He parted ways with Seishimon.
Satoru rested his hands behind his head.
"Just being Acting Hokage, and my other acquaintances have become like this.
What would happen if I became the real Hokage?"
He hadn't expected that merely being Acting Hokage would create such a distance between him and Seishimon.
It felt like the gap had widened by a hundred thousand miles.
The reverence in Seishimon's words felt like a curse to him, a consequence of becoming Acting Hokage.
In the past, as the Analysis Team leader, Seishimon was respectful, but it was also clear he was very proud.
They were teammates who had come out of the same trench.
But upon becoming Hokage, that feeling... it was uncomfortable.
For someone like Satoru, it was very uncomfortable.
Only then did he realize that despite possessing great strength and a high position, he was still just an ordinary person.
Perhaps, apart from Kakashi and his group, most people shared Seishimon's thoughts.
Only a few people had changed.
His family and strong classmates like Kakashi shouldn't have any excessive thoughts about him.
Perhaps now, to those he once knew well, he was merely an object of boastful stories.
For example:
"I was teammates with Hokage-sama."
"I once teamed up with Hokage-sama."
Thoughts like that.
But no longer teammates...
........
A dark cave.
Seven-colored light, forming a human shape.
"That Orochimaru, he really knows how to stir up trouble.
But Leader, Konoha suffered such heavy losses this time.
Are we really not going to make a move on the Nine-Tailed?"
Hidan pouted.
He was already itching for a massacre.
"Now is not the time for full preparation; we need to wait a bit longer.
Soon, the time will be right."
Pain said.
Kakuzu: "Well, it is indeed a problem. Besides the issue of the Jinchuriki's whereabouts,
we also must prevent the Five Great Nations from uniting.
Otherwise, the Leader's plan won't be able to proceed, right?"
"Have you found any trace of that Orochimaru, Zetsu?
He hasn't escaped your surveillance again, has he?
Such a good opportunity."
A short figure spoke.
The blonde replied, "Sasori, what's the rush? With the two of us, even the legendary Sannin
can only die by our art."
He was very confident in his art.
Orochimaru was merely a remnant of the old era; once he witnessed his art, he would go to the Pure Land to repent for betraying the Akatsuki Organization.
Zetsu: "Deidara, don't say that. Orochimaru is not easy to deal with.
He's an old veteran who went through the Second and Third Shinobi World War; he's not just as strong as he appears on the surface.
If not for the Leader's intervention, he might not have joined the Akatsuki Organization."
Deidara was unimpressed, even more so due to his confidence in his own art: "Hmph, dwelling on past glory, treating past glory as something to praise, the Sannin Orochimaru is nothing more than that."
"So, do you have any news of Orochimaru or not?" Sasori said impatiently.
He hated people who didn't get straight to the point.
"Oh dear, no, we haven't found him. That guy is too cunning," Zetsu said, spreading his hands.
"Useless fellow. If there's nothing else, we'll be leaving first."
With that, Sasori wasted no more words and disappeared directly.
"Sasori, wait for me!" Deidara quickly exited the meeting as well.
Swish!
"Honestly, they have no respect for the organization's discipline!" Zetsu said.
Kakuzu said, "If there's nothing else, we're leaving too. We've received a very valuable mission."
Seeing someone leave, he left too.
And when he left, Hidan, the big-haired man beside him, also left.
Uchiha Itachi's eyes were impassive, watching everyone's actions and behavior.
His eyes, as deep as the sea, wondered what he was thinking... Hiss! Hiss!
In the dark underground tunnel, the sound of snakes hissing echoed.
Passing through the long tunnel, past flickering lights.
The scene shifted to a dimly lit laboratory.
"Orochimaru-sama, the Land of Rice Fields' stronghold should be unusable.
We received news that Konoha's Acting Hokage, Satoru,
has already dispatched a unit led by Shibi Aburame,
and they are heading to the border with the Land of Rice Fields to put pressure on it,
and make the Land of Rice Fields disband the Village Hidden in the Sound."
The silver-haired boy with glasses, Kabuto, pushed up his spectacles.
"Heh heh heh, the Land of Rice Fields wouldn't dare to clash directly with the Land of Fire.
Have our people withdrawn?"
Orochimaru said with a chilling laugh.
However, the Pain on his face showed he was quite uncomfortable.
"The evacuation has been completed, and they have dispersed from various locations.
Even if Konoha has capable people who pursue them based on the situation, they will only track down pawns not even qualified as test subjects."
Kabuto said slowly.
Orochimaru was very satisfied, but he had more important matters: "Have you found Tsunade's whereabouts?"
"Yes, Lady Tsunade's whereabouts have been found. Should we depart now?"
"Go prepare. I will rely on her for these hands," Orochimaru said, enduring the Pain in his hands.
That intense burning sensation... Aside from his background, he was practically the author himself.
"It's all my fault for not being skilled in medical Ninjutsu, otherwise I wouldn't have to risk contacting such a person."
Kabuto said self-deprecatingly.
"No, you are very good. I told you, you are the best gift heaven has given me.
More useful than anyone, including Kimimaro... and... Sasuke..."
Orochimaru looked at Kabuto, his eyes full of sincerity.
"Alright, go down. Prepare the medicine to relieve the Pain in my hands."
"Yes, Orochimaru-sama."
Kabuto's lips curved slightly when he heard Orochimaru's words.
Then he slowly retreated.
"Heh heh heh, Kabuto, I wasn't lying.
Your talent is the best I've ever seen, it's just that your goal is too ethereal.
I hope you can find your own goal; you might even surpass me."
Orochimaru murmured, watching his retreating figure.
Hmph!
Suddenly, he snorted coldly. The burning sensation in his hands, which even his Ninja training couldn't endure, made him feel a violent urge to destroy... Tap tap tap!
Walking through the dark tunnel, his shadow stretched long under the lamplight.
"More useful than anyone, including Kimimaro... and Sasuke... Orochimaru-sama's trust always makes one's heart surge with infinite power!
But compared to Kimimaro and Sasuke, I'm actually far too inferior in your heart, aren't I?"
Kabuto knew that for Orochimaru-sama, such excellent reincarnation bodies were the most important!
As for him... without a special Ketsuryūgan, he probably wasn't that important.
But Orochimaru-sama's trust in him, just as Orochimaru thought, for someone with an ethereal goal, Orochimaru's words were the best way to warm his heart.
He never tired of it.
Only at this moment did he feel like he was a needed person.
He arrived at the laboratory for preparing medicines and began making the antidote Orochimaru needed.
No matter what, he couldn't betray Orochimaru-sama's trust.