Uchiha orphan, so what if I'm ruthless?

Konoha, Hokage Building.

The Hokage's office was on the third floor, its windows facing south, offering a view of the entire village of Konoha.

Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating the desk, the documents, and Orochimaru's face.

Orochimaru was bent over his desk, handling his daily work. He wore the Hokage robes, the white fabric bearing the characters for "Fifth Hokage."

His hair was very long, draped over his shoulders, with a few loose strands hanging down to obscure half of his face. His slender fingers held a pen, writing something on a document.

Sitting on the sofa opposite him was an old man.

Sarutobi Hiruzen.

He looked much older than before.

His hair was completely white, and the wrinkles on his face were deep, as if carved by a knife. His skin sagged, his eye bags drooped heavily, and the corners of his mouth turned downward. Dressed in dark clothing, he held an intelligence report in his hand, his brows tightly furrowed.

He stared at the report in his hand and spoke in a deep voice, "I don't understand the recent commotion over in Amegakure."

His voice was somewhat hoarse.

"What is that tree?"

Orochimaru didn't even lift his head, his pen still scratching across the document.

"It should be the handiwork of that certain someone."

His voice was perfectly calm.

"You know how it is. A genius like him learns everything quickly. It wouldn't be surprising if he wanted to research something. From the looks of it, whatever he created has caused quite a stir."

Sarutobi Hiruzen's frown deepened. His heart felt heavy. For some reason, ever since he read the intelligence report in his hands, a lingering sense of foreboding had washed over him.

That tree was far too massive; it was clearly no ordinary thing. Naturally, Konoha wasn't the only village aware of this incident by now. Similar reports had likely already been placed on the desks of the other Kage.

Because of this, Hiruzen felt increasingly uneasy. He remained silent for a moment before asking, "Aren't we going to do something?"

His tone carried a hint of probing.

Orochimaru looked up at him. "Naturally, something must be done."

His voice was perfectly calm.

Hiruzen pressed further. "What do you plan to do?"

His voice grew a bit louder.

"Send out more personnel?"

Orochimaru shook his head. "Sending more people is entirely meaningless."

His voice was perfectly calm.

"Do you still not understand this, sensei?"

Hiruzen fell silent. He closed his mouth, his brows knitting tightly together.

The logic was sound, but doing absolutely nothing was clearly unacceptable.

This was exactly why he found the situation so difficult to handle. Anything involving that man was bound to be trouble.

Massive trouble.

Hiruzen tapped his finger lightly against the report, making a faint sound.

He didn't speak. The office fell quiet, save for the rustling sound of Orochimaru's pen moving across the paper.

A few seconds later, Hiruzen spoke again. "So?"

His voice was slightly strained.

"What exactly are your thoughts on this?"

Orochimaru set down the document in his hand. He placed his pen on the desk, lifted his head, and looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen.

He rubbed the bridge of his nose, pressing his fingers lightly against his forehead twice before speaking. "Sensei, have you still not accepted reality even now?"

His voice was perfectly calm.

Hiruzen's brow twitched.

"What do you mean?"

There was a trace of displeasure in his voice.

Orochimaru looked at him and remained silent for a moment.

"The era that belonged to you and the others has passed. The coming era belongs to the youth."

He paused.

"Even I am nothing more than an outdated old man now."

The corners of his mouth curled up slightly, forming a half-smile.

"So, just live your life in peace. Stop getting involved in these matters."

His tone was very sincere.

"Alright?"

Hiruzen's expression instantly turned ugly. His lips pressed into a thin line, and his eyes darkened.

He stared at Orochimaru for a few seconds without saying a word.

But Orochimaru had no intention of sparing his pride any further.

He spoke again.

"I know you've always held a grudge against Taiga because of what happened with Shimura Danzo, but holding onto such things is meaningless to him."

Hiruzen's hands clenched into fists on his knees.

He suddenly snapped.

"Orochimaru, shut up!"

His voice was loud, echoing throughout the office.

Orochimaru shook his head and didn't say another word.

The corners of his mouth were still curled up, but the smile was very faint.

Hiruzen's expression grew even uglier.

A moment of silence passed.

The air in the office felt as if it had solidified. Hiruzen took a deep breath and slowly exhaled.

He stood up, his movements sluggish. As he rose from the sofa, his body swayed slightly, and he had to grip the armrest to steady himself.

He looked at Orochimaru. "Ever since you became Hokage, you haven't agreed with a single piece of advice I've offered."

His voice was heavy.

"Orochimaru, I am very disappointed."

Sitting behind his desk, Orochimaru looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen. He didn't speak, merely maintaining his silence.

Hiruzen stared at him, waiting for a few seconds, but received no response.

He turned and walked toward the door. His steps were slow, the soles of his shoes thudding dully against the floorboards.

Reaching the door, he pulled it open and spoke without looking back.

"Orochimaru, you will regret this!"

His voice was loud, his tone heavy.

Orochimaru sat behind his desk, watching Hiruzen's back.

"I am the Hokage, sensei."

His voice wasn't loud, but he spoke with absolute clarity.

Hiruzen's hand paused on the doorknob.

He didn't turn around. After two seconds of silence, he stepped out. Having grown accustomed to hearing those familiar words, his heart no longer wavered.

Yet, hearing them again still left him in a slight daze. He stood at the doorway, staring down the corridor in silence for a moment.

Then, he started walking toward the stairs.

But just then, an ANBU operative rushed past him.

The ANBU wore a black bodysuit and an animal mask—a cat's face.

His pace was hurried. Reaching the office door, he pushed it open and walked right in.

Hiruzen stopped in his tracks, turned around, and looked at the office door.

The door hadn't closed completely, leaving a small crack.

Standing at the doorway, he could see what was happening inside through the gap.

The ANBU operative walked up to Orochimaru, dropped to one knee, and bowed his head.

"Lord Hokage, the village gate guards report that Uzumaki Naruto has suddenly run away."

His voice was steady, but there was an uncontrollable tension in his tone.

Hearing this, Hiruzen's expression changed drastically. He hurriedly turned back, re-entering the office and reaching the ANBU's side in just a few strides.

He looked down at the ANBU.

"What? Where did the Naruto boy go?"

The ANBU didn't answer. He simply remained kneeling on the floor, head bowed, waiting for Orochimaru's response.

Orochimaru sat behind his desk, looking at the ANBU.

He remained silent for a moment before letting out a sigh.

He tossed the pen in his hand. It bounced on the desk and rolled to the corner.

"As expected of that brat. This is exactly the kind of thing he would do."

The corners of his mouth curled up, revealing a helpless smile.

But Hiruzen couldn't care less about anything else.

He marched up to Orochimaru's desk, planted both hands on the surface, and leaned forward.

"Orochimaru, order a pursuit immediately!"

His voice was loud, his tone urgent.

"We absolutely cannot let anything happen to the Jinchuriki!"

His eyes were bloodshot, and his lips trembled slightly.

Orochimaru looked at him and nodded.

"Alright."

His voice was perfectly calm.

Then, he spoke again.

"You see, sensei? Aren't I agreeing with your suggestion right now?"

The corners of his mouth curled up, a hint of teasing in his smile.

Hiruzen froze. He stared at Orochimaru's smiling face, opening his mouth to say something.

But the words died in his throat.

He remained silent for two seconds before finally speaking.

"...Is this really the time for that?"

His voice was dry, his tone laced with helplessness.

Orochimaru chuckled and didn't press the matter.

He turned his head, looking at the ANBU who was still kneeling on the floor.

"Pass down the order."

His voice was perfectly calm.

"Send out three squads to pursue Uzumaki Naruto."

He paused.

"Also, notify Hatake Kakashi. Tell him his student has run away again."

The ANBU bowed his head.

"Yes, Lord Hokage."

He stood up, turned around, and walked toward the door.

His pace was swift, his footsteps gradually fading down the corridor.

The office fell silent.

"Sensei, is there anything else?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen: ...

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