Chapter 243: Reactions
After parting ways with Seishi-mon, Tonbo Tobitake walked with his hands pillowed behind his head.
"Just being the Acting Hokage has made my old acquaintances act like this. What would happen if I became the real thing?"
He hadn't expected that a mere temporary title would create such an estrangement between him and Shimon. It felt as if a distance of ten thousand miles had suddenly opened up between them. To Tonbo, the reverence in Shimon's voice felt like a curse attached to the seat of power.
In the past, as the head of the Analysis Division, people were respectful, but you could still tell they were proud—teammates who had bled in the same trenches. But now that he had become the Hokage, that feeling... it was unpleasant. For someone like Tonbo, it was very hard to stomach.
Only now did he realize that while he possessed great strength and a high position, he was still ultimately just an ordinary person at heart. He feared that aside from Kakashi's inner circle, most people likely thought the same as Shimon.
Just a proxy...
No wonder the emperors of his past life called themselves "The Lonely One." Fortunately, his position hadn't reached that extreme yet; it was only some people who had changed. His family and capable peers like Kakashi probably wouldn't think too much of it. To his old acquaintances, however, he was likely now just a subject for bragging.
"I used to be teammates with Lord Hokage."
"I once went on a mission with the Hokage."
Phrases like that—but they were no longer truly teammates.
A dark cave.
Prismatic lights flickered, casting various shadows.
"That fellow Orochimaru really knows how to stir up trouble. But Leader, since Konoha took such a massive hit this time, do we really not need to move against the Nine-Tails?" Hidan asked, pouting. He was itching to start a slaughter.
"It is not yet the time for total preparation. We must wait a little longer. Soon. The time is almost here," Pain spoke.
Kakuzu added, "Mhm, it's indeed a problem. Aside from the Jinchuriki's whereabouts, we must ensure the Five Great Nations do not unite. Otherwise, the Leader's plan won't be able to proceed, right?"
"Zetsu, have you found any trace of that guy Orochimaru? Don't tell me he slipped out of your surveillance again. This was such a perfect opportunity," a hunched figure (Sasori) spoke.
Deidara chimed in, "Sasori-danna, what's the rush? If the two of us move, even the legendary Sannin will only end up dying at the hands of our art." He was supremely confident in his craft. To him, Orochimaru was just a remnant of the old era; once he witnessed Deidara's art, he would go to the Pure Land to repent for betraying Akatsuki.
Zetsu interjected, "Deidara, don't be so sure. Orochimaru isn't easy to deal with. A veteran of the Second and Third Wars doesn't just show his strength on the surface. If the Leader hadn't stepped in personally, he might not have joined Akatsuki at all."
Deidara was unimpressed, his confidence in his art unshakable. "Hmph. Clinging to past glories and using them as praise... the Sannin Orochimaru is nothing more than that."
"So, is there news on Orochimaru or not?" Sasori asked impatiently. He hated people who didn't get to the point.
"Ah~ I haven't found him. The guy is too slippery," Zetsu said, spreading his hands.
"Useless. If there's nothing else, we're leaving." Without another word, Sasori vanished.
"Sasori-danna, wait for me!" Deidara quickly exited the meeting as well.
Swish!
"Honestly, no respect for organizational discipline at all," Zetsu grumbled.
Kakuzu said, "If there's nothing else, we're leaving too. We've picked up a very lucrative bounty." Seeing the others leave, he departed as well. Beside him, the slick-backed Hidan followed suit.
Uchiha Itachi remained indifferent, his eyes as deep as the ocean, watching everyone's movements. It was impossible to tell what he was thinking.
A gloomy underground laboratory.
Hiss, hiss!
The sound of snakes flickering their tongues echoed through the dark tunnels. Past long corridors and rows of lamps, the scene shifted.
"Lord Orochimaru, our base in the Land of Rice Fields is likely compromised. Word has reached us that Konoha's Acting Hokage, Tonbo Tobitake, has dispatched a force led by Shibi Aburame to the border to pressure the Daimyo and demand the dissolution of the Sound Village," the silver-haired Kabuto said, pushing up his glasses.
"Heh heh heh... The Land of Rice Fields wouldn't dare clash head-on with the Land of Fire. Have our people withdrawn?" Orochimaru laughed coldly, though the agony visible on his face suggested he was in significant pain.
"The evacuation is complete. We've scattered to various locations. Even if Konoha has capable trackers, they will only find pawns who weren't even qualified to be experimental subjects," Kabuto explained calmly.
Orochimaru was satisfied, but he had a more pressing matter. "Have you found Tsunade's location?"
"Yes, we've located Lady Tsunade. Shall we depart now?"
"Go and prepare. These hands of mine... I must rely on her." Orochimaru endured the intense burning sensation in his arms.
"It's my fault my medical ninjutsu isn't skilled enough, otherwise we wouldn't have to risk contacting someone of her stature," Kabuto said self-deprecatingly.
"No, you are excellent. I told you, you are the best gift heaven has given me. You are more useful than anyone—including Kimimaro... and even Sasuke..." Orochimaru looked at Kabuto with apparent sincerity. "Now, go. Prepare the medicine to dull the pain in my hands."
"Yes, Lord Orochimaru." A slight smile tugged at the corner of Kabuto's mouth as he bowed and withdrew.
"Heh heh heh... Kabuto, I wasn't lying. Your talent is the best I've seen, it's just that your goals are too nihilistic. I truly hope you find your own purpose; you might even surpass me one day," Orochimaru murmured to the empty room.
Hmph! He suddenly groaned. The burning pain in his hands was so intense that even his elite ninja training couldn't suppress a violent urge to destroy everything around him.
Walking through the dark tunnel, Kabuto's shadow stretched long against the walls.
"More useful than anyone—including Kimimaro and Sasuke... the trust from Lord Orochimaru always fills me with infinite strength. But compared to Kimimaro and Sasuke, I'm probably far behind in your heart, aren't I?"
Kabuto knew that for Orochimaru, perfect "vessels" for reincarnation were the most important thing. As someone without a special Bloodline Limit, he wasn't that vital. But Orochimaru's "trust" was exactly what he needed; for someone with no goals, Orochimaru's words were the ultimate warmth for his soul. Only in these moments did he feel needed.
He reached the lab and began mixing the concoction Orochimaru required. No matter what, he could not fail that trust.
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