Naruto: From the capture of the main family to the behind-the-scenes mastermind

Chapter 351: Reunion of the Three Ninjas
The next morning, Kakashi came to the Hokage building as usual, and saw Shisui yawning. He frowned and asked with concern: "Shisui, your eyes are so swollen, when did you sleep yesterday?"

Shisui rubbed his eyes, yawned again, and replied lazily, "Good morning, Kakashi-senpai. I was busy with some things last night and didn't go to bed until after one in the morning."

"It's better to go to bed early. Seeing you like this, I want to sleep too."

Kakashi stretched lazily as he spoke, as if he had really been infected by Shisui's sleepiness, "Every country will be sending envoys here in the near future, so we can't make any mistakes."

"I see."

Shisui nodded.

In the distance, a figure watched them walk into the Hokage building and left with satisfaction.

"My lord, there is nothing wrong with Shisui."

……

In the Hokage Building, Kakashi heard what Shikaku said and he and Shisui looked at each other.

"Master Shikaku, you said Orochimaru would return to Konoha with the Snow Country delegation?"

What is the relationship between Orochimaru and the Snow Country? Why is he treated specially?
You know, other members of Akatsuki are still in jail and working on construction sites.

"That's right. Lady Tsunade will also rush back from the Fire Nation capital to discuss matters with him."

Shikaku rubbed his brows, "You all know his vicious reputation, I'll have to trouble you and Shisui to keep an eye on him when the time comes."

"Yes!"*2
Although they were confused, it was obvious that these were not things they should know, so Kakashi and Shisui didn't think about it any more and took their leave.

When Shikaku was the only one left in the room, he sighed helplessly and looked towards a certain place in the village with resentment.

Haha, someone came today, but didn’t want to take over the job, so he didn’t come to the Hokage Building.

"Shikaku, you are more capable than me. I will hand over some documents of the Fire Country to you for processing."

Screw your saying that those who are more capable should do more work, is this how the Hokage's assistant is used?

Shikaku, who had processed 97 documents early in the morning, felt his heart ache when he thought of Tsunade's words.

Originally, important matters like Orochimaru's return to Konoha should have been handled by Tsunade personally, but now he needs to do it... How irresponsible.

Where has the Tsunade-hime who used to kill daimyo in anger and was diligent gone?

Please, at least... find me a companion!
At this time, someone knocked on the office door again.

"Lord Shikaku, the delegation from the Land of Lightning has arrived and would like to negotiate with you."

"Master Shikaku, the market research department has discovered that the market price of Detonating Talismans is rising. It seems that someone is secretly purchasing a large number of Detonating Talismans in preparation for war."

"Master Shikaku, several casinos in the capital of the Fire Nation have sent people to collect debts, and they are crowding at the door, trying to find Master Tsunade."

"Master Shikaku, a ninja spotted a person who looked like Orochimaru appearing in the village's commercial street. What should we do?"

Looking at the documents gradually piling up on his desk, Shikaku felt his heart was about to die.

I want to retire, I want to retire!
Whoever wants to do this job can do it... No, this is Lady Tsunade's job, she should do it herself!
……

"Ah!"

Tsunade rubbed her nose, frowned slightly, and said to herself: "Who is saying bad things about me behind my back?"

Jiraiya, who was sitting across from Tsunade and was drunk, laughed when he heard this:

"I think it's most likely Shikaku. Who told you to throw all the work to him as soon as you came back?"

Tsunade was stunned for a moment, then smiled helplessly: "Maybe, there are indeed a lot of things to do recently, and he may have been pushed into a corner."

Jiraiya put down his wine glass, burped lightly, and said slowly: "Shikaku is the pillar of our Konoha. If you squeeze him like this, be careful that he will really quit."

Tsunade curled her lips and said unconvincedly: "I just believe in his ability. Besides, I am not here to play today, but to deal with serious matters." "Oh? Is talking to me a serious matter for the Daimyo of the Land of Fire? It's really an honor."

A feminine voice sounded in their ears. Tsunade and Jiraiya looked up and saw Orochimaru had already walked into the tavern and was walking straight towards where they were.

Tsunade raised an eyebrow, glanced at the eyes around her who were looking at her because of the word "Daimyo", stood up and walked into the tavern, "Let's talk in the private room."

Orochimaru smiled slightly and followed his host's lead.

Jiraiya had a complicated expression, and his face looked much more sober, and he took a step forward to catch up.

Tsunade had already known that Orochimaru would return to Konoha, and in fact, he came to Konoha because of Tsunade's invitation.

Tomorrow's meeting was just a cover. It was not easy to discuss controversial decisions in such a formal setting. Today was the right time only when the three ninjas were present.

Tsunade, Orochimaru and Jiraiya were led by the waiter into a secret room in the tavern.

The door of the private room was gently closed, blocking out the sight and sound of the outside world.

Orochimaru sat down and spoke first, "I didn't expect you to come to me. Logically, you can't know the relationship between Yu and me."

Tsunade said calmly: "I used the Impure World Reincarnation to investigate the information about you and Hinata Yu, and I also have someone here who has had contact with you."

Orochimaru was stunned for a moment, then quickly smiled and said, "So that's it, it's Duan Jun, right? Didn't he follow Yu at the beginning?"

"After what happened, do you think Dan would be able to watch me take over the position of Daimyo?"

"Right."

Jiraiya: "..."

What are you talking about? Why can't I follow your train of thought at all?

From what I heard, Kato Dan was resurrected by Hinata Yu. When did it happen?
And did Tsunade actually use the Impure World Reincarnation?

Jiraiya gave Tsunade a complicated look.

Tsunade ignored his gaze, stared at Orochimaru and said, "Given your relationship with him, he won't restrict your freedom, so I'll just say it straight. Come back, Orochimaru."

"...I came to Konoha as a member of the Snow Country delegation. Do you know what you are saying?"

"of course."

Tsunade met Orochimaru's gaze and said without hesitation, "I will use my status as Hokage and Daimyo to guarantee that all your charges will be dropped!"

Orochimaru's breathing stagnated. When he suddenly heard Tsunade put forward such a condition, even he couldn't help but feel a complex emotion in his heart.

Orochimaru's voice was still feminine, but there was a subtle fluctuation in it. "Cancel all my charges, in the name of Daimyo and Hokage. This is no small matter."

Tsunade looked Orochimaru in the eye and said firmly, "Of course I know that. But I also know that the current situation does not allow me to hesitate any longer. The threat from Akatsuki and that kid is getting more and more serious, and your ability is vital to us."

Orochimaru frowned, "You still hold out hope of winning? As far as I know, in the previous battles, each country lost a total of one-third of its forces, right? I don't believe that you will blame the Akatsuki organization for all the failures and fail to see the gap."

Jiraiya couldn't help but interrupt: "Hey, wouldn't it be good to have a little more confidence in the village where you were born?"

Orochimaru shrugged, "I don't see a chance of winning. The gap in top combat power is too big."

Yu alone is enough to suppress all countries.

If the Snow Country had not needed time to control the occupied areas and appease the people, all the countries would have been defeated by now.

Hearing this, Jiraiya wanted to say something, but Tsunade waved her hand to interrupt him. She just smiled and said:
"Before you think about victory, you must think about defeat first. I asked you to come back just for consideration after the defeat. You don't think your weight can tip the scales, do you?"

Orochimaru narrowed his eyes and remained silent.

(End of this chapter)