After listening to Hiruzen Sarutobi's confession, the three Sannin fell into a long, stunned silence.
Why had their teacher always insisted on caution in the past?
Why had the current Hokage changed so drastically, as if he were a different man?
Now they understood.
Tsunade and Jiraiya exchanged a glance. The emotions in their eyes were complicated, tangled.
When it came to not wanting to become Hokage, they shared the same reason.
It was not just the endless paperwork.
On a deeper level, it was the overwhelming brilliance of those who came before them.
Hashirama Senju was the God of Shinobi. His legend needed no embellishment.
As for Tobirama Senju, though he did not possess his brother's godlike power, the countless jutsu he created and the policies he established were an entire era ahead of the shinobi world.
In some ways, the fear he inspired in enemies was only slightly less than Hashirama's.
After all, the God of Shinobi, for all his strength, had loved peace too much.
Tobirama, on the other hand, was the kind of man who could revive an enemy's loved one and turn them into a walking bomb.
Deep down, Jiraiya and Tsunade had both entertained thoughts similar to Hiruzen's.
If they became Hokage, could they surpass their predecessors?
Even setting Hashirama and Tobirama aside, could they match the talent and ability Hiruzen had displayed in his youth?
They doubted it.
Orochimaru's gaze softened.
Compared to the other two, he felt less responsibility toward the village itself.
What he valued more was the bond between himself, Hiruzen, Jiraiya, and Tsunade.
Especially Hiruzen, who had been both teacher and father to him.
That teacher who had once poured everything into him, who had cherished him so deeply… had gradually drifted away.
That distance had been a thorn lodged in his heart.
And geniuses were always proud.
Orochimaru had never thought of apologizing to Hiruzen. Nor had he believed himself wrong.
He would accomplish something monumental. He would force his teacher to see it. Right and wrong would become obvious on their own.
But tonight, Hiruzen had spoken with such naked honesty.
It was clear he still trusted him as a disciple.
And the way he had brushed aside those incriminating reports, the way he had shown concern in front of everyone…
A faint ache rose in Orochimaru's chest.
Hiruzen quietly observed all three of them.
At this point, his sudden change in temperament had a reasonable explanation.
If he acted in ways that did not match his previous persona in the future, no one would question it too deeply.
Just as he had expected.
With the foundation of their teacher-student bond intact, even if there had been misunderstandings or distance before, as long as nothing irreparable had happened, things could be resolved.
This was different from addressing the village at large.
Before the masses, he could not show this side of himself. At most, he could appear restrained. The shinobi needed a reliable leader, not an old man to pity.
But before his three disciples, this kind of vulnerability allowed them to empathize.
They were teacher and students, not merely superior and subordinates.
If he were too distant or too perfect, they would feel estranged. Showing weakness made him real. It invited them to step forward.
"Sensei… you've worked so hard," Tsunade said softly. A faint shimmer of tears lingered in her eyes. "You've already done your best. Don't push yourself to the point of breaking."
So the old man had once been under so much pressure that death felt like relief?
And she, his student, had not noticed.
Or perhaps she had sensed something… and failed to care in time.
That was unforgivable.
Jiraiya straightened, eyes firm. "Sensei, don't underestimate me. I might be your dumbest student, but I can still shoulder some of the burden."
"I'll help you, Sensei," Orochimaru said quietly.
Hiruzen laughed. "Good. Hearing that from you three… I feel steadier already."
"The current Konoha has many problems."
"The first major issue is factionalism. The various clans lack trust in the village leadership and in each other. The Hyuga Clan is one example. The Uchiha Clan carries even stronger resistance."
"And even clans like the Inuzuka, Aburame, and Kurama, though willing to cooperate, are not tightly integrated."
"Why?" Hiruzen asked.
"Because they lack the Will of Fire?" Jiraiya ventured after thinking hard.
Hiruzen laughed. "My good student, I didn't expect Mount Myoboku to teach you an S-rank Forbidden Jutsu. Even I don't casually use that 'labeling' technique as Hokage."
"And yet you mastered it without a teacher."
Orochimaru arched a brow. "The great toad sage of Mount Myoboku truly lives up to his reputation. Already expelling people from Konoha?"
"If you became Hokage, Konoha might lose a third of its population."
Tsunade could not hold back her laughter. "Jiraiya, I think you're the one who lacks the Will of Fire. Care to explain?"
Jiraiya waved his hands awkwardly. "You're born into the right lineage. Of course you'd say that. Snake, that's not what I meant. I just can't figure it out…"
"What do you think?" he asked.
"Because there's no path forward," Orochimaru replied softly.
"Among the so-called high-level leadership, aside from Sensei and the four of you, at most you could add the barely noticeable Jonin Commander, Shikazan Nara."
"The First passed it to the Second. The Second passed it to his disciple, Sensei. The other three disciples share equal standing."
"The Nara Clan forms Sensei's base. Where is there room for anyone else?"
"If you were a Jonin looking at this situation, even if you weren't resentful, once your path upward is blocked, other thoughts would inevitably grow."
Jiraiya opened his mouth.
"You, as a disciple of the Hokage, don't want the position. That's your personal choice. I won't judge it," Orochimaru continued, narrowing his eyes.
"But do you know how many clans would bankrupt themselves for that identity?"
Tsunade unconsciously twisted her fingers.
Her grandfather, her second grandfather, her teacher… they had already done enough for her entire lifetime.
Still, hearing this left a bitter taste.
"You little devil. No wonder you've gathered so many supporters," Hiruzen scolded with a smile, nodding. "Orochimaru is mostly right."
"The village's promotion path is too narrow. We need to mobilize the major clans and civilian shinobi, let them see sincerity."
Jiraiya nodded enthusiastically. His mind was simple. He liked the sound of this kind of reform. "You're saying other clans will also enter the leadership? I'm all for it!"
Tsunade frowned slightly. "Does that include the Uchiha Clan? And the Hyuga Clan? If they gain power but still act independently, what then?"
"It could fuel their ambitions."
Jiraiya stared at her in surprise. He had thought she only studied medical ninjutsu, gambled, and drank. Since when had she been this sharp?
Orochimaru's pupils thinned like a snake's. "This is serious. If they enter the leadership and then oppose us from within, even eliminating them later would severely damage the village."
Hiruzen looked at Orochimaru with satisfaction.
Brilliant in research. Powerful. Able to follow his reasoning.
A useful deputy.
For now, what Orochimaru wanted was research support and the position of heir apparent.
That did not conflict with Hiruzen's goals.
"At least for now," Hiruzen thought.
"We must create tiers," Hiruzen said slowly. "Not just the four decision-makers. Among the Jonin, we establish a new promotion channel."
"Out of the hundred or so Jonin, we create a new level. Around twenty seats."
"These twenty will receive better treatment than ordinary Jonin. Those with administrative talent will enter management and gain the right to participate in and propose village affairs."
"Those unwilling to engage in politics, such as frontline combat specialists, will receive combat resource subsidies."
"This resolves most of the promotion bottleneck among Jonin."
"As for purity…"
Hiruzen's gaze sharpened. "I, as Hokage, will designate the candidate list. I won't allow this stage to be compromised."
Jiraiya blinked. "But that means members of the Hyuga and Uchiha will take seats, right? If you exclude them again…"
Tsunade nodded slightly.
If this reform still shut them out, it might only deepen their hostility.
They could not enter the decision-making council. Would they not even be allowed into the core Jonin tier?
Orochimaru's eyes suddenly lit up. "Sensei… you thought of that already, didn't you?"
Hiruzen smiled and nodded.
"Thought of what? Stop being cryptic, Orochimaru!" Jiraiya scooted close, nearly face to face. "Just say it!"
"Too close, idiot," Orochimaru said, pushing him away, though a faint smile curved his lips.
"It's simple. We choose clan shinobi who lean toward the village, or who can only lean toward it."
"Remember? Sensei publicly appointed Hizashi Hyuga to the Anbu. As a member of the Hyuga Branch House, once he accepts the Hokage's protection, he becomes one of the best candidates."
Tsunade slapped the table. "Right. If Hizashi Hyuga defies the Hyuga Main House and goes unpunished, he naturally becomes a third force within the Hyuga Clan."
Now Jiraiya understood.
"Behind him will stand the Hyuga Branch House. And they must support the old man because they need the Hokage's protection."
"As for the neutral clans, they just lack an upward path. They won't oppose the one who opens it for them…"
Jiraiya bared his teeth in awe. "Yeah… I really can't be Hokage. Old man, how do you even think of this stuff?"
Tsunade downed a gulp of sake and laughed. "Seriously. It's like you've inherited Second Grandpa's dark heart."
Hiruzen could not help laughing.
When the First Hokage had been alive, he had often shot down Tobirama's proposals, saying his younger brother thought too schemingly.
"As for the Uchiha Clan, I haven't found a suitable candidate yet. We'll start with the overt doves."
"Until then, neither the Hyuga nor the Uchiha will enter the decision-making council."
"But the council will expand. Myself, Danzo, Orochimaru, one representative from the neutral clans, and Sakumo."
"Koharu and Homura will be reassigned but retain their seats. That will help foster dove factions within the Hyuga and Uchiha."
Jiraiya shuddered for no reason.
Thank goodness he was not born into a clan and had the luck to be taken in by Sensei.
"Wait. Sensei, why does Snake get to enter the upper ranks too?" Jiraiya protested belatedly. "Don't assign me under him!"
"Well designed, Sensei," Orochimaru said, lips curling upward.
With a casual word, Hiruzen had given him a seat. That meant he still valued him.
"Shouldn't Orochimaru enter?" Hiruzen asked with a smile.
"He should…" Jiraiya grumbled. "I'm just too lazy to deal with this stuff."
"The system is good," Orochimaru said. "But how do we implement it? Subsidies for Jonin. Appeasing the elders. All of this requires resources. Money."
"Is the village treasury sufficient? Or is the Daimyo's Mansion increasing funding?"
Hiruzen gave him an approving look.
It sounded like pouring cold water, but it was practical.
Without money and resources, even the best system remained a castle in the air.
"Exactly. Without funds, reform is impossible."
"So we must generate income first."
"Tell me, in the Land of Fire, who is the richest?"
"The Daimyo, of course," Jiraiya answered immediately.
"True, but that's one person. As a class, the nobles of the Land of Fire are the wealthiest," Hiruzen corrected.
Jiraiya frowned. His expression grew uneasy. "Sensei… you're not planning to wipe out the nobles, are you?"
Tsunade burst out laughing. "Jiraiya, are you planning to kill my relatives? And before that, slap a 'no Will of Fire' label on them?"
"My grandfather and father's descendants are in there too!"
Jiraiya waved his hands frantically. "No, no, I'm just worried Sensei might go extreme…"
Hiruzen and Orochimaru both laughed.
"Our population is too small to take over the Land of Fire's entire system. Declaring war on the nobility would be a net loss."
"They would flee to enemy nations. Their Daimyo would then fully support other hidden villages. We would be funding our enemies."
"And as Tsunade said, many of the Hokage's own relatives reside in the Daimyo's Mansion."
The relationship between hidden villages and Daimyo was delicate.
Not only did upheaval in the shinobi world affect village populations, requiring cooperation, but the Daimyo's Mansion also absorbed members of the various Kage families.
Pull one thread, and the whole web trembled.
"So we must make the nobles willingly hand over their money."
"And for that… we'll rely on you."
Hiruzen slowly formed a clump of earth in his palm and set it on the table.
"Do you know what this is?"
Jiraiya and Tsunade exchanged looks. Even Orochimaru frowned in confusion.
"It's… dirt?" Jiraiya guessed.
"This," Hiruzen said solemnly, "is a specially developed medicinal pill. Refined through research on Lord Hashirama's self-healing genes, improvements to Lord Tobirama's scrolls, safety tested by Lady Mito Uzumaki, endorsed by Ryuchi Cave, Mount Myoboku, and Shikkotsu Forest."
"Formulated by the world's greatest medical ninja, Tsunade, and research expert Orochimaru."
"It gently nourishes the body, prolongs life, eliminates hidden ailments, and even strengthens vitality."
He paused dramatically.
"A premium health supplement."