The words of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, carried a heavy weight that set the tone for the entire meeting. His decisions, once spoken, were absolute.
This is Sarutobi Hiruzen, the "Professor," Jingyi thought to himself.
It was no wonder the strict and pragmatic Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, had chosen him as his successor. When the situation called for it, Sarutobi did indeed show decisiveness...
But not often enough.
Today, however, Hiruzen was truly angered.
From his words, it was clear he had long known about Danzo's underhanded dealings with Orochimaru. This incident was merely the spark that ignited what had been simmering beneath the surface.
Danzo remained expressionless as he rose and left the room.
He had heard everything.
There was nothing more to say.
Orochimaru, ever the enigmatic figure, kept his usual eerie smile.
But this time...
That smile seemed almost genuine.
"Old friend," Orochimaru said softly, "perhaps they are right. We have become too comfortable behind these walls. Maybe it's time I went to the front lines myself."
The other two Elders, Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane, exchanged glances before silently leaving as well.
With the departure of the council elders, the oppressive air in the room finally eased.
"Sensei, what are you doing? You're the Hokage. Why let them dictate everything?" Tsunade said, leaning back with a casual air, but noticeably, she no longer called him "old man."
"I cannot dismiss them entirely, Tsunade," Hiruzen replied wearily. "They represent old voices... but perhaps those voices are no longer in tune with the future of Konoha."
Hiruzen reflected bitterly.
Despite his reign, Konoha had not grown stronger; it had weakened.
In contrast, the younger generation, like Jingyi, had achieved more progress in a few short years than he had in decades.
He couldn't help but wonder...
Was the Will of Fire destined to favor the Senju?
In the end, he pushed the thought aside.
It didn't matter who the catalyst was Konoha had to become stronger.
Orochimaru, meanwhile, broke the tense silence.
"Sensei, while I understand your concerns about forbidden jutsu, you cannot erase the legacy of the Nidaime Hokage. He pioneered these techniques for a reason."
"Orochimaru... that's enough. This is my final warning," Hiruzen said coldly.
Orochimaru paused, then gave a low, mocking bow.
"I understand. In that case, please excuse me. I still have... research to attend to."
Tsunade clenched her fists under the table.
Something was wrong with Orochimaru. She knew him well enough to see through his facade.
But why?
Why was he letting these flaws show now, after years of perfection?
Minato Namikaze stood up, breaking the thick silence.
"Perhaps we should adjourn for today. The tone is set, but emotions are running high. Everyone needs time to reflect before decisions are finalized."
"Yes... let's end this for now. Tsunade, stay behind," Hiruzen said heavily.
After the others left, Tsunade folded her arms impatiently.
"What's so important? I'm busy."
"Stay, Tsunade... I want you to become the Fifth Hokage," Hiruzen said softly.
"I'm getting old. And maybe... I've failed as a teacher."
BOOM!
The table shattered under Tsunade's fist.
"You must be joking! Only a fool would be Hokage!"
With that, she leapt out the window.
Hiruzen sighed deeply.
He wanted to step down.
But his three disciples... none of them were ready.
Even Tsunade, despite her genius, carried unresolved wounds and doubts he could not heal.
Outside, Jingyi saw Tsunade descending from the window.
"Sister Tsunade? What happened?"
"Nothing worth staying for. Let's go drink! We're not stopping until we pass out!"
Jingyi smiled wryly.
"If you hadn't come, the old farts might've eaten us alive."
Tsunade chuckled darkly.
"They're all bark, no bite."
The truth was, she had long wanted to tell off Koharu, Homura, and Danzo, and today gave her the perfect excuse.
She sighed, looking up at the Hokage building.
"The old man surprised me today... but still... he's not enough."
She glanced at Jingyi.
"Have you continued your experiments on the Yin Seal?"
"I have, but it's not perfect yet. I can only say it's barely usable."
Tsunade frowned.
"Chakra pathways in the forehead and the heart are complex. It's not easy to rewrite that flow... but your effort is commendable."
"As for the chakra armor you mentioned, I tried it. It works for me, but it would be impossible for ordinary shinobi to master it."
Tsunade knew immediately this was similar to the Strength of a Hundred Seal.
It required monstrous chakra control and an understanding of medical ninjutsu.
Jingyii nodded.
"That's why we need to start with simpler chakra flow methods, like..."
He activated the Wind Release Chakra Mode.
Tsunade raised an eyebrow.
"Interesting... if we start from this level, gradually moving to more complex forms, it might just work. But the threshold is still high."
"Of course. Techniques of this level aren't meant for the masses."
---
Meanwhile, back at the Root base, Danzo stared coldly at Orochimaru, who was packing up his laboratory.
"Orochimaru... you're betraying me too?"
"Hehe... Danzo, I never served you. We merely cooperated."
Danzo scowled, his frustration barely contained.
"You think you can walk away?"
"I know exactly what I'm doing, and unlike you, I'm not afraid of being stopped. This experiment is meaningless now. I've already found a better path."
"... jingyi?" Danzo's face twisted, his mask of composure slipping.
"Perhaps." Orochimaru smiled thinly.
"Our cooperation ends here."
"Orochimaru... the darkness cannot lead the village."
Orochimaru laughed.
"You mistake me, Danzo. I don't think I'm any better than you."
Danzo didn't understand.
Did Orochimaru really believe that if he stepped back, Hiruzen would forgive him?
Foolishness!
"You have no way back, Orochimaru. Only I can give you shelter... and power!"
Orochimaru's smile turned sharp.
"I have no need of your shelter. I have... new ideas, Danzo."
With that, he turned and left, his snake-like gaze cold and uncaring.