Naruto: Starting from the Reincarnation of the Otsutsuki.

“No, Lord Orochimaru.” Hyuga Seiran said calmly and unhurriedly, “I have no one behind me. I am simply giving what I have obtained to Lord Orochimaru.”

"Oh?"

Orochimaru's interest deepened, and his voice softened slightly, "Then tell me, how does the Tenseigan, which is said to have evolved to its ultimate form and is comparable to the Rinnegan of the Sage of Six Paths, evolve?"

"Qinglan-jun, can you tell me the answer?"

Before anyone knew it, the small snakes around them had gradually gathered, coiling into a small circle around the two of them, all flicking their tongues towards Qinglan in the sunlight.

"I do not know."

Hyuga Seiran shrugged, seemingly oblivious to Orochimaru's increasingly gloomy gaze, and continued to say to himself, "However, this scroll is a gift I'm giving to Lord Orochimaru, intended to serve as a bridge for establishing a connection between us."

"That's all."

A gift to mark our meeting?

bridge?

Are there even more chips?

Orochimaru narrowed his eyes, not immediately turning hostile, but slightly concealing the hint of killing intent he was releasing, and quietly waiting for Hyuga Aoran to continue.

Seeing this, Hinata Seiran's expression remained unchanged, but his tone suddenly changed.

"Lord Orochimaru, I heard from Anko that you are about to become the Fourth Hokage, is that right?"

"That's natural," Orochimaru replied calmly.

“I disagree,” Hyuga Seiran said to himself. “As the saying goes, not fighting is fighting. Lord Orochimaru has indeed achieved this. It’s just that others may not think so.”

Orochimaru frowned slightly, his gaze lingering on Hyuga Seiran's face for a moment.

What is this guy trying to say?

Is it...

"Nowadays, Lord Orochimaru lives a secluded life, and his reputation in the village has visibly diminished."

"The one who is currently enjoying the most fame is actually Jonin Minato, who has been active right here at the scene."

"I suppose after the war ends, the Third Hokage will choose one of you two to succeed as the Fourth Hokage, right?"

What are you trying to represent?

Or should we remind him that his position as the Fourth Hokage is in jeopardy?

impossible.

Orochimaru's eyes flickered.

There are four candidates recognized by the village.

The three legendary ninja of Konoha, and the Yellow Flash.

His two close friends were in stark contrast: one was already hopelessly addicted to gambling and debauchery, while the other had no interest in the Hokage position and spent his days searching for the prophesied child.

As for Minato Namikaze...

Oh.

Orochimaru admitted that his talent was indeed amazing, even rare.

But he wanted to compete with him for the position of Fourth Hokage...

That's still a long way off.

Seeing Orochimaru's confident demeanor as he was about to become the Fourth Hokage, Hyuga Seiran couldn't help but smile.

Orochimaru has always been a confident person.

This is true in reality, and it is also true in the original work.

Unfortunately, he was unaware that beneath the surface of the Third Shinobi World War, the Konoha leadership had already begun to favor the candidate for the Fourth Hokage.

Even his most trusted friend will eventually side with Watergate.

Perhaps this is what happens when you're in the thick of it all—you can't see the whole picture.

"Unfortunately, I don't think you can become Hokage."

Hyuga Seiran shook his head. "After all, Minato's image in the village is that of the 'sun.'"

“And you, Lord Orochimaru…” Hyuga Seiran glanced at him, “…you might not even qualify as the 'moon'…”

"Not to mention, during the Third Shinobi World War, Jonin Minato broke the stalemate."

"The war will be over soon."

"Ha ha……"

Orochimaru sneered, his tone growing increasingly cold, "Is that all you wanted to say?"

He was certainly aware of Minato Namikaze's military achievements in the war.

But becoming Hokage isn't just about military achievements.

Qualifications, reputation, background, and the attitudes of three generations are all indispensable.

In these matters, Orochimaru did not believe he would lose to a young man.

"No. What I meant was Orochimaru-sama, you are far too arrogant."

"So arrogant that they can't see reality or the current situation."

"Lord Orochimaru is currently retired at home, while Lord Minato is still active on the front lines."

Isn't this a very obvious contrast?

"And all of this, the Third Hokage... really knew nothing about it?"

"..."

Orochimaru's pupils contracted slightly.

At that moment, he suddenly understood something.

These days, the tasks the old man assigns him are mostly experimental projects and research topics, or he is simply told to rest.

In the past, Orochimaru would probably have thought that his teacher had finally understood his pursuit and wanted him to focus on studying ninjutsu so that he could naturally take over as Hokage after the war ended.

But looking back now...

Many questions that he had kept buried in his heart suddenly surfaced one by one.

Why are my tasks and command authority being constantly weakened?

Why was he transferred away from the front lines and put in charge of Wood Release research, experiments, and various classified projects?

Why is it that Minato Namikaze is always the one who makes great contributions on the battlefield, while I have faded from everyone's sight without anyone noticing?

"I see……"

Orochimaru was somewhat disappointed.

Looking back now, did the old man make his choice all along?

Even though the battle on the front lines was fierce, he was still left behind in the rear...

It wasn't to allow him to focus on preparing for the Hokage position.

Rather, it was to make him understand that the position of Fourth Hokage was no longer within his reach.

I just wanted him to focus on studying ninjutsu and not to get involved in things he shouldn't.

Ironically, both he and Danzo were kept in the dark.

Orochimaru couldn't help but recall Danzo's earlier vow that he would support him in becoming Hokage after the war.

Looking back now, it seems incredibly ironic.

"Hehehe..."

Orochimaru slowly raised his head, his disappointment long since vanished.

Since the old man wouldn't let him compete... he'd just have to compete and show everyone.

However, before that.....

Let me first uncover the secrets of the pupil technique!

The look in his eyes as he gazed at Hinata Seiran was extremely dangerous.

"Qinglan-jun, thank you very much."

"However, before you thank me, please tell me your secret, and the method for evolving the Byakugan..."

"Leave it all to me!"

"Hidden Shadow Serpent Hand!"

Countless venomous snakes suddenly burst forth from the ground from all directions, attacking Ri Xiang Qinglan from every angle.

"Lord Orochimaru, as I said, I'm here to help you."

"As for this scroll, it is only meant to serve as a bridge between you and me."

Hinata Seiran's Byakugan gradually opened, reflecting countless snake shadows in his pupils, and he slowly uttered a few words.