Jiraiya found him exactly where he expected perched on the Hokage Rock, overlooking the village. The wind was cold at this height, rustling through Orochimaru's long hair, but he didn't seem to notice.
"Not gonna watch the results?" Jiraiya asked, stepping closer.
Orochimaru didn't look up. His gaze stayed fixed on the village below, his expression unreadable. "I don't need to be there to know," he said, voice calm, detached. "Give it a few minutes. Everyone will be talking about it."
Jiraiya exhaled as he dropped down beside him, stretching his legs out. "Yeah, probably."
Silence settled between them before Orochimaru spoke again. "And it's not like we don't already know who's getting the hat."
Jiraiya sighed. "Still. Thought you might care a little."
Orochimaru didn't respond to that. He simply sat there, as still as the stone they rested on.
"You should've seen this coming too," he said instead, his voice carrying no accusation, just certainty.
Jiraiya had no argument. He had seen it coming.
Orochimaru continued, tone as even as ever. "And Sensei didn't exactly hide it. A civilian, getting close to a Jinchūriki? Becoming your student? That alone said enough."
Jiraiya let out another sigh, but this time, he didn't answer immediately. He stared at the sky for a moment before finally speaking. "Minato's a good kid. Knows the value of the village, understands what it takes to keep the peace."
Orochimaru hummed, though whether in agreement or amusement was unclear. "Peace is an illusion. A temporary pause before the next war."
Jiraiya shook his head, already expecting that kind of response. "You're always like this. Not everything has to be so... cynical."
"Realistic," Orochimaru corrected. "You think Sensei doesn't know that? He just chooses to pretend otherwise. To keep the masses comfortable. That's why Minato was always the obvious choice."
Jiraiya leaned back, arms resting behind his head. "And who would you have picked?"
There was something in his tone like he already knew Orochimaru's answer wouldn't include himself.
Orochimaru glanced at him briefly before looking back at the village. "Does it matter?"
"Maybe."
Orochimaru exhaled slowly. "Someone who gets what it actually means to rule. Not just some idealistic hero. Someone who knows when to play dirty, who's got the experience to back it up."
Jiraiya scoffed. "So what, Danzo?"
Orochimaru didn't answer right away.
"...Danzo understands the truth better than most," he admitted, his voice measured. "But he's too paranoid. And old."
Jiraiya didn't press further. He understood the implication.
Rubbing the back of his head, he shifted the topic. "And Minato?"
"He'll be a good Hokage," Orochimaru said simply. "People like him. He's strong, smart, easy to follow." A pause. "But guys like him? The world chews them up. Sooner or later."
Jiraiya frowned, but he didn't argue.
Because he knew Orochimaru wasn't wrong.
Silence stretched between them again, heavy with unspoken thoughts. Then, Orochimaru broke it.
"When are you leaving?"
"Now," Jiraiya said, standing. "Can't put it off any longer."
He sounded almost relieved, like he welcomed the excuse to walk away.
As he turned, about to disappear into the distance, Orochimaru spoke again.
"Jiraiya."
Jiraiya stopped, glancing back.
Orochimaru still wasn't looking at him. He kept his eyes on the village, his expression as unreadable as ever.
"What did I get from the village?"
Jiraiya blinked, caught off guard by the question. But before he could answer, Orochimaru spoke again.
"A place to exist. Nothing more."
Jiraiya didn't know what to say to that.
Before he could find the words, Orochimaru spoke again, his voice as calm as ever.
"I fought in two wars. Gave everything I had. And I don't think I owe anyone anything anymore including the village."
Jiraiya exhaled through his nose, his jaw tightening. He wanted to argue, to say something anything but what could he even say?
Orochimaru finally turned, glancing over his shoulder. Jiraiya was gone.
But he knew he'd heard him.
He shifted his gaze back to the village below. Even from up here, he could see the commotion, the way people gathered in clusters, voices rising with excitement.
The announcement had been made.
No surprises. No shocks.
Minato was Hokage.
**************
Choose
1. Orochimaru form his own organisation
2. Orochimaru making konoha strong
Suggest anything you can as many you can
How should story go?
Plot twists.