The Third Hokage's investment was indeed massive, but unfortunately, he bet on the wrong horse.
If he had swapped Orochimaru for Tsunade, even if she smashed a table right in front of everyone, not a single person would dare to make a sound.
Even Gisei Shiraishi would have to yield to Tsunade. The Senju clan simply held that much prestige in Konoha.
"Everyone has seen Orochimaru's sincerity," Gisei announced to the room. "I don't need to say much about the benefits that the status of 'Hokage's disciple' can bring. Next, if anyone has any questions, feel free to raise them. Orochimaru will definitely give everyone a solid answer."
Gisei's opening made Orochimaru smile with satisfaction.
As long as Gisei showed a cooperative attitude, and with the authority and backing given by his teacher, Orochimaru didn't believe these clans would refuse to play ball.
Aonobu Kawai glanced at Gisei and revealed a meaningful smile. He decided to lead the charge.
"Orochimaru, we want to know... does Lord Hokage really intend to start a war?"
Orochimaru fell silent for a moment before giving his answer.
"Whether or not to start a war isn't up to the Hokage alone. I can only say that Konoha will not take the initiative to launch a war against foreign powers."
This was as good as saying nothing. In reality, there was no difference between being active and passive.
For example, if Danzo went to another hidden village to kill people—as long as no evidence was left behind—the Third could openly deny any involvement.
The other villages would know perfectly well that Konoha was playing dirty tricks, but since the Third would stubbornly deny it, how could they let the matter rest?
Small-scale conflicts would become unavoidable and gradually evolve into full-blown war. When that time came, the Third would issue a rallying cry, claiming self-defense against foreign aggression. Who could say then that Konoha initiated the war?
By then, everyone in Konoha would be convinced it was the other side's fault.
Aonobu continued to press. "If a war really breaks out, what will you do?"
Orochimaru answered without hesitation. "Of course, I will fight to the end to defend the village's interests."
Aonobu chuckled once, then shut his mouth.
Gisei raised an eyebrow. He hadn't expected Aonobu to actually set such a blatant trap.
If Orochimaru's words were spoken to ordinary people, there would be absolutely no problem. It was the perfect textbook answer. However, the people in this room were not ordinary people. They didn't give a damn about the "village's interests"; what they cared about was their own interests.
One could only say that Orochimaru's thinking was still limited to a civilian's perspective—or perhaps he had already been thoroughly brainwashed by the Will of Fire.
Hearing Orochimaru's answer, quite a few people in the room gradually realized what was happening. Their gazes toward him began to shift in a strange way.
"Orochimaru," someone else spoke up. "If we support you to become Hokage, how will you handle your relationship with the Third when the time comes?"
Orochimaru was stunned. He didn't quite understand the meaning of the question and looked instinctively at Gisei for help.
Gisei just shrugged his shoulders. "There are only so many interests in the village. If you want our support, you must come into conflict with the Third for the sake of our interests. The ninja clans behind the Third are even more numerous than us."
Orochimaru hadn't thought about this at all. He answered casually, "When the time comes, I will negotiate with my teacher. I believe my teacher won't disappoint me."
Hearing the word "negotiate," many people showed expressions of deep disappointment. Some even laughed outright.
"Orochimaru, I advise you to think clearly before seeking our support. If 'negotiation' was useful, would we still need to fight?"
"The mission quotas, the financial funding from the Daimyo, the various taxes in the village—this makes up almost all of Konoha's economic pie."
"Relying merely on these existing scraps is simply not enough to support all of Konoha's ninja clans. This is the source of the conflict."
"You say you want to negotiate with the Third. Do you honestly believe that the Third will just 'negotiate' all the profits belonging to his supporters over to us? You're too naive."
"And the issue of war. If we support you, and you take us to the battlefield, are you going to let us—the already ostracized clans—sacrifice ourselves for Konoha in vain?"
"Just the things you brought today are far from worthy of our contribution."
"In the end, you're just a civilian. How could you possibly understand the hardships of the ninja clans?"
Orochimaru listened quietly, his face becoming increasingly ugly with every sentence.
Especially when he heard that last comment, his pupils suddenly contracted into slits, and he stared fixedly at the person who spoke.
Gisei glanced at the speaker. Seeing it was the head of the Kamikawa clan, he calmly stepped in to block Orochimaru's line of sight.
Seeing Gisei intervene, the killing intent in Orochimaru's eyes gradually receded.
Gisei signaled him with his eyes to stay calm. He held the scroll Orochimaru had brought high in the air and began to sing his praises.
"Orochimaru brought great sincerity to seek our support. Everyone, please don't make things difficult for him."
"Let me say first why I support Orochimaru becoming Hokage."
"Orochimaru and I are not only classmates but also deskmates. I have a very good impression of him, and I believe he will become a remarkable ninja in the future."
"After Orochimaru becomes Hokage, he will be dedicated to outward expansion. I think this is excellent. If the interests in the village aren't enough for everyone to share, Orochimaru will lead us to grab them from the outside."
"As long as we follow Orochimaru, the resources we seize will be entirely our own. Everyone's worry about his relationship with the Third is really a bit superfluous."
Hearing Gisei's speech, a blank look appeared on Orochimaru's face.
When did I ever say I wanted to expand outwardly?
If the Third heard this kind of talk, he would probably be the first one to skin him alive.
Aonobu jumped in at the perfect moment. "Is this really what Orochimaru thinks?"
What else could Orochimaru say? He was cornered. He could only answer, "Indeed. Since the village's interests aren't enough for everyone to share, taking from the outside is a good solution."
Gisei beamed with a bright smile. "Everyone heard Orochimaru's answer. Are there any other questions?"
With the meeting proceeding to this point, almost all the clan heads could see exactly what was going on: Gisei wanted to use Orochimaru as a tool. One by one, they shut their mouths and said nothing.
Seeing no one speaking, Gisei handed the scroll back to Orochimaru. "Since these are things you brought, naturally you should decide how to distribute them."
Orochimaru was silent for a moment. He didn't take the scroll. Instead, he said somewhat dispiritedly, "I don't know everyone very well yet. You distribute them."
Gisei didn't decline. He nodded and tucked the scroll into his chest pocket.
"Alright, everyone has gained some understanding of Orochimaru. Then it's time to take a stance regarding supporting him for Hokage."
As he spoke, Gisei raised his hand high. "Those who support Orochimaru, please raise your hands."
It wasn't clear who suddenly let out a snicker, but immediately after, the entire conference room erupted in a burst of laughter.
Everyone's gazes toward Orochimaru were filled with sympathy and pity.
These looks pierced deeply into Orochimaru's heart. His hands, hidden in his sleeves, clenched and unclenched, over and over again.
Not a single person spoke. Not a single person raised their hand.
The scene instantly became excruciatingly awkward.