4th Hokage
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Muzan glanced down at Kabuto, who seemed deep in thought, and added, "You must nurture Kabuto constantly, especially since he has no clear direction in life, don't you think? It's about caring for the seedlings."
Nono Yakushi, the caretaker of the orphanage, didn't fully understand what Muzan was implying. She looked at Kabuto, now lost in thought, and sighed inwardly. Since leaving Root, Kabuto's personality had changed. The once cheerful boy was now burdened by the darkness he had witnessed among shinobi, and all Nono could do was hope for his safety.
Sensing her concern, Muzan remarked casually, "Don't worry about his safety. He's with me now. Danzo won't target a child under my protection."
Muzan didn't fully trust Nono, despite her reputation as a skilled information gatherer and caretaker. He gently placed a hand on Kabuto's shoulder, guiding him back to Nono.
"If Muzan-san is going to mentor him personally, I believe Kabuto will become very strong," Nono replied, understanding the gravity of the situation. She was well aware that opposing Muzan—or the powerful figures behind him, like Hatake Sakumo and Orochimaru—was beyond her capabilities. Muzan, despite his young age, had already accomplished much, and if not for his youth, he would likely have been a candidate for the current Hokage election.
After ensuring Kabuto's return to the orphanage, Muzan kept his distance from Nonou. He remained cautious of her, knowing she could still be in contact with Root and potentially pass information to Danzo.
The funds Muzan had promised for the orphanage arrived swiftly, earning him the gratitude of its residents. During this time, Muzan traveled between Root and his home until an event disrupted his routine.
The Fourth Hokage had been chosen and announced: Minato Namikaze. The village buzzed with the news, and many people were discussing it.
"How is it possible that Orochimaru-sama didn't get selected?"
"I guessed right. Lord Minato is the new Hokage."
"Maybe it's because of Orochimaru-sama's personality."
The discussions didn't last long, as the villagers accepted that whoever became Hokage would still benefit Konoha. Minato's strength and character were more than enough to lead the village into a new era of prosperity.
Muzan listened to the conversations as he moved through the crowd like a shadow, only to be stopped by a familiar presence.
"Orochimaru-sensei, I didn't expect you to leave the lab and attend this trivial event," Muzan remarked, noticing the figure in front of him.
Orochimaru, who had been absent from Konoha for some time, had reappeared. Muzan caught the faint scent of blood on him, evidence of a recent human experiment. Though Orochimaru didn't care about the Hokage title, the announcement had piqued his interest.
"I just wanted to see if the Fourth Hokage can truly protect Konoha," Orochimaru responded, his voice sending a chill through Muzan. Orochimaru's obsession with the Reanimation Jutsu had eroded much of his humanity, making him more serpent than man.
The two arrived at the Hokage's selection ceremony. From a distance, they could see Hokage Rock, where construction of the Fourth Hokage's statue had already begun. Minato Namikaze stood at the forefront, with his student Kakashi Hatake beside him.
"So that's where Kakashi has been lately. Preparing for Minato-san's selection," Muzan observed. He noticed Orochimaru narrowing his eyes at the sight of Minato, clearly displeased.
"Even you, Orochimaru-sensei, can't escape disappointment."
"Indeed. Although I had no real interest in the position, Konoha has become a disappointment," Orochimaru replied, bitterness in his voice.
Orochimaru had played a significant role in Konoha's victories in two of the Great Ninja Wars. Many of the strategies that led to those victories were his, yet his contributions seemed overlooked.
"It's a decaying village, trapped in conspiracies and endless wars."
At the handover ceremony, no one dared to cause trouble, as Konoha's elite shinobi were present. Even Danzo, stood silently in the sunlight, watching the proceedings with a sense of resignation.
The ceremony was largely symbolic, marking the beginning of a power transfer in Konoha. The new generation, represented by Minato Namikaze, would gradually take over from the older leaders. However, the Third Hokage and the Hokage Advisors weren't ready to relinquish too much control, citing the need for stability and experience in governance.
Muzan and Orochimaru remained in the shadows, watching the harmonious scene from the darkness. They were outsiders, belonging to a world far removed from the brightness of the Hokage's light.
"If you're not too busy in the near future, join me in the lab. We have a large number of live subjects—perfect for your next experiment," Orochimaru offered.
"Thank you, Orochimaru-sensei," Muzan replied, recognizing the mutual benefit in their partnership. At this stage, Orochimaru must have been studying Muzan's blood, drawn by its terrifying vitality.
If Orochimaru could unlock the secret to immortality or remove the deadly threat of sunlight from Muzan's condition, it wouldn't be out of the question for him to live for thousands of years.
"Sensei! You're here too!"
Anko Mitarashi called out, arriving at the ceremony with Kurenai Yuhi. Before this, they had visited the Hatake residence, only to find that Muzan had already left.
"So, you two came together," Anko said, interrupting Muzan and Orochimaru's discussion. They avoided mentioning anything about human experiments in front of outsiders, Anko shooting a glare at Muzan.
"You jerk, Muzan! We waited for half an hour at the Hatake place because of you!"
If not for the crowd, Anko would have surely taught Muzan a lesson right there. Every time they met, it led to trouble.
"Alright, alright. I'll make it up to you. How about dinner tonight? My treat!" Muzan offered, attempting to calm her.
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