"Hiruzen-sensei, is this my new home?"
Orochimaru looked at the house in front of her, which was several times larger than her previous residence, so much so that it could be called a villa.
"You like to do research, and this house has a very large Laboratory, enough for you to conduct your research. Orochimaru, what do you think of your new home? Don't let the fact that it's far from the bustling part of the Village fool you; it's quiet enough here, no one will disturb your research, and you can also train in the open space over there. How about it, do you like it?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi had a hint of boastfulness and pride on his face, as if he was showing Orochimaru how amazing he was as a teacher.
This was actually a new home specially built for Orochimaru after discussions between him, Danzo Shimura, Utatane Koharu, and Homura Mitokado, considering that some of her research might blow up her own house.
Orochimaru's new home was located away from the bustling area of the Village, near the edge of the Village.
This way, she could blow it up however she wanted, and it wouldn't cause any casualties or attract complaints from the people in the Village.
"It's pretty good."
Orochimaru surveyed the location of her new home, and the more she looked, the more familiar it became.
This place… wasn't this the area that was designated as the Uchiha Clan's territory after the Nine-Tails Riot in the original story?
Orochimaru hadn't expected this place to become her new home, and the area that would have become the Uchiha Clan's territory became her training ground.
"Speaking of which, Hiruzen-sensei, did you forget something?"
Orochimaru's golden eyes looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi, as if reminding him of past events.
"Forgot what?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi was a bit confused.
"The Hyuga Clan matter. I've solved a hidden danger for the Village. What level of mission do you think this should be considered?"
Orochimaru looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi with shining eyes, looking completely like a money-grubber.
She wasn't short on money now, but that didn't mean she would give up the money she deserved.
"This…"
Hiruzen Sarutobi considered that Orochimaru had resolved a crisis involving the Hyuga Clan that could have threatened the Village, so an A-rank mission was certainly no problem. However, regarding Konoha's finances, the funds provided by the Daimyo were sufficient, but not entirely sufficient.
"Orochimaru, if you put it that way, then the cost of building your new home for the Village…"
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Orochimaru's new home in front of them and had to bring up the construction cost of this house with a Laboratory.
"Hmph! Hiruzen-sensei is really stingy."
Orochimaru glanced at Hiruzen Sarutobi and walked towards her new home.
"That's not being stingy, Orochimaru, you have to understand, as Hokage, I also have it tough."
Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled and followed behind Orochimaru.
Being Hokage is hard, and being a teacher is even harder!
Thinking about how Danzo Shimura earned so much money just from shimura herbal tea, it was impossible not to feel a little jealous.
But as Hokage, how could he get involved in that kind of business?
Even if he didn't care about his reputation, he had to consider the impact it would have.
"Really, only Hiruzen-sensei would be willing to take on such a troublesome job as Hokage. Personal time is pitifully scarce, and you have to manage all sorts of troublesome things. The Hyuga Clan's internal strife is also difficult; interfering isn't right, and not interfering isn't right either."
Orochimaru sighed, opened the door, and walked into the house.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart sank by half upon hearing this. He had trained Orochimaru to succeed him as the Fourth Hokage. Judging from her reaction… Orochimaru simply didn't want to be Hokage. If he were to let her be Hokage in the future… could it be that this incident made Orochimaru realize that being Hokage was a very troublesome job?
Hiruzen Sarutobi realized the seriousness of the matter. Whether he could retire early in the future depended entirely on whether Orochimaru could become Hokage.
Looking at Konoha's new generation, Orochimaru, who showed extraordinary intelligence, emotional intelligence, and problem-solving skills at a young age, was proficient in Five Nature Transformation Ninjutsu, had impressive achievements in Medical Ninjutsu, had mastered the Second Hokage Tobirama's Flying Thunder God Technique, enjoyed extremely high prestige in Konoha, and had excellent relationships with various Ninja Clans, was undoubtedly the most suitable candidate for the future Hokage, without a doubt.
Hiruzen Sarutobi believed that not only did he think so, but Danzo Shimura, Utatane Koharu, and Homura Mitokado also thought so. Their attitude towards Orochimaru, which was even better than their attitude towards him, the Hokage, could be seen from how they handled the Hyuga Clan's internal strife this time.
Sigh… how can I make Orochimaru interested in becoming Hokage?
Hiruzen Sarutobi had a splitting headache. He thought about how many students in the Ninja Academy made becoming Hokage their dream, but what about Orochimaru?
She only researched things she was interested in, and she couldn't even be bothered to pay attention to things she wasn't interested in, let alone become Hokage.
Hiruzen Sarutobi found that he, as Hokage, couldn't even find a reason to pique Orochimaru's interest in the Hokage position.
Orochimaru, wandering around her empty new home, didn't know that her dear Hiruzen-sensei was standing there deep in thought for a long time because of her casual remark.
"Hiruzen-sensei, aren't you coming up to take a look?"
Orochimaru pushed open the window and looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was standing at the door, lost in thought.
"Coming, coming."
Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled and walked into the house, thinking about how to make Orochimaru interested in becoming Hokage. This was even more difficult than when he studied Ninjutsu in the Ninja Academy.
"Orochimaru, what if, and I mean what if, one day Konoha needs you to become Hokage, what would you do?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi asked casually.
"Leave it to Jiraiya or Lord Danzo. Lord Koharu and Lord Homura could also do it, right?"
Although Orochimaru didn't understand why Hiruzen-sensei asked this, she still gave her answer.
Hokage?
Whoever wants to be Hokage can be Hokage, as long as it's not me, anyone is fine!
Orochimaru had this attitude towards the Hokage position. Perhaps in the eyes of others, the Hokage was the supreme throne, but in her opinion, it was a suffocating position that was neither high nor low.
Upwards, one had to face the Land of Fire's Daimyo, begging for funds like a grandchild, and being scolded for no reason.
Downwards, one had to face the clan heads of various Ninja Clans and deal with all sorts of matters. If handled poorly, all the blame was yours; if handled well, it was just part of your job.
Not only that, but if anything happened, the Hokage had to step up. Just thinking about it was suffocating.
Sure enough… Hiruzen Sarutobi found that he wasn't surprised at all. Orochimaru's answer was within his expectations.
It seems that making Orochimaru interested in the Hokage position would require a slow approach.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed inwardly. He knew that this matter couldn't be rushed, and besides, he was still young and had plenty of time.
Night, Senju Residence.
"Orochimaru, I heard your new home has been built."
Uzumaki Mito looked at Orochimaru with a kind smile and asked, "Do you have any plans?"
Tsunade paused her eating, and the chopsticks in her hand snapped into two with a crunch.
"Grandma Mito, I was just about to tell you about this. I plan to move tomorrow. There's a Laboratory in the new house, which will be very convenient for conducting research."
Orochimaru said with a smile, her gaze falling on Tsunade, who had snapped her chopsticks.
"I'm full."
Tsunade stood up, cleared her dishes, and took them to the kitchen.
"Orochimaru, you know Xiao Gang's temper."
Uzumaki Mito looked at the sulking Tsunade, feeling helpless. As a grandmother, how could she not know what her granddaughter was thinking? It was simply that she didn't want Orochimaru to move out.
During the time Orochimaru had been living at home, Tsunade's smile had noticeably increased.
"Grandma Mito, I know Tsunade's temper, you don't need to worry."
Orochimaru took out a scroll, unsealed it, and a set of skincare products with slightly different packaging appeared in her hand. She put a finger to her lips, lowered her voice, and winked, saying, "These are skincare products suitable for summer use. They aren't sold on the market yet. I got a few sets from White Snake Pharmaceutical Technology Company."
"Then I'll accept them."
Uzumaki Mito didn't stand on ceremony with Orochimaru. She had been using White Snake Brand skincare products ever since Orochimaru gave them to her, and she felt much younger. She was very interested in this set of skincare products suitable for summer use and planned to try them out later.
As for the sulking Tsunade, that would be up to Orochimaru to appease. If she intervened, who knew what kind of fuss it would become.
After dinner, Orochimaru walked into Tsunade's room and was met with a flying pillow.
"Are you angry?"
Orochimaru caught the pillow with her face, looking at Tsunade who was glaring at her with puffed cheeks. "Tsunade, I didn't know how to tell you, this is my fault."
"Give me back my pillow!" Tsunade reached out her hand.
"That won't do. Have you ever seen someone who was hit return the weapon to the person who hit them?"
Orochimaru hugged the pillow and sat on the edge of the bed, with an attitude that dared Tsunade to come and get it herself, which made Tsunade want to hit her.
"I'm not talking to you anymore!"
Tsunade lay on the bed, facing the wall, her back to Orochimaru.
"I prepared a gift for you, don't you want it?"
Seeing Tsunade didn't react, Orochimaru sighed, "Oh, if you don't want it, I'll just have to give it to Jiraiya. Maybe he'll use it to win over pretty older sisters."
"Who said I don't want it!"
Tsunade sat up abruptly, glaring angrily at Orochimaru.
"This is your gift, skincare products suitable for summer use."
Orochimaru gave Tsunade a set of skincare products she had already prepared. She called them a summer limited edition, but in reality, she just modified the formula of the skincare products sold to the Land of Wind and sold them as summer limited edition skincare products.
This marketing method was not only effective in another world, but even more effective in this world.
"If it weren't for the fact that giving it to Jiraiya would be a waste, I wouldn't want it!"
Tsunade hugged the skincare products, saying awkwardly. She was still a little angry, but not as angry as before.
Orochimaru pointed out the window and suggested, "I'm moving tomorrow. Shall we go gambling?"
"Let's go!"
Tsunade threw the skincare products aside, gripped Orochimaru's arm with both hands, and a joyful smile appeared on her cute little face.
So easy to fool… Orochimaru knew she had to appeal to Tsunade's interests.
Although doing so might seem like indulging her, with her by Tsunade's side, all the money Tsunade lost would be won back.
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