Hokage's Office.
After Hiruzen Sarutobi finished reading Gisei Shiraishi's resignation report, he lifted his head, looked at the young man, and let out a long sigh.
Pipe clenched between his teeth, he walked to the window and gazed out at Konoha in silence.
Gisei waited quietly for the Third's reply.
He had a feeling the Third wouldn't agree to his resignation. After all, Gisei wasn't just an ordinary ninja; he had a coalition of clans standing behind him. Even if the Third did agree, there would likely be strings attached.
"Gisei, let's not talk about resigning. If you don't want to stay in the Medical Corps, you can choose any other department in Konoha."
Hearing this, Gisei looked at the Third in surprise.
Speaking purely from personal feelings, the Third had treated him quite well. Whether it was the protection during his childhood or his friendly attitude now, Gisei was genuinely touched.
If he had come from a civilian family, perhaps under the Third's influence, he would have become a true inheritor of the Will of Fire.
Unfortunately, that was only an "if." One's stance is determined by where one sits.
The Third's kindness was mixed with too much political purpose, and Gisei was deeply dissatisfied with the village system. The two were destined to drift further apart.
"Lord Hokage, resigning is a thought I've had for a long time. You know that I still have some clansmen scattered about. I plan to move them back to the clan lands."
"That has nothing to do with your resignation. You can have others move your clansmen back for you."
Gisei fell silent.
Indeed, it could be done that way, but his purpose for gathering his clansmen wasn't simple. There were things he had to handle personally. Otherwise, even if he moved them back, what difference would it make?
He couldn't tell the Third these things.
Seeing Gisei remain silent, the Third closed his eyes and sighed heavily, his face full of emotion and regret.
"How about this, Gisei? You go to the regular forces and serve as a squadron leader. I will have Orochimaru accompany you."
The Third was making a final attempt to keep him.
"I heard you want to enter the Administrative Division. You are too young right now. After two years of experience, I will let you serve as a battalion commander, or even a regimental commander."
"With that seniority, entering the Administrative Division will be a matter of course. If I forcefully push you up now, others will say the village is unfair."
Hearing these generous conditions, Gisei began to smile bitterly.
A squadron leader in the regular forces commanded at least a hundred people. A battalion commander led over a thousand.
A battalion commander was already part of the village's high command. If war broke out, a regimental commander would be a top-tier officer. And having Orochimaru accompany him—this was placing him on the same level as the Hokage's own disciple.
If the clans supporting him heard this news, they would probably pressure him to agree immediately.
What a pity...
Gisei couldn't agree. The regular forces were mostly civilian ninjas—troops loyal to the Hokage. Although he wouldn't be ostracized there, it would be nearly impossible to cultivate his own power base.
Because for others to pledge loyalty to him, there was a prerequisite: he had to be loyal to the Hokage. Without that, even a regimental commander was just a hollow title.
The Third had scattered the clan members loyal to Gisei into the troops as squad leaders. If Gisei wasn't loyal and tried to cause trouble, the Third could strip him of command in an instant.
If his goal was simply to become Hokage, he would definitely agree. But since he wanted to destroy this village system, he absolutely could not go.
War was about to break out. If he went to the regular forces and waited until the war ended, he might come back to find all his clansmen dead or gone. If the foundation of his power was wiped out, how could he ever fight against the Third?
There was no other choice but to feign loyalty.
Even if he didn't go to the regular forces, once the war started, he would still be at the level of a regimental commander. It was just that the troops he led would be the clan members who supported him.
The nature of these two armies was different, so the treatment would naturally differ.
The Third had given him a multiple-choice question: stand on his side, or on the side of the clans. Gisei wanted to stand on neither.
But now he was caught in the middle, stuck in a dilemma, and it was very uncomfortable.
"Lord Hokage, please let me rest for two years first, okay? I will tell you my answer then."
Gisei planned to stall. What he lacked most right now was time.
Hearing this, the Third's hands, hidden in his sleeves, suddenly clenched tight.
He wasn't a fool; on the contrary, he was an extremely shrewd political figure. Whether in judging people or reading situations, even Gisei, with two lifetimes of experience, couldn't compare.
"I understand. I will arrange for your entry into the Administrative Division."
No emotional fluctuation could be heard in the Third's voice.
The corner of Gisei's eye twitched wildly. He stared at the Third and fell silent.
A minute later, he turned and left.
He didn't even say thank you. It wasn't needed anymore.
Since the Third arranged for him to enter the Administrative Division, it meant he had seen through Gisei's thoughts.
After pushing open the office door, he knew he would likely never have the chance to come here again as an ally.
Orochimaru was leaning against the wall outside. When he saw Gisei, he revealed a meaningful smile.
"I thought we could become companions. It seems that hope has been dashed. Truly regrettable."
Gisei glanced at him and said with interest, "Orochimaru, the word 'companion' has many definitions. Entrusting one's life to another makes a companion, and sharing the same ambitions makes a companion."
"Which kind of companion do you want to be with me?"
"Since we can entrust our lives to each other, naturally we can share the same ambitions. Wouldn't it be better to have the best of both worlds?"
Gisei laughed loudly. After laughing, he left a final sentence behind.
"Orochimaru, don't be too greedy."
...
Gisei went to the hospital and gathered the members of the Medical Corps. After briefly announcing his departure, he returned to his office to pack his things.
Tsunade pushed the door open and entered.
"Why?"
Gisei didn't pay her any attention.
Tsunade watched him leave the hospital, ultimately never receiving an answer.
"Strange guy."
"I don't think it's strange, just a pitiful worm."
Tsunade turned around to see Orochimaru. She crossed her arms and asked, "Why are you here?"
"Sensei asked me to keep an eye on him."
Tsunade was stunned for a moment, her face full of surprise. "The Hokage?"
"You look like you can't believe it. Actually, there's nothing strange about it. Gisei Shiraishi has just returned to his own destiny."
"Orochimaru, what exactly do you know?"
Orochimaru stuck out his tongue and licked the corner of his mouth. Tsunade frowned, feeling disgusted.
"I did investigate some things, and it took a lot of effort. If you want to know, you might as well go back and ask the elders in your family. Perhaps they will tell you something even more interesting."
Orochimaru left.
Tsunade's face looked ugly as she spat on the ground. "Pah!"
Orochimaru played with snakes so much he was almost turning into one himself, even learning to flick his tongue like that. The whole man had become very strange.
She then thought of Jiraiya, who had already left the village to travel, rambling about searching for the "Child of Prophecy" and turning into a weirdo obsessed with destiny.
Tsunade felt she could write a book.
The title would be: Among My Peers, Only I Am Normal.