Konoha: You're letting me build up my bonds, but you're offending the entire ninja world.

Finally, after dealing with a real estate businessman who built a secret base for Danzo but ended up with a shoddy construction project, Owl terminated the training.

“Young Master Xuan Yue’s temperament is now beyond reproach. Next, he will learn about poisons and traps, which will be overseen by the team leader.”

"Is it over?" The boy had a bright smile on his face, and you couldn't tell that this handsome young man had stained his hands with the blood of hundreds of people in just one month.

“Speaking of Owl,” Shimura Gengetsu said casually, wiping his hands slowly with a handkerchief, “after knowing you for so long, I still don’t know your real name.”

The owl's emotionless voice rang out, "Root ninjas only need code names, not names."

Xuan Yue curled her lips, "I'm ordering you as a superior, you must tell me."

After a long silence, Xiao reluctantly spoke.

"Guan Cheng, Mao Yue Guan Cheng."

Chapter Twenty-Three: Orochimaru's Defection, the Return of the Hero

Konoha.

During the month or so that Shimura Gengetsu was away, a major event occurred.

Orochimaru, the disciple of the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi and the only Sannin remaining in Konoha, was confirmed to have conducted forbidden human experiments using villagers.

He escaped the village while the Third Hokage led the Anbu in pursuit, becoming the highest-ranking rogue ninja since the founding of Konoha.

The news caused an uproar, and the reputation of the Third Hokage was greatly affected.

Inside the Hokage's office in the Hokage Building.

The atmosphere was tense, with Hiruzen Sarutobi staring intently at the composed Danzo Shimura.

Although Danzo did not appear throughout the entire process, as if he had nothing to do with it, Hiruzen Sarutobi could still smell that familiar scent.

"Danzo, what exactly do you want to do? By driving Orochimaru away, do you intend to destroy Konoha?!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi adjusted his Hokage hat, his tone resolute, and directly pinned the blame on him.

The current state of Konoha is undoubtedly the weakest it has ever been.

White Fang committed suicide, the Fourth Hokage died, and the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki was still an infant. Of the three, two left, leaving only Orochimaru.

During such a vulnerable period, Danzo actually forced Orochimaru to leave, which was definitely a provocation against Hiruzen Sarutobi's bottom line.

"Did I do something wrong?"

Danzo Shimura countered, neither denying Hiruzen Sarutobi's accusation, "Should I have just let Orochimaru use villagers as test subjects to research his forbidden techniques without doing anything?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's monkey-like face turned bright red, but he couldn't utter a single word.

Doesn't he know what his apprentice is doing?

Of course he knew.

Since losing the Hokage election to Minato Namikaze, Orochimaru has become increasingly reclusive, and Hiruzen Sarutobi could sense his change every time the master and disciple met.

That's... no longer like a human being.

But he kept both eyes closed, pretending he knew nothing, all in order to keep his beloved student in the village, hoping that one day he would complete the experiment and repent.

But some things can't be said openly.

If he utters even a single word in agreement with or condoning Orochimaru's actions, his position as Hokage will be in danger.

"I don't need you to make decisions for me, Danzo!" Hiruzen Sarutobi said, enunciating each word clearly. "I am the Hokage."

"You'll regret this, Hiruzen."

"boom!"

"........"

Danzo Shimura left, but unlike before, he was in a very good mood this time.

Forcing Orochimaru to leave was his attempt to challenge the Hokage throne. He first shook Hiruzen Sarutobi's reputation, causing him to reveal a weakness, and then delivered the final, fatal blow.

Xuan Yue was so helpful, so he, as her grandfather, couldn't just stand by and do nothing.

Otherwise, if Xuan Yue grows up and hasn't become Hokage yet, how can we ensure he becomes Hokage?

That's why Danzo Shimura didn't hesitate to betray Orochimaru, with whom he had always cooperated.

Since Orochimaru would still be useful in the future, Danzo offered compensation.

One hundred ninja test subjects.

With this promise, Orochimaru decisively abandoned his hatred, and the two remained the best partners.

However, finding a hundred test subjects is indeed a bit troublesome, especially since such an incident recently occurred in Konoha. We can't search within the village; we have to go outside.

"In the mountains," Danzo said calmly, and a ninja appeared behind him, kneeling on one knee.

"Take the Third and Fourth Battalions to the Land of Water, capture prisoners alive, and try to find as many as possible."

"Yes." The Root ninja replied and vanished instantly.

......

When Shimura Gengetsu returned to the village, the villagers were still discussing Orochimaru's defection and experiments.

Back at the Root Base, Shimura Danzo proudly showed off his work to him.

"Old man, aren't you afraid that other countries will hear this news and start having designs on you again?"

"Besides, Orochimaru and you two have a pretty good relationship, and he even gave me a sword. It's not very nice to betray your own people, is it?"

Gengetsu Shimura stared at Danzo speechlessly.

His grandfather really deserved to be scolded; he's a driver who's never comfortable without causing trouble.

Why not just wait for him to develop and then sweep through the entire ninja world?

Danzo glanced at him with his one eye and scoffed, "You can think of things that I can't?"

"The five great nations are simply not strong enough to start another ninja war. They need to recuperate for many years. Orochimaru has no impact on the overall situation at all."

"Hiruzen is just deceiving himself; he can't bring himself to kill Orochimaru."

"And..." Danzo paused for a moment, his expression becoming extremely serious, "Xuan Yue, remember this: there are no friends in this world, only eternal interests."

"As long as it brings me benefits and protects Konoha, I would betray even Hiruzen without hesitation."

"And what about me?" Shimura Gengetsu met his gaze without flinching. "If there were enough benefits, would you betray me too?"

Danzo Shimura paused for a moment, then shook his head.

"No, you and the village are in my best interest..."

"You old man," Shimura Gengetsu laughed, "Let's not talk about that. I bought a lot of things when I went out of the village this time..."

........

Danzo's scheme ultimately came to nothing.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's reputation was indeed affected, but he overlooked the existence of bonds.

Upon receiving news of Orochimaru's defection, a hero rushed back to Konoha as quickly as possible.

Inside the village, on the roof of a women's bathhouse.

"Old man, what exactly is going on with Orochimaru?" Jiraiya asked in a serious voice.

If you ignore the binoculars he was holding and the location where the two were talking, the atmosphere might be even more tense.

"He... has gone down the wrong path."

In just a few days, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked much older. "Do you still remember his dream?"

Jiraiya's face showed a look of reminiscence, as if he had returned to that happiest time. "Of course I remember. That stinky snake wanted to learn all the ninjutsu in the ninja world. How could that be possible?"

“Yes, he got lost in ninjutsu.” Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed. “You’re all grown up now, I can’t control you anymore.”

"Jiraiya, lend the old man a hand. Konoha needs you now."

Jiraiya remained silent for a moment, looking at the pleading look in Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes, but ultimately couldn't bring himself to refuse.

"I will stay in the village for a year."

“I will bring him to you a year from now.”

Hiruzen Sarutobi finally showed his first smile in days.

"it is good."

Chapter Twenty-Four: Xuan Yue: If you're so capable, why don't you give birth to another grandson?

Jiraiya's high-profile return to Konoha quickly helped Hiruzen Sarutobi stabilize the situation.

His status was truly extraordinary; he was not only the disciple of the Third Hokage but also the teacher of the Fourth Hokage, a figure of heroic stature.

Under the guidance of the Dark Side, the slightly turbulent Konoha quickly calmed down and continued to recuperate.

This infuriated Danzo Shimura, who smashed everything he could in his office.

However, it has nothing to do with Gengetsu Shimura.