you think Hiruzen Sarutobi would rather endure: being ridiculed or losing power?"

Orochimaru's smile vanished completely.

Yes, when the Fourth Hokage was alive, Hiruzen Sarutobi was able to openly usurp the Fourth Hokage's power and wield all authority.

Now that the Fourth Hokage has sacrificed himself, Hiruzen Sarutobi was able to let go of his obsession with power, allowing Orochimaru to take over and wield the power of Hokage...

Impossible!

Orochimaru's expression grew increasingly serious, and then he suddenly laughed again.

"You're right, Sarutobi-sensei is no longer the 'Ninja Hero' who looked down on the ninja world."

"But it doesn't matter. I, Orochimaru, will not be used as a puppet by anyone, not even my teacher."

Yamanaka Chukyu asked, "Lord Orochimaru, if Hiruzen Sarutobi doesn't relinquish power, will you give up your position as the Fifth Hokage?"

Orochimaru remained silent for a moment: "I won't fight, but I won't give up."

"I'll leave everything to Sarutobi-sensei's decision. I also want to see if our master-disciple relationship has come to an end..."

Shan Zhongchu Jiu shook his head and sighed, "As expected, when it comes to power, there's no room for emotion..."

He suddenly stopped, as if he had been frightened by something terrifying.

Orochimaru was taken aback, and then continued thinking along the lines of Chu Jiu's words.

A moment later, he was also startled.

The two looked at each other, but neither of them spoke.

From the perspective of power struggles, whoever ultimately benefits is the mastermind behind it all.

In politics, you can never rely on evidence; you can only infer the identity of the culprit from their motives and gains.

The Nine-Tails incident led to the deaths of the Fourth Hokage and his wife, and the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had stepped down, was restored to power, making him undoubtedly the biggest beneficiary.

Therefore, it's really hard to say why the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, died.

Who can say for sure that the Third Hokage didn't participate in the murder of the Fourth Hokage?

His suspicion is as unshakable as a towering mountain in people's hearts.

Yes, the Third Hokage's wife also sacrificed herself.

But this proves nothing.

Isn't it a great deal to exchange a wife for the power of Hokage?

Getting promoted, making a fortune, and losing your wife? My dear!

After a long while, Orochimaru recovered: "Sarutobi-sensei isn't that kind of person, but I've taken your reminder to heart. Do you want my thanks?"

Shanzhong Chujiu: "You're welcome. You can pay more."

Orochimaru: "Heh."