Chapter 20: Fourth Hokage

Two days later, I was sitting inside Ichiraku Ramen Shop, enjoying a hot bowl of pork ramen, a necklace adorned with a green crystal hanging over my chest.

I had already formalized my relationship with Tsunade and decided to face her curse, for now, I'll try not to leave the village, there's no need to tempt the devil.

"Thank you for the meal, this is undoubtedly the best ramen in all of Konoha," I said expressing my gratitude for the food, it truly tastes good, but that's all.

Teuchi smiled broadly as he picked up the empty bowl. "I'm glad you like it, Orochimaru-sama, you're welcome back anytime."

"I certainly will." I said, handing him 500 Ryos for the ramen, I'm still not used to the purchasing power of money in this world, I mean, it's the same currency throughout the world and its purchasing power is somewhat low.

"Look, it's him, I heard he performed forbidden experiments on the ninjas of the village."

"It's true, I heard he even used children and that's why he was able to use the Mokuton of the First Hokage."

"Don't talk so loud, he might hear you, he's still one of the legendary Sannin."

Suddenly, several insidious voices sounded behind me, whispering with disdain, after devouring several enemies, my senses are much sharper than before, so I could clearly hear their words.

"I have to go." I said bidding farewell to Teuchi, I put my hands in my pockets and walked to a nearby alley.

"Ninjutsu: Shadow Multi-Clones!" After finishing my seals, hundreds of rats and birds appeared, scattering as they infiltrated all over Konoha.

I formed seals again and a dozen more clones appeared, I approached them and placed a seal on each one.

"You know what to do, if the mission fails, try to cause as much damage as possible." I said, the clones nodded and disappeared.

...

The clones that spread throughout the village began gathering information, the final result was that there were ninjas disguised as civilians spreading rumors about me.

"Let me give you a taste of your own medicine." I said knowing who was responsible without needing to investigate further, then I ordered all the clones to start a propaganda battle.

Suddenly, all the inhabitants of Konoha were overwhelmed, rumors of a malevolent Orochimaru spread, only to be replaced by others where he was forced by Danzo Shimura to conduct experiments or be accused of treason and have all his close friends killed.

The cherry on top was when Danzo made public appearances blatantly admitting everything, little by little, the rumors continued to spread, and people no longer knew what to believe.

But the offensive by the clones was so intense that soon, a march appeared on the streets of the village seeking justice for Orochimaru, the legendary Sannin, and to capture the bastard trying to defame him.

The situation escalated to such a point that the authorities had to intervene, and the matter was reported to the Hokage.

"This won't eliminate all suspicions, but at least I won't be dragged down by public opinion." I whispered, watching the chaos I had created.

...

At that moment, an Anbu emerged holding a scroll in his hands, he opened it and read it aloud.

"After discussions with the Daimyo and the Konoha council, it has been decided that Orochimaru will be the new Fourth Hokage, as for the rumors, all are fabrications by unknown individuals with ill intentions."

"Neither Danzo Shimura nor the future Fourth Hokage have participated in any criminal activity!" The Anbu said, raising his voice even more.

"What… false rumors?" Asked a civilian holding a sign.

"Does this mean spies infiltrated the village to try to divide it?" Asked a self-proclaimed intelligent civilian.

"That doesn't matter, they just said Orochimaru-sama will be the Fourth Hokage!" Another civilian suddenly said, little by little, the flames in the villagers' hearts reignited once more.

"That's great, I heard he defeated the Raikage and was even the one who planned everything to take down the village's enemies."

"That's true, when the Third Hokage announced Minato-sama and Kushina-hime's innocence, saying it was all a plan to deceive the enemy, it seems like they're trying the same thing now!"

"Hmph, let them try, we in Konoha aren't stupid enough to fall for their tricks, hahaha!" Another villager said, and everyone burst into laughter.

"Sigh…" I let out a sigh of resignation, the civilians of this world seem to have a brain tumor, this explains why Danzo's nonsense always works.

This is the reason Naruto was bullied in the canon and the reason for Sakumo Hatake's death, all due to the inherent stupidity of the civilians and even some ninjas.

...

Meanwhile, at the Root base on the outskirts of Konoha, Danzo Shimura glared at the report, trembling with rage.

"Useless fools, you can't even spread a simple rumor?!" Danzo asked, throwing the report at the Root ninja kneeling in front of him.

"I'm sorry, Danzo-sama, the civilians started spreading their own rumors and somehow implicated you for an unknown reason." The Root Anbu said, bowing his head.

"Idiots, they were deceived, those were Orochimaru's shadow clones!" Danzo said, remembering the hundreds of clones used in the labyrinth.

"…"

The Root Anbu remained silent, unsure of what to say, suddenly, a commotion came from outside the office.

"What's going on..?" Danzo wondered, frowning.

"Danzo-sama, we're under attack, the enemy has penetrated our defenses, we must retreat!" An Anbu said, entering the office.

"Who gave you authorization to enter?" Danzo asked, glaring at the Root Anbu with fierceness.

"I'm very sorry, Danzo-sama, but it's an emergency, so much so that you might die today," The Anbu said, staring at Danzo with red eyes through his mask.

"What the hell are you talking about..?" Danzo wanted to ask, but shut his mouth when he saw the Root Anbu suddenly swell.

Kaboom!!

Suddenly, several explosions echoed throughout the base, sending a massive layer of earth into the sky with columns of smoke rising, the entire underground base was destroyed in an instant, and Danzo, along with everyone else in the base, were completely charred.

...

A few seconds later, a shirtless Danzo appeared over the ruins of the underground base, on his right arm were ten Sharingans with three Tomoe, these were the Sharingans he had collected over the years.

Unfortunately for Orochimaru, he had already helped him implant the Sharingans in his arm.

"Damn Orochimaru!" Danzo growled through gritted teeth as he saw one of his Sharingans lose its light and close.

"Danzo, what happened?" Suddenly, Hiruzen Sarutobi surrounded by several Anbu ninjas appeared and approached him, the medical ninjas accompanying him moved in to treat him immediately.

"Hiruzen, I told you, Orochimaru was a ticking time bomb, but you didn't want to listen to me!" Danzo shouted, accusing Orochimaru of intimidating him.

"Oh, Danzo, didn't they teach you not to lie?" Asked the Third Hokage suddenly.

"Hiruzen, are you going to defend him again? I thought you were my friend.." Danzo shut his mouth once again when he saw the smile on his old friend's lips.

"Oh, shit.." Danzo cursed as he saw all the Anbu ninjas around him suddenly swell.

Kaboom!!

Another explosion flooded the area, forcing Danzo to sacrifice another Sharingan from his right arm, Danzo reappeared, and a look of panic appeared in his eyes.

"Danzo, what happened?!" Hiruzen's voice reached his ears again, but Danzo could no longer be happy when he saw him.

"Damn Hiruzen, stay away from me!" Danzo shouted and started running like a madman.

"Wait, Danzo, what's going on?!" Asked a confused Hiruzen. He had come after hearing the explosions, but now seeing this situation, he felt bewildered.

"Chase him!" Ordered Hiruzen, and only after losing five Anbu did they manage to clear things up.

But this time Danzo didn't open his mouth again to accuse Orochimaru, he realized that doing so would be asking to be killed, he can no longer face that monster, so he decided to wait and see.

...

Three days later, in front of the Hokage tower, the entire village was gathered, eagerly awaiting the official appointment of the next Hokage.

At the top of the Hokage tower, Orochimaru dressed in a red cape with black flames at the bottom that said Fourth Hokage stood next to the Third Hokage, both flanked by the village's high-ranking officials, including Jiraiya, and Tsunade, who watched proudly.

The murmurs of the crowd died down when Hiruzen, with his imposing cloak and Hokage hat, stepped forward.

"Today marks a new chapter in the history of Konoha," Hiruzen began.

"We are here to appoint a leader whose bravery, strategy, and power have led us to victory in this war." He paused before continuing.

"A leader who has demonstrated his love and commitment to our village, even in the face of the greatest adversities, he is.. Orochimaru Tempest!" Hiruzen proclaimed, stepping closer to me and placing his hat on my head.

Applause! Applause! Applause!

The crowd cheered and booed from below, I raised my arm causing the crowd to ignite and the shouts to grow louder, everyone, from civilians to high-ranking ninjas, joined in the roar of celebration.

I looked at the crowd and observed them closely, although most seemed genuinely excited, there were no shortages of looks of distrust, doubt, and hope.

"Thank you all for your trust," I said raising my voice, using a calm but firm tone.

"From today on, I promise to do everything possible to protect and strengthen our village, Konoha will not only be a safe place, but it will also be an example of admiration for all!" I promised like any good politician, the applause intensified after my words.

After finishing the announcement, I walked towards Tsunade, out of the sight of the villagers below, and wrapped my arms around her waist, our foreheads touching as I gave her a kiss.

"Congratulations on becoming Hokage, though I'm not surprised." Tsunade said, returning my caresses.

"Well, I still have to travel to the Fire City to receive the Daimyo's blessing, but yes, I suppose I made it." I replied, this is something like the Pope in Europe, with my sharp senses I noticed Jiraiya's resigned expression in the distance.