Chapter 310: The Hokage Isn’t Ready to Step Down So Easily

As Takuya finally settled down, Jiraiya joined him, sitting cross-legged with a look of deep worry on his face.

"Ever since Orochimaru started working with Danzō, he's become… off. The Third Hokage could step in, but he's just letting it happen. And with the ongoing war against the Mist Village, I'm genuinely concerned that Hatake Sakumo's situation might escalate into a bigger problem."

Takuya was genuinely surprised. Jiraiya, usually the type to avoid difficult matters, was now bringing them up seriously. And he wasn't wrong — if this continued unchecked, it would be a huge problem. Sakumo's death alone in the original story had shaken Konoha deeply. Takuya even speculated that, if Sakumo had lived, the Sand Village might not have dared to wage war so easily. 

Sakumo, feared during the Second Shinobi War, had once brought the Mist Village to its knees. But after a series of rumors and internal strife, he had taken his own life — an event that left Konoha reeling, even in peacetime. Now, if such a tragedy happened during the current war, the consequences would be devastating.

"Talking to me about this won't help. I'm still someone the higher-ups treat with hostility, so I'm probably not the best person to consult." Takuya shrugged, giving Jiraiya a helpless look.

"I'm not just venting!" Jiraiya hastily clarified, slapping his thigh. "I brought this up because I think you should be aware of the bigger picture, and because I want you to help convince Tsunade to step up and become the Fourth Hokage."

Takuya choked, staring at Jiraiya in disbelief. Jiraiya was dead serious about wanting Tsunade to become Hokage.

Scratching his unruly hair, Jiraiya sighed, "I know it sounds presumptuous, but I just want the village to move forward smoothly. Right now, Orochimaru, Danzō, even Sensei himself — they're all becoming obstacles to that."

"I've thought long and hard about this. Orochimaru aiming for the Hokage position must have a reason," Jiraiya added.

Orochimaru had never seemed interested in becoming Hokage before. The Third Hokage wasn't stepping down anytime soon, so if Orochimaru had any ambitions, he kept them hidden. But now, everything was changing. As the saying goes, "When things seem off, there's usually something strange going on." 

Orochimaru's behavior must have a motive — that much Jiraiya was certain of.

*Takuya thought to himself,* You're thinking too small. The truth would probably terrify you if you knew.

Since Jiraiya was already speculating this much, Takuya decided to give him a little more to consider.

"Tsunade recently turned down several requests from the Root Division for medical equipment and rare medicines, and Orochimaru actually approached her about it," Takuya hinted, leaving Jiraiya to draw his own conclusions before swiftly leaving.

Medical supplies requested by Root — how could that relate to Orochimaru? *Jiraiya pondered.* In the past, it didn't. But now, it was clear — those supplies were for Orochimaru's own purposes.

If Tsunade rejected the request, and Orochimaru went so far as to personally speak with her… that was telling enough.

Orochimaru and Danzō were secretly conducting… something, probably something unsavory.

As the thought fully formed, Jiraiya's eyes widened. Yes, this was real; he knew Orochimaru too well, and Orochimaru knew him and Tsunade just as well.

There was definitely something going on.

Maybe Orochimaru's Hokage ambitions were to ensure his work wouldn't be blocked…

"No, I can't just ignore this," Jiraiya declared, springing up in alarm. "I have to find out what Orochimaru and Danzō are up to!"

He could barely sit still. If not for the ongoing war, he'd have returned to Konoha that moment to investigate directly.

"Takuya, wait!" Jiraiya called out after him.

Come on, you're not done yet? Just talk to Tsunade yourself. Why are you asking me to convince her to aim for the Fourth Hokage position? Do you think she'll be swayed that easily?

Takuya stopped, giving Jiraiya an exasperated eye roll.

"Don't rush off," Jiraiya urged, catching up. "You haven't told me your thoughts on all this."

All Takuya had done was throw some hints about Orochimaru, but he hadn't given any opinion on Jiraiya's proposal. And Jiraiya wasn't letting him slip away so easily. After all, Takuya had a close relationship with Tsunade, and if she became Hokage, it would benefit him too.

Sure, things might seem calm on the surface, but Jiraiya was certain Takuya could sense the hidden hostility from the higher-ups.

"What do you expect me to say?" Takuya replied, exasperated. "I'm still one of the people facing discrimination. You think I'd have some miraculous advice for this situation? You're better off talking to Tsunade yourself. Maybe she'll suddenly decide to push Orochimaru aside and take the position of Fourth Hokage."

*Like that's going to happen,* Jiraiya thought, sighing.

If talking to Tsunade was that easy… I wouldn't be asking you for help. If I tried to tell her these things, she'd probably just smack me.

"Well… haha…" Jiraiya laughed awkwardly, scratching his head. "It's just that you have a good relationship with Tsunade, so I thought you'd be better suited to convince her."

Is that really the issue here? Takuya sighed in resignation, gesturing helplessly.

"Let's be realistic. Tsunade doesn't have any interest in being the Hokage right now," he explained.

"But why?" Jiraiya asked.

"She's constantly complaining about being overworked just as the Head of Logistics. You think she'd willingly take on the role of Hokage?" Takuya pointed out.

Jiraiya paused, realizing he might have a point. Tsunade wasn't exactly the type to jump at the opportunity.

"Besides, so what if Orochimaru is targeting Sakumo-senpai? Do you think that alone guarantees he'll become the Fourth Hokage? The current Hokage isn't that old yet and has no intentions of stepping down anytime soon."

Takuya leaned in closer and whispered, "Becoming Hokage has always been Danzō's dream. Do you think he'll let Orochimaru waltz into the position?"

"If it were you, would you accept someone with a questionable history as Hokage?"

Orochimaru might believe he could manipulate Danzō to boost his own ambitions, but Danzō likely saw it the same way. Orochimaru might have the ruthlessness, but when it came to leveraging power and influence, he couldn't quite match Danzō. 

Even if Orochimaru managed to become Hokage, it wouldn't last long. Danzō would eventually find a way to bring him down.

And Orochimaru wasn't exactly a clean slate. Once public opinion turned, even a Hokage could be forced to step down. Takuya thought, If Orochimaru genuinely believes he's untouchable while aligning with Danzō, I'd bet my life he's in for a rude awakening.

"You should be more concerned about those currently in charge. They're the ones you really need to watch out for," Takuya concluded, shaking his head and walking off. After a few steps, he paused, saying without turning back:

"If Hokage-sama and the council still refuse to change, then I'd rather support Orochimaru. At least he doesn't throw his own people under the bus."