Saving the Uchiha clan starts with becoming the clan leader.

In order to stand on the same level as Tsunade, Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and the others

He didn't hesitate to dabble in forbidden techniques.

However, even though he now possesses power comparable to Tsunade and the others, he feels no joy whatsoever. Everything is so utterly uninteresting. What has he been doing all these years? It seems that none of what he has done brings him any sense of accomplishment.

What he received,

There is only endless emptiness.

The dreams I once had are now unrecognizable.

"······boring!"

Hiruko lowered his head, his disheveled white hair obscuring his face.

"Jiraiya, what are you doing here?"

Jiraiya was taken aback for a moment.

He hadn't expected Hiruko to ask him first. After witnessing the unfriendly exchange between Tsunade and Hiruko, he was wondering how to start the conversation when Hiruko spoke up. However, he reacted quickly and didn't waste any time, asking directly, "...I only want to ask you one question, why did you do this?"

"Jiraiya, are you asking why Orochimaru betrayed the village?"

"Yes."

Jiraiya did not deny it, "But it's not just Orochimaru. I also can't understand why you would do such a thing. Stealing forbidden techniques, betraying the village, and attacking the village, why would you do all this?"

"Tch! You started out as a loser like me... but you ended up leaving me far behind, going further and further away from Orochimaru and Tsunade. At first, I just hoped to catch up with you guys, but I didn't have the talent!"

No talent!

This is a harsh reality that the vast majority of ninjas will face.

For those kids who aspire to become Hokage, the reality of not having the talent is tantamount to shattering their dreams. Ninety-nine percent of them will accept reality after disappointment and sadness, and then re-plan their lives. But there is always a small group of kids who like to get stuck on things.

And Beiliuhu,

That's one of them.

"...No matter how hard I tried, even when my body was on the verge of collapse and I was forced to be hospitalized, I put in all my effort and sweat, but I still couldn't reach your backs. So I realized that I am not a genius like you. I am just a fool with ambitions that are too high!"

"But I don't want to give up. I don't want to be stuck in the rear, watching your backs disappear as you head to the front lines. I want to fight alongside you. So... I need power. But how can I get power without talent? Only forbidden techniques, only forbidden techniques can fulfill my wish. And there's nothing more to say about what happened after that."

The echoing sound faded away.

Tsunade remained silent.

Jiraiya let out a soft breath, wanting to say something, but looking at the disheveled Hiruko, he ultimately only asked, "Then what about Orochimaru?"

Orochimaru?

Hiruko let out a soft laugh. "Shouldn't you ask Orochimaru himself about this? I left Konoha before Orochimaru defected! I can't answer why Orochimaru betrayed the village. I've never had any contact with Orochimaru in all these years."

"However... if you ask me, Orochimaru is probably just tired of death!"

"Why do you say that?"

"A feeling!"

"Explain yourself clearly, don't try to fool me with this kind of talk."

"...Jiraiya, I really don't understand why an idiot like you possesses talents that I can only dream of. Didn't you notice how cold Orochimaru's aura was when so many of his comrades died on the battlefield? It was the smell of despair!"

“Especially the rope tree.”

Hiruko paused for a moment, and Tsunade, who had been silent all along, also turned her gaze over.

"When you received the news of Nawaki's sacrifice, you only saw Tsunade on the verge of collapse, but you didn't notice how terrifying Orochimaru was at that time. From then on, I always felt that some kind of extremely terrifying change had occurred in Orochimaru."

Rope Tree,

He is Tsunade's younger brother and a direct descendant of the Senju clan.

However, few people know that Nawaki was Orochimaru's disciple, and his first disciple at that. He was favored by Orochimaru because of his extraordinary talent and cheerful personality. However, this bright young man, who was like the rising sun, withered in the quagmire of war. He did not have time to bloom with dazzling light before being taken away by death too early.

"This is just my guess!"

Hiruko raised his head and looked at Jiraiya and Tsunade. "No one but Orochimaru himself can say for sure what the truth is. Perhaps... even Orochimaru himself has long forgotten what he was thinking back then, just like I have forgotten my dream. I just keep rushing headlong down that path of endless darkness."

As soon as he finished speaking,

The dungeon became very quiet, with only the sound of intermittent breathing audible.

"Sōgen-kun, Hiruko... what are you going to do with the village?" Tsunade suddenly asked, breaking the silence.

"I'll definitely make him wish he were dead!"

Zongxian, who had been watching the spectacle, replied casually.

Is living worse than death?

Jiraiya frowned slightly.

“Isn’t that obvious? This time, because he lost nearly a hundred comrades, death is a relief for him. How can we face those who sacrificed their lives if we don’t let him taste the bitterness of a living hell? I’m the kind of person who holds grudges.”

Zongxian grinned and said.

under the light,

The neat, white teeth reflected a dazzling light, resembling a ferocious beast with its mouth wide open, ready to devour its prey.

At least that's how Jiraiya saw it.

"However, Hiruko, if you are willing to cooperate in atonement, as long as you make a contribution that I believe is sufficient to make amends for the mistakes you have made, then giving you a quick death is not out of the question. How about it, think it over carefully..."

What do you want me to do? What can I do?

Hiruko looked at Zongxian and asked.

"…Don't worry, as long as you're willing to cooperate, you still have enough value." Zong Xuan snapped his fingers, and the police department's elite interrogators filed in. "First, explain your past experiences and the knowledge you have!"

It was definitely the right choice to come see Hiruko with Jiraiya and Tsunade!

Unlike Orochimaru, who became weary of death after witnessing it too much and thus sought immortality to grasp the truth of the ninja world, Hiruko's mental illness stemmed entirely from jealousy that distorted his former dreams, ultimately turning him into a completely unrecognizable madman.

The thought of Tsunade and Jiraiya, once his dreams, appearing before him might bring about some unexpected changes.

As it turns out, Zongxian's idea was quite reliable.

"Alright, Jiraiya-senpai, Tsunade-senpai, now that we've finished asking our questions, we should leave. The following matters involve village secrets, so I think it would be best if you two stayed out of the way to avoid causing unnecessary trouble for their work later."

Zongxian pointed to the police department's elites who were gathered in front of the cell but had not yet begun their interrogations.

[Chapter 321. The Candidate for the Sixth Hokage]

Hiruko's cooperation saved a lot of unnecessary trouble. Regardless of whether Shisui's Kotoamatsukami could work on Hiruko, to be honest, he didn't want Shisui to use Kotoamatsukami to modify Hiruko's mental will unless absolutely necessary. After all, there was no evidence to prove that Kotoamatsukami had no unknown negative effects.

Honestly, it doesn't really matter if an ordinary person's will changes.

However, if Hiruko, a prodigy who considers himself 'lacking in talent' yet has improved the Oni-Garara technique to such an incredible degree, were to become mediocre due to a change in his will, his value would be greatly diminished.

Coincidentally,

Scorpion ran away.

Perhaps Beiliuhu could fill the vacancy.

Of course, this is still uncertain. Whether Hiruko is feigning cooperation or genuinely repenting remains to be seen over a long period of time. In any case, he shouldn't expect any good days for the next year or two. Two-thirds of the nearly one hundred Konoha ninja lost this time came from the police department and are being held in the police department's dungeon. It's easy to imagine that Hiruko's days won't be easy.

After this late-night meeting,

Jiraiya didn't stay in the village for long. He only met with Naruto briefly before leaving in a hurry, seemingly busy with something. Unfortunately, the Anbu didn't find any clues, and Jiraiya himself didn't offer any explanation, disappearing without a trace in a mysterious manner.

Tsunade stayed behind for the time being.

The reason is simple,

The Fifth Hokage, Akimichi Torifu, is still receiving treatment. Even if she wants to leave, she has to wait until the treatment is finished, or at least until she no longer has to worry about her. Only then can she leave the village and continue her aimless wandering life.

······

It was a sunny afternoon.

The location is the clan territory of the Akimichi family.

Have you made up your mind?

Nara Shikaku asked softly.

"My mind is made up."

Bathed in the warm sunlight, Akimichi Torifu spoke with a resounding voice.

We can't delay any longer.

Whether for their own sake or for the sake of the three races of Pig, Deer, and Butterfly, they can no longer delay.

He could no longer see, but his hearing was still working. He could clearly hear the recent changes in the village's political climate. Since he had now put all his work aside, he had plenty of time to listen to the detailed reports from the secret service. Therefore, he deeply understood that it was time!

Nara Shikaku, kneeling on the veranda floor, took a deep breath upon hearing this. He had expected this outcome, but when the moment actually arrived, he couldn't help but feel a little heavy-hearted. This was the succession of the Hokage, and the commotion caused when the Third Hokage was overthrown was still fresh in his mind.

"I think I understand, Lord Hokage. Please give me your instructions on what to do next."

Nara Shikaku lowered his head slightly.

"Go and invite... the Hokage's assistant, the two advisors and elders, and the heads of each department. Oh, and Tsunade should also be invited to witness this. It's a pity Jiraiya has already left. Oh well, these people are enough." Akimichi Torifu was clearly not making this decision on the spur of the moment. He had already thought about what to do and how to do it, and immediately ordered Nara Shikaku and the others to take action.

"Tell them I have something very important to announce, and no matter what they're busy with, they need to come over immediately."

An aged voice echoed through the courtyard, where flowers bloomed and willows swayed.

command,

They flew as if they had sprouted wings to the leaders of Konoha Village.

The Hokage assists Uchiha Sogen, along with two advisors and elders, Hyuga Masayuki and Kōtō Mokume, as well as the heads of various departments including the Anbu, Administration, Medical, Education, and Interrogation Departments. Sogen still serves as the head of the Police Department. In total, there are eight people, and nine if Tsunade is included.

only--

While waiting for everyone to arrive

"Isn't Tsunade coming?"

"Lady Tsunade said that things other than healing are none of her business. She stays in the village only out of a medical ninja's responsibility, nothing more." Nara Shikaku was helpless, but there was nothing he could do. His high intelligence was useless in front of Tsunade, who had already made up her mind. After all, Tsunade was not an enemy and would not use various methods indiscriminately.

"Go tell Tsunade that if she doesn't want her absence to cause more trouble, she'd better come over."