Hokage Armband

Land of Fire, Konoha.

Two days earlier, news had reached the village that the Third Hokage had led the Konoha Ninja to a resounding victory!

This battle marked the end of the Second Ninja War, with Konoha emerging as one of the victors.

In just two days, the village had taken on an entirely new look. The villagers had cleaned every corner spotless, while the main road prepared to welcome the returning ninja was decorated with lanterns and banners.

After receiving word that the ninja would return today, the villagers braved the biting winter wind. By early morning, many had already gathered at the Main Gate to welcome the Third Hokage and the others.

After arranging matters such as order at the scene, the advisers joined Tsunade and Biwako Sarutobi at the gate to await their arrival.

"They’re here!" said a Hyuga ninja with his Byakugan activated.

The Byakugan could see scenes over a kilometer away, which was a short distance by a ninja’s standards.

Before long, Hiruzen Sarutobi came into view.

At his side were two great generals, Orochimaru and Hatake Sakumo, followed by the returning Konoha Ninja.

"Ohhh!"

The crowd erupted in cheers.

"Look! That’s Lord White Fang! They say Sunagakure ninja would abandon their missions and flee the moment they saw him!"

"Lord Orochimaru is the truly incredible one! They say he rendered tremendous service in this war, and I heard the Third Hokage wants to choose him as the Fourth Hokage!"

"Where did you hear that? Didn’t they say Lord Sakumo was going to be chosen?"

"Why did I hear it was Lady Tsunade?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi was unusually not smoking today. Smiling, he nodded to Utatane Koharu and the others, then pointed at Orochimaru to signal the handover before walking toward Biwako.

Hiruzen Sarutobi lifted Asuma from Biwako’s arms. Beside Biwako stood his eldest son and daughter-in-law, both of whom served in the Anbu.

Ignoring Asuma’s disgusted look, Hiruzen Sarutobi planted a kiss on him with his bearded face.

Asuma was three years old this year, one year older than White Fang’s son, Kakashi.

Sakumo also eagerly took his son from his wife and placed Kakashi on his shoulders.

Tsunade led a little girl toward Orochimaru, who had just finished his handover with Mitokado Homura. She looked around and asked, "Where’s Jiraiya? Did he run off early to peep at the bathhouse?"

That was indeed the sort of thing Jiraiya would do.

"Do you remember that prophecy? It seems to have bound his future," Orochimaru responded.

Tsunade rested her chin on her hand and thought for a while before remembering.

"That so-called savior? Even Grandpa, with all his power, couldn’t achieve true peace. Could that savior possibly be stronger than Grandpa?"

Tsunade shook her head.

Orochimaru nodded in agreement and continued, "Pure strength alone cannot bring lasting peace. That was why, after the First Hokage ended the Warring States Period, he sought to address the issue through systems and established the one-country, one-village system. But it failed, and instead expanded the scale of war. As long as conflicts of interest reach an irreconcilable point, war is inevitable."

"But at least the war is over. There should be a fairly long period of peace now, right?"

Tsunade spoke as she watched the smiles on the faces of ninja reunited with their families. Those smiles had been bought with the sacrifices of countless ninja, including Dan.

Orochimaru did not reply. Although the final outcome of the Second Ninja War was the same as in the original timeline, it had ended early.

Without sufficient intelligence and time to sort it all out, Orochimaru could not determine whether the Ninja Wars would still erupt again just a few years after the end of the Second Ninja War, as they had originally.

"Did you get any results on the matter I asked you about?"

Nothing unusual showed on Tsunade’s face.

"There are too many eyes and ears here. We’ll talk later," Orochimaru responded. Tsunade knew that the person behind it might have spies here.

By then, Hiruzen Sarutobi had finished being affectionate with his family and walked onto a temporary raised platform. The crowd gradually fell silent.

"Wherever leaves dance, fire burns on without end. Its light will continue to illuminate the village and allow new leaves to sprout…"

The Third Hokage had begun another long-winded speech. Tsunade instinctively grew sleepy the moment she heard it, her head already bobbing like a pecking chick. Orochimaru’s eyes gradually turned dull and lifeless as his mind drifted elsewhere…

"Five years. The Second Ninja War lasted a full five years! Villagers, do you know how I spent those five years…"

A string of Zs seemed to float over Tsunade’s head. However, while absentmindedly observing the surroundings, Orochimaru noticed the light of ideals shining in Sakumo’s eyes…

Looking again, quite a few people, including several advisers, had been brainwashed by the Will of Fire. But how many of them were merely acting was anyone’s guess.

"To commend the outstanding contributions made during this war, the benefits of all ninja sent to the Land of Rain battlefield will be increased! Compensation for ninja who died in battle will be paid at double the usual amount!"

Cheers rang out below.

"Furthermore, I wish to specially commend two people who rendered tremendous service in this Ninja War. Both are the village’s finest young ninja! The village has worthy successors, and that brings me great comfort."

Mito Uzumaki poked Orochimaru in the back as a reminder, indicating that it was almost his turn.

"Hatake Sakumo, Orochimaru, step forward!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi called out to them.

Orochimaru and Sakumo stepped onto the temporary platform together. There, Hiruzen Sarutobi lifted a corner of his Hokage Robe, activated the Wind Chakra in his hand, and cut out two red-and-white bands.

"I will personally tie these Hokage Armbands onto you. I hope you will continue to uphold the First Hokage’s Will of Fire and protect Konoha!"

Sakumo and Orochimaru each extended an arm, allowing Hiruzen Sarutobi to tie an armband around it.

"Bearing the name White Fang and the Hokage Armband, I will protect Konoha with my life!"

Hatake Sakumo’s firm, powerful voice rang out.

Since Hatake Sakumo had spoken, he had to say something too.

This time, the Third Hokage was clearly hinting to the outside world that the two of them were candidates for Fourth Hokage. As for how much of that was simply an attempt to win people over, no one knew.

"I’ll say it again: I will make Konoha great again!"

Unable to think of anything else, Orochimaru reused the words from the last departure rally and shouted while making an accordion-playing gesture.

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded in satisfaction and announced the end of the ceremony.

Seeing the fighting spirit in Hatake Sakumo’s eyes, it was obvious that Sakumo had already regarded him as an opponent. Orochimaru felt somewhat helpless.

Still, both Sakumo’s and his own prestige within the village had greatly increased this time. More ninja would inevitably gravitate toward them. If handled properly, they might even attract investment from the ninja clans. A researcher like Orochimaru was never not short on money.

Though those ninja clans would more likely hedge their bets on both sides.

That evening, at the Konoha Izakaya. It was the same place as last time, except Jiraiya was absent this time.

"Sorry, I’m late. There were a lot of things to deal with."

Orochimaru had arranged to meet Tsunade in the afternoon, but after the morning’s commendation ceremony, many people had crowded around him. Some were former classmates, while others were ninja seeking to pledge themselves to him. He had been unable to get away for a while.

Looking at the table full of liquor bottles, Orochimaru felt a little apologetic.

"It’s fine. I understand. Quite a few people are trying to get close to you now."

As the First Hokage’s granddaughter, Tsunade was known as Konoha’s Slug Princess. She had never lacked opportunists around her growing up, so she could understand Orochimaru’s current situation.

"Is Dan’s matter troublesome?"

"The one who leaked the intelligence was either an Anbu officer responsible for intelligence or someone among the village’s higher-ups. The Anbu are too secretive, and Sensei would not let anyone interfere. If it was one of the higher-ups, that would be even more troublesome. Even Sensei, as Hokage, would have to consider the consequences in that case."

Orochimaru had already guessed who it was, but he had no evidence.

Besides, even if he did have evidence, compared to a disciple, Hiruzen Sarutobi would likely side with his old friend. In the end, the matter could only be left unresolved.

"I see…"

Tsunade furrowed her beautiful brows and downed another bottle of alcohol.

"This cannot be rushed. If it truly was the work of the higher-ups, bringing down one of the village’s leaders would probably have to be measured in years."

Orochimaru noticed that many people were watching them. Two of the Three Ninja were already eye-catching enough, not to mention that he had made quite a spectacle of himself that morning.

"Is there anything I can help you with?"

Tsunade hoped to speed things along, so she planned to offer Orochimaru some help.

Orochimaru was delighted. Although Tsunade had gambled away every bit of money she earned from missions, as the most direct descendant of the Senju Clan, she had certainly inherited a great deal of the First and Second Hokage’s legacy. That legacy was more than just money. It included many things that money could not measure, such as connections, ninjutsu, intelligence, knowledge, and more.

"I need the Senju Clan’s connections to help me gather intelligence."

"Fine!"

"I need to learn your Medical Ninjutsu to raise my standing in the village."

Orochimaru had taught himself Medical Ninjutsu for a time to conduct biological research. His skill was not low, but it was far inferior to Tsunade’s. Tsunade agreed without hesitation.

"Lastly, I need a batch of equipment…"

"Bastard, Orochimaru! What do those pieces of equipment have to do with the matter you want me to help with?"

Orochimaru smiled awkwardly. His requests were becoming increasingly excessive; he seemed to be pushing his luck.

"I’ll give them to you, Orochimaru!"

Tsunade suddenly said.

"Hm?"

Seeing the look in Tsunade’s eyes, Orochimaru understood. She wanted him to give the matter everything he had, and the price was this batch of expensive experimental equipment.