Chapter 33: A Different Path
[Tobirama Senju: By the way, aside from Tsuna and that guy who writes erotic novels, what's the background of that Orochimaru?]
[Hyuga Hizashi: Orochimaru is an eccentric person who likes to conduct scientific experiments. He has no interest in anything else but is extremely passionate about experimental research. However, he was later expelled from Konoha by the Third Hokage because his research resulted in a death.]
[Tobirama Senju: Couldn't that monkey guy at least take on some normal people as disciples? One's a gambling addict, another writes erotic novels, and the last one likes to do human anatomy research—what kind of nonsense is this?!]
[Hashirama Senju: Tobirama, I think Orochimaru is quite similar to you. Didn't you also like doing those kinds of things back then?]
[Tobirama Senju: But I didn't kill anyone!]
[Hashirama Senju: That Impure World Reincarnation...]
[Tobirama Senju: Ahem~ That's all in the past, brother, please don't bring it up again.]
Hiruzen Sarutobi had held a high position for many years, using his "Will of Fire" speeches to brainwash countless people. If this were modern times, he would definitely be a leading figure in a pyramid scheme.
After he led Ren Arakawa into the office, he first showered him with enthusiastic praise. Then, after assessing the situation, he brought up the various favors the village had done for Ren. For example, the life-saving grace of being rescued from a small border village ravaged by bandits. Another example was the kindness of raising him in Konoha, providing him with food, clothing, shelter, and education. In short, it was a whole bunch of brainwashing. He described everything Ren currently possessed as if it were all a gift from the village.
If Ren were truly an orphan who had grown up in Konoha Village, he might actually have been swayed by Hiruzen Sarutobi's words and sworn allegiance to Konoha! Just like Itachi and Sasuke Uchiha, those two unfortunate brothers. But unfortunately, he was not.
"Ren, the reason I called you here is to send you to the Anbu base for special training. If you can successfully complete the training, I will directly assign you to the Anbu and make you an Anbu squad leader!" After completing the initial brainwashing of Ren, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally revealed the true purpose of summoning him here.
Advanced training in the Anbu? And then become an Anbu squad leader? Why does this process seem so similar to Uchiha Itachi's experience? It seems this old man also wants to mold me into the kind of tool who would betray his own family for the greater good? How ridiculous.
Thinking this to himself, Ren's face remained calm as he smiled and replied, "Thank you for your kindness, Hokage-sama, but I think I'm fine as I am now. I don't need to go to the Anbu for special training!"
"What did you say? You don't want to go to the Anbu for special training?" Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned. He thought to himself: If you don't go for the special training in the Anbu, then all that nonsense I just said was for nothing.
Ren said, "The Anbu is the Hokage's direct force, and the responsibility is heavy. I'm afraid I'm not up to the task!"
"Hehe~ So that's what you're worried about." Hiruzen Sarutobi stroked his white beard and continued to deceive, "You are the top graduate of this year's Ninja Academy, and a genius who broke all the academy's assessment records. If you can't do it, who can?"
"That makes sense, but I don't think life in the Anbu is right for me. Please put me back in my original position. I don't have any ambitions. I just want to make some money honestly, marry a few wives, and have dozens of kids. That would be enough for me."
Despite Hiruzen Sarutobi's well-intentioned advice, Ren still refused. In truth, he was already somewhat impatient with Hiruzen Sarutobi. That old thing had chattered on and on for ages! He sounded like the head of a pyramid scheme! This was so damn annoying. If it weren't for the fact that the other person was old and was the Hokage, he would have punched him to death long ago!
Hearing Ren's reason for declining, Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't help but twitch his lips. Oh shit. Taking several wives and having dozens of children? Is this what you call having no ideals? Even I, the Hokage, never thought of that! You're dreaming!
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep breath to calm himself down and said, "But now the mission squads for the graduating class have all been arranged, so even if you wanted to go back, there wouldn't be a place for you."
"What should I do? I still want to earn money by doing missions to get married!" This time, Ren was starting to get anxious. He was dirt poor right now. If he couldn't earn money by doing missions, he might even have trouble eating in the coming days.
At that moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly asked in a deep voice, "Do you really want to do missions?"
"Of course! If I can't make money by doing missions, I'll have to rely on my old profession to make a living!"
"Old profession? What old profession?"
"Find a rich woman and live off her!"
"..."