Naruto: In Konoha Village, I awakened Wood Release at the start.

Leaf.

The Hokage's office.

"It seems so."

"You guys have been talking about me a lot behind my back."

Kakashi lowered his head and remained silent.

Chiba couldn't help but chuckle softly.

He turned and walked back to his desk, sitting down again.

"rest assured."

"I have no interest in being a tyrant who destroys the world."

"But I have a bad habit."

"I hate trouble, and I hate it even more when people do dirty tricks behind my back."

Chiba's tone was casual.

He seemed to be saying that the weather was nice today.

But Kakashi on the other side tensed up immediately.

Because he knew very well that Chiba would definitely have more to say.

"The four great ninja villages are quite well-behaved now."

"But behind the scenes, they are definitely expanding their military capabilities at an alarming rate."

"They are afraid of me."

"So they will form an alliance and do everything they can to deal with Konoha."

"This is a human instinct."

"We must completely eliminate this hidden danger."

There are only two options.

"Or, kill them all."

"Either, build an absolute barrier."

"Let everyone understand that resistance is futile."

"Orochimaru's research is the key to building this barrier."

"Impure World Reincarnation, Cursed Seal, Hashirama Cell Transplantation..."

"The technology he possesses can fundamentally change the fighting strength of Konoha."

"..."

Chiba made no attempt to hide his covetousness of Orochimaru's research findings.

In Hiruzen Sarutobi's view, these were all forbidden techniques that were utterly rebellious.

But in Chiba's eyes, these were priceless treasures.

Power itself is neither right nor wrong.

The key question is, who will control it?

Kakashi understood completely.

Chiba wanted Orochimaru, not only for his brain, but also to take over all of his research.

If those old-fashioned folks heard this, they would be so angry they'd vomit blood.

But now, Konoha is ruled by Chiba alone.

Once he's made up his mind, no one can change it.

"I see."

Kakashi straightened his back and became extremely respectful.

"Immediately assemble an elite squad of secret agents."

"Even if Orochimaru had three heads and six arms, I would still bring him back to Konoha."

Kakashi was very confident in his abilities.

In the past six years, under Chiba's guidance, his strength has improved by leaps and bounds.

The use of the Sharingan has become more refined.

Even against Orochimaru, one of the legendary Sannin, he would have a fighting chance.

Moreover, this time, all the elite troops of the Dark Division have been deployed.

Chiba waved his hand.

"No."

Orochimaru is inherently arrogant.

"If you go, you'll only force him to run for his life."

"His methods of self-preservation are the best in the ninja world."

"You can't catch him."

Done.

Chiba stood up and picked up the Hokage's robe hanging on the rack.

The white robe traced an arc in the air before finally draped over Chiba's shoulders.

"I want to go there myself."

Kakashi was horrified.

"Hokage-sama, this won't do!"

"You are the shadow of this village, how can you leave so easily?"

"Besides, it's just dealing with a rogue ninja, why would you need to personally intervene?"

Kakashi was indeed getting anxious.

Chiba is the backbone of Konoha.

How could we let Chiba handle a mere rogue ninja?

"Alright."

"Don't try to pressure me with those old rules."

"When have I ever played by the rules?"

"Moreover, considering how far away Tianguo is."

"I want to leave, who can stop me?"

Chiba fastened the belt of his sacred robe, his tone remaining calm.

The voice just fell.

Chiba then activated the Flying Thunder God Technique!

Kakashi hadn't even had a chance to say a word of dissuasion.

Swish!

The office was empty.

Only the gentle breeze blowing in from the window stirred the documents on the table.

Kakashi looked at the empty room and sighed helplessly.

This Hokage is as willful as ever.

He shook his head, turned and quickly left the office.

With Chiba away from the village, he had to strengthen the patrols of the secret service and absolutely not allow any petty thieves to take advantage of the situation.

……

Country of Fields.

A hidden underground base.

In a spacious laboratory.

Orochimaru, dressed in a white lab coat, stood in front of a huge operating table.

His pale skin had a sickly sheen under the light.

His golden vertical pupils were fixed on the body on the operating table.

That was the corpse of a Hidden Mist ninja.

To be precise, he was a Hidden Mist ninja who possessed the Ice Release Kekkei Genkai.

Orochimaru held a sharp scalpel.

Cut open the skin.

Remove the muscle.

Searching for the bloodline code hidden deep within our genes.

His long tongue unconsciously darted out, and he licked his lips.

Tick, tick.

Blood dripped from the operating table onto the floor.

Orochimaru suddenly stopped what he was doing.

He didn't turn around, but just turned his face slightly to the side.

His uniquely husky voice echoed in the empty laboratory.

"Are those rats still guarding outside?"

In the shadows of the corner.

A silver-haired boy wearing round-framed glasses walked out silently.

Yakushi Kabuto.

He pushed up his glasses and bowed respectfully.

"Lord Orochimaru."

"Konoha's ANBU squad is still stationed in the forest ten kilometers away."

"There are four people in total, and there are no signs of them getting any closer."

Orochimaru dropped the scalpel in his hand.

He walked to the pool next to him and carefully washed his hands.

"It's been six days."

"They discovered my stronghold, but didn't take any action."

"When did Konoha's Anbu become so patient?"

Orochimaru grabbed a white towel and slowly dried his hands.

From the very first day he realized he was being followed, he prepared to evacuate.

The experimental data here has been backed up.

Important materials were also moved to other bases.

If he wants to leave.

He can disappear into the underground at any time, vanishing without a trace.

But he chose to stay.

Curiosity is a scientist's greatest weakness.

Orochimaru was very curious.

What exactly are those idiots in Konoha up to?

"Should I go and get rid of them?"

Several poisoned skewer sticks were tucked between Dou's fingers.

His eyes behind his glasses also flashed with a cold, murderous intent.

"No."

"Keep them."

Orochimaru waved his hand.

He walked to a row of petri dishes filled with green liquid and looked at the experimental subjects inside.

"Sarutobi-sensei has stepped down."

"The one sitting in the Hokage position right now is that brat named Senju Chiba."

Chiba's name was mentioned.

Orochimaru's vertical pupils gleamed with fanaticism.

He was so eager to learn about Senju Chiba.

An orphan of the Senju clan suddenly awakens Wood Release and forcefully sweeps away all obstacles.

This unconventional growth trajectory.

This power transcends common sense.

They're perfect experimental subjects!

Orochimaru even dreamed of obtaining a drop of Chiba's blood.

Because he wanted to analyze the perfect Sage Body, which was comparable to the First Hokage.

"Senju Chiba..."

"He's not as indecisive as Sarutobi-sensei."

"He wouldn't let the secret service take action."

"They must be planning something big."

The hand pushing up his glasses paused slightly.

You mean...

"Will the Fifth Hokage come in person?"

Hearing what Kabuto said.

Orochimaru turned around, his snake-like eyes fixed on Kabuto.

"These past few years..."

"You've seen all the changes in the village."

"That Chiba guy is domineering, decisive, and ruthless."

"This kind of person won't let their prey slip away."

"He will definitely come."

"I want to see how much of the First Hokage's brilliance this new God of Shinobi has."

Orochimaru had absolute confidence in his methods of self-preservation.

Even if we can't beat them.

Shed his skin and unleash Orochimaru's Substitution Technique.

Escaping for your life is never a problem.

That's his greatest asset!