Chapter 184 How to See

It was July, everything was dry, and the summer evenings were a little less hot and a little cooler, but still unbearably hot.

There are no people coming and going in the Hokage's office during the day, and ninjas also need to rest. Those who choose to report work at night are either their own people or have urgent matters. There are four chairs in front of the Hokage's exclusive desk. The chairs are simple pear wood chairs, but the people sitting on them are not simple. From left to right: Jiraiya, Orochimaru, Utatane Koharu, Mito Kado En, and Sarutobi Hiruzen, who naturally sits on the main seat.

The five people sat in silence, each with a different expression. Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned, holding a cigarette instead of a pipe, which was rare; Jiraiya was seriously picking his nails, as if it was the most fun thing in the world; Orochimaru leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling with lifeless eyes; Utane Koharu and Mito Kado En sat upright, waiting for Sarutobi Hiruzen to speak.

Small matters are handled by big meetings, and big matters are handled by small meetings. This is the fine tradition of Konohagakure for many years. Originally it was a small meeting of four people, but after the death of Shimura Danzo, it became a meeting of six people. However, the topic tonight was closely related to Baiyunyeshan, so Tsunade chose to avoid it.

By the way, even if Tsunade came, it would be of no use. The one who really makes the decision is still the Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen. She is just a mascot used to decorate the top management.

A cigarette burned out, and Sarutobi Hiruzen casually threw it into an ashtray engraved with a light blue bird, and then lit another one.

Orochimaru heard the sound of a cigarette being lit, and withdrew his gaze and said calmly, "Are you calling us over here to smell your secondhand smoke so late at night? Sarutobi-sensei."

He naturally knew what happened tonight, but thinking of the rare corpse that had just been dissected and not yet completed, Orochimaru couldn't control his temper and spoke first.

Sarutobi Hiruzen paused for a moment, then said helplessly, "I thought Jiraiya would be the first to get impatient, but I didn't expect it to be you."

"You're already smoking your fifth cigarette. If you don't start, I'm afraid I'll be suffocated to death." Orochimaru made a little joke.

"cough cough"

"I called you here so late at night because of something important. As a ninja, you must be patient."

Orochimaru crossed his arms, feeling a little uncomfortable with the chair without a table in front of him. "If you want to teach the ninja code, I think the training ground is more suitable. Just say it. I'm in a hurry."

He was indeed in a hurry. In his opinion, even if Konoha Village was attacked by an enemy country, it was not as important as dissecting a fresh test body. After all, once the corpse became stiff, many indicators would no longer be rigorous and detailed.

Sarutobi Hiruzen irritably put out his cigarette in the ashtray, his voice becoming more emotional: "A few hours ago, I received a battle report from Kikyo Castle."

Several people straightened their expressions, waiting for the absurd news to be spoken by the most authoritative person.

"The battle report only contains one content: Konoha's Jonin Bai Kumo Yeshan fought against the Sand Village Army this afternoon and killed countless enemies, causing the enemy to retreat dozens of miles."

The fewer the words, the bigger the matter. The information revealed in just a dozen words is enough to detonate the entire ninja world.

However, Orochimaru's focus was somewhat skewed: "It was yesterday afternoon."

"What?" Sarutobi Hiruzen, who was trying to figure out his words, was stunned.

"This incident happened yesterday afternoon. It's already past one in the morning, Sarutobi-sensei. Ninjas should be rigorous. This is what you taught me."

"..."

At this time, Sarutobi Hiruzen began to miss the well-behaved and obedient Orochimaru when he was a child, when his words still had a certain authority.

"It doesn't matter when this happened. What matters is what you think about it."

Seeing that everyone was silent, Sarutobi Hiruzen simply called out their names: "Orochimaru, you go first."

Orochimaru looked at the three people beside him with a half-smile, and then said slowly: "What can I see? The bugs that could be easily crushed to death in the past have inadvertently become a huge threat. Apart from anything else, do you regret it, Sarutobi-sensei?"

Jiraiya glanced thoughtfully at his childhood friend, realizing that he was harboring resentment.

"He used rumors to force his right-hand man, Hatake Sakumo, to death, and gave up on pursuing the victory when he had a huge advantage in the war. What do you think?"

As soon as these words came out, Sarutobi Hiruzen's already gloomy expression suddenly turned cold: "Are you questioning me as the Hokage?"

"I dare not, I dare not, I am just telling the truth. After all, you and the Root of Konoha are the ones chosen by the Second Generation."

The simple words were the most vicious, directly tearing off the fig leaf of the top leaders of the Konoha Village.

As we all know, the Second Hokage died outside Konoha Village, with only a team of young ninjas around him. The few who survived claimed that they were designated by Senju Tobirama and became the new generation of leadership in the village. Sarutobi Hiruzen became the Third Hokage, and the others were also appointed, firmly controlling the military and political power and starting a difficult rule.

Logically speaking, as a vested interest, Orochimaru should not question Sarutobi Hiruzen's core ruling position, but after experiencing so many ups and downs, he has changed, or to be more precise, his heart has completely changed.

In the First Ninja World War, Konoha Village fought one against four and won a complete victory, showing what strength is. In the Second Ninja World War, Konoha Village fought one against three. The second strongest village, the Hidden Cloud Village, did not declare war directly, but fought for decades, losing many soldiers and generals, and did not gain any actual benefits, which fully demonstrated what it means to be in decline.

This was indeed due to the adverse effects brought about by the deaths of Hashirama Senju, Madara Uchiha, and Tobirama Senju, but Orochimaru believed that the intrigues within the village were more important.

The Senju clan was expelled, the Uchiha clan became a toothless tiger, and none of the remaining families in the Konoha Village were worth anything. They finally produced a top master, Hatake Sakumo, but what's funny is that he committed suicide.

As the saying goes, one incompetent general can bring death to the entire army. Sarutobi Hiruzen must definitely take the blame. If it weren't for him, many people wouldn't have died. Of course, Orochimaru is resentful.

"You and Shimura Danzo can make decisions about anything in the village. There's no need to be secretive and call us in to discuss it. I think Advisors Koharu and Kado Yan have the same idea."

Utane Koharu and Mitomon En lived in Bengbu. Although Orochimaru told the truth, he knew it but didn't say it out loud. They were all well-known figures and they saw each other every day, so they should be polite to each other.

"You ask me how I watch it? It's very simple. I just sit and watch it."

Sarutobi Hiruzen clenched his right fist, his whole body trembling slightly with anger: "Orochimaru, if you are here to question me tonight, you can leave now!"

"No matter how great my status as Hokage is, it is not your turn to say anything. If you want to criticize me, wait until you become the Fourth Hokage!"

Orochimaru shrugged, slowly forming a body-flickering seal with his hands, and before leaving, he did not forget to disgust himself: "I haven't said anything yet and you're getting anxious. It's true that those in higher positions don't listen to advice, and honest words are unpleasant to the ears."

When the last seal was completed, Orochimaru glanced around the room and said, "Take your time to look around. I'll go ahead."

As soon as he finished speaking, a cloud of smoke exploded and Orochimaru disappeared instantly, leaving the four of them looking at each other in bewilderment.