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

a few days later.

In the forest outside Konoha Village.

A tall figure was quietly approaching.

He had a head of flamboyant white hair, wore a red coat, and wooden clogs.

Jiraiya.

Toad Sage, one of the Legendary Sannin.

He hurried along, looking travel-worn, with a solemn expression.

Just a few days ago.

He heard a piece of news from the black market's intelligence network that made him question the meaning of life.

Orochimaru has returned to Konoha?

And he even became a hero of Konoha?

Minister of Scientific Research?

"It must be that the intelligence broker is drunk and talking nonsense."

I just entered the village.

Jiraiya sensed that something was wrong.

It's so bustling!

The street has been widened to twice its original width, and both sides are lined with brand-new shops.

What's going on?

He came back to see Naruto last year.

The Hidden Leaf Village back then wasn't like it is now.

"Boss, the village has changed a lot."

Jiraiya walked up to a roadside stall and ordered a bowl of dumplings.

"Of course!"

"Since the fifth patriarch came to power, our lives have become more and more hopeful!"

The owner handed over the meatballs with a smile.

"I heard... Orochimaru has returned to the village?"

Jiraiya suppressed his doubts and probed in a low voice.

Upon hearing this, the boss's expression immediately changed.

Jiraiya's heart tightened, realizing that the villagers were indeed afraid of Orochimaru.

To everyone's surprise, the boss slapped his thigh, his face full of admiration.

"Lord Orochimaru is a hero of Konoha!"

"He was really wronged back then because he was framed by that old scoundrel Danzo."

"The Fifth Hokage is wise; he's put Orochimaru in charge of the research department, and I've heard they've created quite a few great things that benefit the ninja!"

Jiraiya dropped the dumpling in his hand to the ground.

He opened his mouth wide, his chin almost hitting the instep.

A meritorious official?

Framed?

Benefiting ninjas?

Is this referring to Orochimaru, the cold-blooded and ruthless snake who experiments on living people?

Jiraiya wondered if he had fallen under some kind of powerful illusion.

He paid the bill in a daze and, following the directions of passersby, arrived at the scientific research department in the center of the village.

Looking at that glass building gleaming in the sunlight.

Jiraiya swallowed hard.

When did Orochimaru start liking such bright places?

Jiraiya took a deep breath and strode into the building.

The security guards, seeing that it was Jiraiya-sama, didn't dare to stop him.

The journey was smooth and unobstructed.

Jiraiya arrived at the core laboratory on the top floor.

As soon as I pushed the door open.

Jiraiya then witnessed a scene that shocked him.

Orochimaru, dressed in a spotless white lab coat, was holding a test tube up to the light to observe it.

The head of the Uchiha clan, Fugaku Uchiha, was diligently handing over test tubes and wiping them with alcohol.

The head of the Hyuga clan, Hyuga Hiashi, was frantically recording data in a small notebook.

These three people, who should have been completely unrelated and even dislike each other, were now as harmonious as a model research team.

"Who?"

Orochimaru turned his head, his golden vertical pupils narrowing slightly.

After recognizing the person who came.

Orochimaru paused for a moment, then a strange smile appeared on his lips.

"Oh?"

"Isn't that Jiraiya?"

"What, has the stray toad finally decided to return to the pond?"

Jiraiya glared at Orochimaru, then glanced at the two clan leaders beside him, who looked displeased and annoyed that he was interrupting the experiment.

"You...you all..."

Jiraiya pointed at Orochimaru, unable to utter a complete sentence for a long time.

"Lord Jiraiya."

"Please don't shout, it will disrupt Orochimaru's train of thought."

Fugaku Uchiha frowned, his tone full of protectiveness.

It was as if he would fight to the death with anyone who dared to touch Orochimaru.

"Lord Jiraiya."

"If there's nothing urgent..."

"Then please leave. Our experiment is at a critical stage."

Hiashi Hyuga also snorted coldly.

Jiraiya felt like he was going crazy.

These two arrogant and powerful clan leaders are actually protecting Orochimaru?

Orochimaru!

"What kind of curse did you cast on the village?!"

"Has everyone forgotten those disgusting experiments you conducted?"

Jiraiya suddenly rushed forward and grabbed Orochimaru by the collar.

Orochimaru let him grab him without resisting, and just looked at him coldly.

"Let go, you idiot."

"You've dirtied my sterile gown."

Jiraiya was furious and was about to make a move.

"Jiraiya, release him."

A calm yet authoritative voice rang out at the doorway.

Jiraiya turned back.

Chiba, dressed in a sacred robe, walked in slowly with his hands in his pockets.

"Chiba!"

Jiraiya released Orochimaru and looked at the young Fifth Hokage with a complicated expression.

He knew Chiba was strong, and he also knew that Chiba had a tough hand.

But he never expected that Chiba could turn black into white to this extent.

"Are you crazy?"

"Don't you know who Orochimaru is?"

Jiraiya gritted his teeth and questioned.

Chiba pulled over a chair and sat down with an air of authority.

"I know very well."

"He is a first-rate scientist in the ninja world and a vital engine driving Konoha's progress."

"But he killed so many innocent people!"

Jiraiya growled.

Chiba tapped the table, making a crisp sound.

"That was all Danzo's doing; Orochimaru was just a victim who was coerced."

"It's written clearly in the case file, and the whole village can testify to it."

"Jiraiya, are you going to question Konoha's law enforcement and judicial system?"

Jiraiya was so angry that he laughed instead.

"You can fool the villagers, but can you fool me?"

Orochimaru straightened his collar and chuckled.

"Jiraiya, you're still so naive."

What's the point of dwelling on past rights and wrongs?

"Take a look at this instrument."

Orochimaru pointed to the high-speed centrifuge running next to him.

"The gene repair fluid extracted from it will be available for use at Konoha Hospital next month."

"It can increase the success rate of limb regeneration by 30 percent."

"Thirty percent, do you know what that means?"

Orochimaru stepped forward and stared intently at Jiraiya.

"This means that in the next war, Konoha will lose thousands fewer ninja!"

"The number of people I save in my lifetime will soon surpass the number of copies sold by all those lousy books you've written!"

Jiraiya stood frozen in place, speechless.

Chiba stood up and patted Jiraiya on the shoulder.

"Times have changed, Jiraiya-senpai."

"In the past, Konoha relied on the false Will of Fire to brainwash young people and make them cannon fodder on the battlefield."

"As for Konoha now, I only value its worth."

Chiba's eyes became incredibly sharp, as if he could see right through Jiraiya's soul.

"Orochimaru can prevent the Uchiha from going blind, make the Hyuga stronger, and make medical ninjutsu advance by leaps and bounds."

"He is the hero of Konoha."

"Your outdated sense of justice won't save anyone."

Jiraiya swayed.

He looked around at the neat laboratory and the advanced equipment.

Looking at Fuuchiha Gaku and Hyuga Hiashi, one can see their undisguised fanaticism and reverence for Orochimaru.

He suddenly realized that he was like an out-of-place clown.

The Konoha he knew so well had truly been uprooted by Chiba.

Instead, a cold war machine called "Absolute Interest and Power" was put into operation.

Every part of this machine is working frantically to become stronger.

"turn out to be……"

"The one who truly fails to see the situation clearly is me."

Jiraiya gave a bitter smile.

He loosened his fist and turned to walk towards the door.

His back view looked incredibly desolate, as if he had aged ten years in an instant.

"Let's go grab a drink, Jiraiya."

"Take a look at Konoha now, and you'll understand."

Chiba didn't try to stop her; he simply said something under his breath.

Jiraiya didn't turn around, he just waved his hand and disappeared out the door.

The laboratory returned to silence.

Orochimaru turned to look at Chiba.

"Lord Chiba, aren't you afraid he'll go around spreading rumors?"

Chiba smiled.

"What did he say?"

"You're saying I'm a bad person?"

"The entire Hidden Leaf Village is enjoying the benefits of your scientific research; who would believe him?"

Even if someone believed it, who would care?

Orochimaru looked at Chiba and couldn't help but lick his lips.

too frightening.

This man not only possesses overwhelming power, but also a terrifying ability to manipulate worldly rules.

How far can I go by following him?