Chapter 3: The Top Figures in the Village

Chapter 3: The Top Figures in the Village

Kenichi was quite pleased with Danzo Shimura's disregard. As long as he didn't attract the old man's attention, it was fine.

Moreover, following Orochimaru was not bad at all. For the time being, Kenichi had no plans to change his allegiance, and even if he did, he wouldn't choose Danzo.

Although Uncle Snake, Orochimaru, could be very harsh and ruthless at times, at least he treated his subordinates and disciples well. Under Orochimaru's guidance, Kenichi had mastered some impressive ninjutsu and his combat abilities had improved.

However, Kenichi's body was not yet capable of supporting him to become a Chunin.

Orochimaru also regretted this.

Upon arriving at the laboratory, Kenichi's heart turned completely cold. During the experiments, if he showed any 'weak' emotions like sympathy, as Orochimaru would say, he would suffer.

Thus, Kenichi had learned to make his heart as cold and hard as steel.

He coldly took notes on the experiment process. Although his participation led to some breakthroughs in the research on Hashirama Senju's cells and achieved some results in mice, it was clear that these test subjects could not withstand the powerful might of the First Hokage's cells and died miserably after the fusion.

Kenichi kept recording. As he wrote and drew on the paper, life continued to ebb away with each turn of the page.

After a total of seven experiments, only one test subject successfully survived the initial fusion stage.

Based on the data from the physiological monitoring equipment, Kenichi knew that this unlucky test subject had little chance of seeing the sun the next day unless extremely lucky.

"Why have all the experiments failed?" Danzo Shimura seemed a bit anxious. Kenichi remained silent, but he wanted to laugh inside.

Of course, he knew why the old man was anxious. The Third Great Ninja War had ended, and the Third Hokage was not getting any younger. No one knew how much longer he could hold his position.

Danzo considered himself a strong contender for the Fourth Hokage. He was eager to enhance his strength. The position of Hokage had become his nightmare. To become Hokage, he was willing to do anything, even desecrating the dead by researching the First Hokage's body.

However, Kenichi could not remember why the Third Hokage had retired. Normally, the selection for the Fourth would only occur after the Third's death.

And although the Third was old, he wasn't that old. He could have continued for a while longer.

Could it be that?

"Kenichi, bring me the experiment records." Orochimaru's voice brought Kenichi back to reality. He respectfully handed over the experiment records to Orochimaru and then glanced covertly at Danzo Shimura.

With Orochimaru's calm explanation, Danzo had no choice but to accept the reason that "more experiments are needed on the First Hokage's cells" and began instructing the Root to capture more test subjects that wouldn't attract attention.

Preferably from other villages.

Orochimaru had no objections, as he still cared about his reputation in Konoha.

When it was time to leave the laboratory, the sky had darkened. Orochimaru calmly walked out with Kenichi, who knew what his teacher was planning—to take him out for a meal, a usual practice to assess how attentive he had been during the day's experiments.

"Teacher, Lord Danzo seems very anxious," Kenichi quietly asked. He had a close relationship with Orochimaru, so asking this question wouldn't cause any offense or alertness.

"Yes, the teacher signed a ceasefire agreement with other villages to end the war as soon as possible, which caused the village to suffer great losses. It's obvious to anyone with eyes, but few dare to oppose it. As for Danzo," Orochimaru revealed a mocking smile.

Watching the Leaf villagers and Genin celebrating the end of the war, and those mourning the loss of their children, fathers, and husbands due to the war, Orochimaru's eyes held a hint of coldness and mockery.

The civilians and ordinary ninjas were happy about the end of the war, but the smart ninjas and the major clans knew that the storm hadn't passed yet.

Although this storm wouldn't involve countless people in bloodshed, it wouldn't be calm either and might even determine the future leader of Konoha for a long time.

What the teacher did was for the sake of Konoha, at least on the surface, but regardless of the benefits, it's undeniable that Konoha's losses have increased.

Other ninjas might not dare to say anything for the time being, but Danzo, who is deeply obsessed with the position of Hokage, would definitely not miss this opportunity.

A storm targeting the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was about to come, and the teacher might retire at this time. If he retires, then who will be the Fourth?

"The Third Hokage has gotten old, hasn't he? Teacher, you always say that a ninja must fight to the end to know the outcome. But now, the Third Hokage seems more like a politician," Kenichi said innocently, earning a light knock on the head from Orochimaru.

"Do not be disrespectful to the teacher." Feeling the light but firm touch on his head, Kenichi pouted. It's clear you think the same, but when I say it, it becomes my problem.

However, Orochimaru still had some respect for the Third Hokage.

Orochimaru took Kenichi to the Akimichi family's barbecue restaurant.

The Akimichi family's barbecue restaurant was very famous in Konoha, but because the war had just ended, the restaurant was bustling today, with a long queue.

However, upon seeing Orochimaru's face, the orderly queue immediately dispersed.

The person at the front of the line respectfully and enthusiastically invited Orochimaru to the front, and the manager of the Akimichi family's barbecue restaurant even came out to welcome them.

In this Great Ninja War, one of the Legendary Sannin, Orochimaru, performed exceptionally well, as did Minato Namikaze.

"Wow, it's Lord Orochimaru! If it weren't for Lord Orochimaru's command, we might not have made it back."

"Lord Minato Namikaze is really amazing, the Yellow Flash! It's said that other ninja villages even issued orders that retreating upon encountering him doesn't count as a mission failure."

The discussions among the Genin and civilians eating at the restaurant represented who the current top figures in Konoha were.

(End of Chapter)