In the Land of Fire, deep within the dense forest where Kei Yamanaka had previously tested Wood Release.
A towering plume of chakra mist erupted upward, and from it emerged Manda—the giant serpent—appearing beneath Orochimaru's feet.
But that wasn't all.
Thousands upon thousands of colorful snakes, visibly deadly venomous, crawled out from the mist as well.
Like a rising tide, they swarmed into the forest in a spine-chilling chorus of hisses and slithers that prickled the scalp.
"I came here sincerely, seeking cooperation from you, Kei-kun. Yet your arrogance is truly disappointing."
[Snake Flow Substitute Technique] activated, Orochimaru shed his body through cellular regeneration, emerging from the mouth of his former self.
With a casual flick of his wrist, he tossed the discarded husk—inscribed with Jiraiya's Flying Thunder God formula—into the swarm of crawling snakes around him.
Letting the venomous serpents tear and devour it, completely destroying the Flying Thunder God mark upon it.
As one of Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi's apprentices, he had long been familiar with many forbidden techniques. After allying with Danzo, he had mastered nearly every forbidden technique Konoha held.
He had been abruptly transported here from the lab.
He immediately recognized this as the Flying Thunder God Technique created by the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju.
Previously, because of Jiraiya's apprentice having learned the Flying Thunder God Technique,
he had studied this technique extensively.
Though hampered by his weak spatial affinity and unable to master it himself, he fully understood its underlying principles and combat applications.
This method of secretly embedding signature markings—
perhaps intimidating to ninja unversed in the technique, but utterly ineffective against him.
"Do you seriously think you deserve to be Hokage?"
Kei Yamanaka looked exasperated, staring up at Orochimaru standing atop Manda's head.
If not for [Zero-Frames Start], which allowed him to instantly react when Orochimaru initiated his attack and transport him here, Experiment Site Seven would've been destroyed!
That cost money—built by Root with a massive investment!
"Within Konoha, besides me, who else is worthy of sitting in that seat, Kei-kun?"
Orochimaru stood with one hand on his hip, looking down at Kei standing on the ground.
His teacher, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had already begun showing signs of decline—in strength, mindset, rigid thinking, ineffective methods, constant hesitation—he was no longer suited to serve as Hokage.
Among the younger generation,
by battle achievements, experience, strength, potential, or prestige...
Shouldn't the Fourth Hokage seat rightfully belong to me?
"What kind of twisted mindset would make me even consider becoming Hokage... I'm asking if you really want that seat?"
Placing one hand on his forehead, Kei ignored the sea of snakes surrounding him, continuing to question Orochimaru.
He had just been seriously negotiating cooperation with the other man.
Offering fair terms and valuable benefits.
Isn't immortality what he wants?
Sufficient financial support, massive manpower assistance, correct research direction, secrets of the Senju and Uchiha clans, the ultimate origin of ninja...
Isn't that sincere enough?!
Yet those were the three conditions he gave?
First, Orochimaru must not perform human experiments until his research yields stable results. Furthermore, the subjects for these experiments must be supplied by Root and must not be abducted.
Second, he must share all research outcomes without withholding anything.
Third, he must step out of the race for the Hokage title, cease all behind-the-scenes manipulation moving forward, and focus entirely on research.
Things were going smoothly at first.
But when the third condition was presented, this bastard actually thought he could push back. With one glare, he immediately decided to stab him in the back.
Doesn't that sound exactly like someone aiming to become Hokage?
But... is this truly Orochimaru's own wish?
Has this guy really thought it through?
"..."
Orochimaru's serpentine pupils narrowed slightly, turning into sharp, narrow vertical eyes.
As for him...
What on earth is he thinking?
If the Hokage title truly meant so much to him, he wouldn't have delved into forbidden human experiments or explored dangerous kinjutsu.
If he truly aimed for that seat as his ultimate goal, he wouldn't have employed highly controversial tactics in multiple wars just to achieve quick victories.
With his intelligence and understanding of humanity, gaining greater prestige and more support would have been extremely simple.
Yet...
In Orochimaru's mind surfaced an image of Hiruzen Sarutobi patting his shoulder, saying he looked forward to Orochimaru's future and promising to always watch over him.
Another image appeared—Danzo standing beside him, promising to help him ascend to the Hokage title.
Nawaki appeared, then Tamaki, followed by countless underlings...
The images flickered slightly...
"Kai!"
Orochimaru brought his hands together sharply.
The illusionary memories before his eyes shattered like broken glass.
Manda's chakra slowly withdrew from within him, while the obnoxious voice rang loudly in his ears.
"Kai! Kai! Kai! Orochimaru, you fool actually fell for a genjutsu! Hahahaha~ I just pulled you out of a big mess this time, so you owe me two hundred sacrifices! At least two hundred!"
"I'll send them later."
Orochimaru replied gloomily, raising his hand to wipe away the cold sweat trickling from his temple caused by mental shock.
Previously, when Kei Yamanaka fought against Gokuraku Castle En, he had only tapped his arm lightly with a finger before directly launching a genjutsu.
Just now...
Was it that hand-to-forehead movement?
Such a deceptive genjutsu technique!
"Have you woken up yet? Did you think things through a little?"
Looking at Orochimaru, who had just come out of the genjutsu, Kei really wanted to unleash some heavy techniques on Manda.
He almost had Orochimaru hooked, didn't he?!
Just a little longer.
Inside the illusion world, with some well-placed psychological nudges, maybe Orochimaru would've abandoned his Hokage aspirations willingly.
But this cursed serpent actually broke free halfway through and ruined everything!
"Do you think my ambition to become Hokage was forced upon me by others, Kei-kun?"
Orochimaru's expression remained outwardly calm, yet one hand stayed firmly on Manda's head, and he refused to meet Kei's eyes directly.
"Expectations, pressure, environment, experience, sunk cost, and a sense of entitlement?
Kei Yamanaka hesitated briefly before answering.
"A reasonable reply. If that's the case, then show me, Kei-kun, the strength that can change my mind. Let me see that turning back now is truly the best choice. Otherwise..."
Orochimaru's face twisted into a sinister grin as his tongue slithered across his lips. He ordered the venomous snakes around him to attack.
He neither cared why Kei refused the title of Hokage, nor was he concerned with preventing it.
But since cooperation wasn't possible, it was time to settle this with fists.
Let the winner decide the fate of the loser!
Root, huh?
How eager he was to fully control its power and carry out his research at full capacity!
"Tsk—Changing the subject for a second, are Tama no Hime, Ichikishima no Hime, and Tatsumi no Hime beautiful?"
"Surely someone as powerful as you wouldn't waste time on looks alone?"
"Just a little. Beautiful things always bring joy to the heart. But honestly, it's just a little obsession of mine—collecting different summoned beasts. And after a fight like this, if I walk away empty-handed, I always feel like I've lost something."
"Hehehe~ If you win, I'll personally take you to Ryuchi Cave. But if not…"
"It's a deal then, Orochimaru-kun!"
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Roaaaaar!
Several hundred-meter-long wooden dragons erupted from beneath the ground, roaring toward the heavens!
A wooden giant, many times larger than Manda, slowly rose from beneath Kei Yamanaka's feet, lifting itself up with both arms like an ancient god rising to hold up the sky, completely blocking the sunlight behind him!
The trees around them, already lush and thriving, suddenly sprang to life, stretching out their branches.
Some ancient trees, unusually massive in size, even bloomed massive, vibrant flower buds as their branches swayed!
Poof!
Without a word, Manda immediately released the summoning jutsu and returned directly to Ryuchi Cave.
Fight?
What fight?!
<><><><><><><><>
Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** this weekend!
<><><><><><><><>
~ 100+ Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!
~ More *Free* Chapters and Books Available on Patreon!
patreon.com/Tansnovel
<><><><><><><><>