"Tobirama-sensei did say the Uchiha clan was an evil clan, but he also said that besides their extreme temperaments, the Uchiha were the most loving clan,"
"You, like Danzo, keep saying the Uchiha clan is evil. What about Kagami?"
"Where do you place him?"
"Or are you like Danzo, willing to discard fellow disciples for power, showing no regard for camaraderie?"
Seeing their speechless faces, Hiruzen Sarutobi's anger subsided slightly. He let out a soft snort,
"Hmph!"
"The decision to employ the Uchiha clan was Orochimaru's own."
"I believe that with his abilities, no matter how exceptional the prodigies the Uchiha clan produces in the future, he can ensure they become loyal to Konoha!"
The two elders exchanged glances, both feeling unconvinced.
"I know you fear that if Orochimaru heavily relies on the Uchiha clan in the future, you will lose your say in the higher echelons!"
"Hiruzen, you..."
The two elders were shocked, their faces turning pale. They never expected Hiruzen Sarutobi to expose their thoughts so nakedly.
"No need to explain!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi sneered, looking at the two with a stern gaze. The might of the Legendary Ninja intimidated them, causing their bodies to tremble slightly.
"After decades of interaction, I know what kind of people you are better than anyone!"
"However, I can guarantee you that as long as you serve Konoha diligently, there will still be a place for you in this Hokage's office."
Hiruzen Sarutobi narrowed his eyes and glanced at the corpse on the ground.
"You should understand Danzo's fate!"
"I will not allow anyone to hinder Konoha's strength, otherwise..."
"You absolutely do not want to witness Orochimaru's methods!"
Orochimaru smiled at the two elders, his Dragon Cave Sage Mode activated and deactivated swiftly. Even so, the powerful fluctuations of Sage Chakra sent shivers down their spines.
"This power..."
The images of the powerful figure standing atop the thousand-meter-tall Buddha simultaneously flashed in their minds.
"It's a power similar to the First Hokage's..."
"Orochimaru, your strength..."
Orochimaru chuckled softly, his gaze gentle as he looked at the two old men blinded by power.
"Although there's still a significant gap, I am striving towards the realm of the First Hokage!"
Watching the two stunned into silence, Orochimaru said in a low voice,
"You must both be tired, elders. Why not go back and rest?"
"My teacher and I have some matters to discuss. We won't see you out!"
"As for the future, let time tell!"
A flash of panic crossed the elders' eyes. They nodded obediently and left the Hokage's office shakily.
"Pfft!"
Tsunade couldn't help but chuckle as she playfully punched Orochimaru.
"You wicked boy, look at how scared those two old geezers are!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head with a sigh.
"It's good to scare them a little, so I don't have to go through this again."
"I believe that after being frightened by Orochimaru, they will rein in some of their selfish ambitions."
Orochimaru nodded slightly.
"You are right, teacher. They are our seniors after all, and we should give them a chance."
Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed helplessly, pulling out his pipe from a drawer and taking an eager puff. After exhaling a long cloud of smoke, he looked at Orochimaru with a wry smile.
"Are you satisfied now?"
"For you, I've thoroughly offended my old friends!"
Orochimaru nodded knowingly, offering Hiruzen Sarutobi a smile and a casual compliment.
"Sarutobi-sensei, your might as the Legendary Ninja remains undiminished!"
"With just a few words, you've perfectly handled these people. Compared to you, I still have a long way to go!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi felt a surge of pleasure from the flattery and burst into laughter.
"You..."
After a bout of laughter, Hiruzen Sarutobi straightened up, his gaze sweeping over the three people in the office, and he nodded gently.
Aside from Jiraiya, who was still in Mount Myōboku training, these three were arguably the strongest of Konoha's younger generation, and all were direct disciples of the Hokage lineage.
"We've had our laughs. Now, let's discuss some less pleasant matters."
"Orochimaru, you should have guessed why I appointed you as the ANBU vice-captain, right?"
Orochimaru nodded slightly.
"Is there any progress on that matter?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression turned serious, and he said solemnly,
"Indeed. There have been several skirmishes on the Wind Country border, and a major war is likely imminent!"
"The Hidden Sand Village has considerable skill in puppetry and poisons. Sakumo has more experience than you. I plan to have him lead the defense of the Wind Country border."
"Once war breaks out, with Sakumo's abilities, he should have ample time to devise countermeasures."
"Sakumo, what do you think?"
A look of determination flashed in Kakashi Hatake's eyes. He rose and bowed solemnly to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Yes!"
"I swear on the honor of the Hatake clan that I will not fail the Hokage's trust!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded and took a puff from his pipe.
"In terms of personnel, let's tentatively set it at five hundred men!"
"Orochimaru, when you go to the Uchiha clan, gauge Fugaku's attitude."
"If possible, select a contingent of elite Uchiha to join."
"The Sharingan and Fire Style jutsu are highly effective against puppetry and poisons. With their cooperation, the Sand Village will not be a significant threat."
Orochimaru acknowledged the order.
"Regarding the Land of Earth, I plan to send people to monitor their movements. If there are any disturbances, I will personally lead Homura and Koharu to confront them."
Seeing that Hiruzen Sarutobi intended to personally participate in the war in the Land of Earth, Orochimaru shook his head with a peculiar expression.
"Teacher, I don't think the Land of Earth has the inclination to participate in this Second Great Ninja War."
"As for the reason..."
"While passing through the Land of Earth on my return journey, I took care of their Five-Tails Jinchuriki."
"Clatter!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's mouth fell open in shock, and his pipe clattered to the floor. Tsunade and Kakashi Hatake also looked at Orochimaru with astonishment, as if he were a monster.
"Orochimaru, you hadn't yet... "
"signed the contract, had you?"
"Sneaking into the Hidden Stone Village to assassinate a Five-Tails Jinchuriki? Are you tired of living?"
Orochimaru shrugged, indicating it was nothing significant.
Hiruzen Sarutobi picked up his pipe with a pained expression and took a couple of puffs. Finding it still functional, he breathed a sigh of relief.
"With the death of the Jinchuriki, the Five-Tails must have gone berserk, right?"
He squinted, filling his pipe with tobacco, and took another puff, musing.
"In that case, to appease the villagers, Ōnoki, that old geezer, will likely refrain from rashly intervening in the war."
Orochimaru nodded in agreement.
"Indeed, that's what I believe as well!"
"The anti-war sentiment in the Hidden Stone Village has been completely ignited by the Tailed Beast's rampage. Ōnoki still needs to find a new Jinchuriki for the Five-Tails. He likely won't have the resources to get involved in the war anytime soon."
A satisfied smile appeared on Hiruzen Sarutobi's lips, not only for Orochimaru's success in eliminating a Jinchuriki and returning unharmed but also for his effortless removal of the potential threat of Konoha being attacked on three fronts.
"Excellent!"
"Then I have nothing to worry about!"
"However..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered for a moment and gently shook his head.
"I've decided not to interfere with any potential attacks from the Land of Rain."
"Orochimaru, I plan to summon Jiraiya back soon. You will lead a separate unit as the ANBU vice-captain, taking him and Tsunade to the Land of Rain."
"Hanzō is powerful, but much of it is due to that troublesome salamander."
"Tsunade excels in medical ninjutsu and has recently signed a contract with the slugs. With her presence, along with Jiraiya and your summon, there shouldn't be major issues."
"What do you think?"
Orochimaru smiled confidently and shook his head slightly.
"Teacher, you don't need to worry. Even if I were to face that 'demigod' alone, I am confident I could hold him off for a while."
"You should remain in the village, continuing to be Konoha's guardian deity."
"If the strongest ninja village itself had its Hokage on the battlefield, it would surely become a laughingstock among the other Four Great Nations."
Hiruzen Sarutobi laughed heartily, stroking his beard with glee.
"Indeed, that's true!"
"Then I will wait for your return here. As it happens, Asuma needs looking after. The matters on the battlefield will be entrusted to you all."
"Although war is cruel, it is also an opportunity for you."
"Orochimaru, make the most of it!"