Because the matters to be discussed were of great importance, Hiashi brought Uchiha Ran to the conference room.
The room was empty and silent, gaining a hint of life only after Ran and the others entered.
Uchiha Ran spoke first. "Clan Head Hiashi, do you think that because the Uchiha Clan once bore the stain of treason, I—an Uchiha—am unqualified to become Hokage?"
He lifted his teacup, blew lightly across the surface, and waited.
Hiashi frowned. "Who said such a thing? That's nothing but a vicious attempt to attack you based on your background."
"You haven't answered the question yet," Ran said calmly as he took a sip of tea, clearly enjoying it. "Am I qualified to be Hokage?"
Hiashi answered without hesitation. "Ran, you're absolutely qualified. I support you. If you don't take the position of Hokage, then who will?"
Ran let out a quiet laugh. "What about Jiraiya?"
The moment that name was spoken, Hiashi's expression changed. "Are you saying the Third Hokage plans to have Jiraiya succeed him as the Fifth Hokage?"
Ran nodded. "Frankly speaking, Jiraiya isn't much different from Minato. If I were Hiruzen Sarutobi, I'd choose Jiraiya as well."
"Because that way, I could retire while still pulling the strings from behind the scenes."
When he heard that the Third Hokage still intended to cling to power, Hiashi's anger flared.
Old man, I gave you respect and you refused it. Do you really think the ninja clans of Konoha are made of clay?
He slammed his hand on the table. "Impossible! Absolutely impossible! If Jiraiya is the candidate for Fifth Hokage, I will never agree!"
Ran smiled faintly and nodded. "Calm down."
"Calm down?" Hiashi stiffened, his face flushing red.
Neji remained completely silent. As a mere genin, he wouldn't dare involve himself in a dispute over control of the village.
Hinata looked at Ran with worry written all over her face, afraid he might clash with her father. If they really started fighting… who was she supposed to help?
"This hasn't been decided yet," Ran continued evenly. "And besides, does Hiruzen Sarutobi really take the other ninja clans for fools?"
"During the Fourth Hokage's tenure, the way affairs were handled still followed the Third Hokage's style. This has already happened once—does he want it to happen again?" Ran sneered.
Hiashi's eyes lit up. "Then, Ran… you already have a solution?"
Ran nodded. "Minato. The key to this matter lies with him. Don't forget—his teacher is Jiraiya."
"You mean…" Hiashi frowned slightly.
---
Izakaya
Jiraiya sat inside an izakaya, holding a Konoha newspaper in one hand while drinking sake and eating grilled skewers.
"Back then, I thought the old man's mistakes were limited to things like ceding land and paying reparations," he muttered. "Now it seems those were the least of his problems."
Gulp, gulp, gulp.
He downed an entire bottle of sake and laughed loudly. "Ah—refreshing!"
Suddenly, a pale figure appeared beside him, a hoarse voice sounding out. "Jiraiya, do you still intend to help the old man?"
Jiraiya's pupils shrank. He turned his head and saw Orochimaru raising a cup toward him.
"Orochimaru!" Jiraiya's eyes reddened. "Why won't you come back? Do you have any idea how long I've been looking for you?" He drank another pot of wine and let out a drunken hiccup.
Orochimaru sighed. "Do you really think a village like this deserves to exist? The Hokage attacking his own people, conducting human experiments, abducting people in secret…"
"And after the experiments were finished, he wanted to silence everyone involved." His voice turned cold. "I'm completely disappointed in Konoha. Still… an interesting little guy has appeared recently."
Orochimaru picked up the newspaper and glanced at the editor's name printed at the bottom.
Uchiha Ran.
The paper recorded everything Hiruzen Sarutobi had done over the years. It also included photos of Ran severely injuring Chiyo, capturing the Eight-Tails' jinchūriki, and cutting through a Tailed Beast Ball with a single blade.
"Orochimaru…" Jiraiya's expression tightened. "Are you saying you were forced out of the village because our teacher set you up?"
"Hm. With your brain, getting this far is already impressive," Orochimaru replied calmly. "It wasn't the old man personally—he simply gave tacit approval for Danzo to act."
"He needed an obedient puppet, not a Hokage with his own will. He actually chose you at first."
"But because you went looking for me and rarely returned to the village, he had no choice but to settle for your disciple—Minato."
Orochimaru drank a cup of wine and closed his eyes, savoring it.
An izakaya really was different. This was far better than the wine where he had built his base.
Jiraiya's mind felt muddled. He hadn't expected the old man to be so calculating.
Seeing his expression, Orochimaru patted his shoulder. "How about we make a bet?"
"A bet?" Jiraiya froze.
Memories surfaced—back when they were kids, they often bet on things. And Orochimaru always won.
"Let's bet on whether Hiruzen Sarutobi sends someone to find you today," Orochimaru said softly, "and asks you to return as the Fifth Hokage."
"If he doesn't, I'll go back to the village with you and stand trial. How about it?" A faint smile curved his lips.
"Fine! I agree—" Jiraiya began.
Orochimaru placed a slender finger against his lips. "Not so fast. If he does come for you, you must promise to return and play along with his act."
Jiraiya hesitated, then clenched his teeth. If Orochimaru was really willing to return to Konoha, he couldn't let this chance slip away.
Orochimaru chuckled. "Someone's coming. I'll take my leave."
With that, his body transformed into a small snake that coiled around Jiraiya's wrist.
Jiraiya stared at it for a moment but said nothing.
Suddenly, an arrogant voice echoed from the entrance of the izakaya.
"Konoha Village is conducting official business! All bystanders, leave immediately!"
The customers fled in panic the moment they heard it was Konoha. No one dared linger—being too slow could mean death.
The izakaya owner burst into tears. "You haven't paid yet! Don't run! Damn it—are people from Konoha always this overbearing?!"
The ninja frowned and moved to silence him.
Before he could act, Jiraiya flashed forward and struck with a palm.
Bang.
The Konoha ninja was sent flying.
------
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