Yes, the Hokage!

It's like you command a million soldiers and are guarding the border, with the crown prince residing in your territory. The emperor issues an edict promising not to pursue the matter and granting you a high-ranking official position and generous salary, allowing you to return to the capital alone to report back. So you go...

Does this make you a little bit less intelligent?

"Feng Lan!"

The Third Hokage's voice finally turned completely cold. He didn't have much time to waste on words here, because the commotion he had caused was too great. In particular, Obito's final Hellish Chaos had caused several towering trees to grow out of nowhere and collapse the entire base. Although he had arranged for the Anbu to seal off the surrounding area, there was still a great risk of exposure.

"I know Minato will never come here. If you don't hand over Orochimaru, the consequences could be severe."

He was indeed qualified to make such a threat, because the Third Hokage was a genuine Kage-level expert, while Shisui on Fenglan's side was poisoned and Obito had just awakened, so neither of them could be considered true Kage-level experts.

Until they reach Kage level, they are nothing more than ants, unless Dai desperately unleashes his Death Gate... But how could Dai possibly risk his life against the Third Hokage of his own village? Even Shisui and Obito might not fight the Third Hokage for Fenglan.

The fact that the Third Hokage knew about Minato being drugged clearly indicates that he had been monitoring Fenglan through some means, and this informant was naturally...

Feng Lan's gaze swept over the group of people he had brought, lingering specifically on Rizashi, who lowered his head in a guilty and embarrassed manner, not daring to meet his eyes.

Rizashi's heart ached. He couldn't imagine what Fenglan's expression would be when he learned that he had been betrayed and informed on after placing such great trust in him. He subconsciously even closed his eyes, because he didn't dare to look at Fenglan's face.

However, Hizashi didn't know that he was brought here specifically because Fenglan knew he would betray them. He was the key to this battle with the Third Hokage, just as he had told Hiashi before. Strategic weapons like the Hyuga and Byakugan, if used once at a crucial moment, could be fatal.

The arrival of the Third Hokage was within his expectations. If he hadn't come... how could he have made the Uchiha, Hyuga, and even Shizune completely side with him?

"How serious will the consequences be? Let me guess..." Feng Lan smiled, and then quickly said before the other party could speak, "Just say that the rogue ninjas fought each other and the advisor died suddenly. Doesn't that sound much better?"

Upon hearing this, Dai, who was rather simple-minded, couldn't understand, nor could Kakashi and Obito, who were still children, understand, but the expressions of everyone else changed instantly.

Even Inaho and Tetsuka understood what this meant: The Third Hokage... was going to attack Fenglan? And even after killing him, he would label everyone present as rogue ninja to destroy the evidence!

The Third Hokage's expression also changed slightly. He had indeed considered this possibility, but it was a last resort, a desperate measure. As the Hokage, he was unwilling to cut off his own arm if there was even the slightest chance of turning the tide.

But Feng Lan didn't give the other party a chance to explain at all. He ran away as soon as he finished speaking, wanting to deeply imprint the impression of the Third Generation in the minds of everyone present.

He had one hand on Inahime and the other on Tetsuka, and Orochimaru had already left a mark when he patted his shoulder, and then...

With a "whoosh," he vanished with the three of them! Even the wooden stick that had bound Orochimaru flew away with them!

"This is..." The Third Hokage froze for a moment, then his face turned extremely ugly, "Flying Thunder God?!"

He always felt that everything tonight was under his control, but he did not expect that Feng Lan had such a trump card. He also did not expect that Feng Lan would abandon Shisui, who was willing to risk his life for him, and even leave Obito, who was so valuable, to him, but instead took Orochimaru away!

On the other side, at the entrance of the dumpling shop on the busiest street in the village.

"Shh!"

Feng Lan led the three of them directly here. Itachi, who was still eating dumplings, hurriedly stood up. He held a kunai engraved with a spell symbol in his hand, obviously using it as a coordinate.

"Wow!"

As soon as he landed, Feng Lan's face turned pale and he spat out a mouthful of blood. He was not a genius like Minato, and it was impossible for him to learn the Flying Thunder God technique with such speed in just a few years. What Feng Lan learned was the original version, which was the Flying Thunder God technique created by the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju.

Furthermore, even with the Flying Thunder God Technique, he wasn't very proficient. Transporting three people not only consumed a lot of chakra but also caused considerable backlash. He now felt his internal organs churning, and he couldn't use any ninjutsu for the time being.

"Lord Fenglan!"

Itachi was immediately alarmed and quickly came over to help him up.

Daohuo and Tiehuo wanted to come over too, but Fenglan waved them off, telling them to carry the logs binding Orochimaru: "Brothers, we won! We're victorious! Understand?"

Daohuo and Tiehuo clearly didn't understand, but they still nodded subconsciously: "Understood."

Feng Lan clenched her fist and swung it: "Say it once."

The two repeated, "We won! We're victorious!"

Feng Lan wiped the blood she had spat out onto her clothes, then waved her hand again: "Prancing around the city...come with me!"

Although the two did not understand his meaning, they immediately did as he said, imitating Feng Lan's manner, carrying Orochimaru with their heads held high and walking on the most bustling street in Konoha.

They immediately attracted a lot of attention:

"This, this is Lord Orochimaru?!"

"And what are Feng Lan and the Uchiha doing?!"

"So much blood!"

"..."

Undoubtedly, Feng Lan's triumphant appearance and the blood on his body led people to imagine that Orochimaru wanted to defect, and that they captured him after paying a huge price.

Otherwise, if Feng Lan and his gang were bad people, would they dare to parade around so brazenly?

Meanwhile, the Uchiha clan members summoned by Itachi had arrived. In the past few days, Fugaku had told all the clan members, to raise their guard against ambushes, that Orochimaru and Danzo coveted the Sharingan (Danzo had one but hadn't dared say so, fearing he couldn't control these lunatics). Seeing Orochimaru being paraded through the streets like a dead pig, one of the young Uchiha men finally couldn't hold back and shouted:

Orochimaru has been captured! Orochimaru has been captured!

As he cheered, the other Uchiha clansmen joined in the jubilation, and the remaining villagers, though unaware of what was happening, instinctively joined in the cheering as well.

As Feng Lan and his group moved forward, more and more people cheered and shouted, and some even ran after them, making it look like a parade.

Among these people were members of various clans. Some of them held high positions and probably knew what kind of person Orochimaru was, while others, like ordinary villagers, thought Orochimaru was the highly respected Sannin.

But now, does it even matter what Orochimaru is really like?

Although Fenglan hasn't won yet, he's acting as if he's won a great victory.

They'll help whoever wins.

Chapter 28 Oh no, I've become a substitute!

When the Third Hokage arrived with the Anbu, they found the streets already in an uproar and the villagers celebrating wildly.

He suddenly felt his vision go black and he almost lost his balance. His current feeling was probably very similar to Huang Silang's "Oh no, I've become a substitute."

After Feng Lan's outburst, it's almost impossible for him to save Orochimaru again, and that brat will definitely hold him accountable for this later!

The third generation was, after all, shrewd and calculating. He could think of almost everything that Feng Lan could think of. The reason he could win this game today was twofold: first, Feng Lan had the advantage of being a transmigrator and was the first to realize that the person next to him was a mole; second, Feng Lan was too well hidden. Apart from him and Minato, everyone thought that this consultant, who was exhausted from running laps, was an ordinary person. They never expected that he would actually be able to use the Flying Thunder God Technique!

Feng Lan ran away, and Shisui and the others were naturally brought back by the Third Hokage. What could he do? Was he really going to harm his own people? That would give Feng Lan even more reason to cause trouble. Besides, he couldn't bear to kill such promising talents as Shisui and Obito.

To be honest, after witnessing Feng Lan run away without saying a word, Shisui felt a little resentful. However, when he saw the bustling street and the jubilant Uchiha on it, he suddenly understood.

"So that's how it is... Lord Fenglan is indeed incredibly insightful..."

Unbeknownst to him, Feng Lan's status in his heart had risen another level, from thoughtful to shrewd.

"Ah, what a brilliant plan." Dai couldn't help but look over, because Shisui's body had not fully recovered from the paralysis and he was supporting him.

"Lord Fenglan..." Shisui had just opened his mouth when he saw the Third Hokage looking at him coldly, so he gave up the idea of ​​explaining. However, he still said, "In short, Lord Fenglan did not abandon us and run away. He did it to save us."

"What you're saying is pointless," Dai said, scratching his head. "How could Lord Fenglan abandon us and run away? He's not that kind of person!"

Shisui suddenly chuckled, realizing that his understanding of Fenglan was actually inferior to that of the simple-minded Might Guy... At this moment, he even envied the other's clear-headed and youthful personality.

At least... that way there won't be the feeling of loss after your idol's career is ruined.

Shisui has always deeply admired the Third Hokage and believed in the Will of Fire. Fenglan had previously asked him to ponder what the Will of Fire was, but Shisui, after much thought, still remembered the Third Hokage's words: "Where there are leaves dancing, fire will burn. The shadow of fire will illuminate the village and cause new leaves to sprout."

Everyone did their best to protect me, and I did my best to protect everyone's dreams and cherished things. This is the Will of Fire.

Even after witnessing Danzo's Sharingan spinning behind his bandages, Shisui's Will of Fire remained unshaken. But today, seeing the Third Hokage in such a different light than usual, his judgment about the Will of Fire truly began to waver.

Kakashi and Obito didn't have time to care about this, because Rin had already been taken to the medical room by Shizune, and the two of them naturally had to go with her. The Third Hokage couldn't possibly lose face by forcing the two children to follow, especially since he had also sent ANBU to monitor them.

Therefore, only one person remained in Fenglan's snake-catching team: Richa.

He originally belonged to the Third Generation's side, and should have been going home standing behind the Third Generation. However, Hizashi's mind was filled with the shame and self-loathing of a traitor, and he wished he could cover his face with his hands.

"Mr. Hizashi, what's wrong?" Dai asked curiously, his expression simple and unassuming.

"I, I..." Hizashi was in a state of confusion and didn't know how to explain.

"Let him have some peace and quiet." Shisui had clearly realized that Hizashi was the mole, but he didn't scold him; he just patted Dai on the shoulder.

Meanwhile, Feng Lan circled around and actually came back, walking straight towards the Third Generation.

This wasn't because of his sensory abilities—he was too weak to use them—but because this was the fastest shortcut from Orochimaru's base to this street!

"Third Hokage!" Feng Lan waved his hand, and the cheering crowd around him fell silent. Seeing this, the Third Hokage's eyelids twitched involuntarily.

He then knelt on one knee and exclaimed, "We have fulfilled our mission! Under your brilliant guidance, we have successfully destroyed Orochimaru's hideout and captured this man who attempted to betray the village on the spot!"

Orochimaru really wanted to curse when he heard this, but his mouth was already gagged, so he could only try to kill Fenglan with his eyes.

However, he does not possess Amaterasu, so he is of no use other than causing dryness in the eyes.

Upon hearing this, the Third Hokage knew that Feng Lan was giving him a way out, which meant that the other party did not want to completely break off relations yet. Of course, the Third Hokage himself did not want to either. If he really saw Feng Lan execute Orochimaru on the spot, he really didn't know if he could still remain rational.

Feng Lan naturally thought the same thing. What he was most worried about was the Third Hokage getting angry and unleashing a Five Elements Great Combo Technique. Although the possibility of this was so small as to be almost nonexistent, it was still something he had to guard against.

"Yes, you did a great job."

The Third Hokage nodded slightly to him, his gaze sweeping over Orochimaru one last time before he raised his voice: "Feng Lan, you resolved the village's crisis ahead of schedule; you are a hero of the village!"

"Oh! Long live Lord Fenglan!"

At that moment, the villagers who had bullied him before also raised their hands and cheered in unison.

Feng Lan smiled, though her vision was already starting to blur, but she had to hold on and give this performance a perfect ending: "Third Hokage, has Orochimaru been imprisoned in the police station's jail as you previously requested?"

The third generation closed his eyes and took a deep breath: "Okay!"

Daohuo and Tiehuo immediately rushed to the Uchiha's base, while Fenglan forced himself to get up and ordered, "Make sure to put him in the prisoner's gear that restricts the flow and recovery of chakra as soon as possible (the same gear that Sasuke was put in after the Valley of the End), otherwise this guy will escape after shedding his skin."

"Don't worry, Lord Fenglan." The two silly boys grinned with youthful exuberance. "No one who goes into our Uchiha prison ever manages to escape!"

Even so, Fenglan was still worried and gave Itachi a wink. Itachi immediately understood and followed closely behind with his father, Fugaku.

Having finally resolved everything, Feng Lan breathed a sigh of relief, coughed lightly twice, and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth: "Third Hokage, I still have confidential information about Orochimaru to report to you."

"Okay, follow me."

The third generation had no choice but to follow the steps offered by Fenglan.

“By the way, Mr. Rizashi followed the entire arrest operation and gathered a lot of information, so let him help organize it. The other two can go home and rest.” Fenglan asked in an unquestionable tone, “What do you say?”

The Third Hokage waved his hand, and the Anbu members beside him immediately dispersed, allowing Dai to help Shisui leave. Meanwhile, Hizashi stood blankly behind the Third Hokage, not daring to look at Fenglan.

Thus, the pursuit and conviction of Orochimaru were finalized before the Fourth Hokage even appeared. What's terrifying is that, from the heads of various clans to the villagers of Konoha, no one felt there was any problem.

……

"Wow!"

Once inside, Feng Lan finally lost control and vomited a mouthful of blood, even her eyes dimmed.