Only I can make Konoha Village great again.

The silence in the Hokage's office continued.

The oppressive atmosphere grew heavier as the four of them plotted how to deal with Orochimaru, but none of them dared to break the silence.

This was impossible in the past.

Whenever the Third Hokage gave a hint, Danzo Shimura, Koharu Utatane, and Homura Mitokado would rush to offer suggestions and help him solve his problems.

However, under Orochimaru's successive victories, Hiruzen Sarutobi's cautious approach proved to be wrong, and his prestige suffered a significant blow.

The Konoha ninjas began to look at him strangely, and even within the Konoha F4, the Hokage no longer held absolute authority.

After enduring for a long time, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally broke the silence with a sigh: "It's my fault for not teaching Orochimaru well. His talent is outstanding, but his excessive ambition has ultimately gone out of control."

His voice was filled with weariness, helplessness, and vigilance, as if he were suppressing his inner turmoil and guilt.

"I had high hopes for Orochimaru, hoping he could become a pillar protecting Konoha, but in the end he went to the extreme of pursuing power."

"Now, he and his disciple Yamanaka Hatsukyu have successfully occupied Kirigakure and completely controlled the Land of Water. Their prestige in Konoha has expanded rapidly and has surpassed that of me, the Hokage."

"There were already many ninjas in Konoha who were his supporters, and now almost everyone acknowledges his victory. The young Konoha ninjas regard him as an idol and shout for him to succeed as the Fifth Hokage."

At this point, Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly scanned his three old classmates, a hint of killing intent creeping into his voice:

"Old classmates, Orochimaru is obsessed with ninjutsu research and pursues greater power, but he is not a power-hungry child. Otherwise, we wouldn't have been able to make the Fourth Hokage so easily."

"His current active involvement in the war and pursuit of power in the village is definitely not his own idea."

"The ninth day of the mountain!"

"Ever since he became Orochimaru's student, Orochimaru has changed."

"I have a crazy suspicion that Yamanaka Inoichi's younger brother is the key to Orochimaru's change, and that he is pushing Orochimaru to destroy Konoha's traditions and bottom line."

"I don't know why he did this, but I know that doing so will inevitably cause internal and external troubles for Konoha Village, and the consequences will be unimaginable."

Danzo Shimura sneered, "Third Hokage, you're downplaying the main point."

"What's so special about Yamanaka Hachiku? A Jonin who's good at commanding? Can he influence Orochimaru's thoughts?"

"Admit it, you're just trying to exonerate Orochimaru!"

"Orochimaru's crime was that he gathered the Konoha ninja and launched a war against Kirigakure without the Hokage's orders."

"This behavior has crossed Konoha's bottom line and must not be tolerated."

"Even if he successfully defeats the Land of Water, it is still an act of treasonous ninja who disregards the Hokage's authority and disrupts the order of Konoha."

"Orochimaru's prestige has skyrocketed, and he no longer hides his ambitions, constantly challenging our rule. If we do not stop him in time, it will endanger the very survival of Konoha."

Danzo Shimura's tone grew increasingly resolute: "In my opinion, someone should be sent to the Land of Water to order Orochimaru to return to Konoha in the name of the Hokage."

"We also need to find the Water Daimyo, return the government of the Land of Water to him, and in exchange for the rightful right of Konoha to take over Kirigakure."

"As long as the Water Daimyo agrees, we can integrate Kirigakure, weaken Orochimaru's power and influence, and eliminate his possibility of vying for the Hokage position."

Mitokado Homura asked, "Orochimaru can start a war without orders, and he can also disobey the Hokage's orders."

"What will you do if he doesn't come back?"

Danzo Shimura sneered, "If Orochimaru disobeys, we will expel him from Konoha on charges of 'colluding with foreign enemies' and label him a traitor to Konoha."

"I have a way to unite with Iwagakure, Kumogakure, Sunagakure, Amegakure, Kusagakure, and other ninja villages to gather the elite forces of the ninja world and completely eliminate Orochimaru, this threat!"

Koharu Utatane shook her head and said, "Shimura Danzo, you're going to be too extreme!"

Her tone was full of concern: "Orochimaru's reputation is too high now, and the Konoha ninja under his command are even more devoted to him, making him extremely powerful."

"Moreover, Orochimaru has become disobedient. Simply ordering him to relinquish power will only enrage him further."

"I have a big concern: if Orochimaru also joins forces with Kirigakure, Kumogakure, and Iwagakure to attack Konoha, which side will Onoki and A stand on?"

Mitokado Homura replied, "They will side with the weakest, inciting us Konoha ninja to fight among ourselves, and then reap the benefits."

Mitokado Homura paused for a moment, then continued, "I have a proposal: we should acknowledge his military achievements and grant him the highest honors and powers, such as allowing him to represent Konoha in governing Kirigakure."

Danzo Shimura angrily retorted, "En, what kind of suggestion is this?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes gleamed as he said, "Yama's advice is the best!"

"That makes perfect sense. Let Orochimaru manage Kirigakure, stay in the Land of Water and he won't be able to come back. At the same time, bring back his disciple Yamanaka Hatsukyu and give him the position of leading the Konoha ninja."

"Yamachu Chujiu is only 14 years old. He is still a child whose mind is not yet formed. We can completely influence Yamanaka Chujiu and make him one of us."

"Without Yamanaka Hatsuku's help, Orochimaru is just a decent commander, not an invincible war master."

"He doesn't have enough ninja under his command, so he has to replenish his forces with a large number of Hidden Mist ninja. Internal strife is an inevitable result."

Shimura Danzo understood: "Heh, so that's how it is. You guys are indeed more insidious than I am."

"Very good. As long as Orochimaru loses Yamanaka Hatsuku's support, the civil war in Konoha will not break out, and we can calmly guide public opinion."

"They began to emphasize the Hokage's authority and promote the achievements of the Third Hokage."

"Then spread rumors to slander Orochimaru, damage his reputation, and make the villagers and ninjas understand that Orochimaru is not a perfect leader."

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked up at Danzo: "Danzo, your suggestions should go beyond this. Tell me what else you have to say."

He knew Shimura Danzo very well, knowing that he was always ruthless and acted without regard for consequences, and that he must have even more ruthless countermeasures against Orochimaru.

Danzo Shimura sneered, "Orochimaru is too strong. Even destroying his reputation and preventing him from vying for the Hokage position cannot completely prevent him from threatening Konoha."

"The only solution I can think of is to completely eliminate him, or completely strip him of his power!"

"That means at least one of Orochimaru and Yamanaka Hatsukyu must die!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately objected, "Danzo, you're going too far."

"I will never agree to such a cruel plan. Following your method, Konoha will inevitably descend into civil war!"

"We cannot afford any more civil war!"