Nagi and Orochimaru left the laboratory and walked into the reception room.
After sitting down again, Orochimaru said,
"It seems a new wind is about to sweep through Konohagakure because of you. But will those old men in Konoha really allow it?"
Nagi replied calmly,
"Rest assured. Even if they find out, I have my own ways of persuading them to support my decision."
"Oh? How enviable."
Orochimaru truly envied that. Back when he conducted experiments in Konoha, the old man had imposed all kinds of restrictions on him. Sometimes his funding even had to come from Danzō.
But Danzō was an extremely dangerous and greedy man—cooperating with him was like making a deal with a tiger.
In the end, when Orochimaru's human experimentation was exposed, he had no choice but to defect from Konoha.
Thinking back on those difficult years, Orochimaru let out a faint sigh.
Seeing this, Nagi tested the waters.
"Orochimaru-sama, have you ever considered returning to Konohagakure?"
Orochimaru paused. He did not doubt the sincerity of Nagi's words, but still asked,
"Why? And how would I return? Even if I did, the old man and the others would monitor me again. Living under constant surveillance is not what I desire."
"Orochimaru-sama, surely you of all people know countless ways to clear someone's name.
It's simple—shift the blame onto Danzō. He participated in the human experiments as well. The Third Hokage has long known that. He simply couldn't bring himself to act."
Orochimaru studied Nagi carefully, then laughed.
"Interesting."
He could not understand why Nagi carried such weight with the Third Hokage and the others—but it did not matter.
Shaking his head, Orochimaru declined.
"When your wind truly rises in Konoha, that is when I will return.
I don't know why you insist on remaining hidden, but the trouble you face must be no small matter.
Still, I will help you."
Nagi had already expected this answer.
The Ōtsutsuki clan had always been a problem for him and his teacher. The greatest issue was how little they knew about them.
Although the manga mentioned fragments of information about the Ōtsutsuki, it was far from enough.
Part of the reason Nagi valued Orochimaru was his desire to research the Ōtsutsuki together. At present, the only known surviving members in the shinobi world were Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, her two reckless sons, and Isshiki Ōtsutsuki.
As for Amado, the scientist from Kara, Nagi had no intention of overlooking him—but Kara was hidden too deeply for him to act.
Orochimaru then revealed his original plan.
"Heh. When I received the invitation to the Chūnin Exams, I thought it was time for a new wind to sweep through Konoha.
But now that you are here, any other wind seems unnecessary."
"A new wind only becomes visible when the old one dissipates, doesn't it?"
"Precisely. The old man has grown old. Under his leadership, Konoha has already begun to rot. Perhaps it is time to inject some new vitality."
"Oh? Then tell me your plan."
"Very well. I intend to invite Sunagakure to invade Konoha alongside me.
Sunagakure's financial struggles have long plagued them. If they wish to survive, they will have no choice but to cooperate."
"But will the Fourth Kazekage and the Suna leadership agree?"
"Heh. Even if he refuses, the higher-ups will pressure him into agreeing. Sometimes war is the most direct solution to internal problems."
"I see. Then let the plan proceed as scheduled."
"…Hm?"
Orochimaru wondered if he had misheard.
Nagi clarified,
"However, if Rasa agrees—kill him.
Sunagakure is already facing a generational gap."
Orochimaru's eyes shifted as he grasped the implication.
"You mean that once Rasa dies and Suna suffers heavy losses, they'll be forced into action.
True. Ebizō and Chiyo have no intention of stepping forward again. They'll have no choice but to pick the best among the rest.
The leadership won't accept someone from a rival faction becoming Kazekage—but with time pressing, the new Kazekage will likely be someone outside the current power structure."
Nagi continued,
"Exactly. All Konoha has to do is support the new Kazekage in opposing the higher-ups."
Listening to this, Orochimaru narrowed his eyes.
"Heh… Nagi, are you planning to control Sunagakure?"
Nagi's expression remained neutral.
"But you cannot kill the Third Hokage. After the Konoha Crush, he will step down."
For years, the Third Hokage had provided resources and manpower for Nagi and his teacher.
During the Yin–Yang Release experiments, the Third Hokage had even forced the families of Konoha's leadership—Hiruzen, Danzō, Homura, and Koharu—to contribute resources.
When Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane learned where those resources were going, they did not dare utter a word.
Even after stepping down, the Third Hokage would still wield influence. Some parts of Nagi's future plans would require him.
"Very well," Orochimaru agreed. "Otogakure will assist Konoha when the time comes."
The two had already dug the pit. Now they only had to wait for Sunagakure to jump in.
Rasa: Damn it! Why is the Konoha Crush still happening?!
Mei Terumī: Pfft—this is hilarious. This time it's Konoha and Otogakure teaming up to trick Suna.
Ōnoki: Rasa, you're not being firm enough!
Fourth Raikage (A): Kazekage, why are you letting your higher-ups make the decision? That's pathetic.
The Raikage declared: In Kumogakure, the strong decide. If someone is stronger than me, they can have the title of Raikage.
Gaara: Father… it seems you still won't escape death this time.
After seeing his battle with Naruto Uzumaki in the white projection above—and witnessing how Naruto, though also a jinchūriki, fought desperately for his comrades—Gaara had been deeply shaken.
He wanted to try changing himself.
When he hesitantly called Temari "sister," the disbelief and joy on her face made him feel, perhaps, a fragment of the warmth Yashamaru once gave him.
Kankurō was tolerable.
But Rasa? Who's that?
Gaara frankly felt they were strangers.
Kurenai Yūhi: So the Konoha Crush will still happen in the end?
Asuma Sarutobi: Look on the bright side, Kurenai. At least this version of Orochimaru isn't exactly our enemy.
Kakashi Hatake: True. Rather than the Konoha Crush, this feels more like the "Sunagakure Collapse Plan."
Hiruzen Sarutobi: It seems that after this, I will step down as well. Jiraiya, Tsunade, Kakashi—and… Orochimaru… no, let's restore your status before discussing that.
As for the first three, which of you will become the Fifth Hokage?"
Hiruzen now understood how important Orochimaru was to Nagi and to Lord Second. But in his heart, he still could not overcome that lingering barrier regarding Orochimaru.
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