Konoha, reported by the Fourth Hokage at the start.

Chapter 492 I'm getting old after all.

late at night!

The country of Sichuan.

Inside an underground camp, Orochimaru received a new order from the Third Hokage, but it was not an order to cease hostilities with Sunagakure. Instead, it was an order for him to launch a large-scale invasion of the Land of Wind as soon as he received the order.

"Didn't the teacher see the information I sent back?"

Orochimaru looked at the ANBU ninja in front of him and asked with a grim expression.

Yekura's terrifying high-temperature scorching release was already troublesome, but now she has the ability to convert natural energy into chakra, which is practically an unlimited amount of chakra, making her even more troublesome, not to mention Sasori of the Red Sand.

He can fight alone and even invade the Land of Wind?

Is the old man implying that he's tired of living and wants him to die?

"I'm sorry, I don't know," the Anbu member said. He was only responsible for relaying the Hokage's orders and knew nothing else.

"Alright, I know, you can leave now." Orochimaru was too lazy to say anything more to this ANBU ninja.

Given the current situation, it's highly likely that the old man hasn't received the information he sent back yet.

Otherwise, the old man would be overjoyed and agree to such a good thing as Sunagakure taking the initiative to cease hostilities.

It's impossible for the old man to issue an order to continue the attack.

"etc……"

Orochimaru suddenly realized that even if he hadn't seen the information Orochimaru sent back, the old man shouldn't have given such a radical order!

"Lord Orochimaru, the Hokage's order is to launch a large-scale attack on Sunagakure immediately!"

The ANBU ninja didn't leave; his mission was to supervise Orochimaru to ensure he immediately carried out the Hokage's orders.

"Um!!"

Orochimaru's expression turned cold as his thoughts were interrupted, and a terrifying killing intent erupted instantly.

The ANBU ninja froze as if he had been suddenly stared at by a terrifying venomous snake, his eyes involuntarily revealing fear.

Orochimaru at this time was much stronger than the Orochimaru in the original work.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that he is the reincarnation of the God of Ninjas.

Ordinary ninjas simply couldn't withstand his killing intent.

This ANBU ninja is only at the level of a Special Jonin. The fact that he hasn't immediately knelt down shows how strong the ANBU ninja's training is, but it's wishful thinking for him to mobilize chakra for a counterattack.

"Tell me, has something happened in the village?"

Orochimaru spoke in a deep, hoarse voice, like a snake spitting out an apricot, his snake-like eyes coldly fixed on the ANBU ninja in front of him.

Based on the previous speculation, the words of the Anbu ninja, and the sudden recall of Saguro and Tsunade to the village, Orochimaru realized that something big might have happened in Konoha that he was unaware of.

Otherwise, such an order to expand the scale of the war and increase the pressure on Konoha should not have been issued by a Konoha Hokage.

Something must have happened in the village.

However, the ANBU ninja's answer was still the same: "I don't know."

call out!

Knowing the situation of the ANBU ninja, Orochimaru didn't bother to say anything more and took action directly. He instantly appeared in front of the ANBU ninja, grabbed the ANBU ninja's head, and activated his genjutsu.

The ANBU ninjas had little resistance.

Orochimaru had once worked in the Root ANBU for a period of time. The ANBU ninja's anti-genjutsu suicide curse in their brains could not stop him at all, and it was broken through instantly.

"Now, tell me, what's been happening in the village lately?" Orochimaru asked again.

The ANBU ninja, controlled by the illusion, drooled, rolled his eyes, and mumbled out everything he knew recently that the village considered important.

"..."

After hearing the ANBU ninja's account, Orochimaru fell silent for a moment.

Although this ANBU ninja knew or didn't know, he was well aware of the dark side of his teacher, who had always presented a kind and approachable image in the village for a year.

Perhaps he's also a bit gloomy.

He was involved in many undercover operations.

Therefore, he was well aware of his teacher's emphasis on power and how much he coveted the position of Hokage.

The moment the old man learned that Zuo Yun-jun had returned, he used a carrier pigeon to send out orders at top speed, summoning Zuo Yun-jun and Tsunade back.

At the same time, orders for further offensives were immediately issued to the legions on all fronts.

This is combined with some information he gathered during the time he collaborated with Danzo on research into Wood Release cells.

When Zuo Yun-kun took over as captain of the Anbu, everyone thought he was about to become the Fourth Hokage and that the old man would soon step down and hand over the reins.

As a result of a failed mission and a barrage of public criticism, Zuo Yun was removed from the Konoha ninja organization.

The old man had no choice but to remain in the Hokage position until now.

Orochimaru didn't think much about the role the old man played in the Zuo Yun Jun incident back then, but after learning some information from Danzo's Root, he knew from that time on that his teacher's obsession with the Hokage position and power was beyond that of ordinary people.

In the past, Sagumo-kun might not have been a threat to the old man's Hokage position, but now that Sagumo-kun has confirmed his relationship with Tsunade, it's not a question of whether he's a threat or not. Rather, once this war ends, the next Hokage can only be Sagumo-kun.

Orochimaru was not convinced by anyone else, not even Minato Namikaze who possessed the Flying Thunder God Technique, or even Jiraiya.

But if it's Konoha's White Fang, Sasuke, Orochimaru would be impressed.

Because of the immense strength of Zuo Yun-kun, who seemed even more powerful after returning from his disappearance, even though he had developed his Wood Release to the point where he no longer needed Sage Chakra, Orochimaru was not confident that he could withstand the devastating gray lightning that destroyed everything.

With Tsunade's influence, he had no objection to Sakumo becoming the Fourth Hokage.

Even if Jiraiya is very unhappy with Sagumo-kun, he will support Sagumo-kun for Tsunade's sake.

As for the various clans within the village... Orochimaru shook his head; he didn't need to analyze them at all.

The old man had already analyzed everything.

Otherwise, they wouldn't have issued an order to escalate the war, an order that could potentially drag the entire Hidden Leaf Village into an abyss if not handled carefully.

"I'm getting old after all!"

Orochimaru sighed inwardly. If it were the hero of the ninja world who had been appointed as the Third Hokage after the Second Hokage's death and turned the tide, he would never have given such a self-destructive order because of the appearance of Sakumo-kun.

It can only be said that the old man has grown old after all. His former ambition is gone, and he can only use some schemes and tricks to protect his position as Hokage.

But what's the point?

In the face of absolute power, all schemes and tricks are useless.

Over the past period, Orochimaru, having mastered Wood Release, has come to understand that the outcome of war has long since changed in the face of powerful individuals of their caliber.

The old man had no idea that the Sakumo-kun he was about to face was not the same Sakumo-kun from the past, but a powerful figure comparable to the First Hokage who could pacify the chaotic world.

Using underhanded tactics against such a powerful person will only result in harm to yourself in the end.

Thinking of this, Orochimaru shook his head, and after dispelling the genjutsu of the Anbu, he notified all the Konoha ninja in the Land of Rivers to hide underground.

He will not carry out the old man's orders until the matter between Zuo Yunjun and the old man is resolved.

(End of this chapter)