"You've got competitors now, Orochimaru," Jiraiya says with that familiar grin, half teasing, half consoling. He lifts his hand like he's about to pat my shoulder.
I don't move. He hesitates, then wisely pulls it back.
"Sorry. Senior Orochimaru."
Minato shifts beside him, looking a touch awkward. He glances at me, expression apologetic.
I don't care. But I still ask:
"Why are you sorry?"
"I… I didn't mean to offend," he says. "It's just… I know you wanted to be Hokage. And, well… I'm also being considered."
I look at him for a moment.
He's genuine.
I don't bother responding.
His apology doesn't matter.
He didn't know.
It was Sensei's plan, to make him a puppet under the guise of succession.
What could I possibly say that wouldn't be a waste of breath?
"Orochimaru, you should take on a Genin team," Sarutobi says, his voice calm but firm. He always did try to control outcomes gently, like shaping clay with warm hands.
"No." I deny him instantly.
He stops mid-sentence, surprised.
I meet his gaze, unblinking. Let him see I won't bend.
"I will not lead a team, Sensei."
Silence.
A few seconds pass as our eyes lock. He realises I won't change my mind.
"Alright," he says finally, sliding the team list back into his drawer like it means nothing.
But it meant something.
If he were truly watching, he'd see the storm beneath my skin. The disappointment. The seething irritation masked under my perfect calm.
How can he not see it?
How disturbed my mood is?
"Anything else, Sensei?"
"Nothing. You all can leave." His voice is already distant, hand fishing out his pipe, more interested in smoke than students.
We step outside.
Jiraiya stretches immediately, rolling his shoulders with a groan. He's never liked sitting still for too long.
"If Tsunade were here, it'd be better," he mutters, eyes unfocused, voice quieter now.
"Why?"
"There are a lot of patients only she can handle," he replies with a tired sigh. "Too many injured shinobi, and not enough medics who can actually do something about it."
I glance sideways at him.
"When she asked to increase the number of medical-nin, many didn't support her. Including you?"
Jiraiya shifts uncomfortably. Scratches the back of his head, a nervous tic.
"Ah, yeah… I guess I wasn't exactly on board with the idea. Had my reasons, though. Not all of them were bad. Just… short-sighted."
"Short-sighted, huh?"
I don't raise my voice. I don't have to. My stare does the job.
His smile falters.
He sighs, guilt lining his expression. "Okay, fine. Maybe I was wrong. But the village had other things to prioritise. We didn't have the budget to invest in that field. You know that, too."
He isn't wrong.
But that doesn't absolve him either.
Tsunade wasn't asking for comfort or luxury. She was trying to save lives. And they all dismissed her. Laughed it off. Prioritised weapons over healers.
Now, they're paying for that ignorance. In blood and broken bones.
"Are you going to bring her back?"
"Yes," he confirms. "I'll be leaving soon."
"You think she'll come willingly?"
"No," he answers honestly. "But she'll come back."
A pause.
"It's inevitable. She belongs here… even if she hates it."
He's right.
She does hate it.
And I need that hatred for my plan to succeed.
The moment I gained those memories, clarity sharpened like a scalpel, I knew exactly what I had to do.
This world is more dangerous than I ever thought it was.
More mysterious.
More unpredictable.
Outlines of countless actions and contingencies formed instantly.
To survive.
To grow.
And Tsunade…
Tsunade is one of the key pieces.
Granddaughter of the First Hokage.
Half Senju. Half Uzumaki.
A Kage-level combatant.
One of the most gifted medical-nin in the world.
The owner of 106.
We were teammates for years.
She is one of the few I ever truly spoke to.
But sentiment will not cloud my judgment.
Whether she joins willingly, or whether I have to break her into place, makes no difference to me.
In the end, she can be a partner.
Or a tool.
She will not have any other choice.
"Then I wish you success," I say, turning to Jiraiya one last time before moving forward.
"Be on guard "
I didn't need to guess why he shouted.
"Come out," I said, still waking.
A figure emerged from the treeline, mask on, uniform sterile and silent.
Not ANBU.
Root.
Predictable.
"Danzo-sama has summoned you."
"Of course he has," I muttered, already anticipating the game behind the gesture.
I stepped forward, brushing past him.
"Lead the way."
There was no need for resistance. Root didn't threaten me.
Danzo was growing restless.
Calling for me the moment I left the Hokage's office...
He could see the pieces shifting, just as I did.
He knew what was coming.
From the shadowed branches of the building behind us, another Root agent flickered into view then vanished without a word.
Just like insects. Silent. Repetitive. Replaceable.
And Danzo sat in the hive.
Waiting.
************"
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