It's Too Troublesome to be Hokage

The reputation of the three legendary ninjas was well known throughout Konoha.

Though Orochimaru himself did not come in person, sending only a small snake to deliver the message was enough to command attention.

Neither Nara Shikadan nor Yakushi Nono could ignore the significance of this scroll—especially since the message was written in Root's encrypted text.

Shikadan could tell at a glance that Orochimaru's sudden outreach was definitely connected to Root.

Yakushi Nono took the scroll and expertly translated its contents aloud.

"This scroll says Lord Orochimaru invites the two of us to meet in the suburban forest outside Kikyo Castle."

Just a meeting?

Shikadan was slightly surprised and, grasping the key point, asked, "Does this scroll mention Root at all?"

"No." Yakushi Nono scanned the scroll again and answered firmly.

Shikadan frowned.

Orochimaru deliberately used Root's encrypted text to contact the orphanage, which could only mean one thing—he was acting on Root's orders.

Shikadan knew there was some unclear relationship between Orochimaru and Shimura Danzo.

But he hadn't expected that connection to predate the Third Great Ninja War.

Yet the problem was this: given the bad blood between Shikadan, Yakushi Nono, and Root, if Danzo truly sent Orochimaru, the tone would not be so polite.

No—

Suddenly remembering the unexplained disappearance of the fat nun, Shikadan asked again,

"Sister Nono, do you think her disappearance has anything to do with Orochimaru?"

"The nun is just an ordinary person. Lord Orochimaru wouldn't—"

Yakushi Nono had been inclined to believe the three legendary ninjas wouldn't threaten ordinary lives.

But Shimura Danzo's bandaged face and his previous threats flashed uncomfortably in her mind.

She frowned and changed her tone.

"I can't be sure either."

After some discussion, Shikadan and Nono decided to accept the invitation to the forest outside the city.

Still, wary of possible danger, they prepared carefully before leaving.

...

At the agreed meeting spot in the forest, Orochimaru awaited alone, clad in a green jonin vest and a Konoha forehead protector.

"Here for the appointment?" His hoarse voice echoed, sending birds scattering.

"Yakushi-san, Nara-kun."

"Sir Orochimaru." Yakushi Nono stepped forward with proper etiquette.

Shikadan followed suit but covertly activated his [Lacquer Eye] to survey the surroundings.

No abnormal chakra signatures appeared in the woods—Orochimaru truly was alone.

"Lord Orochimaru, you invited us here..." Yakushi began politely.

But Orochimaru cut her off.

"I'm sure you know why I'm here, right?"

He stretched out his slender, blood-red snake tongue, licking the corner of his mouth.

Suddenly, a cold, murderous aura surged from where he stood toward Shikadan and Nono.

Nono's pupils contracted sharply as visions of blood and corpses flashed before her eyes, the metallic scent of death making her body tremble beneath her robe.

Shikadan felt the same murderous aura but, with mental strength beyond A-level, kept his composure steadier.

"It's pure murderous intent, but no true killing intent."

He eyed Orochimaru calmly.

"Is this Shimura Danzo's way of intimidating us?"

"Hehe..." Orochimaru relaxed and chuckled.

"Nara-kun, you're as overconfident as I remember.

"Still, Shimura Danzo is a powerful village elder—we owe him respect, don't we?"

Shikadan smiled without replying.

Everyone respected the respected jonin in the village, including the orphanage's director and the jonin squad leaders.

"But Shimura Danzo? Is he worthy of such respect?"

"I'm growing more interested in you, Nara-kun."

Orochimaru's eyes gleamed with curiosity.

"Danzo did give me a mission, one you're all aware of—you've already experienced it."

At these words, Yakushi Nono instinctively reached for a weapon in her ninja pouch.

Shikadan narrowed his eyes, bracing for battle.

But Orochimaru abruptly changed the subject.

"Danzo Shimura has his plans. I have mine."

He extended his sickly white palm toward Shikadan, voice silky with temptation.

"Nara-kun, you're a different kind of child.

"For a genius like you, the Nara clan is but duckweed on a pond—too weak to support the growth of a young tree, unable to withstand storms.

"Why not come under my command? See a broader world, taste a new era's style?"

Nono stared in astonishment.

She'd never imagined Orochimaru's goal was to recruit Shikadan!

But Shikadan merely chuckled.

"Lord Orochimaru, did you know?

"After graduating Ninja School, I failed to become a qualified ninja due to physical issues.

"Thanks to the school's teachers, I entered the Animal Taming and Recuperation Class in the Medical Department."

"I'm aware of Nara-kun's background," Orochimaru said smoothly.

"But with his talent, I doubt he'll stay there long, yes?"

"Shorter than expected," Shikadan grinned, revealing a secret only he, Tsunade, and Inuzuka Tsume knew.

"I was fired before starting work."

"..." Even Orochimaru's cold expression faltered.

"What are you doing here?"

"Now that Nara-kun has left that class, he's free again."

Orochimaru's voice was patient.

"Or has he joined another department?"

"Not sure," Shikadan shrugged.

"The last person who saw my ninja file was the medical director.

"If anything, I'm Tsunade-sama's subordinate now."

This kid is Tsunade's subordinate?

Orochimaru's pupils shrank.

Why hadn't Root's intelligence reported this?

"So..." Shikadan feigned curiosity.

"Sir Orochimaru, will you discuss recruiting me with Lady Tsunade?"

Orochimaru's sickly smile faded.

"Nara-kun, do you think I wouldn't act just because Tsunade stands behind you?"

"How could that be..." Shikadan waved dismissively.

He fully knew how ruthless "Uncle Snake" was.

"I just mean we're very different types of ninja.

"You want to start a new era.

"For me, life in the pond is leisurely enough."

Orochimaru felt a flash of jealousy and dissatisfaction.

War was breaking out; people were dying every moment, turning to dust.

Why could a kid from the Nara clan eat all day and do nothing?!

"Hehe..." His laughter chilled the air.

"I'll tell Tsunade your thoughts later.

"But for now... let me give you a small gift!"

In an instant, Orochimaru's neck stretched like rubber, and his head "flew" from his body, hair twisting wildly like a black snake.

Like a venomous serpent choosing prey, he opened his bloody mouth and bit fiercely into Shikadan's body.

"Shikadan!" Yakushi Nono screamed, stepping forward to shield him—but Orochimaru was faster.

His snake-like neck coiled tightly, fangs dripping venom that gleamed ominously in the sunlight.

[A-level ninja battle mission detected!]

[A-level mission: Orochimaru]

[Task: Defeat or kill Orochimaru]

[Reward: A-level ninja secret scroll]

-End Chapter-

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