Chapter 41: Reality Is Indeed Far More Fantastical Than Fiction
"Teacher, Elder Danzo is not planning to..."
Kenichi Amamiya raised his hand and lightly drew a cutting motion across his own neck.
Danzo had coveted the Hokage's seat for a very long time. If the Third Hokage had not kept him pressed down all these years, he probably would have taken the risk already. Now, with the village shaken and power in flux, it was the perfect moment.
Kenichi simply could not understand why Danzo was still holding back.
"After all, Hiruzen lost his arm for the sake of the village, and he has no intention of leaving Konoha for the time being."
Orochimaru let out a cold sneer. In his eyes, his teacher was cautious to a fault.
Kenichi understood immediately.
It was exactly as Orochimaru said. The Third Hokage's prestige in the village was already extremely high, and his passionate speech about the Will of Fire at today's funeral had drawn thunderous applause.
If internal strife broke out in the village at a time like this, it would be an enormous disgrace.
Unless the Third left the village and was attacked outside its borders, any attempt on his life inside Konoha would be far too risky.
But Hiruzen clearly had no intention of leaving. He fully intended to have his arm problem resolved as quickly as possible and then reclaim the Hokage position.
"The reward this time is quite generous. It is not a loss to lend a hand."
Orochimaru's expression eased slightly as he thought about the payment he had been promised.
Kenichi nodded knowingly. No wonder his teacher had agreed to cooperate.
At the same time, he could not help noticing something else.
It seemed that, right now at least, Orochimaru did not have an overwhelming desire to kill the Third Hokage. Had something not happened yet? Or had something in the future nudged him in that direction?
"All right. Since you brought up the concept of rejection and compatibility, we will need your help. Let's go. Sarutobi is really urging us."
Orochimaru waved his hand impatiently. The Third Hokage was in a genuine hurry.
It was true that no one in Konoha would dare attack Hiruzen openly within the village, but this window of vulnerability was far too rare.
Even if Danzo did not choose to strike at Hiruzen, he was very likely already preparing to recommend himself as the Fifth Hokage.
If that happened, Orochimaru's efforts could easily end up amounting to nothing.
Knowing Danzo's nature, he would probably set that plan in motion very soon.
In the past, Orochimaru might have felt compelled to dive into that vortex of power, but now he found the entire game hollow and foul.
He had seen through the ugliness of that political swamp and no longer wished to wallow in it.
Konoha needs to be reborn, he thought. And rebirth often rises from the ruins of destruction.
"My help?"
Kenichi was stunned for a moment, then quickly understood.
It seemed his teacher had brought him along as an assistant on the side.
After all, Kenichi had already explained the concept of organ rejection and compatibility very clearly. Orochimaru understood those principles, so in theory he did not require Kenichi's help.
However, when they stepped inside the building, Kenichi immediately realized the real reason.
The hall was packed with ninja. Some looked excited, some terrified, others restless. Emotions roiled like a storm above their heads.
"Teacher, this is..."
Kenichi thought of the arm transplant plan his teacher had mentioned earlier.
Was this how they intended to find a suitable donor?
"The ninja who died or were gravely injured yesterday have already been buried. There is also the issue of decay," Orochimaru said flatly.
But even in his calm tone, Kenichi sensed an icy disdain.
"The Sarutobi clan has issued a public call. Whoever provides an arm for the Third Hokage will receive a substantial pension and a position in the mission assignment office."
Orochimaru's voice remained faint, but the meaning was obvious.
Kenichi understood at once.
Just as he had guessed, these people were all here to undergo compatibility testing. The one whose body showed the highest match would become the arm donor for Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Some were there for the sake of their livelihood.
A hefty pension and a stable, respected post in the mission office were extremely tempting rewards, even if the price was losing their left arm.
Others were there out of faith.
For them, being able to sacrifice their own bodies for a hero like the Third Hokage, for the Will of Fire, was considered a supreme honor.
"It really is a form of brainwashing," Kenichi thought, shaking his head inwardly.
But he did not comment aloud and simply focused on his work.
Because there were so many volunteers, the Anbu maintained strict order. The Third Hokage even came by from time to time to personally thank the candidates.
With all of that, the seemingly complicated process moved along at surprising speed.
When the final, perfectly compatible candidate was chosen, Kenichi quietly wiped his hands clean.
Medical ninjutsu in this world really is strange, he thought.
Surgeries that would have been incredibly difficult in my previous life were performed here with almost casual ease.
As he watched the Third Hokage bow deeply in gratitude and the chosen ninja smile with pride and satisfaction, Kenichi felt once again that this world was far too fantastical.
"Let's go. This part has nothing to do with us anymore."
Orochimaru turned away without hesitation.
If he had not needed to stay and observe the results, he would have left the moment a suitable donor was found. Now that everything was confirmed, he had no reason to remain.
As Kenichi followed him out, he could not help glancing back.
The Third Hokage was standing beneath the sunlight, golden rays falling across his shoulders, surrounded by cheering and laughing ninja.
Their gazes met for an instant.
Kenichi turned away first and followed his teacher down the dim corridor.
There was no one else around, only the muffled noise from behind the closed doors.
Then Orochimaru opened the outer door, and the sunlight from the street flooded in again.
"Kenichi, want to go eat some barbecue?"
Orochimaru turned back with a faint smile and asked.
Kenichi blinked in surprise.
"Okay, teacher."
Kenichi answered with a bright grin.
It was the familiar Akimichi clan yakiniku restaurant.
This time, however, Orochimaru had unusually called Mitarashi Anko to join them, which made Kenichi raise an eyebrow, though he did not find it incomprehensible.
What truly caught his attention was how Orochimaru occasionally showed subtle concern for Anko during the meal.
To anyone else, it may have just seemed like casual conversation.
But to Kenichi, who understood his teacher's character very well, that rare trace of gentleness looked suspiciously like making final arrangements.
Of course, Orochimaru was not going to die.
So it could not be a literal farewell. That left only one explanation.
Is teacher planning to leave Konoha?
The possibility felt very high.
That would explain why he had called Anko over today, why he had taken the time to speak to her about various things that sounded ordinary on the surface but were layered with meaningful hints beneath.
For anyone else, it was nothing.
But for Kenichi, who knew how few people Orochimaru truly cared about, it was unmistakably a sign of concern.
"Are we leaving Konoha?"
Kenichi finally asked, a faint excitement stirring in his chest.
Running experiments in Konoha meant endless obstacles and scrutiny.
If they left the village, things might be troublesome at first, but once the initial storm passed, they would have true freedom.
Freedom to conduct any kind of research.
Freedom to carry out any experiment.
Kenichi glanced at his teacher, and a series of wild, dangerous ideas flashed through his mind.
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