Naruto: Help Madara rejuvenate and launch a counterattack on Konoha

When Hiruko heard that Orochimaru was not interested in his Oni-Garaku, but instead valued the forbidden technique of that despicable man, Ryou-wu, he clenched his fists in anger.

Hiruko is also greedy for immortality, but at this stage he still wants to be famous and sit at the same table as the Sannin. He doesn't have Orochimaru's obsession with life.

"Orochimaru, didn't you say that kid Ryouwu self-destructed? Can you still find him?"

Orochimaru sneered, "Self-destruct? He lied to all of us. He's not dead; he's alive and well."

Hiruko shook his head: "Impossible. The Sannin and Minato are right there. What tricks could Ryougo possibly pull?"

Orochimaru mocked Hiruko, "Hiruko, you're a Jonin, how could you be ambushed by a Chunin like Ryou?"

Hiruko got anxious: "That's because—"

Backstabbing is a matter of fact, not ability; the more certain one is of victory, the easier it is to fall into someone's trap.

The human heart is not a blank sheet of paper; everything is written on it.

To guard against this kind of thing, you can only distrust everyone, but Beiliuhu needs Liaowu's technology and funds.

Beiliuhu needs Liaowu, and Liaowu also needs him.

The only mistake Beiliuhu made was that he didn't act as quickly as Liaowu.

"Damn it, if it happened again, I would definitely kill him first."

Orochimaru chuckled coldly. "If someone like Hiruko can't accomplish anything, he can't accomplish anything. Even if he had to do it again, it would be the same."

"Alright, we're here!"

Orochimaru brought Hiruko to the Kannabi Bridge, the spot where Ryougo had self-destructed.

Orochimaru stood at the spot where Liao Wu had jumped off the cliff, stroking his chin as he analyzed the situation.

Liao Wu's defection was suspicious in itself.

First, how did he escape from the Uchiha's tight guard?

Even if Liao Wu had recovered from his bloodline disease and regained his health, the Uchiha police force members were at least Chunin, and there were at least three or four Jonin guarding him.

Secondly, how did he manage to escape the pursuit of the Dark Division and the Root Division for three days and three nights?

Anbu members are not necessarily all Jonin, but they are definitely all the village's elite.

Even a Jonin like Liao Wu couldn't escape for three days and three nights.

Third, why did he run to the Kannabi Bridge in the Land of Grass? Why did he flee north instead of south? Did he think the sun was brighter in the north?

Or is it that he has colluded with Iwagakure or Kusanagi and wants to offer his forbidden techniques to the enemy country?

Orochimaru recalled the momentary delay he experienced when he was about to defeat Liaowu. He had previously paid no attention to it, attributing it to his oversight due to the exhaustion of his pursuit.

But looking back now, it seems there was an unseen hand manipulating Liao Wu's defection.

"Who is the one?"

Orochimaru narrowed his eyes.

"Who is it? Orochimaru, what did you say?"

Bei Liu was puzzled.

Orochimaru shook his head: "If that's the case, there must be traces around. Hiruko, let's go down and look for them."

"What are you looking for?"

"Don't worry about what you're looking for. Just follow the search."

"Orochimaru, I'm not strong enough right now. If something unexpected happens, I won't be able to be of any use."

Orochimaru looked at Hiruko and replied, "What do you mean?"

Hiruko laughed, "My Oni-Garra Technique can devour bloodline limits, but there aren't any powerful bloodline limits around. I want your White Serpent Cells."

"Hmph, so that's what you were planning to do with my white snake cells. Fine, I'll give them to you."

Orochimaru granted Hiruko's request.

After all, Hiruko was already dead, and was an impure body. No matter how much he struggled, he was still his own puppet.

With that, Orochimaru and Hiruko jumped off the Kannabi Bridge and headed towards the gorge below.

Soon after, Jiraiya arrived at Kannabi Bridge, somewhat puzzled: "What is Orochimaru doing in the Land of Grass? Could it be that he is still not satisfied with Ryoubu's forbidden technique?"

"Orochimaru, you're really making me more and more worried."

……

Konoha Hospital, Director's Office.

Warm sunlight streamed in through the window as Tsunade, her brow furrowed, reviewed the financial records of Konoha Hospital with a pen in hand.

It has been a long time since Tsunade last visited the Hokage's office.

She couldn't just tell the Third Hokage that she wanted to become the next Hokage and expect him to step down; the Hokage position is elected.

Tsunade was the first to become the director of Konoha Hospital, which the Third Hokage was naturally happy about; it was impossible for Tsunade's abilities to be wasted.

The fighting on the front lines in Kirigakure is not significant now, and Minato alone is sufficient. It would also be more suitable for her to stay at Konoha Hospital.

After taking up her post at Konoha Hospital, Tsunade actively implemented reforms, significantly reducing the price of many ninja-specific medicines. She also personally treated some incurable diseases, further enhancing her reputation among the ninja community.

There were only a few scattered rumors in the village that Tsunade had participated in the research and development of Liao Wu's techniques, and that Liao Wu's evil techniques were based on Tsunade's ninjutsu data.

So... Tsunade did it too!

Most ninjas chose to ignore these blatant slanders against Tsunade, letting them run rampant. The Senju clan, however, delivered a swift and decisive blow with six strikes per second, severely punishing the malicious individuals spreading the rumors.

Shizune knocked on the door and came in, saying to Tsunade, "Lady Tsunade, are you really not going to stop the rumors going around the village? Some villagers have already started talking about it."

Without even looking up, Tsunade said, "Why bother with him? The innocent will clear themselves."

In the matter of Liaowu, Tsunade was not entirely innocent. Her failure to report the fact that it was high-level ninjutsu information that was enough to attract the attention of the village's higher-ups was a fact.

Regardless of the circumstances... Tsunade is a suspect in the Liaowu affair!

But Tsunade felt that the rumors were not so simple. Her eagerness to take up the post of Konoha Hospital gave some people the impression that she wanted to break into the royal family and sit in that position.

Back then, White Fang had half a Hokage sleeve sewn into his robe, and he was considered a candidate for Hokage, but he still chose to commit seppuku amidst the village's gossip.

This is a political smear campaign.

Some people do not want Tsunade to be elected as the Fourth Hokage.

Tsunade has too many advantages.

As soon as she makes a sound, the village is basically full of support. She might even be draped in a Hokage robe by the Senju clan as soon as she steps onto the bridge.

"On the day we set out, Tsunade shall be appointed Hokage."

Why bother with elections? Let's just stage a coup and oust that old man Sarutobi.

From the Senju clan's perspective, the Third Hokage, that old monkey, was merely a temporary regent. Now that our lord is strong enough, the Sarutobi clan should return power to him.

Shizune, her face contorted with anger, thought to herself, "Lady Tsunade is so kind. If I had Lady Tsunade's superhuman strength, I would beat all those who were talking badly of me to a pulp."

Tsunade suddenly put down her pen, glanced at the report on her desk, and sneered, "I've finally caught that big tiger at Konoha Hospital!"

"Jingyin, go and fetch the vice dean for me!"

"yes!"

After taking office, Tsunade discovered a huge financial deficit at Konoha Hospital. She had been investigating for some time and finally found the person behind it.

Minoru Nagayama, the vice director of Konoha Hospital.

Tsunade was initially puzzled that Ryou had been selling counterfeit medicine at Konoha Hospital for so long without anyone investigating. It turns out that it wasn't that no one investigated, but rather that there was an even bigger darker side to Konoha Hospital.

The hospital's leadership didn't want to expose Konoha Hospital's true colors because of Liao Wu's incident.

Tsunade looked at Minoru Nagayama's information. He was not from a ninja clan, nor was he a high-ranking ninja; he was just an ordinary commoner.

He was just a hard worker and was loved by many colleagues. How could someone like that have embezzled so much money? What did he do with all that money?

Shizune's anxious voice came through: "It's terrible! Lady Tsunade, the vice-principal has committed suicide."

"What—"

Tsunade's pupils contracted, and she rushed out of her office.