Chapter 59: Sensei, Elder Danzo is in Danger! (2/2)

"You have to understand, Hokage-sama is the one with the strongest Will of Fire in all of Konoha..."

"..."

Wakika didn't respond immediately. Instead, he quietly jotted something down in his little notebook: "Orochimaru's Awakening Progress: Back to Zero."

Indeed.

Orochimaru seemed to be better at manipulating people than before.

But these skills were something Orochimaru had always possessed... His current goal seemed straightforward—he genuinely wanted to become the Fourth Hokage, even if it meant coaxing children to get their votes!

"You've probably figured it out, haven't you, Wakika-kun?"

Orochimaru interpreted Wakika's silence as deep contemplation.

He continued guiding him, "Hokage-sama has his own plans and strategies. He needs these rats to let their guard down, so he can catch them all in one go..."

"Some of these rats even disguise themselves with the Will of Fire, deceiving other ninjas who genuinely carry that will..."

"..."

Wakika felt like he was being insulted, but he had no proof.

"I understand now, Sensei..." Wakika nodded, "We need to trust in Hokage-grandpa, right?"

"Wakika-kun is truly smart."

Orochimaru patted Wakika's shoulder. "Don't worry, Wakika-kun. When Hokage-sama has identified all the rats, you'll be free to unleash your Will of Fire as you see fit..."

"But until then, if you discover traces of these rats within the village, please hold back for now."

"After all, the darkness before dawn is always worth enduring... isn't it?"

"..." Wakika didn't say anything but nodded his head.

Orochimaru was equally satisfied, nodding back with a genuine smile.

Once you understood this kid's way of thinking, convincing him wasn't such a difficult task.

But Orochimaru's smile didn't last long...

"Then let's get going, Wakika-kun," Orochimaru said with a smile. "Let's go enjoy the show these rats are putting on..."

"..."

Wakika silently nodded, turned, and leaped onto the Five-Tails' head.

But just as Kokuo, the Five-Tails, started to rise, Wakika suddenly had a delayed realization and shouted, "Oh no!"

"!?"

Orochimaru's expression froze. What now!?

Had he missed something?

"Sensei! We might have been tricked!"

Orochimaru's heart skipped a beat. Tricked?

By whom?

What are you thinking now?

"Wakika-kun..." Orochimaru tried to keep his voice calm, hoping to make Wakika calm down as well.

But it was clear that Wakika was anything but calm now. Or rather, he was incredibly focused!

Finally found a flaw in your plan, you sneaky snake!

"It's that blond guy! Sensei!" Wakika shouted, clearly anxious.

Blond guy? Minato? What about Minato? What did he do wrong?

Orochimaru instinctively tried to "decode" Wakika's thought process, which made him miss the last chance to stop him.

"Your words just reminded me, that blond guy... he could very well be one of those rats disguised with the Will of Fire!"

"He could be plotting against Elder Danzo and then framing that honorable uncle!"

With Wakika's warning, Kokuo was already gathering power, ready to launch himself forward!

"That deceitful guy, I knew something was wrong when he attacked Kokuo even after seeing my forehead protector! He's clearly not one of us!"

"Sensei! We need to stop him, Elder Danzo is in danger!"

BOOM!

With a thunderous sound, the mountain-like figure of Kokuo shot forward, launching into a full-on sprint!

The explosion of dirt and rocks behind him was akin to an A-rank Earth Release jutsu. Orochimaru quickly dodged out of the way, and after that, all he could hear was the echoing roar and the distant sound of Wakika's shout.

"PROTECT——ELDER——DANZO——!!!!"