Wait, Orochimaru

"Despicable Hiruzen..."

After his last rebuff from Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo, unwilling to give up, had paid him several more visits. Each time, he was turned away. But the more unyielding Sarutobi was, the more he refused to speak, the more Danzo's impatience grew.

What was this treasure that could unify the ninja world under Konoha's rule? What was so special about it that Hiruzen refused to utter even a single word about it to him? It had to be something incredible! Could it be a forbidden technique capable of instantly changing the balance of power in the ninja world?

He thought back on all his efforts over the years. He had collected Sharingan from the Uchiha clan, stolen Shisui Uchiha's eye, and even used Orochimaru to transplant the First Hokage's cells into himself. All of this was because he learned of a forbidden technique possessed by the Uchiha clan that could alter reality itself: Izanagi. Along with the ultimate genjutsu, Kotoamatsukami. With these two techniques, Danzo felt confident he could take control of Konoha. And now, a "treasure" from his teacher, Tobirama, capable of revolutionizing the entire ninja world, was within reach...

"Hiruzen, not even you can stop me... no, stop Konoha's progress."

With this thought, Danzo summoned all the members of Root. "I need someone to infiltrate the ANBU." Hiruzen wanted to absorb fresh blood, did he? Then he would let him have his fill!

——

——

"Wait, Orochimaru!"

Having finally tracked down Orochimaru, Torune Aburame, filled with excitement, tried to approach him, only to be treated as if he were invisible.

"What? I already gave you a way out. Are you still looking for death?" Orochimaru's cold, vertical pupils seemed devoid of any human emotion. "Or do you think that our past service under Danzo will make me go easy on you?"

"Lord Orochimaru, let me kill him." Kabuto Yakushi, who was accompanying Orochimaru, quickly took out a kunai. Although this insect user's appearance was unexpected, Orochimaru had just killed the Fourth Kazekage and was currently weakened. He couldn't let anyone from Konoha see through his vulnerable state.

"No, Senior Orochimaru, the Hokage... and Lord Danzo sent me to contact you, but not to fight you." Sensing the killing intent emanating from Orochimaru, a killing intent so potent that it made him freeze, Torune Aburame felt a cold sweat break out on his back.

"Oh? Danzo, I can understand, but why would my 'honorable teacher' want to contact me?" Orochimaru temporarily signaled to Kabuto to hold back. He was curious to hear what they had to say.

"According to Lord Danzo... it seems the Hokage wants you to return to Konoha." Torune Aburame spoke cautiously.

"What a ridiculous joke. That old man personally listed me as a rogue ninja, personally kicked me out of Konoha, and now he wants me back with just a word? What does he take me for!?"

"Lord Orochimaru..." Kabuto was somewhat worried by Orochimaru's rare outburst of anger. Who knew if Danzo had other people lying in ambush nearby? If Orochimaru's current injuries were exposed, it would be difficult to deal with later. Especially since he also had a connection to Danzo.

"Go back and tell your Hokage that the day I, Orochimaru, return to Konoha will be the day he dies!" Although he was feeling incredibly weak, Orochimaru showed no outward change. He remained as sinister, evil, and fearsome as ever. "Let's go, Kabuto."

"Yes, Lord Orochimaru." Kabuto breathed a sigh of relief. At least there wouldn't be a fight. But before he could fully relax, Orochimaru, who had just said they were leaving, suddenly used his Hidden Shadow Snake Hands to attack Torune Aburame, who was still standing there.

"Orochimaru, you're still as treacherous as ever." Torune Aburame's face was pale, but Orochimaru's Hidden Shadow Snake Hands didn't hit him. Instead, they were blocked by a ninja whose hair covered his body like a hedgehog's spines.

"L-Lord Jiraiya!" Torune Aburame was completely surprised. He hadn't realized that one of the legendary Sannin, Jiraiya, had been following him all along. He was also very grateful that Jiraiya was there, otherwise, he wasn't sure he could have dodged that Hidden Shadow Snake Hands attack.

"You go back to Konoha. I'll handle things here." Jiraiya said to Torune Aburame without turning his head, retracting his hardened hair.

"Yes..." Knowing that he would be useless in the upcoming battle, Torune Aburame quickly obeyed the order and vanished into the forest.

"Orochimaru, did you know I was coming?" Since his appearance, Jiraiya's eyes had been solely on Orochimaru.

"Your clumsy ninjutsu might fool a simpleton like Torune Aburame, but it can't fool me." So even Jiraiya was here? What was his 'honorable teacher' planning? It couldn't be that he already knew about his ambush and assassination of the Fourth Kazekage. Although he maintained a calm facade while reminiscing with Jiraiya, Orochimaru was starting to panic internally. If things got worse, he might have to sacrifice Kabuto to escape.

"I see." Seeing his former friend become a rogue ninja of the village, showing no signs of turning back, Jiraiya's eyes were filled with disappointment.

"You've improved a bit, but your stupid face still makes me sleepy." As Orochimaru spoke, he even pretended to yawn. Although he was confident he wouldn't lose to Jiraiya, Orochimaru knew that in his current weakened state, it was best to avoid a fight if possible.

"You're still as sharp-tongued as ever." Jiraiya wasn't angry at being mocked by Orochimaru, as it had happened many times before. In fact, he even felt a bit nostalgic. "The teacher genuinely wants you to return to the village, although I don't know why."

"Genuinely? How laughable. I've already..." Hadn't his crimes been made public in Konoha long ago? Asking him to return now was like making him a target for everyone. Besides, not becoming Hokage was still a thorn in his side. Of course, he wasn't that obsessed with becoming Hokage. But he could choose not to be it, but they couldn't not offer it to him. And to not offer it to him, and then support a junior taught by Jiraiya in front of him... that was simply an insult! So in Orochimaru's mind, it was always Hiruzen Sarutobi who betrayed him first, not him betraying the village.

"Don't be so quick to refuse, Orochimaru." Jiraiya interrupted Orochimaru and tossed him a scroll containing a message. "The teacher said that after reading this letter, you might change your mind."

"A letter?" Orochimaru didn't think someone like Jiraiya would tamper with the scroll, so he quickly opened it. A look of shock flashed across his face.