They were definitely outnumbered.
A good leader figures out how to make up for that, he thought.
"My Manda... and your Gamabunta..."
Orochimaru smiled, looking forward to the fight.
This was his chance to prove himself.
Namikaze Minato wasn't the only one who wanted to be the Fourth Hokage.
Orochimaru had been confident, before he felt truly rejected.
But this Orochimaru had chosen a different path.
Because in this world, Hatake Sakumo was still alive.
In the original story, Orochimaru hadn't taken Namikaze Minato seriously. That's why being turned down had been so shocking and upsetting.
But Konoha White Fang had always been ahead of the Sannin.
Orochimaru believed this.
Hatake Sakumo was older, became famous sooner, and was a genius.
Plus, his war record was amazing. The leaders of Konoha didn't need to build him up.
And Hatake Sakumo was kind and didn't make enemies. Even Orochimaru, who was a decent guy, couldn't dislike him.
So, Orochimaru saw this campaign as an opportunity.
He thought the upcoming battle was a perfect chance to show his strength.
If he did well and his reputation grew, the Hokage position might be within reach.
"Orochimaru..."
Jiraiya was happy to see his friend thinking this way.
"Heh heh, I need to get ready, so I'll leave you to your thoughts..." Orochimaru turned and left the tent.
This might be his last chance. The coming battle could change the course of the war, and even decide Konoha's fate.
More than 10,000 Iwa ninja were a serious threat.
"Actually... I can summon someone too..."
Sarutobi Ryo looked back at Jiraiya.
"Lord Jiraiya..."
As Sarutobi Ryo explained about Katsuyu, Jiraiya's eyes widened.
"Katsuyu..." He looked nostalgic.
Thinking of Katsuyu made him think of Tsunade.
She'd been gone for years, and he wondered how she was doing.
Even Sarutobi Ryo didn't expect that in this changed timeline, some things would still be affected...
----
At the same moment, in Konoha, at the Hokage Building.
Sarutobi Hiruzen greeted an old friend he hadn't seen in a long time.
"Tsunade..."
He looked at the strong and beautiful woman with mixed feelings.
Tsunade, one of the Sannin, granddaughter of the First Hokage, and his own student.
"Hmph..."
Tsunade stood in the office, looking around.
She noticed Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura, and Danzo were also there.
At this critical time, the Konoha leaders meeting so often wasn't a good sign.
"I've already heard the details..."
Behind Tsunade was Shizune, Kato Dan's niece.
Shizune had been Tsunade's follower and student for years.
Tsunade had left the village, still heartbroken over the deaths of her brother and lover.
She had wandered for many years.
Until...
She had found the ruined Land of Whirlpools and saw that the barrier protecting it had been broken.
Tsunade was shocked and angry.
She went back to the village at least once a year to see her family.
She had asked the Senju Clan about what had happened.
She had learned that Kato Dan's grave had been moved back by Sarutobi Ryo, the Old Man's oldest son.
He had said...
Konoha ninja should return to their roots...
Tsunade had gone to the cemetery and saw her lover's grave, next to Nawaki's.
The two most important people in her life were buried there.
Then Tsunade had learned more about Sarutobi Ryo.
Over time, his name became well-known in the ninja world.
He had done great things, and seen many events come to an end.
His actions moved Tsunade deeply.
Might Duy... then the young Uchiha ninja, the Hero of the Sharingan, Uchiha Obito...
Then Fugaku...
Next, it will be other people I know, or strangers, young and old, she thought.
They were all sacrificing for the village.
They were all working to pass on the Will of Fire.
Even after so many years, people were still foolishly devoted.
After much thought and struggle, Tsunade had decided to return to the village and help defend it.
"Tsunade, I'm so happy you're back..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed and felt a weight lifted from his shoulders.
"But... your fear of blood..."
"I'll find a way to deal with that..." Tsunade waved her hand. Her fear of blood was a mental problem.
If... she could see it again.
See the people who truly lived by the Will of Fire.
Then her fear would disappear.
Tsunade was sure of it.
"I won't waste any time. I'll go to the battlefield immediately..."
Tsunade wanted to leave for the Iwagakure battlefield right away.
She didn't know when Iwagakure would attack.
"No, wait."
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked serious.
"Tsunade, I have a mission for you..."
Tsunade asked, "What mission?"
"Honorable Hokage..."
A thin, middle-aged man entered.
It was Ebizo, who had been under house arrest for days!
As the strategist and head of Sunagakure's intelligence, Ebizo knew that their fates were linked.
The Third Kazekage had restored order in Sunagakure and gotten rid of the bad elements.
There was no need to keep fighting Konoha.
Now, their common enemy was Iwagakure.
If Konoha fell, Sunagakure would be next.
They could only win by working together.
Sarutobi Hiruzen wanted Tsunade to go to Sunagakure and formally end the fighting, and make a secret alliance.
Then they could fight together.
That way, they might be able to handle the large number of Iwa ninja.
"It's thanks to Sarutobi Ryo sparing Ebizo's life..."
Utatane Koharu and Sarutobi Biwako exchanged glances and nodded.
When he had gone behind enemy lines, Sarutobi Ryo had suggested sparing Ebizo.
That decision had been very helpful.
"If we can make peace and join forces... Hatake Sakumo and Sarutobi Ryo will both be essential..."
Maybe the position of Fourth Hokage will go to Konoha White Fang, Utatane Koharu thought.
*
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[T/N:
Final Total Power Stone Collection : 153 PS
Goal : Reach +50 Total PS = +2 Bonus Chapters next day! 🚀
This and the next Chapter are bonus chapters for today's release
Want to support my work and get early access to chapters? Check out my Patreon! 👇
➡️ patreon.com/BoundlessBeacon
]