Next were the votes from smaller ninja clans like the Kurama and Inuzuka clans, as well as votes from civilian Jonin.
"Hmph, you'll regret this!"
Seeing that it was inevitable, Shimura Danzo, who had expected this, stood up and left with his subordinates. He didn't want to stay any longer and see Orochimaru's face.
Thinking back, Orochimaru had once joined ROOT to gain experimental materials and funding and had to serve Danzo.
But now, years later, the person who once relied on him had become Hokage before him!
Even worse, the man had used the Uchiha clan to gain the power to oversee ROOT's ninjas!
It was like fate had turned upside down!
"You'll be proud now, but just wait until I get my hands on the Hogyoku."
With a grim face, Danzo pushed the door open and left, silently vowing revenge.
The meeting of the Jonin ended. Seeing that he couldn't stop Orochimaru from acting on his own, Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed.
Fortunately, it seemed like Orochimaru's plan wouldn't come together so quickly, so there was still time. He stood up and left with his two former advisors.
There was no moment that made him feel more strongly that Orochimaru had truly secured the position of Hokage.
This thought filled him with some sorrow, but also a complex feeling of relief.
"Hokage-sama," Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki entered Orochimaru's Hokage office. Minato, holding Kushina's hand, stood behind the desk.
"You've seen the plan. The Senju clan is in charge of food, the Ino-Shika-Cho clan is handling medical supplies and livestock, the Inuzuka clan will tame wild beasts, and the Aburame clan is responsible for cultivating beneficial insects.
If these succeed, they will give the village enough food and expand Konoha's influence in the ninja world through the food supply.
I plan to hand over the sealing division to Kushina, so she can improve and strengthen the village's barrier and lay out the chakra network.
Because we need to look after both Konoha and the Ryūmyaku vein of the Land of Wind, I'll need your help, Minato.
Your Flying Thunder God technique will allow you to quickly travel between the two nations with her."
Orochimaru spoke directly.
Minato and Kushina didn't show any surprise at Orochimaru's request, as they had already been briefed on it earlier. ᴛhis chapter is ᴜpdated by novel·fıre·net
"Aren't you worried about me?" Kushina, usually boisterous and quick-tempered, had shown a rare sense of calm and softness, perhaps due to her approaching motherhood.
"Worried about what?" Orochimaru squinted at Kushina. "The Nine-Tails? While the Tailed Beasts are important to the village, unlike the way the elders restrict the Jinchuriki, I will give you as much freedom as possible."
"Nice words!" Kushina puffed out her cheeks.
"The Anbu watching you will soon withdraw. After that, it will be enough for Minato to guard you. Of course, if necessary, your protection and surveillance will need to be redeployed."
"Also, regarding the village's barrier and defenses, you should make some changes before you give birth," Orochimaru said, waving his hand as a reminder.
"Is there a reason for this?" Minato asked, sensing something hidden in Orochimaru's words that made him uneasy.
"You should know that Uchiha Madara is still alive, right?" Orochimaru suddenly asked.
Minato and Kushina both nodded in agreement without saying a word.
"Then you should also know about Madara's hostility toward the village," Orochimaru said flatly.
"How does this relate to my childbirth?" Kushina frowned, then, as if thinking of something, she asked, "Do you think he will make a move on the village or on me during my delivery?"
"I've seen the village's data. The effectiveness of the sealing is greatly weakened during childbirth, and it will be difficult for you to fully suppress the power of the Nine-Tails," Orochimaru explained.
"Madara knows this. He was once the Nine-Tails' contract holder! He's been in hiding for some time, perhaps waiting for the opportunity to take revenge on Konoha."
"So, changing the barrier is also because Madara is familiar with these barriers and knows how to break or bypass them?" Kushina said thoughtfully.
"Could we find a place near the village, set up a guard, and let Kushina give birth in secret?" Minato suggested. He couldn't help but worry when it came to Kushina.
"That is also a possibility. But we must prepare for the worst. For example, Madara might take action, like the Nine-Tails losing control, or it being summoned to the village for destruction."
"The altered barrier must be able to suppress or counter the tailed beasts!" Orochimaru added.
"I understand. I'll focus my energy on the village's barrier," Kushina nodded.
In the past, she was merely a mascot and a deterrent, but now, with the Hokage's approval, she could train more ninjas skilled in sealing techniques.
Although these people might not play a significant role in case of complications during childbirth in the future, at least it meant the village's attitude toward her had truly changed.
In the past, the higher-ups led by the Third Hokage would never have entrusted such an important responsibility, like the sealing corps and barriers, to a jinchuriki like her.
"If possible, you could also try to bring back some of the scattered Uzumaki clan members from outside the Shinobi world. You could promise them safety on behalf of the village," Orochimaru hesitated before speaking again.
"This..." Minato and Kushina exchanged a look, both feeling helpless.
The remaining members of the Uzumaki clan had spread across the Shinobi world, living carefully because of the massacre of their clan.
Not only would it be time-consuming to find them, but even if they were found, Kushina couldn't guarantee how they would feel toward her.
Perhaps, to those clan members who lived in constant fear, she might appear as a hated traitor for being chosen to join Konoha?
But since Orochimaru suggested it, Kushina was willing to give it a try. After all, she had witnessed the cruelty of war and the despair of exiles outside the village.
No matter what, at least Konoha was a relatively safe place. Even if one or two members of the clan were willing to settle there, it would be a good thing.
"I'm not doing this out of kindness, but because the Uzumaki clan's physique is naturally similar to the Akimichi clan, and they excel in sealing techniques. They would benefit the plan and the village," Orochimaru coldly emphasized.
For him, although the extermination of the Uzumaki clan was a tragedy for Kushina, he didn't care.
As long as it helped his plans, he was indifferent to the Uzumaki clan's possible hatred toward Konoha.
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