The Fifth Hokage, Jiraiya, and the Third Hokage were both aware of Kabuto Yakushi.
On the surface, Kabuto was just a Genin from Konoha, but secretly, he was Orochimaru's spy in the village.
During the Chunin Exams, Hatake Kakashi had even fought against him.
According to Kakashi's assessment, "This guy's strength is not beneath my own."
When Orochimaru returned to Konoha, Kabuto Yakushi followed, giving everyone a chance to get to know him better.
Aside from Tsunade, Kabuto was known as the best medical ninja in the village.
"Looks like Kabuto has taken on my legacy and even learned the Sage Arts of Ryuchi Cave," Orochimaru remarked.
In the image, Kabuto's cheeks were covered with snake scales, and behind his ears, horns resembling a dragon's had grown.
What was most unsettling was the face of Orochimaru imprinted on his lower abdomen.
Both Jiraiya and the Third Hokage, along with the two young ones, felt uneasy looking at him—almost as if they were getting goosebumps.
However, Orochimaru stared at Kabuto Yakushi thoughtfully, deep in contemplation.
It was impossible that Orochimaru had taught Kabuto the Reanimated Reincarnation. He also had never revealed the location of Ryuchi Cave to him.
Yet, in the image, Kabuto Yakushi could not only use the Reanimated Reincarnation to summon powerful ninjas, but his appearance also showed that he had mastered Sage Mode from Ryuchi Cave.
This was intriguing.
As long as Orochimaru was alive, Kabuto would never have had the opportunity to learn these techniques.
The only explanation was that Orochimaru was dead.
Kabuto must have learned these techniques from Orochimaru's collected knowledge, receiving most of his legacy.
But the question remained: who could have killed Orochimaru?
Orochimaru pondered over it, but no clear answer came to mind. There were many who could have done it.
For example, Pain from the Akatsuki organization, or even Jiraiya in Sage Mode.
The former needed no explanation—they were two powerful individuals with extraordinary eyes, and they would have been a perfect match against Orochimaru.
As for Jiraiya, if he used Sage Mode and fought seriously, Orochimaru wasn't confident he could beat him in a head-on fight.
Strictly speaking, Jiraiya's Sage Mode is like three against one.
The two Toad Sages have significant combat strength as well.
Even if Jiraiya faced Orochimaru, he wouldn't go all out.
After all, there's nothing that can be done—Orochimaru's charm over Jiraiya is just too strong.
"Orochimaru, looks like someone else will kill you in the future," Jiraiya joked aloud, fully aware of the situation.
"It doesn't matter. I'll just be resurrected anyway," Orochimaru replied nonchalantly.
"Alright, pretend I didn't say anything."
It had been mentioned earlier that Orochimaru would later use cloning technology to create Mitsuki.
This shows that Orochimaru isn't truly dead.
Just like he said, he could come back to life.
"So, what are you going to do about Yakushi Kabuto?" Jiraiya asked.
"What about him?"
Orochimaru looked calmly at the Third Hokage. Clearly, he had no intention of taking action against Kabuto.
"Aren't you worried he might betray you? You saw what he did in that video."
"Don't worry, old man. As long as I'm alive, Yakushi Kabuto won't betray me. Besides, he's smart enough to know what to do and what not to do."
The Third Hokage stared at Orochimaru intensely. "I hope so."
From the Third Hokage's perspective, regardless of Kabuto's intelligence, the best move would be to deal with him first.
Whether it meant house arrest or imprisonment would depend on how things unfolded.
Fortunately, Kabuto was currently on Orochimaru's side, and the Third Hokage had already stepped down, meaning he no longer had the authority to capture a ninja by force.
"Either way, Orochimaru, you'd better keep a close eye on Yakushi Kabuto. I don't want to wake up one day to find most of the powerful ninja graves dug up."
"Stupid Jiraiya, just worry about yourself and the village. Leave me alone."
"Hehe."
The Fifth Hokage, Jiraiya, didn't argue with Orochimaru.
After all, if Kabuto ever made a mistake, Jiraiya wouldn't show mercy. He'd kill Kabuto himself without caring about Orochimaru's opinion.
After all, Kabuto Yakushi seen on the light curtain was too dangerous.
[Later, Reanimated Itachi successfully broke Kabuto Yakushi's Reanimation Jutsu.]
[The Reanimated ninjas on the battlefield ascended to Pure Land on the spot.]
Pah~
"Uchiha Itachi!!!"
Sasuke had been calm most of the time, except for when he got a little annoyed explaining the light curtain's functions to Naruto.
But now, he couldn't keep calm any longer. Uchiha Itachi, in his Reanimated form, had appeared on the light curtain.
"The executioner who killed my parents deserves a good death."
Sasuke was furious.
Even though Orochimaru had told him some of the hidden details behind the Uchiha clan's massacre, he could never forgive Itachi for killing his parents with his own hands.
Staring at the evil world Itachi on the screen, Sasuke felt both anger and satisfaction.
Anger, because he saw the beast again.
Satisfaction, knowing this beast would die in a few years.
He just didn't know at whose hands this guy would eventually fall.
If Itachi didn't die by his own hands, Sasuke would feel deeply regretful.
Orochimaru saw the unresolved hatred in Sasuke's heart and immediately comforted him: "Don't worry, Sasuke. As long as you keep practicing with my training methods, it won't be long before you can face Itachi head-on."
"I hope so."
Meanwhile, the Fifth Hokage, Jiraiya, and the Third Hokage exchanged glances.
The Third Hokage had already told Jiraiya about Itachi being a spy for Konoha, as well as the deal he had made with him.
To be honest, Jiraiya had very mixed feelings about Itachi.
You could say he was a kind brother with a soft heart, but he wiped out his entire clan, including the elderly, the weak, women, and children.
Yet, if you called him a twisted murderer, he spared his brother. For that reason, he even joined the Akatsuki, putting himself in danger as a spy, using his own strength to ensure the village protected Sasuke.
What a complicated mind.
"What should we do, Jiraiya? Should we let Itachi return to the village?"
After all, Itachi had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan. In the current complicated situation in the ninja world, the more powerful ninjas Konoha had, the safer the village would be.
In his mind, the entire blame for the Uchiha clan's massacre could be placed on the already dead Danzo.
"I believe that Danzo, who always had the village in mind, wouldn't care even if the people below knew about it."
Danzo: "You foolish monkey, you even drag dead people into this! Are you still human?"
"Send someone to contact him and see if he's willing to return."
"Alright, leave it to me."
From beginning to end, they never asked for Sasuke's opinion.
Because it didn't matter at all.
Even though Sasuke is now Orochimaru's disciple, he's still a Genin of Konoha.
They didn't need Genin's permission to do things.
It's still uncertain whether Itachi will come back or not.
If he agrees to return, then Fifth Hokage Jiraiya and the others will figure out how to calm Sasuke down.
Isn't that right? The scapegoat—Danzo Shimura!
Danzo: "Ah, yes, yes!"
****
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