Comparison of the two Hokage: Both ninja worlds are devastated.

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Following the Fourth Hokage's death while sealing the tailed beast during the Nine-Tails' rampage, a new strange event has occurred in Konoha.

Orochimaru, a disciple of the Hokage, one of the Legendary Sannin, and a leading candidate to succeed the Fifth Hokage.

He defected in anger after being discovered for using fellow village ninjas for human experiments without authorization.

Jiraiya is once again faced with a painful choice.

On one side are the teachers who nurtured them and the village they love; on the other side are their teammates and the bonds they've built over the years.

The break between the two caused him immense distress.

Chapter 124 Orochimaru's Defection: A Hero's Utter Despair

"Why do you do this?"

In the Death Forest, where giant trees stand tall,

Jiraiya glared angrily at Orochimaru, who seemed completely nonchalant.

His eyes looked like they were about to spit fire.

His anger wasn't about Orochimaru conducting human experiments, or about not being subjected to any incestuous relationships.

What truly enraged this hero was that

With Orochimaru's abilities and intelligence, if he didn't want to be discovered by the village,

How could that old dog Danzo possibly scheme against the mighty Cold Lord?

A large number of ninjas disappeared in a short period of time, including some geniuses from core clans.

Orochimaru did this on purpose.

He deliberately let the village discover him, then deliberately defected, deliberately using others to sever all feelings and bonds deemed useless.

To pursue that so-called immortality.

What made Jiraiya's heart bleed even more was that...

Orochimaru actually chose such a "perfect" opportunity right now.

Despite winning all three battles, they were ultimately defeated.

Konoha appeared to have won, but in reality, it received no compensation whatsoever. Instead, it suffered a significant loss of power and resources.

I don't know how long it will take to recover.

Even the situation within the village is extremely turbulent. The Uchiha problem and the issue of choosing a Hokage are both major problems, and the consequences of them erupting would be unimaginable.

Especially now that the war has just ended, a time when recuperation is most needed,

Then the Nine-Tails' rampage occurred, resulting in the death of the rising Fourth Hokage and a large number of veteran ninjas.

White Fang commits suicide, Tsunade leaves, Minato dies, and the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki is replaced.

In these difficult times, Konoha is relying solely on him and Orochimaru to hold it together.

At such a crucial moment,

Orochimaru, one of the Legendary Sannin, is plotting to defect.

The Hidden Rocks, Hidden Sands, Hidden Mist, and Hidden Clouds are all watching with predatory eyes.

What will happen to the village now that he's gone?

Seeing Jiraiya's furious expression...

Orochimaru couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion.

Despite his seemingly heartless and emotionless nature, Snake is actually a person with deep emotions.

It's just that his feelings are something most people find hard to have and even harder to understand.

Jiraiya, without a doubt, belonged to one of them.

This seemingly simple-minded man actually knows and understands everything; his sensitivity and insight in certain areas even surprise himself.

They were just pretending to be clueless and completely unaware.

Even if you've made up your mind and have higher aspirations, you'll still feel reluctant to part with such companions.

A feeling of indescribable turmoil welled up inside me.

But Snake is still Snake.

Before long, he burst into loud laughter, his voice hoarse.

"Heh, Jiraiya, you're still so naive. This village has no value to me anymore."

"The immortality I seek can only be granted by a wider world; Konoha has bound me."

"Moreover, I simply gave him the power of choice and a suitable excuse."

Isn't his own choice and realization the true meaning of life?

……

Orochimaru said,

And so, step by step, they slowly walked forward.

Until he stepped past Jiraiya,

The angry hero didn't lift a finger to stop him, and just let the other person walk past him.

"The village abandoned Orochimaru first. Even if I stop him, what can I do? Send him back to be punished or imprisoned?"

Orochimaru, however, did not pause at all.

They gradually drifted further and further away until even their figures could no longer be seen.

If I had two acres of land in Luoyang, how could I wear the seals of the prime minister of six kingdoms?

He understood it very well.

Wasting time on intrigue and power struggles is pointless; he wants to achieve his true goals: immortality and to become a scientific giant.

Konoha? Power? The Hokage position?

Since you want it, I'll give it to you.

……

After an unknown period of time, Orochimaru's figure could no longer be found even by a trace.

Jiraiya punched a large tree next to him.

Without any skill, he simply relied on brute force to vent his anger.

Despite the tree bark piercing his hand and blood gushing out, he remained unmoved in the slightest.

Countless tears gushed from his eyes.

The inner struggle and immense pain seemed to age this man by more than ten years in an instant.

He kept asking why, his voice so piercing and heart-wrenching.

It seemed like he was asking Orochimaru, the village, the higher-ups, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and yet it also seemed like he was just asking himself.

"why?"

"why?"

"Why on earth?"

He couldn't understand why Orochimaru could be so ruthless during such a difficult time. Did the village really mean nothing to him?

What I can't understand is that he's already in this state, at sixty years old, how many more years does he have to live?

Wouldn't it be better to step down honestly and leave with dignity?

Why would they still make such a cruel and even insane choice?

By driving out the village heroes and attacking the city in such a drastic way, aren't they afraid of a rebellion from below?

If Orochimaru hadn't risked his life to fight Kikyo Mountain, Konoha might have perished back then.

------

Someone is acting.

We know they're acting.

They also know that we know they're acting.

But they still put on an act in front of us.

How tragic!

------

at dusk,

Jiraiya returned to Konoha alone, dejected. His face no longer showed any pain, only a blank expression.

He went to the Hokage's office to report his plans to travel.

But Hiruzen Sarutobi asked him insincerely:

"Jiraiya, I'd like to recommend you as the next Hokage. What do you think?"

Jiraiya, who originally had a cold and expressionless face...

Upon hearing this, the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.

Looking at his teacher, who had already reported to the daimyo, wearing a divine robe and a Hokage hat, sitting smugly on the Hokage throne, he saw...

I secretly said:

"If I agree, are you going to kill me too?"

He shook his head,

"No, I'm going to chase after Orochimaru. As for the time limit, let's say indefinitely."