Uchiha Yue's problem grew exponentially. At this rate, this world had been given a death sentence, and it didn't take a year to execute it. Seven to eight months at best. Five or six is the worst case scenario. After that, the inevitable collapse. And the death of all living things.
Time was sorely short. No matter how much of a genius Senju Tobirama was, in such a short time he had to solve an unsolvable task — to find a way to overcome the force, which was only getting more terrifying by the second.
Who do they take him for? For God?
That's why, after realizing the scale of the disaster, he discarded everything else. For the sake of saving Konoha, for the sake of saving this damned world, he did not even look at his native village, content only with dry reports to Orochimaru.
Damn it. All this could have been avoided! If that idiot Danzo had followed his dying instructions and not massacred the Uchiha clan, nothing would have happened!
—And you, Sarutobi...— Tobirama hissed in an icy whisper, even though there was no one nearby. — When I stayed to cover your retreat and entrusted you with the post of Hokage, I hoped that you would lead Konoha to prosperity. And now take a look! Look at what you've turned the village into! Danzo is your subordinate. The Uchiha clan is a part of Konoha. And that's how you dealt with it?! As Hokage, you couldn't even keep your own people in line!
Just the thought of his two students, Hiruzen and Danzo, made Tobirama feel suffocated. After his death, under the rule of these two, Konoha really "flourished." He didn't even want to think about whether the Uchiha massacre was the result of Hiruzen's incompetence or his acquiescence.
All he knew was that he was monstrously blind when he took these two as his students. If he had taken two yard dogs for training, they would have been more useful.
Immeasurable, caustic regret.
"Orochimaru," Tobirama finally said, breaking the long silence. The snake Sannin looked up from his scrolls. — When everything is over, you will return to Konoha. And you will become Hokage.
Orochimaru froze. His heart seemed to skip a beat.
—The second Hokage-sama... what did you say?" Am I... the Hokage? This is some kind of joke. I am a nukenin, a traitor to the village.
He didn't even notice the forgotten bitterness in his voice. Yes, he became a renegade, but deep down there was always a dream of becoming Hokage, a dream that was trampled on by his own teacher.
"A traitor?" Tobirama snapped. "I said you're not a traitor anymore. Your crimes pale in comparison to what Hiruzen and Danzo have done. Orochimaru, you're the right person for this role.
He paused, looking intently at his great-grandson.
"Promise me that when you become Hokage, you won't experiment on Konoha residents." And I will personally support your candidacy.
In the short time they had spent together, Orochimaru had already outlined his story. The experiments under the patronage of Danzo, the betrayal of the "Root" when everything was revealed, and the exile that Hiruzen signed up for. Shimura Danzo, "The Darkness of Shinobi," got away with it. He was just a "supplier," and demand created supply. Orochimaru was blamed for everything.
After learning about the deeds of his disciples, Tobirama fell silent for a long time. He just had nothing to say. Now, looking at Orochimaru, he didn't see a renegade, but a scapegoat. He saw a kindred spirit obsessed with knowledge. He saw himself in his youth.
Big deal, experiments on humans! He was into it himself at one time, only the post of Hokage made him moderate his ardor. In his eyes, Orochimaru's desire for the forbidden was youthful recklessness. Settle down. It will outgrow it. It's not a big deal.
"The second Hokage-sama..." gasped Orochimaru, looking at Tobirama with genuine, almost childish amazement. They understood him. He was not convicted. And it wasn't his fault! It was his teacher's fault! If there was a choice, which Shinobi would want to become an exile? And if he becomes Hokage... doesn't that mean that his research will reach a new level?
"It looks like you agree,— Tobirama chuckled, noticing the gleam in Sannin's eyes. —Heh... remember, Orochimaru. We take care of our comrades from our village. But here are other people's villages…
"I get it, Second Hokage-sama!" Orochimaru's trademark snake—like smile blossomed on his lips.
He understood everything. You can't touch your own people. But you can — strangers.
The scene in the Ryuchi Cave
Mad, booming laughter shook the vaults of the Ryuchi cave. Before the eyes of the terrified snakes, the Sage White Snake, swelling from the overflowing natural energy, turned into a monster of unimaginable size. Her gigantic body wrapped around the entire cave in rings.
— no! Hermit-sama, you can't! Tagorihime screamed in panic, trying to crawl away, but the giant mouth opened and swallowed her up in an instant.
"Run!" This madwoman wanted to devour us from the very beginning, not lead us to divinity! Run away! Tagitsuhime roared heart—rendingly, taking off from her seat. But she did not have time to go far — the same fate overtook her.
"For what?" Ichikishimahime hissed in despair, glaring at her former mistress. — We were loyal to you! You promised that we would become dragons together!