Orochimaru's expression shifted unpredictably. He couldn't figure out what Gisei Shiraishi's goal was in doing this.
To drive a wedge between him and the Third?
As long as he explained it properly, he believed his teacher would surely understand. Trying to use rumors to force him into submission—wasn't that a bit too naive?
Gisei didn't plan to beat around the bush either. From the moment Orochimaru had designs on him, he had been plotting against Orochimaru right back.
The status of the Hokage's disciple was valuable, after all.
"Orochimaru, do you realize the impact spreading this kind of rumor will have on you?"
Orochimaru didn't say a word, just stared at him intently.
Gisei laughed. "Konoha is very peaceful, isn't it? The First Hokage's Will of Fire has been passed down through the village, making the people of Konoha peaceful by nature."
"If the Hokage's disciple suddenly starts preaching about outward expansion and conquest, do you really think the villagers will accept someone like that?"
"No one will agree with that kind of ideology, and naturally, no one will approve of you."
"Orochimaru, once this rumor spreads, your dream of becoming Hokage will be shattered."
Gisei smacked his lips, watching Orochimaru's face drain of color, and laughed maliciously.
Want to play dirty with me? Let's see who plays whom to death.
Orochimaru's personal image wasn't exactly likable to begin with. Coupled with an aggressive ideology of expansion, he would absolutely be excluded from the Third's inner circle.
The path to power through the Third had been dead-ended by Orochimaru himself the moment he targeted Gisei.
One shouldn't be too greedy in life. Orochimaru was being outmaneuvered precisely because of his greed.
Of course, greed isn't necessarily bad. In fact, Gisei wanted Orochimaru to become even greedier.
At this moment, cold sweat broke out on Orochimaru's forehead. He never expected that a casual remark could trigger such a disaster.
"Gisei Shiraishi, what exactly do you want me to do?"
"I want you to become Hokage!"
"Stop joking."
"There is more than one path to the position. Why do you only see the Third and not me?"
The corners of Orochimaru's eyes twitched wildly. He glared daggers at Gisei and said coldly, "You want to use my name to challenge my teacher?"
"Is that not allowed?"
"You bastard..."
Several snakes as thick as arms suddenly shot out from Orochimaru's sleeves, binding Gisei tightly.
Gisei just smiled and shook his head. His body lit up with dazzling lightning.
The snakes turned to ash under the intense heat, and Orochimaru slumped back into his chair, defeated.
Seeing Orochimaru in such a dispirited state, Gisei showed an expression of boredom.
Indeed, humans are the most fickle creatures.
To think the future villain Orochimaru would look so pathetic—it was a disgrace to villains everywhere.
Gisei didn't say much more. Orochimaru needed time to think. He had done everything he could; if Orochimaru still refused to cooperate, then there was nothing more to be done.
After a long silence, Orochimaru finally spoke. "Tell me your plan. I want to see something substantial."
Hearing these words, Gisei got excited. Human nature really isn't that easy to change.
"Orochimaru, after the rumors spread, none of the ninja clans behind the Third will support you becoming Hokage."
"Instead of wasting time in the village, it's better to join the regular forces. The Third will definitely agree to this request."
Orochimaru looked thoughtful. "Regular forces... what do you mean?"
"To become Hokage, you need military achievements and prestige. Military achievements are simple, but prestige is hard to earn."
"As long as you achieve success in the regular forces, the dirty water I'm throwing on you now will turn into prestige."
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes. "Success... what kind of success can have that effect?"
"The success of outward expansion, of course. As long as you prove the correctness of expansion to the villagers and bring them tangible benefits—resources, wealth, security—they will treat you as a hero of Konoha."
"This is your calculation?" Orochimaru looked grim. "Are you underestimating the Hokage? Things aren't that simple."
Gisei sneered. "The Hokage isn't that formidable. Orochimaru, you are his disciple; it's just a case of being blind to what's right under your nose."
"The regular forces are all loyal to the Hokage. Even if I wanted to expand outward, I would need his approval."
"What if you had a force that belonged only to you?"
"How is that possible?"
Gisei pointed at himself. "Orochimaru, you're underestimating me. Giving you a force of a thousand men is not difficult for me."
A thousand-man force?
Orochimaru stood up abruptly, staring at Gisei in silence.
Gisei just looked back with a calm smile.
Orochimaru pursed his lips tightly. He was known as a snake, but right now, Gisei felt more like a snake than he did.
"Why do this?"
"To make you Hokage, of course. And for my revenge."
Such words could only fool a child; naturally, they couldn't fool Orochimaru. Unfortunately, while Orochimaru couldn't guess Gisei's true thoughts, he had to admit he was tempted.
He knew very well what a thousand-man force meant.
He would leap from being a fledgling under the Hokage's wing to a hawk soaring in the sky.
Ambition grew wild and uncontrollable in the depths of his heart. He couldn't help but stick out his tongue to lick the corner of his mouth before quickly retracting it.
"I admit, I'm tempted. So, what exactly should I do?"
Hearing Orochimaru agree, the smile on Gisei's face became even more brilliant.
"First, use the Third's trust to climb the ranks quickly. Then, use your position to secretly plant the people I give you into the forces."
"I don't need to teach you how to eliminate dissidents. If it goes smoothly, what you possess will be more than just a thousand-man force."
Gisei closed his mouth after dropping the hint.
Orochimaru was not simple; a single hint was all he needed to understand the entire picture.
Sure enough, Orochimaru's eyes practically glowed with intensity.
The plan was simple—ridiculously simple. But precisely because it was simple, the probability of success was infinitely high.
There was no longer any dejection on Orochimaru's face. On the contrary, he began to size up Gisei with eyes full of naked ambition.
Even though Gisei knew about Orochimaru's perversions, at this moment, he felt a creeping sensation on his skin.
Did I press some weird button in Orochimaru's brain ahead of time?
Gisei quickly shook his head to throw the strange thought away.
"Gisei-kun seems to understand me very well. Were you that certain I would cooperate?"
"It depends on human effort. I just gave it a try. But your change is unexpectedly... large."
Orochimaru's raspy laughter rang out as he extended his hand toward Gisei.
"First time meeting, I am Orochimaru. Please take care of me from now on."
Gisei: "..."
He found he couldn't quite handle an Orochimaru who became a creep ahead of schedule.
In the end, though, he still shook the man's hand.