Chapter 3: The Top Figure in the Village
Kenichi Amamiya was perfectly satisfied with Danzo Shimura ignoring him. As long as he did not draw the old man's attention, that was the best outcome.
Besides, following Orochimaru was already a very good choice. Kenichi had no plans to change his allegiance for the time being, and even if he did one day, he certainly would not choose Danzo.
Orochimaru could be ruthless, but at the very least he treated his subordinates and disciples well. Under Orochimaru's guidance, Kenichi had learned a number of decent ninjutsu, and his combat strength had improved greatly.
Even so, his body was still too weak to support a promotion to chunin.
On that point, Orochimaru was disappointed.
When they arrived at the laboratory, Kenichi forced his heart to turn completely cold. If he showed even the slightest hint of sympathy, or what Orochimaru called "weakness," during an experiment, there would definitely be consequences.
Because of that, Kenichi had trained himself to make his heart as hard as steel.
He took notes on the experimental process with an icy calm. Even though his involvement had helped push forward research into Hashirama Senju's cells and produced some preliminary results in mice, it was obvious that these human test subjects could not withstand the terrifying vitality of the First Hokage's cells. Once the fusion began, they all died in tragic fashion.
Kenichi kept recording, pen scratching across the paper as he wrote and diagramed, feeling as if his own life was bleeding out together with each turning page.
In total, seven full experiments were conducted. Only one test subject managed to survive the initial stage of fusion.
Judging from the data on the physiological monitoring instruments, Kenichi knew very clearly that unless that unfortunate subject had absurdly good luck, he would not live to see the sun rise the next day.
"Why did all the experiments fail?"
Danzo sounded slightly anxious. Kenichi stayed silent, though inside he wanted to laugh.
He understood very well why the old man was impatient. The Third Shinobi World War had ended. The Third Hokage was getting older, and no one knew how much longer that hero could keep his grip on the position of Hokage.
Danzo considered himself a strong contender for the title of Fourth Hokage, which was exactly why he was desperate.
He could not wait to increase his strength. The position of Hokage had become an obsession, a lingering nightmare. To seize that seat, he was willing to do anything, even something as sacrilegious as experimenting on the body of the First Hokage.
Kenichi, on the other hand, could not quite remember how the Third Hokage had stepped down in the original storyline. Logically speaking, the Fourth Hokage should only have been chosen after the death of the Third.
What was more, although the Third was not young anymore, he was not exactly ancient either. He should still be able to continue working for some time.
Could it be that event?
"Kenichi, bring me the experimental records."
Orochimaru's voice snapped Kenichi out of his thoughts. He immediately handed over the notes with both hands, then took the chance to discreetly glance at Danzo beside him.
Under Orochimaru's slow and methodical explanation, Danzo could only accept the conclusion that "the First Hokage's cells still require more experimentation." He then instructed Root to capture as many experimental subjects as possible, as long as it would not attract attention.
They had to come from other villages.
Orochimaru had no objection to that. He still cared about his reputation in Konoha.
By the time the experiment was finally over and they left the base, night had already fallen. Orochimaru walked out calmly with Kenichi in tow. Kenichi knew exactly what his teacher planned to do next: take him out for a meal.
And, of course, use the opportunity to test how carefully he had observed the experiments that day. It was an old habit of Orochimaru's.
"Teacher, Lord Danzo seems very anxious," Kenichi said in a low voice.
His relationship with Orochimaru was relatively close, so asking something like this would not draw any suspicion.
"Yes," Orochimaru replied. "In order to end the war as soon as possible, our teacher signed ceasefire agreements with the other villages. On the surface, that was for Konoha's sake, but the village suffered heavy losses to make it happen. Anyone with eyes can see that. There are not many who dare to voice their dissatisfaction, though. Shimura Danzo is one of the few."
A faintly mocking smile tugged at Orochimaru's lips.
As he watched the Konoha civilians and young genin cheering and celebrating the end of the war, and the villagers who wept for their children, husbands, and fathers who would never come home, Orochimaru's eyes were filled with cool indifference and cold irony.
Civilians and ordinary ninjas were simply happy that the war had ended. The sharper minded ninjas and the powerful clans, however, knew very well that the storm was not over.
There would not be rivers of blood like on the battlefield, but this new storm would be far from peaceful and might even decide who would lead Konoha for a long time to come.
The Third Hokage's actions had been for the sake of Konoha, at least on the surface. No matter how many benefits the village gained, though, it was undeniable that Konoha had paid the highest price.
Other ninjas might not dare to say it aloud for now, but someone like Danzo, who was obsessed with the Hokage title, would not let this opportunity slip past.
A storm aimed at Hiruzen Sarutobi was about to break. Once it hit, the Third Hokage would likely be forced to step down. And if he stepped down, who would become the Fourth Hokage?
"The Third Hokage really has gotten old. Did not the Hokage always say that ninjas fight until the very end to determine the winner? But now the Third Hokage feels more like a politician."
Kenichi's seemingly innocent comment earned him a sharp flick to the head from Orochimaru.
"Do not speak so rudely about the Hokage."
Feeling the light sting on his scalp, Kenichi pouted inwardly.
You obviously think the same thing. So somehow I am the one at fault for saying it out loud?
Still, Orochimaru did maintain a certain degree of respect for the Third Hokage.
He led Kenichi to the Akimichi clan's barbecue restaurant.
The Akimichi barbecue place was famous throughout the village. Because the war had just ended, it was even more crowded than usual today, with a long line of people waiting outside.
However, the concept of queuing vanished the moment Orochimaru appeared.
The person at the very front immediately stepped aside, respectfully inviting Orochimaru to take his place. Even the manager of the Akimichi restaurant hurried out to welcome him personally.
In the Third Shinobi World War, Orochimaru, one of the Legendary Sannin, had distinguished himself with outstanding achievements. Minato Namikaze had also become a legend in his own right.
"Wow, it is Lord Orochimaru. If not for his command, we might not have made it back alive."
"Lord Minato Namikaze is amazing too. The Yellow Flash. I heard the other villages have even issued orders that retreating on sight when you encounter him does not count as a failed mission."
The people eating and drinking here were mostly genin and ordinary villagers. Their hushed conversations and excited whispers made it very clear who the current top figures in Konoha were.