As Hokage's helper, in charge of organizing things, Nara Shikaku knows a lot about the personalities of the village leaders.
Jiraiya and Tsunade aside, Orochimaru definitely doesn't care about the village.
Even before the Fourth Hokage took over and the Nine Tails disaster, he wanted to leave Konoha and run away.
Lately, he's helped the village a lot, but really, these events haven't cost him anything.
Fame and honor… for someone who doesn't care, they're just passing clouds, unimportant.
On the other hand, the two advisor elders who opposed him were upset at meetings many times, and Danzo was weakened so much he almost gave up.
Now, Elder Utatane Koharu is even thinking about Orochimaru's opinion before speaking, which was unthinkable before.
Of course, Nara Shikaku doesn't mind Orochimaru having power. At least for now, he seems to be helping the village.
But not understanding Orochimaru's goal makes him very worried.
-- It seems the 'Ninjutsu Selection Center' needs more attention.
Like Kakashi thought, Nara Shikaku plans to put more of his people under Orochimaru. Only by being in charge of important things can he get a glimpse of Orochimaru's intentions.
Smoke curling around him, the Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen put down his pipe and said slowly,
"We don't have enough information. Your method seems too risky right now, we need more proof."
He looked at the two advisor elders, "Danzo's information group is in your hands now. This is a good chance to use it. Try to find out information in Kusagakure."
Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura's faces tightened, and they nodded.
"As for the reply to Kusagakure…" the Third Hokage thought for a moment, "Refuse, saying Konoha can't interfere in Kusagakure's internal affairs."
After all, Konoha is just a ninja village in the Land of Fire, not an organization that keeps world peace. It has no right to act as justice to destroy Kusagakure's ambitions.
If Konoha's ninja really need to do it, they can pay for it and post a mission. That's the right way.
Orochimaru heard the Third Hokage's words and smiled.
It sounds like the old man is rejecting his idea, but really he's just watching from the sidelines.
Also, asking these two elders who just took over the information group to find out information that even Kusagakure ninja can't find is a bit difficult, and the chances of success aren't high.
"Today's meeting will…"
The Third Hokage was about to end the meeting when an Anbu ninja appeared in the Hokage's office, walked up to him, and whispered a few words.
"Right on time."
Sarutobi Hiruzen raised an eyebrow and ordered, "Let them in."
The Anbu ninja bowed slightly and left the Hokage's office.
"Hiruzen, what's going on?"
Utatane Koharu asked.
"Ninja sent by Takigakure Village for help have arrived."
The Third Hokage frowned and said, "According to them, one of the ninja who helped Kusagakure ninja kidnap the Seven Tails Jinchuriki is a Konoha traitor."
He looked at Orochimaru, "White hair, snake eyes, named Yakushi Kabuto."
Hearing the Third Hokage's words, the atmosphere in the meeting room suddenly became strange.
It's only been two months, and this new problem is related to Orochimaru again.
The decision at the previous meeting was to wait and see, but if Takigakure Village uses this to demand something from Konoha, it will be hard to answer.
After all, dealing with traitors is usually the village's responsibility.
Feeling everyone's eyes on him, Orochimaru's expression didn't change. He smiled and said, "This is just a small matter, just pretend to do something later."
Orochimaru knew that Kabuto wasn't the only one who invaded Takigakure Village. Sasori The Red sand, a Sunagakure Village traitor, and Kakuzu, a Takigakure Village traitor, were also there.
When the old man and the others find out the details, they'll realize that Konoha doesn't need to take the blame.
Soon, two Takigakure Village ninja, one big and one small, came to the meeting room to complain about Yakushi Kabuto.
The younger one started crying after a few words, with snot and tears all over his face.
This is understandable, since his father gave his life to defend against the invasion after drinking 'Hero's Water'.
Orochimaru shook his head, feeling bored.
Showing sadness is fine, since it really is painful, but lying is wrong.
In the mission report Kabuto sent back, he only posed the whole time, barely doing anything, except for threatening Suien to hand over half of the 'Hero's Water'. It wasn't as cruel as they said.
Hearing them say more and more, Orochimaru raised an eyebrow, "What Ninjutsu did Yakushi Kabuto use? Describe it again?"
"Before you lie, let me remind you that Yakushi Kabuto was my student, I know all the Ninjutsu he learned."
The Takigakure Village ninja's expression froze, and he couldn't say anything.
And under Orochimaru's stare, the son of the Takigakure Village leader, named 'Shibuki,' didn't dare to cry anymore.
The Konoha leaders present wouldn't have been moved by the simple display of sadness anyway, but now they sensed something was wrong.
After asking more questions, the truth about what happened in Takigakure Village was told.
…
Meanwhile, on the streets of Konoha.
Tagorihime, who had been wandering around for a long time, started to check out the street, trying all the Konoha snacks.
Kakashi, of course, was paying.
He's done many S-rank missions and isn't short on money. He can afford to keep eight ninja dogs at home, so 'poor' isn't a word that applies to him.
But Tagorihime isn't an ordinary woman. She has a huge appetite. She only 'tastes a little,' but it's like a dozen grown men's worth of food for a normal person.
And this isn't just one store, it's every store on every street. Even Kakashi felt the pain.
'I can get reimbursed, right?'
Sitting in front of Ichiraku Ramen, Kakashi watched Tagorihime swallow the ramen like a whale, thinking aimlessly.
"This customer has a really big appetite."
Uncle Teuchi still had his眯眯 eyes, passing out bowls of ramen one after another, not looking tired at all.
"I haven't had such good food in a long time."
Tagorihime drank it all in one gulp and licked the grease from her mouth. Blue and white bowls were piled up high beside her, almost half the height of an adult.
"I'm glad you like it."
Uncle Teuchi smiled, reached out to take the bowls on the table back, and handed them to his daughter Ayame.
Watching the little girl busy in the store, washing the dishes, Tagorihime praised, "What a good and sensible girl."
"Yeah."
Hearing Tagorihime's praise, Teuchi seemed to feel something too,
"Compared to my unthoughtful son, daughters are more caring."
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