Chapter 127: Are You Afraid of Seeing Lord Sarutobi Again?

"I've thought of a plan," Hiashi replied calmly.

"Really?" His wife looked at him in pleasant surprise. "What is it?"

"Let's wait until Hinata returns," Hiashi said indifferently, withdrawing his gaze from Hanabi.

On the Hokage Rock, workers were making markings to begin the carving process.

Tsunade gazed through the window, her expression unreadable as she watched the scene unfold.

Standing before her were Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado.

Traditionally, whenever there was a change in the Hokage position, respected village elders would conduct a ceremony, handing the Hokage hat to the new generation's Kage.

If the previous Hokage was still alive, he himself would perform this act.

Since the Third Hokage had passed away, only these two possessed the authority to hand over the Hokage hat to Tsunade.

Therefore, even though Tsunade deeply disliked them, she had no choice but to summon them back into service.

"Tsunade, the letter has already been sent to the Daimyo, but you should personally visit him before officially taking office."

"I know," Tsunade replied blandly.

Following Orochimaru into his base, Jiraiya casually remarked as he entered the dim interior, "You really do like this kind of style, Orochimaru..."

Orochimaru merely chuckled softly, "Jiraiya, you've surely said goodbye to Lord Sarutobi by now, haven't you?"

Jiraiya fell silent.

"Do you have anything our dear Lord Sarutobi once used? I can bring him back, you know."

"Bring him back to life?" Jiraiya asked in confusion.

"It's that jutsu—the [Impure World Reincarnation]. Jiraiya, you've heard of it before, right? As long as we have some blood or flesh from Lord Sarutobi..."

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"No way." Before he could finish speaking, Jiraiya sharply interrupted, his face filled with anger. "I won't allow you to desecrate my teacher's soul."

Orochimaru smiled. "Jiraiya, how many times have you actually beaten Tsunade and those people? On your own, just how much can you really accomplish?"

"At least Lord Sarutobi had faith in you. He didn't need to be convinced like others—he can still help you."

Jiraiya's fury didn't fade, but suddenly, he fell silent, unable to utter a word.

"Jiraiya, are you afraid? Afraid of seeing Lord Sarutobi again?" Orochimaru murmured eerily.

Jiraiya merely cast a cold glance at him before turning around without looking back and walking away.

"Jiraiya, don't forget our agreement. If you help me capture a few more White Zetsus, I'll lend you my full support." Orochimaru called out again, his voice reaching Jiraiya's ears.

Watching Jiraiya completely disappear from his sight, Orochimaru simply shook his head.

So what if he refuses? Who cares when you're weak anyway?

Taking out a storage scroll, Orochimaru ordered someone to bring two prisoners from the prison.

The two prisoners dragged before Orochimaru looked completely dazed and confused.

[Summoning - Impure World Reincarnation Technique!]

Orochimaru pressed both hands onto the ground. 

The two captives appeared to be in immense pain, their faces twisting into grimaces simultaneously. 

Moments later, their bodies began to rapidly change—faces and body structures shifting entirely until they looked like completely different people. 

Orochimaru stood up, satisfied as he looked at the two muscular blond men standing before him, eyes still closed. 

Bee and the Fourth Raikage, A. 

When A opened his eyes, disbelief filled his expression. 

Am I dead? 

Or did I not die? 

Did someone from our village defeat Yugito and save me? 

Instinctively, A glanced down at his lower body. 

His body looked whole, but he couldn't feel a thing. 

In that instant, he realized something was wrong. 

Slightly turning his head, he saw a familiar face—and froze. "Bee?" 

"Aniki?" B's voice was equally stunned. "We're alive? We survived?" 

"No. You've been dead for a long time." 

A cold voice reached their ears. Both turned toward the source of the sound. 

Orochimaru stepped forward, the dim indoor light casting an eerie glow over his pale face, making it almost terrifying. 

"Orochimaru?" A frowned. 

"Correct," Orochimaru smiled. "Let me test just how much strength you still have…" 

Alongside Jiraiya, Naruto Uzumaki had also arrived at Orochimaru's base. 

He had only recently regained consciousness, still drowning in the pain and grief of killing Hiruzen Sarutobi, wandering aimlessly without purpose. 

Sasuke passed by him. 

Though he traveled alone, Sasuke arrived unscathed at the base Kabuto provided and had already met with Orochimaru. 

"Sasuke Uchiha..." Naruto muttered weakly, halting in place. 

Even he didn't know why he called out to Sasuke—it might have been because he rarely saw a familiar face and wanted someone to talk to, to ease the weight in his chest. 

Back in Konoha, aside from Hiruzen Sarutobi, he had no close ones. 

After leaving with Jiraiya, he kept moving from place to place, never staying anywhere for long. 

It felt like he was always saying goodbye—never staying long enough to call anyone home. 

Sasuke turned his head slightly, glancing at Naruto with faint pity before replying coolly, "What is it?" 

"What are you doing here?" 

"Training." Sasuke answered briefly. 

Then he walked away. 

"Oh." 

Naruto fell silent, lost in thought. When he turned around again, Jiraiya had already appeared beside him quietly. 

"…Master Jiraiya, are we leaving again?" His voice was dull, his expression complicated. 

Looking at the young face bearing a look that didn't belong there, Jiraiya felt a pang of guilt and gently asked, "Naruto, where do you want to go?" 

"Where? Where?" Naruto whispered, repeating himself softly. "I don't know either… Where can I go?" 

Jiraiya hesitated, unable to bring himself to speak, bitterness rising within him too. 

Now… where should they go? Where is home?

While the master and apprentice were lamenting their situation, Danzo Shimura was hiding in a ruined village, recuperating from his wounds.

The more he thought about it, the angrier he got—like he'd gotten dragged into some stupid mess.

So much had been lost, yet no one seemed to care whether he lived or died.

"Tsunade, Jiraiya..." he muttered bitterly.

After venting for a while, he spread out a map of the ninja world.

How could someone used to calling the shots and barking orders at others just run and hide like a coward?

According to information revealed by Jiraiya, Tsunade and her allies had already gained control over several nations.

If they could do it, then he could too.

After all, he was already a rogue ninja; why should he bother following those rules anymore?

Sure, this Sharingan couldn't control Tsunade, but regular folks? Easy pickings.

Although he had developed such rebellious thoughts, Danzo did not intend to target the Five Great Nations directly.

That would be far too conspicuous and greatly increase the risk of exposure.

In his heart, he still harbored ambitions of reclaiming Konoha.

His targets would be the Small Nations with minimal presence of ninjas. By seizing control of their Daimyos, he could establish a new base, cultivate followers, and gather intelligence.

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