Jiraiya observed Orochimaru's expression carefully. He was curious about what Hiruzen Sarutobi had written in the scroll he'd given Orochimaru. However, the scroll was sealed with a jutsu that would cause it to self-destruct shortly after being opened. Coupled with his trust in his teacher, Jiraiya hadn't entertained the thought of peeking.
"Heh... Hahahaha..."
After reading the scroll, Orochimaru's initial shock gave way to a low chuckle, which then erupted into unrestrained laughter. He laughed so hard tears streamed down his face. This reaction startled not only Jiraiya but also the usually silent Kabuto Yakushi.
"Force the White Fang to commit suicide, watch the Fourth Hokage die, then annihilate the Uchiha clan, and now, finally realizing there's no one left to use, he comes crawling back to me?" Orochimaru wiped away nonexistent tears after his laughter subsided. The discarded scroll on the ground poofed into white smoke with a soft *pomf*.
"Orochimaru..." Jiraiya felt that much of what Orochimaru said was conspiratorial; at least some of it shouldn't be pinned on Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Perhaps I would have been swayed a decade ago, but I have no need for this now." Having defected from Konoha and single-handedly established Otogakure in the Land of Sound, Orochimaru had spent a decade experimenting on test subjects. His heart had long since hardened into stone.
He recalled the words on the scroll: 'I plan to deal with Sunagakure... After you return to Konoha, not only will the past be forgotten, but I will also help restore your standing within the village.' For a fleeting moment, Orochimaru felt a flicker of temptation, but he quickly dismissed the thought of returning. Belated affection was cheaper than dirt, especially when it wasn't affection at all, but mere manipulation.
However, why would the old man suddenly set his sights on Sunagakure? This was the reason for Orochimaru's shock upon opening the scroll. He had just killed the Fourth Kazekage; the body wasn't even cold yet. How could Hiruzen Sarutobi, perpetually stationed in the Hokage's office in Konoha, know precisely the right time to exploit Sunagakure's vulnerability?
No, perhaps it was just coincidence. The old man couldn't find a successor and harbored ambitions to annex Sunagakure, so he came to me. In an instant, Orochimaru considered many possibilities, but accepting Hiruzen Sarutobi's "goodwill" wasn't one of them.
"Tell the old man the same thing: tell him to prepare his neck and wait in Konoha!" Orochimaru gave Kabuto Yakushi a pointed look. Kabuto immediately understood and began preparing a jutsu for a swift escape.
"Orochimaru, this might be your last chance. Can't you..." Can't you, for old times' sake, agree to return to the village? Jiraiya reached out, his hand grasping only air. Orochimaru had already transformed into a whirlwind and vanished.
---
"Oh? He refused?" Hiruzen Sarutobi stood by the window, hands clasped behind his back, gazing at the thriving tree outside and the leaves rustling in the wind.
"Yes." Jiraiya was dejected. He had hoped for a chance to reunite the Sannin in Konoha once more – if Orochimaru had agreed to return, he would have immediately set out to find Tsunade. Unfortunately, Orochimaru remained beyond his reach.
"It doesn't matter. Tell me his reaction."
"He..."
"I see." A glint of understanding flashed in Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes after hearing Jiraiya's account.
"Lord Hokage, urgent intel!" An assistant's hurried voice suddenly came from outside the office. A message, retrieved from a messenger hawk, was delivered into his hands.
'Fragments of the Fourth Kazekage's body located.'
After reading the message, Hiruzen Sarutobi almost exclaimed with satisfaction, only refraining because Jiraiya was still present. It aligned. It all aligned! Orochimaru's reaction, the Fourth Kazekage's remains – everything corroborated the "future" described in that notebook. He couldn't wait any longer; he had to immediately begin arranging the upcoming Chūnin Exams. Suppressing his excitement, Hiruzen Sarutobi calmly used Wind Release to disintegrate the message.
"Jiraiya, how long has it been since Konoha's ninja forces were restructured?"
"Sensei, what are you planning?" First Orochimaru, now the military? Even the carefree Jiraiya realized something was amiss with his teacher. And what was written in that message?
"Don't worry, Konoha isn't planning to invade another nation. It's merely a precaution." Entrusting the reorganization of the ninja forces to Jiraiya was the only way Hiruzen Sarutobi could feel at ease.
"You better be right." Jiraiya couldn't help but recall Orochimaru's accusations against Hiruzen Sarutobi. Even knowing they were unfounded, he couldn't help but feel some resentment towards the Third Hokage. He, too, had many grievances over the years. But for Konoha's sake, he intended to obey Hiruzen Sarutobi's orders.
"However, if war becomes unavoidable, it would be best to recall Tsunade as well." Jiraiya added thoughtfully.
"I'll consider it. Go make preparations." The mention of Tsunade gave Hiruzen Sarutobi a headache. Both of them, such adorable disciples in their youth, yet they grew up to be... Now even Jiraiya dared to talk back to him. Truly... However, for Konoha's grand plan, for the fulfillment of Lord Tobirama's will, he, Hiruzen Sarutobi, could endure anything.
---
"Ying!" Team 8, strolling leisurely from the Hokage Tower, encountered Team 10, led by Asuma Sarutobi. Uchiha Ying was then embraced by a soft, fragrant body.
"I haven't seen you in days! Have you missed me?" Clinging to Uchiha Ying was Ino Yamanaka, who had grown a little during this time.
"Didn't we just go to the flower shop yesterday?" Yesterday was the Uchiha clan's memorial day, and Uchiha Ying had helped Sasuke buy flowers.
"That's different! My mother was there!" Ino's parents disapproved of their daughter associating with the Uchiha clan. Habitually clinging to Uchiha Ying's arm, Ino nuzzled her golden hair against his chest, greedily inhaling his scent. The missions in the village were dreadfully boring, and she hadn't seen Uchiha Ying in a while, which had made her anxious.
"Young lady, we're about to depart on a mission. Please release my student. You can talk later when you're free." Kurenai Yūhi looked in surprise at the blonde girl suddenly embracing Uchiha Ying, then glanced at Hinata, who remained silent beside her. What was going on? Wasn't this boy involved with Hinata? Why was there another blonde girl, and why were they so close? No... As a staunch believer in pure love, Kurenai felt she had to interrogate her seemingly two-timing student later.