Konoha: The Soul King from the Uchiha Clan

Chapter 211 The bond between master and disciple has ended! (4200 words)

On his way back home after leaving Hiruzen Sarutobi's house, Danzo kept thinking about how to complete his mission...

Hiruzen Sarutobi had very high standards, but Orochimaru was no ordinary ninja, so he couldn't use the framing and slander tactics.

It's best to be as truthful as possible, and ideally have solid evidence; otherwise, you might end up shooting yourself in the foot.

Danzo thought and thought, but even as he washed up, lay on his bed, and was about to fall asleep, he still couldn't come up with a good solution.

Although he couldn't think of a good solution, Danzo wasn't entirely without ideas.

Danzo's plan was to further strengthen his connection with Orochimaru and provide him with support, so as to find a weakness in the process of establishing this connection.

The saying goes, "If you want to take something, you must first give something." Danzo may not have known this saying, but his thinking aligned with it.

The next day, Danzo enthusiastically approached Orochimaru to ask if he needed any help...

Although Orochimaru was wary of Danzo, he didn't expect Danzo to change so much and develop the idea of ​​becoming Hokage himself. He also didn't expect that Danzo and Hiruzen Sarutobi would both want to mess with him.

Orochimaru then bluntly requested funding and various experimental materials.

Perhaps Orochimaru was unlucky, or perhaps Danzo was lucky, but Danzo came into contact with a research project about the Impure World Reincarnation.

At first, Danzo didn't think of anything, but when he returned to the Root office to handle affairs, a sudden flash of inspiration struck him, and he remembered some things.

How did Orochimaru obtain the Impure World Reincarnation, a forbidden technique among forbidden techniques?

Based on his understanding of Hiruzen Sarutobi, Orochimaru couldn't have obtained it through legitimate channels; he must have gotten it himself.

Danzo then recalled the case at the Konoha Forbidden Technique Base where a guard ninja was killed but the case remained unsolved.

Konoha ninjas are usually kept in three places: the archives, the forbidden techniques base, and the Book of Seals in the Hokage's house.

The Secretary's Archive is the largest, containing the most diverse and numerous types of ninjutsu, but the highest rank it contains is only B-rank.

As the name suggests, the Forbidden Technique Base contains only forbidden techniques.

The Hokage's Book of Seals only records high-level ninjutsu and forbidden techniques of rank B and above.

If Orochimaru was indeed responsible for the murder of the guard ninja at the forbidden technique base, then this incident alone would be enough to put Orochimaru in check.

Killing a fellow villager is a serious crime in any ninja village, and spending decades in prison eating gruel is the lightest punishment.

Danzo was excited to have found a breakthrough. He calmed down in his Root office for a while before going out to issue the order.

Danzo ordered all of Root's ninjas skilled in investigation to investigate the murder of the guards at the forbidden technique base.

Unfortunately, time had passed, and Orochimaru was quite efficient in his actions, leaving no evidence to identify him.

Despite their best efforts and various methods, the Root ninjas could not find sufficient evidence to convict Orochimaru.

Danzo's mood instantly soured, and he berated his subordinates before sending them away.

Although the rules of the Root are inhumanly strict, they are not so strict that someone would die if a mission fails.

Root adheres to an elite ninja strategy, only accepting those who are not elites, which limits the scope of recruitment.

After being recruited into the root group, they undergo rigorous, even obsessive, systematic training, which comes at a high cost.

Furthermore, the Root organization has a limited number of personnel, and even if it exceeds its quota, it cannot go too far. Therefore, Danzo would not kill ninjas who failed their missions indiscriminately.

Danzo was in a terrible mood at first in the Root office, but he gradually got better.

Although no evidence was found that Orochimaru killed the guard ninja, it is a fact that Orochimaru stole the Impure World Reincarnation technique, and he is suspected of killing the guard ninja.

These stains alone are enough to erase Orochimaru's chances of becoming Hokage!

After thinking it through, Danzo left Root with a smile, first going to see Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, and then going to see Sarutobi Hiruzen.

The next morning, Orochimaru, who had been conducting experiments all night, received a notification from the Anbu ninja.

Having no other choice, Orochimaru had to suspend his experiments and head to the Hokage Building.

……

In the Hokage Building, in a small conference room, the Konoha F4 gathered.

Wearing a dark blue combat suit underneath a green Jonin vest, with his black hair casually draped over his shoulders and a gold snake-shaped earring, Orochimaru pushed open the door and walked in, bowing slightly as his deep, hoarse voice rang out.

"With such a large group, what do you need me for?"

This seemingly respectful but actually dismissive attitude made Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu frown, feeling that Orochimaru was being disrespectful to them.

Danzo and Orochimaru had been in contact with Orochimaru for a long time, so he didn't seem to care.

"Orochimaru, can you tell me where you got the Impure World Reincarnation technique from?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked expressionlessly, a pipe dangling from his lips.

Orochimaru was startled by these words, and his golden pupils turned to look at Danzo.

Danzo smiled slightly, as if to say, "That's right, it was I who betrayed you."

"I found it," Orochimaru said casually, clearly annoyed.

"Orochimaru, do you think everyone's an idiot?"

"Confess!" Danzo shouted.

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu were also staring at Orochimaru with displeasure.

"What you gave me."

Orochimaru looked at Danzo, his tone calm and serious, as if stating a fact.

"Stop talking nonsense."

"The forbidden technique of Impure World Reincarnation is only recorded in the Forbidden Technique Base and the Book of Sealing."

"I already asked Hiruzen before you came, and Hiruzen never taught you the Impure World Reincarnation technique from the Scroll of Seals."

"Therefore, you could only have stolen it from the forbidden arts base."

"You stole, fine, but to be so ruthless and heartless as to murder the guard ninja, what is your punishment?"

In fact, Danzo did not wrong Orochimaru. Orochimaru really did go to the forbidden jutsu base to steal the Impure World Reincarnation technique and kill the guard ninja.

That was before Uchiha Gen became Orochimaru's disciple.

However, although this was a heinous act, it was still much better than using ordinary ninjas, ANBU ninjas, villagers, and babies from the same village for experiments.

I didn't do it.

"I also discovered the Impure World Reincarnation technique by chance in the former residence of the Second Hokage."

"If you can provide evidence, then I am willing to accept the punishment."

"If you can't produce any evidence and there's nothing else, then I'll be leaving now. I'm busy."

Orochimaru looked ahead with his head held high and chest out, his pale, bloodless face expressionless, his tone cold and indifferent.

"How dare you, Orochimaru!"

"Bang!" Mitokado Homura slammed his hand on the table and shouted.

"Orochimaru, please be mindful of the occasion," Koharu Utatane said with a displeased expression.

"Am I being presumptuous?"

"You've all framed me, and you won't even let me tell my story?"

"Was it too much for me to vent a couple of frustrations during my self-narration?"

Orochimaru was naturally not intimidated by the two men; his expression and tone remained unchanged.

Orochimaru didn't take Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu seriously at all.

Danzo only paid slight attention to him; only Hiruzen Sarutobi was someone Orochimaru feared.

Orochimaru has yet to create his own unique techniques and forge his own path.

Aside from snake-type ninjutsu, all other techniques that Orochimaru knows, Hiruzen Sarutobi also knows, and those that Orochimaru doesn't know, Hiruzen Sarutobi does.

"Hiruzen, I suggest we use the Yamanaka clan's secret technique to probe Orochimaru's memories," Danzo said, turning to Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Heh heh... Good, this will prove my innocence." Orochimaru said without flinching.

To probe his memories?

Even Yamanaka Inoichi isn't qualified!

Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his hand: "That's not appropriate."

"In the end, Orochimaru is only a suspect, and he has made countless contributions to Konoha. We cannot take this approach."

Orochimaru remained indifferent to Hiruzen Sarutobi's words, showing no inner turmoil whatsoever.

If his dear teacher had truly believed him, none of this would have happened today.

Danzo's sudden betrayal of him and their cooperation was certainly motivated by his own considerations, but he didn't believe that his beloved teacher was unaware of the situation.

He's not a child anymore.

"Hmph, even without clear evidence, Orochimaru's stains are not enough to warrant a nomination for Hokage," Danzo revealed his true intentions.

"Heh heh... I wondered why you guys were making such a big fuss?"

"So that's what it was for."

"You value the mere title of Hokage more than anything else, but in my eyes it's nothing special."

"Just say it directly, why beat around the bush like this?" Orochimaru said sarcastically with a cold smile.

These "outrageous" words enraged the Konoha F4, and Danzo, Homura, and Koharu all spoke up to rebuke them.

Although Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't say anything, his face was full of displeasure.

"Shut up!"

"If you say anything more, I will lead the ninjas who support me to run for election to the very end, and fight you to the death."

"If internal strife breaks out in Konoha, it will all be your responsibility."

Upon hearing this, the three of them immediately shut up.

Hiruzen Sarutobi tightened his teeth slightly as he bit down on his pipe, feeling a faint sense of relief that he hadn't spoken earlier.

"Sigh... Orochimaru, if you could turn back into your old self, I would be happy to pass the Hokage title to you."

Looking at his once most beloved disciple, Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes were filled with regret.

My past self?

Was he the one who devoted himself wholeheartedly to Konoha, dreamed of becoming Hokage, and had no other pursuits of his own?

Like Minato Namikaze?

just forget it.

Orochimaru chuckled faintly, "Heh heh... Master, it's too late to say all this now."

"It's not too late, as long as you..."

Orochimaru rudely interrupted, "We can't go back to the way things were."

"I am willing to voluntarily give up the position of Hokage, but there are some conditions."

Hiruzen Sarutobi remained silent. Danzo glanced at Hiruzen Sarutobi and then said, "Speak."

"First, I will be able to freely enter and leave Konoha from now on, and stay or leave whenever I want."

Konoha Village is essentially a military fortress; at least for ninjas, they cannot simply leave or stay as they please.

A ninja who goes out without permission will be considered a rogue ninja!

"Second, research funding must not be interrupted."

"Third, I need to focus on my research from now on, and don't bother me with any tasks or anything like that."

The Konoha F4 exchanged glances, their eyes conveying a deep understanding that transcended decades of tacit agreement. They understood each other without needing to speak.

Hiruzen Sarutobi said in a deep voice, "The third condition won't work. If you don't care about anything, are you still a Konoha ninja?"

"Where's Jiraiya?"

"Although Jiraiya traveled all over the ninja world, he always sent information back to Konoha."

"And what about Tsunade?" Orochimaru asked with a faint smile.

"Ahem... You know how special Tsunade's identity is..."

She is the granddaughter of the First Hokage and the grandniece of the Second Hokage, who was also his teacher.

The princess of the Land of Fire has independent diplomatic rights and can represent Konoha and the Land of Fire when visiting other countries and ninja villages.

In addition to his contributions to medical ninjutsu and the medical ninja system, if he were to go anywhere in his official capacity, he would be treated as an honored guest.

Even he couldn't treat someone of such status as an ordinary disciple.

"Okay, Tsunade is special, but is her contribution to experimental research inferior to Jiraiya's intelligence gathering?"

"I'm not just working on my own projects; I haven't slacked off on the village projects either."

After pondering for a moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi said, "How about this, unless it comes to the point where Konoha is in danger, I won't bother you, okay?"

"Okay, that's settled then."

"I will release the news tomorrow."

After saying that, Orochimaru turned and left, leaving one last sentence at the door.

"Don't bother me if there's nothing wrong, and don't bother me even if there is something wrong."

Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed inwardly upon hearing this.

At this point, the bond between master and disciple had ended, leaving only a nominal one.

Danzo, however, was unconcerned and overjoyed; he had never felt the Hokage position so close to him before…

Mitokado and Koharu were also quite happy.

Whether Danzo takes over or Hiruzen continues as Hokage, they are both old comrades, and their interests and those of their families can be guaranteed.

After exchanging a few words, the Konoha F4 members dispersed.

After leaving, Orochimaru did not go home or to any research base. Instead, he found Uchiha Gen, who had finished fishing outside the village and was preparing to return.

"Teacher, judging from your expression, it seems something bad has happened?"

"Heh heh, it's nothing."

The master and disciple stood atop a towering tree, a biting wind ruffling Orochimaru's flowing black hair and Uchiha Gen's trench coat.

Orochimaru then briefly recounted what had happened to him recently.

Uchiha Gen was not surprised after hearing this, as he had already expected it.

At least Orochimaru didn't become a rogue ninja. If he had, he would have been affected to some extent.

The original work already had a significant impact on the red bean.

However, even though it was somewhat expected, a statement still needs to be made.

"Lord Hokage, you've done something quite wrong. Why can't you just talk things out between master and disciple?"

"Why do you have to scheme like this, so secretly..."

"But the most despicable one is Danzo. Traitors are the worst."

"Teacher, should we give Danzo a surprise?"

Orochimaru nodded slightly and smiled, "You just had Kushina make Danzo look bad, what are you planning this time?"

"Do it, but don't overdo it."

"Danzo's roots run deep in the ninja world, and he can get his hands on a lot of useful things for experimental research. He still has value to him."

"As long as he has enough value to me, I wouldn't mind cooperating with him even if he has betrayed me."

Uchiha Gen smiled slightly and said, "I understand. What do you think about emptying Root's coffers and his personal treasury?"

"Haha, that's a great idea, but be careful, I'll take two-thirds and you'll take one-third."

"no problem."

"I will send a spirit beast to inform you tomorrow. Go to the location I give you."

"Where are you going?"

"First, I will give you maps of Root and Danzo's residence; second, I will introduce you to the Iron Pole Ninja who will serve me."

"From now on, I will focus on exploring the path to immortality and the truth of the world. I will entrust my forces to you."

"Although my power will shrink significantly after I announce my withdrawal from the Hokage race tomorrow, those who remain are the best!"

"Your ambition is no less than mine. When you rise to power, you'll need your own people to serve you inside and out."

"understood."

Uchiha Gen did not thank him, as there was no need for such formality given their master-disciple relationship.

"I'm gone."

With that, Orochimaru vanished instantly...

The author will proceed at their own pace, so please don't rush them.

(End of this chapter)