Jiraiya took in Orochimaru's expression.He couldn't help wondering what Sarutobi Hiruzen had written in that letter to him.
But the scroll had been sealed with a technique that caused it to self-destruct shortly after being opened, and out of trust for his teacher, Jiraiya had never considered reading it beforehand.
"Haha… hahahaha…"
After reading the scroll, Orochimaru's shock gave way to a dry chuckle, which then built into full, unrestrained laughter.He laughed until tears gathered in his eyes—tears that startled not only Jiraiya, but also Kabuto Yakushi, who had remained silent at his side.
"You drove White Fang to suicide, watched the Fourth Hokage die, and wiped out the Uchiha clan. Now that you've run out of people to use, you come crawling to me?"
When the laughter subsided, Orochimaru dragged his fingers along the corners of his eyes, wiping away tears that weren't really there. The scroll slipped from his hand, struck the ground with a dull thud, and dissolved into a puff of white smoke.
"Orochimaru…"
Jiraiya felt that much of what he'd just heard were conspiracy theories, and at least some of it couldn't fairly be laid at Sarutobi Hiruzen's feet.
"If this were ten years ago, maybe I'd have been swayed. But not anymore."
Having turned his back on Konoha to found the Hidden Sound Village in the Land of Rice [Rice Country], Orochimaru had spent the past decade sacrificing lives for his experiments. His heart was now colder and harder than stone.
He recalled the words from the scroll: I plan to move against Sunagakure [Hidden Sand Village]… When you return to Konoha, not only will I forgive all past transgressions, I will personally see your name cleared in the village.
For a fleeting moment, he had been tempted—but the feeling vanished just as quickly.
Affection that comes too late is worth less than weeds in the street—and this wasn't even affection. It was pure opportunism.
Still… why had the old man suddenly set his sights on the Sand Village?
That question was the true reason for Orochimaru's shock. He had only just assassinated the Fourth Kazekage and hadn't even disposed of the body. How could Sarutobi Hiruzen, sitting far away in the Hokage's office, have known there was an opening to strike Sunagakure?
No—perhaps it was coincidence. The old man had no heir and ambitions to annex the Sand. That was why he came to Orochimaru.
A dozen thoughts flashed through Orochimaru's mind in an instant. Accepting Hiruzen's "kind offer" was not among them.
"Once again—tell that old man to wash his neck and wait for me in Konoha."
He glanced at Kabuto Yakushi, who immediately began forming the signs for a long-range escape technique.
"Orochimaru, this might be your last chance—you can't just—"
For our history's sake, can't you at least…?
Jiraiya's hand shot out, but closed on nothing. Orochimaru had already dissolved into a whirlwind and vanished.
"Oh? He refused?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen stood before the window with his hands clasped behind him, watching a great tree in full bloom as a few dead leaves drifted down in the wind.
"Yeah," Jiraiya admitted, sounding discouraged.
He had been hoping for a reunion of the legendary Three Ninja in Konoha—if Orochimaru had agreed to return, he would have set out immediately to find Tsunade.But no matter what he tried, he hadn't been able to sway him.
"That's fine. Tell me how he reacted."
"He…"
"I see."
Hiruzen's eyes glimmered as Jiraiya recounted the encounter.
"Hokage-sama, urgent intelligence!"
The urgent voice of his aide rang from outside the office door. A secret dispatch, retrieved from a carrier pigeon, was handed in.
"Fragments of the Fourth Kazekage's body have been found."
Had Jiraiya not still been in the office, the Third Hokage might have exclaimed aloud.
Yes—it was a match! Orochimaru's reaction and the discovery of the Kazekage's corpse confirmed the "future" written in the mysterious notebook.
We can't wait. We need to begin preparations for the next Chūnin Exam at once.
Suppressing his excitement, Hiruzen calmly shredded the letter with a Wind Release technique.
"Jiraiya, how many years has it been since Konoha's ninja forces were rebuilt?"
"Teacher, what are you planning?"
First Orochimaru, now the army?Even Jiraiya, not known for subtlety, sensed something was off about his teacher.
And what had been in that letter just now?
"Don't worry. Konoha isn't going to start a war—we're simply taking precautions."
For now, only Jiraiya could be trusted to reorganize the village's forces. That would put Hiruzen's mind at ease.
"You'd better be right," Jiraiya muttered, recalling Orochimaru's accusations. Even if he believed them unfounded, he couldn't shake a growing dissatisfaction with the Third Hokage.
Over the years, there had been… many things.
Still, for Konoha's sake, he would obey.
"However—if war truly becomes unavoidable, we should recall Tsunade first."
"I'll consider it. Make the arrangements."
The thought of Tsunade made Hiruzen's temples ache. They had all been such promising students once… and now, even Jiraiya dared to talk back.
Still—if it meant securing Konoha's future and fulfilling his teacher Tobirama's final wish—Hiruzen could endure anything.
"Oi, Kage!"
Team 8 had just left the Hokage Building when they ran into Team 10, led by Asuma Sarutobi.
In the next instant, Uchiha Kage found himself enveloped in a warm, soft embrace.
"It's been days—did you miss me?"
The one clinging to him was, of course, Yamanaka Ino, who seemed to have grown a little since he'd last seen her.
"Didn't I see you at the flower shop yesterday?"
Yesterday had been the Uchiha clan's memorial day, and Uchiha Kage had gone to buy flowers for Sasuke.
"That's different! My mom was in the shop yesterday!"
Neither of Ino's parents wanted her getting too close to anyone from the Uchiha.
Ignoring that, she wrapped her arms around Kage's and pressed her golden hair against his chest, inhaling his warmth as if to store it up. Missions within the village were painfully dull, and not seeing Uchiha Kage for days had left her restless.
"Alright, little girl—my disciple has a mission to get to. Talk later, when there's time."
Kurenai Yuhi eyed the blonde girl who had suddenly latched onto Kage, then glanced at the silent Hinata beside her.
What on earth was going on here? Wasn't this boy supposed to be with Hinata?
And now another blonde appeared—one who was clinging to him like they were already lovers?
No… As a staunch believer in pure romance, Kurenai decided she was going to have a very pointed talk with this male student of hers who seemed far less innocent than he appeared.