"Worried?"
"Me? Not at all."
Hearing Mei's response, Genji chuckled lightly. "It's about that Uchiha kid, isn't it?"
Mei's eyes widened in shock.
"How did you know?"
Genji's tone remained calm. "That guy is undeniably handsome, but he's a dangerous individual through and through. You'd be wise to keep your distance."
Mei fell silent at his words.
He wasn't wrong—Uchiha Mirai was dangerous. Someone like him, no matter how perfectly he fit her ideals, was not someone she could allow herself to fall for.
But still...
Men that stunning weren't exactly easy to come by.
Pushing aside the jumble of thoughts clouding her mind, Mei glanced at Genji.
"You seem to be in a particularly good mood today."
Genji laughed softly. "Of course. The negotiations went exceptionally well this time. All we had to do was show a little strength, and the Third Hokage of Konoha caved almost immediately. All he asked for was some reparations for the war."
He smirked. "And to sweeten the deal, he even offered to return the Seven Ninja Swords to us as a gesture of goodwill. The only regret is that the Three-Tails has been sealed inside Uchiha Mirai. Retrieving it is out of the question now."
"The fact that Konoha has a Hokage like him is a stroke of luck for us."
Mei blinked in surprise. She hadn't expected this outcome.
After all, it was Kirigakure that had initiated the war, only to suffer a humiliating defeat. They had come to Konoha fully prepared to bleed for peace, yet Hiruzen Sarutobi had been so... accommodating?
Genji broke into hearty laughter. "At least we can return home with our heads held high."
While Mei initially shared his joy, Mirai's words resurfaced in her mind, clouding her thoughts once more.
It was true—Hiruzen Sarutobi was weak. But he was also old.
When the next Hokage takes over, will Konoha remain the same? Especially with someone like Uchiha Mirai, who dreams of uniting the ninja world, at the helm?
If Konoha shifts from a defensive stance to an offensive one, what kind of chaos would ensue in the ninja world?
"Mei, you're distracted again."
Snapping out of her reverie at Genji's voice, Mei replied solemnly, "Genji-sama, we cannot afford to let our guard down. Kirigakure must grow stronger—constantly."
Genji regarded her with a hint of surprise.
"Mei, you've changed a lot these days." He smiled faintly. "But don't worry. No matter how the ninja world shifts, Kirigakure will always stand as one of the strongest villages."
Mei sighed softly.
I hope so.
The Kirigakure delegation departed soon after.
The details of the negotiations remained confidential, and few in Konoha were even aware of their visit.
Instead, the villagers' attention was focused on a different matter entirely.
"Have you heard the rumors about Orochimaru lately? People are saying he's involved in some... unspeakable things."
"Keep it down! I heard he's conducting human experiments in secret."
"That's ridiculous! Orochimaru-sama is one of the Third Hokage's disciples. If anyone's likely to become the Fourth Hokage, it's him."
"Still, rumors don't spread without cause. They say he's using criminals and orphans for his experiments. Can that all be baseless?"
"I refuse to believe it! Without Orochimaru-sama, I would've died on the battlefield. This has to be slander!"
At first, most dismissed the rumors. But as time went on, doubt began to creep into the villagers' hearts.
If it wasn't true, why hadn't the Third Hokage or Orochimaru himself come forward to deny it?
...
Hokage Office
The door creaked open as Danzo Shimura entered, leaning on his cane.
"Hiruzen, you summoned me?"
Hiruzen's voice was heavy. "Danzo, are you the one spreading these rumors about Orochimaru?"
Danzo's reply was calm. "And if I am?"
Hiruzen slammed his hand onto the desk. "Danzo! Once again, you act without my consent! Do you want another tragedy like Sakumo Hatake's to repeat itself?"
Danzo scoffed. "Let's not rewrite history, Hiruzen. You tacitly allowed what happened to Sakumo. You're the one who elevated him to the status of 'White Fang' and then watched as he fell.
"And as for Orochimaru... I'm merely stating the truth."
Hiruzen inhaled deeply, his temper barely in check. "Orochimaru is my student and one of my candidates for the next Hokage. You've crossed the line this time."
Danzo's tone turned sharp. "You're aware of how close Orochimaru has grown to Uchiha Mirai, aren't you? If he becomes Hokage, the Uchiha clan will seize the opportunity to rise again. Everything our teacher worked for will be undone!"
He leaned closer, his voice dropping. "And Orochimaru is no longer that naive, talented child. He's a Sannin with his own followers and ambitions. If he takes power, there will be no room for us."
Hiruzen's face darkened, the weight of Danzo's words settling heavily on him.
Danzo continued, relentless. "You've been hesitant for far too long, Hiruzen. That's how Uchiha Mirai grew into the threat he is today.
"Don't make the same mistake twice. Leave Orochimaru to me. I'll eliminate him—and anyone connected to him."
"The purpose of Root," Danzo added, tapping his cane against the floor, "is to handle such matters."
Hiruzen's aura shifted abruptly. Like a dormant lion roused from slumber, his presence was suffocating. Even Danzo faltered momentarily under the sheer weight of it.
"Danzo," Hiruzen said coldly, "you will not lay a hand on Orochimaru. He is my student, and if anyone must sever our bonds—"
He rose to his feet, his gaze unwavering.
"—then it will be me."
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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