On top of the Hokage Rock.
Hiruzen and Orochimaru sat cross-legged on the grass, their posture relaxed.
"Orochimaru, what is your dream?" Hiruzen asked.
"To understand all ninjutsu in the world, and to make life no longer so fragile…" After the heart-to-heart just now, Orochimaru did not intend to speak in grandiose terms.
But after a pause, he said seriously, "To gain the recognition of my sensei and the entire village, and to become the legitimate Fourth Hokage—that is also one of them."
"You were once very much like me, Orochimaru…"
Hiruzen smiled and shook his head. "When I was young, I also believed I could understand all ninjutsu and become the strongest Hokage. I was even called something like the 'Professor of Ninjutsu'…"
"Later, I came to understand that I merely had the aptitude of an ordinary person. Even just maintaining the village left me utterly exhausted."
"If by chance I hadn't come across those secret notes left by Tobirama-sensei and developed the resolve to risk breaking the limitations of my body, perhaps now…"
Hiruzen changed the subject, his tone filled with emotion: "But you are different from me, Orochimaru…"
"You are young, your talent surpasses mine. Looking at you is like seeing a better version of myself…"
Orochimaru felt a surge of complex emotions.
On one hand, his teacher's recognition and praise naturally pleased him greatly.
But on the other hand, he felt that his teacher was being far too modest…
Given his current state—training every day and advancing with fierce determination—was his own talent truly better than his teacher's?
For an ordinary shinobi, being in one's forties was already considered the twilight years.
But for Hiruzen, it might very well be the prime time for striving forward…
"There's no need to put it that way, sensei."
Orochimaru could not help but say, "You… you are different from ordinary shinobi!"
"Perhaps. But a person's life is not determined by talent alone."
Hiruzen sighed. "The background of the era and the situation of the shinobi world are both enormous influences. If Tobirama-sensei had returned from the battlefield at that time, I might indeed have been a different person…"
"But he gave his life for the village, and for me. So whatever I do is only proper."
Orochimaru nodded.
Taking on the burden of the Hokage at such a young age—such pressure was indeed immense.
Improving oneself requires leisure.
If the weight of work has already crushed a person, where would there be time to do so?
"But you are different. You are stronger than I was."
"You have me, your sensei, carrying the burden for you."
Orochimaru's pupils trembled, and it felt as though a spark had been cast into his heart.
Those words from his teacher…
Even a cold-blooded creature like a snake would find it hard not to feel warmth.
"My only requirement of you is this: before you do anything, remember that you are a shinobi of Konohagakure—someone who grew up bathed in the Will of Fire passed down by your predecessors."
"Even when you encounter temptations that are hard to resist, you must restrain your desires and not let them cloud your judgment."
"Desire makes people impatient, but if you calm down and look, there are many ways to solve a problem." Hiruzen gazed up at the sky.
"Go a little slower—maybe it will be more solid, and it won't make your loved ones grieve, or leave you with regrets."
Orochimaru fell into thought.
He understood the implication in Hiruzen's words.
Living Corpse Reincarnation, together with the limitations of the technique, meant that the target of the jutsu could basically be narrowed down to someone else.
But techniques were not unchanging.
From the Warring States Period to the era of nations and villages, over these several decades, ninjutsu and bioengineering had advanced by leaps and bounds, and all kinds of kinjutsu had emerged one after another…
Perhaps one day, the technical barrier would be broken through.
And when that day came, even if he took a fancy to the talent of some shinobi of Konohagakure, openly obtaining the other party's material would not be difficult for Orochimaru.
Not to mention that, at present, there was still no genius who could move Orochimaru to that extent…
Even if there were...
Just as Tobirama's rear-guard stand had allowed Hiruzen to resolutely shoulder the village.
All these years of his teacher's care for him—today's support and recognition—would that still not be enough to earn his restraint?
And taking a few steps back, analyzing it purely from the standpoint of benefit.
Relying on the village's resources, his research could proceed better…
What was more, for the current Orochimaru, Living Corpse Reincarnation was only a trump card that led to pseudo-immortality.
As a genius, what he wanted more was to perfect himself; "seizing" another person would forever be an inferior substitute…
In a certain sense, that meant denying himself.
"Sensei, I will always remember that I am a shinobi of Konohagakure." Orochimaru did not say any cruel oath, but his tone was extremely serious.
"Mm. That's good." Hiruzen nodded.
Conversations and promises between men were sometimes that plain and unadorned, yet they carried immense weight.
"Maybe one day, you brat will be like the White Snake Sage of Ryūchi Cave, and truly become an existence that lives forever and sees long…"
Hiruzen lit a cigarette. His expression looked relieved, and he even joked: "When that time comes, you won't need to be any Hokage. Just remember to find a few more contractors in Konohagakure."
Seeing Hiruzen's expression, Orochimaru felt a tightness in his chest.
It was like an ordinary old father imagining that after his son at the shinobi academy graduated, he would become a jōnin or even the Hokage, reaching a peak that the father himself could never attain.
"When that time comes, I'll write a plaque. On it, it will say: Sarutobi Hiruzen, the great Third Hokage, will always be my sensei…" Orochimaru pulled himself together and began joking back and forth.
But in his mind, he let out a sigh.
If his teacher had possessed his resources and fortune, perhaps he could have achieved astonishing accomplishments; those fantasies might not have been beyond him.
Those words were, of course, spoken through a filter.
But in Hiruzen's heart, he truly thought that way.
He was different from others…
The effort he had poured into making Konohagakure strong had not been wasted; it had transformed into his talent.
Growing stronger step by step and cashing in on the increasing upper limit—those were things Hiruzen had always been doing.
Although for now it did not seem obvious, so-called quantitative change brings about qualitative change…
He had enough patience and perseverance.
It was just that he would not speak of this to anyone.
"This technique still needs to be reported. We'll put it under my name and treat it as something we developed together."
Hiruzen said slowly, "My credibility is still sufficient. Others won't think too much about it."
To research and refine a technique would inevitably require mobilizing resources.
Given how smoothly things were progressing, it was unreasonable to block Orochimaru from continuing his research.
But resources attracted attention from all sides.
Such as Orochimaru's rival, Danzō; the neutral Koharu and Homura; even his colleague Hiruko…
Without an official designation, conducting private experiments—if exposed—would have troublesome consequences.
It could become a whirlpool of public opinion sufficient to destroy Orochimaru's reputation…
But placing it under the Hokage's name was different.
Kind-hearted, dovish, steady—those were the stereotypes attached to Sarutobi Hiruzen.
If it were under his name, it could be assigned the highest classification level, and no one would inquire into it.
This was a form of protection for Orochimaru.
And it would not cause any real impact to Hiruzen.
"Sensei, that won't be necessary. I've already given you my assurance…"
Orochimaru frowned. "As for this technique, I cannot say I will absolutely never use it, but the possibility is close to zero—unless I reach the day of my natural death without the slightest breakthrough."
"If anyone dares to smear me, then I will fight them!"
His teacher truly considered things for him too thoroughly…
To the point that even Orochimaru felt somewhat ashamed.
Hiruzen said slowly, "Some say that Shimura Danzō bears the darker side for me…"
"Perhaps there is some truth to that. But what I must shoulder is more than just that."
"Perhaps one day you will understand. Perhaps you won't. But it doesn't really matter."
"It's all the same."
Listening, Orochimaru felt puzzled.
But Hiruzen merely waved his hand and skipped over the topic.
...
Several days later.
Hokage Tower.
Danzō brought a piece of crucial intelligence.
The final piece of the puzzle for a certain lord's resurrection.
Intelligence on the possessor of Earth Grudge Fear—Kakuzu!
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