Chapter 33: I'd Rather See You Become Hokage, Sensei!
"Are your relations with Orochimaru-senpai really that ordinary? I feel like Orochimaru-senpai tells you everything!" Rather than directly answering Hiruko's question, Ritsu curiously inquired about Hiruko and Orochimaru's relationship.
"Because that guy Orochimaru has twisted tastes."
Hiruko was full of helplessness. "In fact, I can't figure out his thoughts either. I can only speculate he's most likely very interested in you, Ritsu. Everything you did in the village was told to me by him!"
"Just twisted tastes?"
Ritsu stroked his chin with a thoughtful expression.
"Don't change the subject. What exactly is going on with Orochimaru saying your situation isn't good?" Hiruko stared directly at Ritsu.
"There's really nothing to say about it. It's just that my act of eliminating the Main Family isn't liked by the village leadership."
"The Third and the others want you dead?"
"Sensei, you're being too blunt. I figure they hope I'll sacrifice myself in combat against Mist ninja."
"Isn't it the same thing?"
Hiruko's brow furrowed tightly. "What do you plan to do?"
"Deal with situations as they arise!"
"Tell me honestly—what are you planning?"
Hiruko pressed again.
He now understood that his student simply didn't have a submissive nature. When the Main Family forced him to flee at risk, compelling him to risk using forbidden techniques to struggle for survival, he turned around and directly eliminated the Main Family!
Now the village didn't look favorably on Ritsu either. This made him somewhat worried Ritsu might develop path dependency and plan to eliminate the village leadership too.
"Ritsu, let me say this upfront—your attack on the Main Family was internal Hyuga clan business. But the Hokage is the village's Hokage. If you attack the Hokage, the other clans and civilian ninja in the village absolutely won't accept it. Your Hyuga clan doesn't have the strength to oppose the village."
After much thought, Hiruko felt it necessary to warn his student not to do anything foolish.
"Sensei, what are you thinking? I'm not stupid enough for that!"
Ritsu helplessly rolled his eyes.
"Best if you don't. If you do, dismiss the thought now."
"I know what can and cannot be done. The Third Hokage has governed for so many years and is quite popular. I have no intention of doing anything to him. I'm just pondering the matter of the Fourth Hokage."
"Fourth Hokage?"
Hiruko raised an eyebrow, rolled his eyes, and slowly nodded. "That is indeed a good approach. Build good relations with the Fourth in advance. When the Fourth takes office, your situation can improve... Wait, you asked about my relationship with Orochimaru earlier—do you think Orochimaru will become the Fourth Hokage?"
"Isn't everyone saying so now? The Fourth Hokage candidate will definitely be one of Orochimaru or Namikaze Minato. Haven't you heard, Sensei Hiruko?"
"I've heard, but I've never paid much attention."
Hiruko lifted his teacup for a sip to moisten his throat, his face full of contemplation. His hands unconsciously rubbed the coarse ceramic cup. "Orochimaru and Minato—both seem possible. Orochimaru is the Hokage's student, Minato is the Hokage's grand-student. Their achievements are hard to distinguish... Ritsu, do you favor Orochimaru more?"
"No, I think Minato-senpai has a greater chance of becoming Fourth Hokage."
"Then why ask about Orochimaru?"
"Because Orochimaru-senpai is also enthusiastic about researching forbidden techniques. If he takes office, life will be easier for us master and student."
"Orochimaru is enthusiastic about researching forbidden techniques?"
Hiruko was shocked. He instinctively looked around and lowered his voice. "Where did you learn this? How have I never heard? What does Orochimaru gain from researching forbidden techniques?"
He couldn't understand. He himself researched forbidden techniques to shatter his mediocrity and catch up to three classmates he could only look up to. But Orochimaru was already one of his pursuit targets—brilliantly talented, apprenticed to the Third Hokage, absolutely a member of life's winner circle.
So why would Orochimaru risk such danger to dabble in forbidden techniques?
What for?
"Not hearing about it is correct. Not many people know. I only benefited from these eyes of mine. By chance, I caught some clues. As I understand it, he seeks... the path to immortality."
Ritsu's voice was very soft at the end.
But Hiruko definitely heard. His expression immediately changed, showing understanding on his face. He couldn't help sighing. "No wonder. I was wondering what Orochimaru was after. If it's... forget it, other people's business isn't ours to manage. The problem now is your situation. Befriending the Fourth is future business. But if there's no present, there's no future to speak of."
"Like I said before—deal with situations as they arise."
Ritsu wasn't panicked at all.
Hiruko immediately glared at Ritsu. "Ritsu, isn't that too passive?"
"There's no better solution, is there?"
"If not, I'll go ask Orochimaru again to arrange a mission for you in advance..."
"It won't work. Orochimaru-senpai is the Hokage's student. I'm guessing when that vice commander came to the front lines, he definitely brought a message for Orochimaru-senpai. Unless Orochimaru-senpai plans to oppose the Hokage, no matter how much you plead, Sensei, it will be useless."
Looking at the silent, worried Hiruko, Ritsu smiled slightly and spoke softly. "Sensei, you don't need to worry so much. In fact, this matter isn't as dangerous as you think. Don't forget—I now possess two Kekkei Genkai, I'll deal with situations as they arise!"
Hiruko paused, then reached up to pat his own head. "I almost forgot. Ritsu, after using the Chimera Technique, how do you feel? Is anything wrong anywhere?"
"No, everything is normal."
Ritsu raised his hand. A pale white bone shot out from his palm. "I feel very good. After fusing the Shikotsumyaku, not only did I dissolve the Caged Bird Seal, my Byakugan's ocular power was greatly enhanced. My chakra reserves explosively increased more than tenfold..."
He told Hiruko about his changes after using the Chimera Technique without any concealment.
After hearing Ritsu's account, Hiruko pondered for a moment before slowly speaking. "It does sound like all good news. Perhaps... you're right. The Byakugan and Shikotsumyaku bloodlines truly do come from the same source. Your Hyuga clan and the Mist Village's Kaguya clan share a common ancestor, so the two exhibit complementary characteristics with almost no rejection reaction."
"So, Sensei, do you want to use the Chimera Technique too?"
After speaking, Ritsu couldn't help sighing. "Actually, compared to Orochimaru and Namikaze Minato, I'd rather see you become Hokage, Sensei!"
"What silly talk is that?"
Hiruko was amused. "How could I possibly become Hokage? My strength is mediocre, my achievements ordinary. No matter whose turn it is, it won't be mine to become Hokage. To put it bluntly, if it really were my turn to become Hokage, I think the village wouldn't be far from finished!"
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