Such a loss, an utter loss.

Seeing the clear disdain on Orochimaru’s face, the Third Hokage sighed inwardly. To be fair, Orochimaru had been exceptionally active during the recent battle with the Hidden Cloud, performing outstandingly. In terms of personal strength, he not only exerted a tailed beast-like suppression over the ninja troops, but even in single combat, he bested the Raikage, inflicting severe wounds.

As for strategy, he sacrificed his Mangekyō Sharingan sight to avert heavy losses among the police force, thereby easing tensions between the Uchiha clan and the village. Though the events didn’t unfold exactly as planned, the outcome was much less bloody, and the relationship between the village and the Uchiha seemed more likely to improve.

Unlike Danzo and the two elder advisors, the Third Hokage was not so sensitive about the Uchiha; he welcomed the current state of affairs. Orochimaru, truly, was his most accomplished student.

Yet, even so, he needed to suppress Orochimaru’s influence and standing within the village. Sarutobi Hiruzen’s gaze sharpened as he looked at Orochimaru, wary and guarded. After this battle with the Hidden Cloud, he had finally seen it clearly: Orochimaru’s heart was not aligned with his own, nor with Konoha.

“When enough of them have died, when their deaths pain you, when the ninjas of the village believe the Nine-Tails’ rampage was not the Uchiha’s conspiracy, then…”

Still in the Hokage office, with three present as before, Sarutobi had once viewed this plan as simply ruthless. Now, with the Mangekyō Sharingan temporarily blinded, sacrificing for the Uchiha, it appeared almost merciful.

Sarutobi had long wondered which side of his student was the true one. But Orochimaru’s brazen manipulation of Koharu and his use of the villagers’ sentiments in possession of the Mangekyō had given the Third Hokage some clarity.

The turning point from ruthlessness to mercy had come when Orochimaru learned of Shisui’s eyes. The latter was a spur-of-the-moment decision, aiming to seize the Mangekyō Sharingan. Good and evil, mercy or ruthlessness—these were mere tools to Orochimaru, and whichever suited the situation, he would not hesitate.

Such methods reminded Sarutobi of Danzo’s shadow. Yet compared to Danzo, confined to the roots of Konoha, his student was far superior—and far more dangerous.

To so exquisitely seize benefits, putting his own interests above the collective, such a person must never become Hokage; indeed, even a position among the leadership would spell disaster.

Konoha already had one Danzo, a tail too unwieldy to cut. It could not afford another, more troublesome parasite.

With this realization, Sarutobi made up his mind. Now, while he could still restrain Orochimaru, he must suppress his prestige as much as possible, otherwise the new Hokage would have no power to resist Orochimaru at all.

Inside the conference room, the atmosphere was somewhat subdued. Orochimaru licked his lips and frowned slightly. He did not know that, in a short time, the Third Hokage had discerned his intentions from his recent actions.

But even if he did know, Orochimaru would not care—perhaps he would only laugh inwardly, “As expected of the old man.” Right now, he was thinking of something else.

In the battle against Hidden Cloud, he had maneuvered Shisui to become the Uchiha’s sacrificial offering, all for the Mangekyō Sharingan. There was nothing wrong with this; even if he had to do it again, he would—but it did violate the pre-battle agreement, and he seized fame that should not have been his.

Fame—intangible, invisible—yet important in any negotiation. For example, now, the Third Hokage did not wish to give, and Orochimaru did not wish to receive; both had reached a tacit understanding. But if things proceeded so smoothly, what would happen?

The other clan leaders, the ninjas, the villagers—they knew nothing of this secret exchange. All they saw was Orochimaru’s great service without reward, still only an “esteemed Sannin” with nominal recognition.

Public opinion is a powerful force in the village. The people might not side with someone who coldly sacrifices comrades, but a powerful ninja who brings them peace will always have supporters. Especially after the chaos of the Nine-Tails’ attack, in these anxious times.

Orochimaru’s outstanding performance in the Hidden Cloud battle was too positive. If the Third Hokage ignored it, his own prestige would suffer backlash.

Thus, in this calculation, after the battle:

The Uchiha had cleared their clan’s suspicions, gained freedom, and earned numerous merits.

Orochimaru had won fame, and gained the opportunity to openly research the Mangekyō Sharingan.

Both had profited immensely, while the Hokage’s faction had only modest gains.

When others made a fortune, a small gain was a loss; if the Third Hokage’s reputation took another blow, it would be a total disaster.

This was entirely different from their previous transaction.

Originally, the Uchiha should have cleared their name but suffered heavy losses.

Orochimaru should have led the ninja troops to repel the Hidden Cloud, but without visible reward.

The Hokage’s faction should have repelled the enemy without bloodshed, regained leverage over the Uchiha, and maintained dominance in future negotiations.

The Hokage’s side was meant to be the greatest winner.

None of this was spelled out, but Orochimaru understood it well and silently accepted.

Because from the beginning, what he valued most was the Uchiha’s fresh bodies and financial support.

Of course, now that things had come to this, Orochimaru could choose to turn his back on the deal—but that simply wasn’t worthwhile.

The villagers’ approval and fame, the smooth path toward Hokage…none of this mattered to him. What was truly useful was already firmly in his grasp.

To ruin trust for something so valueless would be a foolish loss.

The silence in the conference room lasted two or three minutes, then was broken by laughter.

Orochimaru’s lips curled into a slight smile. He looked at the Third Hokage and said, “If you wish to restore balance, it’s quite simple.”

Sarutobi Hiruzen’s gaze narrowed, awaiting Orochimaru’s next words. He had a feeling this solution wouldn’t be easy to accept.

“Just hand over a forbidden jutsu.”

Orochimaru continued, “If you give me a forbidden technique, there will be an extra layer of rejection from the villagers toward me.”

Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned, “Which one do you want?”

Orochimaru smiled, “The Reanimation Jutsu, the forbidden technique developed by the Second Hokage. What do you think?”

Sarutobi’s brows furrowed deeply at this.

Setting aside emotion, it was a sound proposal. To lead the ninja troops to victory for the sake of a forbidden technique fit perfectly with Orochimaru’s image in the eyes of the people.

And the Reanimation Jutsu—even the Second Hokage’s use was controversial. Orochimaru would be no exception; the villagers would surely reject, perhaps even detest him.

In such circumstances, as Hokage, withholding rewards from Orochimaru would not provoke resistance; it might even win applause.

The Hokage’s prestige would rise.

Sarutobi Hiruzen gazed at Orochimaru, his expression complex.

Was this a spur-of-the-moment idea, or had Orochimaru planned it all along?