Only I can make Konoha Village great again.

Orochimaru was filled with mixed emotions, knowing that his teacher had fallen into depravity and weakness.

But he never imagined that Hiruzen Sarutobi would one day be unable to shake off suspicion.

This is so ironic.

Orochimaru quickly stopped caring; he never wanted to be Hokage, he just wanted to quietly study science.

Yamanaka Hatsukyu handed the scroll filled with corpses to Orochimaru, who then unsealed the corpses and examined their condition one by one.

The body was in excellent condition, and he was very satisfied. He resealed the body and then handed a scroll full of cash to Yamanaka Chukyu.

On the ninth day, the lockdown was lifted without any hesitation, and the banknotes were counted in person.

The money from the corpses wasn't his alone; it had to be shared among the Konoha ninja who helped clear the rubble, paid tribute to the Jonin in charge, and also be accounted for in Hiruzen Sarutobi's Hokage office.

If he loses too much, he'll lose even the money he made from selling the intelligence.

Watching Yamanaka Hatsukyu intently counting his money, Orochimaru suddenly spoke up: "Hatsukyu, would you like to be my student?"

Mountain Dinner Nine: "Huh?"

Orochimaru, unusually patient, explained: "I see that you are exceptionally talented, especially in scientific research, making you a more suitable student for me than Anko."

"Being my student will allow you to learn my ninjutsu and knowledge, and it will even help you become the Fifth Hokage."

Yamanaka Chukyu could sense that Orochimaru's calm demeanor concealed a storm within it, and was filled with sincerity and expectation, without a trace of deception.

Orochimaru really wants to take on disciples!

It has to be said that Shan Zhong Chu Jiu was deeply moved.

He never wanted to become Hokage, not because he wanted to.

What's so great about being the Hokage? You have to take care of the people of Konoha, protect the Konoha ninja, fight on the battlefield against the Four Kage, and even risk your life against a super-powerful monster like the Nine-Tails.

Even though the Third Hokage never left the village, he couldn't stop the Sky Village from attacking directly, nor could he stop Obito Uchiha from infiltrating the village and releasing the Nine-Tails.

What's even more disgusting is that the Hokage has to worry about every little thing. Even with hundreds of shadow clones, the Seventh Hokage couldn't get a moment's rest and was exhausted like a dog.

Hokage? Not even a dog would do that!

What moved Yamanaka Hatsukuri was Orochimaru's knowledge; although it seemed very sinister, it truly granted him immortality.

Even the Monkey King asked before learning his skills, "Is it possible to achieve immortality?"

Even the ninth day in the mountains longs for immortality.

The path to immortality he is now taking is one he has forged himself; it is too dangerous, too unrealistic, and has no precedent or guarantee whatsoever.

Orochimaru's method of resurrection is a path to immortality that has been proven in the future—a path that is impossible to kill no matter what.

So, on the ninth day of the ninth month, the mountain dweller was moved.

But he still had concerns, very concerns.

Becoming Orochimaru's student has its advantages, but also its huge risks.

When the Third Hokage returns to power, Orochimaru will become an S-rank rogue ninja. How can a rogue ninja's student possibly fare well?

Yes, Red Bean is doing very well.

That's because Hongdou is upright and honest, while he, Chujiu in the mountains, can withstand scrutiny?

I had no choice but to defect along with them.

Outside of Konoha Village, there are headhunters like Kakuzu and overpowered monsters like Nagato. Even Orochimaru himself is struggling and injured. Wouldn't he be in an even worse situation?

Yamanaka Hatsukyu reluctantly declined, saying, "Lord Orochimaru, I really want to become your student, but I'm scared..."

Orochimaru sneered, not at Yamanaka Hatsukyu, but because he felt he was not being trusted by the rejection.

Yamanaka Hatsukyu didn't have high hopes for himself, but Orochimaru couldn't help but believe him.

He took his uncertain future as a premise, thought in reverse about the reasons that led to this result, and then compared them with the actual conditions one by one.

Orochimaru quickly understood why Chu Jiu had refused.

The restoration of the Third Hokage will inevitably be met with skepticism, and it cannot be suppressed by administrative means. In the end, the only option will be to create a more impactful scandal to divert the attention of everyone in Konoha.

There is no scandal more suitable or better for Hiruzen Sarutobi to withstand the pressure of public opinion than Orochimaru conducting human experiments.

Orochimaru was a highly decorated and renowned figure, and he was so fond of researching ninjutsu that everyone believed he would conduct human experiments without any need to frame him.

Destroying Orochimaru's reputation would not only divert the villagers' attention, but also eliminate the last competitor.

When only Hiruzen Sarutobi was suitable to be Hokage in Konoha, the restoration was not the greed of an ambitious person, but the old Hokage's last resort to save the day.

How could the villagers possibly condemn the Third Hokage by then?

Hiruzen Sarutobi is the "strongest Hokage of all time." At sixty years old, he still has to carry Konoha on his shoulders. Can restoring the village be considered a problem?

We should all be sincerely grateful to him!

As for how this one person was chosen...

Then don't worry about it!

As for whether Hiruzen Sarutobi will escalate his actions and cut flesh from the bodies of ninjas and villagers...

Then you shouldn't worry about it!

Orochimaru's heart sank. He coldly said, "You can still become my disciple before I change my mind. Now get out of here."

Yamanaka Chuuku nodded: "Alright! Lord Orochimaru, I'm off!"

Then he quickly left the laboratory.

Humming a tuneless tune and carrying a scroll full of money, Yamanaka Hachiku strolled over to the community where commoner ninjas lived.

As soon as he got close, several children spotted him and rushed over, cheering.

"Sister Chu Jiu is here!"

Chu Jiu was furious: "Don't you dare call me 'sister'!"

The children said, "But you're the older sister!"

On the ninth day, he flew into a rage:

"Do you think I wanted to look like this?"

"Everyone, call him Brother Chu Jiu!"

"Otherwise, I won't give you any candy!"

"Brother and sister Chu Jiu!"

"Ugh~~~ I'm so angry!"

Despite his anger, Shan Zhongchujiu still distributed the candies to the little ones, coaxing them to go play somewhere else.

He complained to the girl who stayed behind, "Fūji Haruya, you're not going to call me 'older sister' too, are you?"

Feng Ji Chun Ya smiled: "Brother Chu Jiu, you are really too beautiful, you really do look like my sister."

(↑↑The ninth day of the lunar month, when a boy looks like a girl↑↑)

Yamanaka Hatsukyu could only sigh helplessly. As Yamanaka Inoichi's younger brother, he was actually sharing a face with the newborn Ino, which was truly frustrating.

Chu Jiu, with her short hair, was merely pretty. The problem was that she was constantly on the battlefield, with no time to take care of her hair. Before she knew it, she had a full head of beautiful hair, and the situation changed completely.

More than one of my companions said, "I really want to poison you so you can't speak."

Some of the friends who were "turned gay" even said, "Chu Jiu, as long as it's you, I don't care about gender."

At the time, Shan Zhongchu was so angry he felt like his lungs would explode, and he wanted to smash those guys' heads in. Now, however, it has become his deepest memory.

His companions, who had once spoken those words to him, all fell into the cold, muddy waters of the Land of Rain, and could no longer joke with him.

Thinking of his fallen comrades, Shan Zhongchu Jiu couldn't help but sigh inwardly, but a bright smile bloomed on his face as he reached out and ruffled Feng Jichunya's hair.

The little girl was stunned: "Brother Chu Jiu... Sister, you're even more beautiful when you smile..."

Yamanaka Chujiu: "...Fine, I won't laugh anymore."