Naruto: Starting from the Reincarnation of the Otsutsuki.

"I heard you're a little short on cash lately..."

He took a thick envelope from his pocket and handed it to Hinata Seiran.

Hinata Seiran nodded.

He knew in his heart that if he continued to feign refusal, it would probably only make Hiashi Hyuga feel resentful.

Besides... he really needs money.

"Alright, now that we've covered the rewards, let's get down to business."

Hiashi Hyuga's tone suddenly became serious, and his gaze was fixed on Seiran Hyuga.

"Qinglan, where exactly did you find that scroll?"

-

"The daimyo's second son is going to Yugakure to soak in the hot springs?!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi, pipe in mouth, stared blankly at the Chunin at the mission registration desk, the pipe nearly slipping from his lips.

"Yes... Lord Hokage."

"The son of the daimyo arrived in the village early this morning with several attendants and registered a B-level mission at the mission posting area."

"The reward is..." the Chunin stammered, holding up two fingers.

"Two...two million taels."

Stealing the young master?!

Two million?!

Hiruzen Sarutobi almost choked to death on a puff of smoke.

It should be noted that the reward for a regular escort mission is only a few hundred thousand to tens of thousands of taels of silver.

And now, they're asking for two million ryo just to escort one person to the Land of Hot Springs?!

"Cough cough,"

Having seen his share of storms, Hiruzen Sarutobi coughed a few times and quickly suppressed all his shock and emotions.

"Ryu, we, Konoha, will accept this mission. Let the Daimyo's son rest in the village for a while, and we will make arrangements later."

"But... Lord Hokage, there aren't many ninjas left who can take on this mission... Besides, the other party is the daimyo's son, what if..."

yes...

There aren't many ninjas left.

Hiruzen Sarutobi raised his head and looked up at the boundless blue sky, his gaze deep and complex.

People along the way waved to him, and he smiled and nodded in response to each one.

However, if we can use this opportunity to build a good relationship with the daimyo's son...

Perhaps the Daming region can provide the front lines with a considerable amount of military supplies.

"Long, you can go now. I'll take care of the rest."

"Yes!"

Sarutobi Takashi handed the mission letter to Sarutobi Hiruzen and then disappeared from the spot.

"Who should we assign this task to?"

He pondered as he walked into the Hokage Building.

"Jiraiya is on the front lines... Minato is on the front lines... even Shikaku is on the front lines..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't help but sigh again.

Almost all of the village's elite ninjas were sent to the front lines, and even students from the ninja academy went to the battlefield.

If he weren't stationed in the village to oversee things, Hiruzen Sarutobi would have already charged in and out of him seven times over with his Vajra Staff.

"A troubled autumn..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi pushed open the door to the Hokage's office, but when he saw the person sitting in the chair behind the desk, he paused slightly.

Orochimaru?

Why are you here?

Hiruzen Sarutobi was somewhat surprised that his disciple would come to his office and even swagger into the Hokage's seat.

However, he only glanced at it briefly before looking away.

Clearly... he was already used to the personalities of his three disciples.

"Sarutobi-sensei, I've heard the situation at the front lines is not good lately..."

Orochimaru was dressed in the standard attire of a Konoha Jonin, but he was wearing the Hokage's hat on his head.

"I'm here to share your burdens."

He stood up, gently removed his straw hat and placed it on the table, giving his seat to Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi gave Orochimaru a deep look.

My disciple is intelligent, quick-witted, and filial...

And rationality.

Everything about him is fine, except that he's too rational.

They always put the interests of the village and themselves first.

'If you could just change your personality, the position of Fourth Hokage might just be yours.'

Hiruzen Sarutobi was lost in thought, completely unaware that Orochimaru had already reached out and picked up the scroll on the table.

"The son of a daimyo, a reward of two million?" Orochimaru raised an eyebrow, picked up the scroll and waved it around. "Is this what's troubling you?"

"The village ninjas went to the front lines, but I didn't..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's body stiffened slightly.

How could I have forgotten about Orochimaru?

He slapped his head in frustration. Although he had already decided that Minato Namikaze would be the Fourth Hokage, deep down he still liked Orochimaru.

After all, Orochimaru also shed blood and made contributions for Konoha.

Having figured this out, Hiruzen Sarutobi's kind smile returned to his face.

"I'm getting old, my memory isn't so good anymore."

"You're not old at all."

"Really? Hahahaha..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi laughed heartily: "In that case, I'll leave this mission to you. That way, it'll be easier to explain to the daimyo..."

"Do not."

Orochimaru's expression suddenly calmed down, interrupting Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"What I mean is, I want to take on not only this mission..."

"I myself am going to the front lines."

Chapter 11 The Son of a Great Name (Please add to your favorites, read on, and vote with monthly tickets!!)

"Going to the front lines...?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's smile froze on his face.

His pipe stopped in mid-air, and his gaze slowly swept across Orochimaru's face, calm and resolute.

Hiruzen Sarutobi opened his mouth, but the words he instinctively wanted to say were stuck in his throat, and he couldn't utter a single one.

Should we still go and fight for it...?

Even though you've been transferred away from the front lines for so long, even though everyone thought you'd given up, are you still unwilling to give up?

Orochimaru...

Hiruzen Sarutobi lowered his eyes, brought the pipe to his lips, and took a deep drag.

The decision to transfer Orochimaru back to the village from the front lines was the result of discussions with the higher-ups long ago. Even Jiraiya agreed with this decision.

Only Orochimaru himself and Danzo Shimura were unaware of this.

Hiruzen Sarutobi had envisioned a perfect ending.

Orochimaru gave up the competition for the Fourth Hokage, settled down, and became a key figure in Konoha's technology, spreading out to important positions in Konoha along with Tsunade and Jiraiya, eventually retiring to the background on the stage of history.

Even now, Orochimaru still hasn't let go...

"Orochimaru," Hiruzen Sarutobi paused for a moment, then sighed softly, "This mission is simple, but to handle two things at the same time... isn't that too hasty?"

"Hehehe..."