Uchiha Jin did not offer much explanation to the bewildered Orochimaru.
And, regarding this.
After pondering for a moment, Orochimaru directly nodded.
"Fine, I'll join!"
"However, if that's the case, the trouble from the Akatsuki Organization's side will be left to Hokage-sama to solve."
At this moment, Orochimaru's eyes flickered back and forth.
On one hand.
Because Uchiha Jin was opening up research fields, it was indeed much better than his previous solo efforts.
But, more than that.
He still wanted to take the opportunity to test the waters and see how this new Hokage-sama would handle the Akatsuki Organization.
As for Uchiha Jin obtaining his research after joining New Konoha?
Heh.
He didn't care!
As long as it didn't affect his pursuit of eternal life, everything else was irrelevant to him.
"Good, welcome to the fold!"
"Don't worry about the Akatsuki Organization. If they truly dare to act presumptuously in Konoha, I will naturally deal with them when the time comes."
"By the way!"
"Since you've chosen to join my New Konoha, there's no need for Otogakure to exist. Move your personnel and laboratory back as quickly as possible."
Uchiha Jin spoke with a smile.
He wasn't worried about the so-called Akatsuki Organization. After all, Nagato wasn't ready yet; he wouldn't easily step onto the front stage to become an enemy of a Great Ninja Village like Konoha.
And besides.
Even if he really did come attacking, so what?
One must realize that the Konoha under his current rule was not the broken Village from the original work that had been ravaged by Hiruzen Sarutobi and then inherited by Tsunade.
Uchiha Jin's current Village, while not exactly overflowing with top-tier experts, was certainly not afraid of the Akatsuki Organization.
In the Uchiha alone, there was himself, an Eternal Mangekyō expert, plus two Mangekyo Experts in Fugaku and Shisui. Itachi had actually already reached the limit of the Three-Tomoe and could awaken the Mangekyo at any time.
It was just that Uchiha Jin had suppressed Itachi's progress!
Because his physical constitution was too poor, he certainly wouldn't be able to withstand the drain of the Mangekyo. If he were forced to awaken it now, he would surely become the weakling seen in the original work.
Though he seemed incredibly powerful, he was actually at the end of his rope, merely holding on while waiting for Sasuke to grow up.
Why?
He was too young!
Although his Uchiha bloodline concentration was good, in the original work, his Mangekyo was awakened because Shisui's death forced him into that state.
Now, however, things were different!
The current Uchiha were exceptionally powerful, and due to Uchiha Jin's rise, relations with the Village had completely eased. Therefore, there was no need to let Itachi grow prematurely like a seedling being pulled up.
So.
His advice to Itachi was to temporarily set aside the Sharingan and follow Might Guy to train in Taijutsu and strengthen his physique.
Then, once the research on Hashirama cells was on the right track, he would awaken the Mangekyo after receiving a transplant. Naturally, he wouldn't encounter the situation from the original work.
Under these circumstances... even if the Akatsuki Organization attacked, Uchiha Jin wouldn't fear them in the slightest.
"Is that so? I understand."
"I will have my personnel return to Konoha as quickly as possible!"
Orochimaru's gaze was profound.
He truly hadn't expected Uchiha Jin to be so well-informed.
Not only did he know information about the Akatsuki Organization, but he had even seen through his own side, knowing even about the matters in Otogakure.
"Good!"
"Let's return to the Village."
Uchiha Jin naturally saw Orochimaru's deep gaze, but he didn't say anything about it. He just gave a faint smile and led the way toward New Konoha.
Seeing this, the others naturally followed closely... Time slowly passed.
Three days later.
The western wasteland where the Sarutobi and the other three clans were temporarily detained had now been transformed into a massive temporary prison.
Tall wooden walls stood all around, and the perimeter was monitored by countless Anbu. Aside from delivering a fixed batch of food every day, they were basically ignored at this stage.
Through the intense work of Tsunade and Shikaku over the past few days, a rough consensus had been reached with the various major Ninja Clans regarding the distribution of the 'beasts of burden' from the Sarutobi and the other three clans.
Today was the day of the formal trial, and the location was the massive plaza in front of the Hokage Building.
A temporary Rostrum had been constructed on the plaza.
The five-person team of Uchiha Jin, Fugaku, Tsunade, Shikaku, and Kakashi sat behind the tables on the Rostrum. The patriarchs, elders, and elites of the major Ninja Clans were positioned to the right of the Rostrum, while the heads of Konoha's various departments and other leaders were on the left.
Directly opposite the Rostrum were the countless Civilians of New Konoha.
And in the center were the four restrained individuals, including Sarutobi!
However.
The three-person team of former Konoha High Command, including Hiruzen Sarutobi, now had faces that were pale and filled with a hint of terror.
Clearly.
They never expected that Uchiha Jin would go as far as to crush their spirits by holding such a Public Trial!
"Evil Uchiha, how dare you!"
"We were former Konoha High Command after all. Even if we did make mistakes, you cannot use such a humiliating method!"
"Damn it, what do you take the Hokage to be?"
"Even if you execute us in secret, you cannot trample the title of 'Hokage' underfoot. Do you not even understand such basic things?"
Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado were currently shouting curses.
Yes!
At this moment, the two could not believe that Uchiha Jin would dare to do things this way.
Especially—Hiruzen Sarutobi!
Even though he wasn't shouting curses, his eyes were sullen, his face was ashen, and his whole body trembled with rage. He was clenching his teeth so hard they were about to shatter.
He hated this!
If he had known Uchiha Jin would hold a Public Trial, he would have committed suicide when he surrendered three days ago.
As the Sandaime Hokage, he could not accept this kind of humiliation!
But—why?
Hiruzen Sarutobi truly couldn't understand. After all, Uchiha Jin was now the Hokage; didn't he know how much impact a Public Trial would have?
Any normal Kage would downplay this matter and at least give him a dignified end.
They could kill him, but they couldn't let the title of 'Kage' be humiliated!
This was also why he was willing to surrender three days ago. Considering his clashes with Uchiha Jin over the years, he knew Uchiha Jin was a powerful ruler with sharp methods, so he naturally assumed Uchiha Jin would understand these unspoken rules.
Just like himself back then; although he had caused the downfall of the Senju Clan, he still chose not to destroy the Senju Clan's reputation. He even kept a person like Tsunade on a pedestal.
But, damn it!
He didn't expect Uchiha Jin to be so unscrupulous as to directly subject him to a Public Trial!
However, it was a pity.
Even if he regretted it now, it was already too late.
With his Chakra completely sealed, he couldn't even commit suicide now!