Chapter 104: A Gathering with Orochimaru
After noticing the aura of Orochimaru on the letter, Yue Yan also then took it over and opened it. Sure enough, it was written in Orochimaru's handwriting.
The general idea of this letter was that after the decisive battle with the Mist Ninjas some time ago, the Mist Ninjas announced a truce. In a short while, Orochimaru would be able to return to Konoha. Then, it said that without Yue Yan's help, the progress of his experiments had dropped significantly. On the battlefield, Orochimaru had also discovered several very interesting research topics. He wanted to have a gathering with Yue Yan in a couple of days to have a good chat.
Although Orochimaru's personality was quite calm, Yue Yan could still tell his excitement from this letter. Considering the news that the Third Mizukage had died in battle which spread from Konoha some time ago, Yue Yan could probably guess that Orochimaru was mostly behind this.
This could explain why Orochimaru was so excited. Having taken the lives of the Third Mizukage, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, and over a thousand ninjas of the Kaguya Clan and obtained the seven ninja swords, Orochimaru had made outstanding contributions in this war. In everyone's eyes, it's a certainty that Orochimaru will become the Fourth Hokage.
However, Yue Yan knew that at this time, the Third Hokage (Hiruzen Sarutobi) might want to give Orochimaru a warning. Given Orochimaru's arrogance, without the Third Hokage's clarification, Orochimaru might misunderstand the Third Hokage's intentions and then Tanzō would take advantage of the situation.
"Let Orochimaru be more careful then."
Yue Yan sighed. After getting along with Orochimaru for some time, he found that Orochimaru was not an ordinary pervert, but a pervert with pursuits. Rather than being schemed against by Tanzō to prevent him from becoming the Hokage, at least Yue Yan could try to stop it and give him some leeway.
After all, in the ninja world, in terms of technology, if Orochimaru was ranked second, no one had the right to be ranked first, not even Tobirama Senju, the master of forbidden jutsu.
The former had a fanatical pursuit of science, while the latter was only fixated on forbidden jutsu.
After Orochimaru returned to the village and handed over his command, he found a restaurant to have a gathering with Yue Yan.
Since Jiraiya was sent to the battlefield against the Cloud Ninjas and Tsunade was not around, this gathering was only between Yue Yan and Orochimaru.
In order to facilitate the exchange of experiment contents, Orochimaru chose a private room and set up a soundproof barrier.
"How've you been lately, Yue Yan-kun?"
"Just okay, I guess." Yue Yan shrugged. "On the contrary, Lord Orochimaru, you seem very happy."
"Maybe." Orochimaru smiled and started talking about his previous experiments.
Yue Yan listened while eating and occasionally interjected.
After finishing his talk, Orochimaru drank some shochu with an unsatisfied look.
"It's a pity that you weren't there, Yue Yan-kun. Otherwise, my progress could have been even faster. Apart from acting as assistants, other people are really of no use to science."
Hearing this, a white - haired boy wearing glasses suddenly came to Yue Yan's mind. At this time, Kabuto should still be just a little kid in the orphanage. Maybe he could introduce him to Orochimaru.
After chatting for a bit, seeing Orochimaru looking happy, Yue Yan thought for a long time and finally chose a way to make Tanzō uncomfortable and decided to remind Orochimaru.
Although Yue Yan had little interaction with Tanzō and had only met him a few times, it must be right to get rid of this old rascal.
After organizing his words, Yue Yan looked at Orochimaru.
"Lord Orochimaru, you and I both know that after the Third Ninja World War, it's time for the election of the Fourth Hokage. Then who do you think is the best candidate for the Fourth Hokage?"
Hearing this, Orochimaru's mouth twitched slightly.
"If you have an idea, Yue Yan-kun, why are you asking me?"
"Maybe the candidate in my mind is not the same as yours, Lord Orochimaru."
Seeing that Yue Yan wasn't joking, Orochimaru frowned too.
"Yue Yan-kun, I've set up a soundproof barrier here. You can just say what you want."
"Since you've said so, Lord Orochimaru, I'll just share my thoughts."
Yue Yan took a deep breath and said, "Although you've made outstanding achievements in the war, Lord Orochimaru, and you're very popular among the civilians, it's only superficial."
With Orochimaru's clever mind, he immediately realized something and couldn't help narrowing his yellow snake-like eyes.
"Lord Orochimaru, you're the disciple of the Third kage. It seems reasonable for the Third kage to hand over his position to you, and you're very capable. But don't forget, besides Hiruzen Sarutobi, there are three other high - ups in Konoha."
Yue Yan took a sip of the juice in his cup and looked at Orochimaru, whose expression had turned a bit ugly.
"Let's not talk about the other two for now. There's someone who is rather shady but has always wanted to become the Hokage. He definitely won't allow you to become the Fourth Hokage. And the other two high - ups also won't want to give up their power. The best result for them is to choose a young Hokage so that they can hold onto power longer. By the time the young Fourth Hokage grows up, they'll be old enough not to mind giving up power."
After hearing this, Orochimaru didn't respond for a long time. He closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths as Yue Yan's words echoed in his mind.
Orochimaru hadn't thought about it before, but when he thought of his teacher's weak - willed appearance and the faces of the other three high - ups, he knew that what Yue Yan said was very likely to happen.
"Then what do you think the high - ups will do, Yue Yan-kun?"
"Tanzō."
Yue Yan didn't answer directly. Just by saying a name, Orochimaru guessed it.
"Heheh, it really sounds like something Tanzō would do. And considering Teacher Sarutobi's indulgent attitude towards Tanzō, by the time it is discovered, I may have to defect... Heheh, what a good plan they've got."
"Hey, hey, hey, Lord Orochimaru, calm down. Withdraw your killing intent."
Hearing Yue Yan's reminder, Orochimaru, who came to his senses, withdrew the killing intent he had unconsciously released. However, he still harbored a glimmer of hope in his heart.
"Since you, Yue Yan-kun, don't think highly of me, who do you think will be the Fourth Hokage?"
Hearing this, Yue Yan shrugged.
"Lord Orochimaru should have already guessed it. After all, Senior Brother Minato Namikaze has been running around on the battlefields against the Cloud Ninjas and Stone Ninjas these days. When the time comes, after Lord Orochimaru defects, Jiraiya-sensei won't stand by. He'll surely go to bring you back. And given Senior Brother Minato's personality and without Jiraiya-sensei's help, it'll be easy to marginalize him."
"Those old farts are really capable of pulling this off."
Orochimaru suddenly took a big gulp of shochu. He never bothered to ask how Yue Yan knew this or why he was telling him.
To ease his mood, Orochimaru simply changed the topic and started chatting about various experiments.
By the end of the meal, Orochimaru's expression had returned to normal, but whether it was genuine or not, only he himself knew.
"By the way, Lord Orochimaru, you should be short of assistants right now. I actually have two good candidates to recommend."
Hearing this, Orochimaru became a bit interested. After all, Yue Yan couldn't always be by his side, and it would be nice to have a capable assistant.
After that, Yue Yan led Orochimaru to the Konoha Orphanage where Kabuto Yakushi and Nonō Yakushi were.