Konoha: This Uchiha is extremely sneaky

Chapter 503 Choices

"This is absolutely necessary!"

Seeing that Toshiro was hesitant, Tsunade reminded him.

"The preliminary agreement you reached with several other major powers has been approved."

"These are all good suggestions, but..."

At this point, Tsunade looked at Toshiro with a very serious expression.

"As the saying goes, everything is difficult at the beginning."

"Whether it's prisoner exchange, trade between them, or that compensation agreement, these are all good ideas."

"If we want to break the deadlock, we in Konoha, as the initiators, must set an example."

Although the other major powers still need to go back and discuss things, things shouldn't change too much.

But there's always a way to get things done.

If the other major powers are to abide by this agreement, someone must set an example.

Otherwise, it's all just empty talk.

"you mean…"

Upon hearing Tsunade's words, Toshiro immediately understood.

"Yes, Yingzai, Ye Juan, and I discussed it. We were still a bit undecided about which aspect to use as a breakthrough point."

"The prisoners you brought back this time have solved this problem."

Tsunade was absolutely right; using prisoner exchange as a breakthrough point was indeed a very good direction.

Furthermore, Sasori also has Deidara, one of whom was the murderer of the Third Kazekage, and the other is a disciple of the Third Tsuchikage.

It's likely that both the Sand Village and the Rock Village are eager for the prisoner exchange to proceed smoothly.

With the initial communication completed, things will be much easier from here on out.

"Can!"

Now that he has become Hokage, he can no longer do whatever he wants, and Toshiro knows this.

He could clearly distinguish which of the two peace plans—his own and Sasori's—was more important.

"However, let's arrange for interrogators to try and extract all the information from their minds."

In particular, Deidara's Exploding Clay technique has undeniable practical value.

And then there's Sasori, his Third Kazekage puppet, who also needs to be dealt with.

Although they cannot stay, they also cannot increase the fighting strength of the Sand Ninja.

"That's all fine, but... there's still one prisoner..."

At this point, Tsunade looked at Toshiro with disdain.

In her view, this was Hokage Toshiro abusing his power for personal gain, taking a liking to someone's beauty, and planning to monopolize Pakura.

"That person is a rogue ninja from Sunagakure. As the Hokage, how can you so openly keep a rogue ninja by your side..."

As she spoke, Tsunade suddenly frowned.

She seemed to smell something nauseating.

"This... I will personally write to Rasa. I think Yekura's status as a rogue ninja is not a big problem."

The Hokage should still have some influence, and Pakura's mistake wasn't a matter of principle.

Given this favor, Luo Sha will likely still sell it to him.

"Ahem!" Toshiro coughed, then continued, "I'm going to check on Orochimaru!"

Feeling uneasy under Tsunade's disdainful gaze, Toshiro made an excuse and fled.

After so much time, Toshiro had figured out how to deal with Orochimaru.

Doesn't he still have Shisui's eye? Using it on Orochimaru would be making the best use of it.

An aged voice echoed through the corridors of Konoha's heavy-duty prison.

"Orochimaru, even now, don't you know how to repent?"

As his most prized student, he felt inescapably responsible for the situation he had brought to this point.

Looking back now, letting him go with Danzo was truly my biggest mistake.

Otherwise, this child wouldn't have gone astray.

"It's Chief Sarutobi!"

From afar, Toshiro saw Hiruzen Sarutobi, dressed in casual clothes, standing outside the cage with a look of disappointment on his face.

When he saw the other person turn around, Toshiro greeted him.

After stepping down from the position of Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi visibly aged.

With a full head of white hair, piled-up wrinkles, and a face covered in age spots, he was no different from an ordinary, frail old man.

"...Hokage-sama."

Looking at Toshiro, Hiruzen Sarutobi then turned to look at Orochimaru in the cage, opened his mouth as if to say something.

"Clan Chief Sarutobi need not say more. I will carefully consider how to deal with Orochimaru."

"In that case, I won't disturb you any longer!"

Seeing that Toshiro had no intention of talking to him any longer, the Third Hokage said goodbye and turned to leave.

Until the very end, the third generation leader did not utter a word of pleading. He turned away dejectedly, his steps faltering as he walked out.

With his gaze shifting from Hiruzen Sarutobi, Toshiro looked at Orochimaru in the cage.

In order to subdue this guy, Toshiro not only gave him a special anesthetic made by Tsunade.

Kushina herself took action, using layers of seals to completely cover his entire body.

"The long-awaited reunion between teachers and students didn't turn into a deeply moving scene; it's truly disappointing!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi was coming to see Orochimaru, and Toshiro, the Hokage, naturally knew this. However, judging from the situation, Orochimaru completely ignored his former mentor.

"Teacher-student relationship?"

Orochimaru's eyes darted around, landing on Toshiro, his gaze showing no trace of the fear that came with being imprisoned.

"They're just obstacles preventing me from pursuing my dreams!"

At this point, Orochimaru could only move his eyes and mouth.

"I wonder, Hokage-sama, what you plan to do with me, this rogue ninja?"

As he spoke, Orochimaru began to ask and answer his own questions.

"Kill him?"

"Imprison them?"

"Or do you still want me to do your bidding?"

Unlike his teacher, Toshiro was not a rigid ninja.

Thinking about the deal he had made with Toshiro, he knew that the other party was not a law-abiding person.

It's highly unlikely that it will kill itself directly.

The most likely scenario is that he will use some means to control himself and then make him work for him.

However… none of these are problems for him. Once he gains his freedom, there are plenty of ways to solve them.

Even if the other party kills him, he is not without means to revive.

As for imprisonment, Tsunade's anesthetic cannot work forever.

He could already feel his body slowly developing drug resistance.

"It seems Orochimaru-senpai is quite confident!"

Looking at the fearless Orochimaru, Toshiro was pondering whether the other's ability to shed skin also had an effect on the soul.

If that's the case, then the problem could become quite troublesome.

Also, what if this guy dies?

Once he is resurrected, will that resurrected soul be a new Orochimaru?

Otherwise, the Orochimaru in the original work wouldn't have such a drastic change in character.

Thinking about all this, Toshiro felt helpless again.

"How about I make a deal with you, senior?"

After much deliberation, Toshiro decided that it would be better for him and Orochimaru to be more open and honest with each other.

"trade?"

Orochimaru rolled his eyes, but did not refuse.

"Tell me, Hokage-sama, how would you like to make a deal with me?"

When was the first time I traded with this person? I never imagined that in the blink of an eye, they would have grown to this level.

"I have always sincerely admired my predecessors for their tireless pursuit of truth."

"The fact that you were able to develop a ninjutsu like the Reanimation Jutsu shows how exceptional your wisdom is."

After offering a few words of flattery, Toshiro continued:

"I will provide some experimental materials to the senior researchers, and you will share the experimental results with me."

"Konoha also commissions research projects for our seniors to complete, and we will pay them a certain amount of compensation."

It could be considered a cooperative or employment relationship.

It's hard to say whether Orochimaru's research abilities would be affected if Kotoamatsukami were forcibly used to change his mind.

There is a risk of things getting out of control, so it's better to use this kind of cooperation.

Of course, he wouldn't be completely unprepared.

Out of Orochimaru's sight, in Toshiro's hands behind his back, an eyeball immersed in a glass jar moved slightly.

Among them, the black four-leaf windmill emitted an eerie light.

Using Shisui's eyes, Toshiro planted a trigger-type genjutsu on Orochimaru without him noticing.

If Orochimaru were to cause any trouble, I'd definitely give this guy a surprise.

The matter is basically settled; we're just waiting for the right opportunity to release this guy.

Without much hesitation, Toshiro prepared to go straight home.

I wonder what the house looks like now. I hope those two women won't tear it down.

This is my ancestral home; if anything were to happen to it while I'm in charge, I would be in grave danger.

"Hokage-sama~"

Just as he was released from prison, a clear female voice rang in Toshiro's ears.

"It's red beans!"

As soon as I stepped outside, I saw a girl with a high ponytail looking at me with a troubled expression.

Toshiro couldn't help but start complaining.

The village's confidentiality regulations are practically worthless.

It hasn't been that long, yet not only the Third Hokage who isn't in office, but even little Anko knows that Orochimaru has been captured.

Uh... it's getting a bit inappropriate to call her Red Bean Little Girl anymore.

Hongdou, in her early twenties, is at the peak of a woman's youth and vitality, coupled with her naturally carefree personality.

She was already a stunning beauty.

However… just thinking about this guy's appearance in Boruto makes Toshiro feel terrible.

"If...the Hokage could..."

She gritted her teeth, her face flushed red, and she began to stammer.

"stop!"

Toshiro, who already roughly knew what Anko wanted to say, twitched the corner of his mouth.

He hadn't even settled things with his own two family members yet, so he had no interest in engaging in any underhanded dealings.

"Your teacher is of great value, and I will not let him die in vain."

Even if Orochimaru is to be released, his value should be maximized. The Third Hokage still has some teacher-student relationship with the girl; he should at least be given a chance.

However, there's no need to tell Hongdou any of this; this guy is definitely not someone who can keep a secret.

All we need to do is reassure her.

(End of this chapter)