"Rewrite the history of the ninja world? Lord Kazekage, what exactly is your objective, to the point of turning against Konoha…?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's aged face grew solemn.
"Has old age dulled your mind? Or have you sat in the Hokage's seat so long that you can't even recognize me anymore, Teacher Sarutobi?"
Orochimaru no longer concealed himself, his voice low and hoarse.
Hearing this, the Third Hokage's pupils contracted. "Orochimaru!"
"I never expected it to be you. What is your intention in doing this? I know you're not a man who acts out of personal hatred alone…"
Orochimaru revealed his true face.
"My purpose, hm…"
"I get terribly bored seeing things that never change. Teacher Sarutobi—die!"
The kunai pressed against the Third Hokage's throat slashed down viciously.
Pfft!
Blood splattered across Orochimaru's cheek.
The Third Hokage fell with disbelief written all over his face—only to gradually dissolve into a pile of mud.
"An Earth Release clone, huh?" Orochimaru licked his lips.
"Orochimaru, it seems you truly came prepared to kill your teacher."
The Third Hokage's figure reappeared ahead.
"You old fossil, have you chosen the next Hokage yet? … Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"
"Ninja Art—Tile Shuriken!"
...
On the rooftop of a distant tall building—
Akihito watched with great interest as master and disciple tried to kill each other within the Four Violet Flames Formation.
He had no intention of intervening.
Once upon a time, Orochimaru had also aspired to become Hokage.
Back during the selection for the Fourth Hokage, given Orochimaru's strength, reputation, achievements—and with the Third Hokage as his backing—
It wasn't impossible for him to become the Fourth Hokage.
Yet his most trusted teacher had not chosen him, but Namikaze Minato instead.
After that incident, Orochimaru and the Third Hokage gradually drifted apart…
Until the bond between master and disciple was utterly severed.
Now, as they fought, every move was lethal—no mercy, no restraint, each strike aimed to kill.
"Akihito, found you."
Tsunade's voice came from behind.
Akihito withdrew his gaze. "Finished over there?"
Tsunade nodded.
The enemies she had faced were merely small fry. For someone of Kage-level strength like her, there had been no challenge whatsoever.
"This sudden ambush by Sunagakure in alliance with Orochimaru—what exactly are they after? What's their goal?"
Standing beside Akihito, Tsunade frowned.
She truly couldn't understand it.
Akihito let out a scoff.
"You're mistaken. This is entirely Orochimaru's doing. As for Sunagakure…
Heh. Those rabble are probably still in the dark."
Tsunade turned, staring at him in surprise. "You knew?"
"More or less. The Fourth Kazekage died months ago—Orochimaru killed him. And…
A few days ago, Orochimaru came to see me. He said he planned to eliminate the Third Hokage."
Tsunade's eyes narrowed. "So he came to ask you not to interfere?"
Akihito nodded.
"And how did you respond?"
She sounded indifferent, but Akihito caught the faint irregularity in her breathing.
Seeing this, he looked at her with a teasing expression and asked in return:
"What would you like me to do?"
Tsunade's pretty face stiffened slightly. "What does that have to do with me?"
"My business… isn't it your business too?" Akihito couldn't help but smile.
Tsunade: …
Knowing when to stop, Akihito didn't tease her further and shifted his gaze back to the Four Violet Flames Formation.
Inside, Orochimaru and the Third Hokage had reached a fever pitch.
"I told Orochimaru: I have no interest in interfering in the grudge between him and the Third Hokage. But I also warned him—under no circumstances is he to lay a finger on the Uchiha clan."
Hearing that answer, the tension coiled in Tsunade's heart finally eased.
Though she now stood on Akihito's side—
It was undeniable that the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, was still her teacher.
To outsiders, Princess Tsunade remained the Third Hokage's disciple.
That fact could not be erased.
"One day a teacher, a lifetime a father" might be an exaggeration.
But the bond between master and student could not be denied.
Since her return, after everything that had happened—
Her relationship with the Third Hokage could be described as strained.
If Akihito had truly joined forces with Orochimaru to eliminate Sarutobi Hiruzen, she wouldn't have said anything.
Yet deep down, a small knot would have remained in her heart…
"You damn Uchiha Akihito, how dare you toy with me. Looking for a beating?!"
Snapping back to her senses, Tsunade threw a punch with her fair, delicate-looking fist—one that concealed terrifying destructive power.
Akihito caught it with one hand.
What a joke—if he really took a full-force punch from this reckless woman, who knew what would happen?
Even though his strength had already reached the peak of the demi-god realm, taking it head-on would still hurt.
This woman was truly headstrong at times. When she said she'd hit you, she meant it.
To his surprise, however, this punch carried no real force.
Yet her small hand remained tightly held in his grasp.
After a futile attempt to pull free, Tsunade gave up.
A faint blush crept across her pale cheek.
Inside the Four Violet Flames Formation, Orochimaru's condition didn't look good. He appeared to be suppressed by the Third Hokage.
"Do you think Orochimaru will succeed?" Tsunade asked, watching the battle.
"Most likely."
"You're that confident in him?"
Akihito shook his head. "It's not confidence. It's that the Third Hokage is already old."
That was simply the truth.
Each generation produces its own heroes; the new replaces the old.
If it were the Third Hokage in his prime, there would be no question—Orochimaru wouldn't stand a chance.
"After this battle, the village will undergo a reshuffling. Tsunade, I want you to become the Fifth Hokage.
As for the position of ANBU Commander, I have someone in mind…"
Watching the display of twisted "filial piety" between teacher and student, Akihito spoke calmly.
"Konoha may look prosperous on the surface—lush branches, flourishing leaves—but in truth…
The roots beneath have long since rotted.
Only by cutting away the decay and grafting in new roots can the problem be solved at its core and new vitality restored."
Tsunade fell silent.
After this chaotic farce ended, whether the Third Hokage survived or not, he would no longer be able to remain in office.
To be ambushed by Sunagakure within the village itself, caught completely unprepared—
That alone was a grave failure.
As Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen could not escape responsibility.
Even if he survived by chance, under the pressure of public opinion…
The best solution would be to step down and appoint a new Hokage.
"Perhaps… for Teacher, sacrifice would not be an undignified way to die…"
Tsunade thought to herself, and forced herself not to dwell on it any further.
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