Before the Hokage Rises

"I have a mission for you," Danzo said. His tone left no room for debate, only obedience.

Orochimaru didn't answer. He simply waited.

"A spy of mine was captured. I want him retrieved."

That got a reaction. Orochimaru raised an eyebrow. Retrieval wasn't Root's typical protocol. When spies were caught, they were usually written off, liabilities erased by silence and distance.

Danzo, noticing the reaction, continued, "He was caught in the Land of Water."

That explained it. If the spy had been taken within Kumo's borders, he would've already been behind heavily guarded walls. But if they were transporting him back, that meant there was still a window of opportunity.

After all, training a shinobi and embedding them as a spy required significant resources. Naturally, there was no reason to waste that investment.

At the very least, retrieving him would allow for debriefing. Even if his cover was blown, he might still have valuable intelligence.

Orochimaru glanced at the old war hawk. "You want me to intercept the convoy?"

"Exactly. They'll be moving him soon. I want you to stop them before they reach Kumogakure."

Danzo handed over a scroll. Standard mission documentation. An image of the agent, skillset, cipher keys, and projected routes. Nothing unexpected.

"Anything else?"

Danzo's single eye stared, unblinking. "Just make sure it's done."

Orochimaru turned to leave, but before he could take a step, Danzo spoke again.

"Orochimaru."

He paused, waiting.

Danzo spoke again, but this time the tone had shifted.

"Who do you believe is the strongest shinobi in history?"

Orochimaru tilted his head slightly. So, that's where this was going.

He answered smoothly, since it was common knowledge. "The God of Shinobi, Senju Hashirama."

"And why do you think he was the strongest?"

A faint smirk touched Orochimaru's lips. "Because of his Wood Release."

Of course, he also knew about Hashirama's instant regeneration and his use of Senjutsu, but there was no need to say that.

Danzo studied him in silence for a long moment before speaking again.

"That's only one reason."

He let the words linger before dismissing Orochimaru.

"You should go. When you return, we'll continue this conversation."

Out on the street, Orochimaru muttered to himself, "Looks like he can't wait anymore."

This conversation was bait.

Danzo wanted to involve him in his experiments.

But Orochimaru knew how to play the game.

He moved through Konoha's streets, his steps unhurried yet deliberate, watching the aftermath of the war.

The village had started to recover, but the scars were still there. Shinobi with missing limbs. Civilians whispering about the changing times, about Minato, about the future.

They were still buzzing about Minato becoming the next Hokage.

"Becoming" because the ceremony had yet to be held.

The Daimyō's signature was still required on the official documents, but the process had been delayed due to the village's post-war workload.

For now, Minato was the Hokage-in-waiting.

Orochimaru decided to leave immediately. There was no need for preparation.

As he passed through Konoha's gates, one of the guards muttered under his breath, "He's really scary..."

It wasn't just his thought. It was a sentiment shared by many.

He wasn't wrong. Orochimaru's silence spoke louder than most threats. His calm, unreadable presence unsettled people in a way loud declarations never could.

Back inside the village, news of his departure had already reached Hiruzen.

Releasing a puff of smoke from his pipe, Hiruzen muttered, "Alright, you can leave."

The masked ANBU before him dispersed into smoke, revealing it had only been a shadow clone.

It wasn't Orochimaru that concerned him.

He knew Nawaki's death had affected Orochimaru more than most realized.

If the situation ever got out of control, Jiraiya was still around.

No, it was Danzo that worried him.

Hiruzen didn't believe that, with him still in power, Danzo could cause any problems for Minato. But he also knew better than to underestimate his old friend.

"Just don't do anything foolish, Danzo… otherwise, I will have to take action," Hiruzen muttered. He didn't want anyone to destroy the order he had worked so hard to maintain.

That's why choosing Minato was the best option for him to maintain that power unofficially.

A person without political ambition, yet praised by the people.

Although it seemed like everyone was voting with their minds, it was Hiruzen pulling the strings like a puppet master.

"Years of planning will not be wasted."

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Worlds suitable for cross-over specially

Ninja/shinobi

(including Doujinshi, H anime)