My Villainous Life Starting with Naruto

Chapter 217 The Upside-Down Dawn

"Morning, Orochimaru-sama!"

"Hello, Minister, this is the list of candidates for promotion to Jonin this time."

"Lord Orochimaru, you've worked hard."

A pale-skinned man with golden snake eyes walked into his private office. Along the way, every Konoha ninja who saw him showed him great respect.

Whether it's the lingering power he displayed before leaving the village, his performance in turning the tide over the past four years, or his heroic act of using his own body to withstand the explosion the night before last, Orochimaru is undoubtedly the "Successor of the Will of Fire" in the eyes of every villager.

Everyone understands that the Third Hokage is too old. For a 60-year-old ninja, every day when he wakes up, his physical functions are a little weaker than the day before. Hiruzen Sarutobi is more tired than anyone else. Unfortunately, Minato Namikaze's early death disrupted his retirement plans, so he had to pull himself together and take on the responsibility of being a Hokage again.

The Fifth Hokage is Orochimaru; that's a foregone conclusion.

Hiruzen Sarutobi has brought this up on many occasions, even more enthusiastically than he did with Minato Namikaze back then. Judging from the old man's eyes, if it weren't so against the rules, he might have forcibly put Orochimaru in a divine robe and retired for the second time.

As soon as he sat down, Orochimaru called Uchiha Shisui in.

"Minister, you wanted to see me?"

"Yes," Orochimaru replied directly.

"After I become Hokage, this office is yours."

"Huh?" The short-haired boy with the sword on his back quickly realized what was happening.

"Me? The head of the Dark Guard?"

"This matter has already received the Hokage's approval. No matter what you think, you cannot shirk your responsibility. This is also a duty of a Konoha ninja."

"But...but I'm an Uchiha, and my teacher..."

Orochimaru spoke softly, his voice hoarse and strangely magnetic:

"In my eyes, whether it's the Uchiha clan or the owner of Ichiraku Ramen, they are all members of the village. The future head of the Anbu is Uchiha Shisui; he is my subordinate and a very trustworthy Konoha ninja." He paused, looking at the boy whose face showed emotion, and waved his hand dismissively.

"Don't make that worthless face. I'm giving you a day off. Starting tomorrow, you'll be looking at things from a perspective that goes beyond that of an ordinary ninja."

"Yes, Minister... Thank you for your trust."

Zhi Shui bowed respectfully and left the minister's office.

Orochimaru, without much emotional fluctuation, took out paper and pen, and was about to review today's documents when he heard the teacher's call from upstairs.

He glanced at the mountain of official documents and couldn't help but frown.

Hyuga Yuto... I heard he used to work until late at night every day. It seems that's true.

"I need to reorganize the personnel structure," Orochimaru thought to himself, and entered the Hokage's office with his head down in deep thought.

"Ah, Orochimaru, you've come at the perfect time!" Hiruzen Sarutobi slammed his pipe on the table, puffing out his mustache and glaring at the table.

"Listen to what Jiraiya is saying!"

"Hey, old man, why are you so angry..." Jiraiya chuckled awkwardly from his wheelchair.

"I only mentioned it briefly, didn't I?"

"You absolutely cannot mention it!" Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression was very serious:

"Using the First Hokage's cells to regenerate your lower limbs? Are you trying to desecrate the remains of your ancestor? Lord Hashirama risked his entire life for Konoha, only to end up having his grave dug up by his own people? Orochimaru, do you understand what I mean? You're not allowed to help him!"

Jiraiya lowered his head, one hand gripping the handle of his wheelchair, the other clutching his empty trouser leg.

Seeing his appearance, the old man suddenly felt a pang of guilt, took a drag on his pipe, and softened his tone:

"I'm sorry, Jiraiya, I can agree to anything you ask, except this one. You are one of the legendary Sannin, representing Konoha. The village cannot bear the stigma of toying with the dead..."

Orochimaru took in the expressions of the two men, a thoughtful glint in his golden snake eyes.

Although he "reformed," Orochimaru's essence remains that of a fanatic with a strong desire for exploration.

In his view, technique is technique, and what does it have to do with whether it's evil or not?

The teacher is too rigid. It makes some sense not to use the Impure World Reincarnation technique, but to ignore the limb regeneration technology and waste Jiraiya's ninja career is just ridiculous...

"But Obito Uchiha..." Jiraiya muttered, his voice so soft it was almost inaudible.

"He's a rogue ninja who unleashed the Nine-Tails to wreak havoc on the village. What are you comparing yourself to him for?" Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head and glared at Orochimaru.

"Orochimaru, I need you to promise me you won't help Jiraiya in this matter."

The man with golden snake eyes remained expressionless for a long time before slowly speaking:

"Yes, teacher, I swear I will not help Jiraiya rebuild his legs."

—Yeah, right!

Orochimaru suppressed the urge to laugh. If his teacher hadn't mentioned "Hashirama cells" today, he really wouldn't have had any clear direction.

Because Hashirama's cells had left the village, he felt a strange sense of apprehension about them, but upon closer reflection, he figured that the First Hokage's cells might actually be able to help Jiraiya.

Well, once I become the Fifth Hokage, I'll take the time to research the technology for reconstructing severed limbs. Once I succeed, I'll secretly use it on Jiraiya. By then, it will be too late to stop him.

Orochimaru really didn't believe that his teacher could be so heartless as to cut off Jiraiya's new leg.

As for why Orochimaru decided to help Jiraiya in his heart, but firmly swore not to do it, it can be attributed to Orochimaru's growth over the past four years.

Previously, although he held a high position, he was still above Danzo and Sakumo, and Jiraiya and Tsunade were on equal footing with him, so he could not be considered the "head of the party" in Konoha.

Over the past four years, Orochimaru and Hiruzen Sarutobi have consulted each other on matters big and small. Although they have no official titles, they are the true leaders.

As a leader, one must be much more tactful in speech and action than before.

Orochimaru thought he shouldn't confront his teacher directly, but rather take care of things secretly first. Therefore, he spoke very seriously to show his determination.

Teacher, don't blame me. I'm doing this for the good of Konoha. As for why Jiro will grow legs in the future, well, man proposes, God disposes... Heh.

Orochimaru was secretly pleased, while Hiruzen Sarutobi felt uneasy, and both of them were less aware of their surroundings.

It was this mere half-point that prevented them from noticing something quite abnormal.

Upon hearing Orochimaru's vow, Jiraiya slumped into his wheelchair like a deflated balloon, his eyes dim and devoid of his former heroic demeanor.

Overwhelmed with disappointment, he failed to guess Orochimaru's thoughts and overlooked the intense guilt and hesitation in Hiruzen Sarutobi's words.

In the end, man proposes, God disposes.

……

Crunch, crunch.

"Eh? Jiraiya-sama, you've arrived?" Shizune smiled and invited the white-haired man into the Senju clan's territory.

"I'll go get Lady Tsunade..."

"No need, I just wandered here by accident." Jiraiya scratched his head, feeling a little relieved.

Shizune, holding the piglet, covered her mouth and chuckled softly.

"Oh dear~ We all know that you, Lord Orochimaru, and Lady Tsunade are close friends, people who can rely on each other. What's there to be embarrassed about chatting?"

"Then I'll leave it to you, Shizune." Jiraiya breathed a sigh of relief. Since it concerned Orochimaru and his teacher, he couldn't confide in anyone else, so he could only tell Tsunade what was on his mind.

The ninja who lost both legs suffered not only physical torment, but also, over the years, a great deal of mental fragility.

Unexpectedly, the silent device disappeared in a flash, only to quickly return.

"I'm so sorry, Jiraiya-sama." The girl couldn't stop apologizing.

"Lady Tsunade has closed the door, I can't get in."

"What?"

"Oh, I see," Shizune explained.

"After the battle with Obito Uchiha the night before, Lady Tsunade was seriously injured and often locked herself in her room for the entire day, refusing to see anyone."

"Is she really alright?"

"She's definitely fine. I feel like Lady Tsunade has been in a much better mood lately. She's always smiling when we meet, and her appetite has increased a lot."

"That's good." Jiraiya was relieved. Although he was a little disappointed, he didn't linger. After giving a few instructions, he left the Senju clan's territory.

Sigh... I think I'll go have a drink.

(End of this chapter)