Chapter 227: New Year, New Dilemma
The new year brings new challenges for Konoha.
Not only has the recent hunting of Uchiha Obito after his evil transformation made the top leaders anxious, but there are also many problems in and outside the village that are making them breathless.
Therefore, when Namikaze Minato came to share the joy with the good news that his wife was pregnant, the smiles on the faces of the old guys like Sarutobi Hiruzen, Mitokado En and Utane Koharu were obviously a little forced.
After leaving Minato, Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't help but add a few more rolls of tobacco to his pipe. As he puffed out smoke, the wrinkles on his brow became deeper.
Seeing that Sarutobi Hiruzen was almost finishing his pack of cigarettes and still not saying anything, Koharu Tsuchiya spoke first.
"Hiruzen, say something, shouldn't you think of a solution? Minato has been oblivious to everything since he knew he had a child. From the looks of him, he wants to stay by Kushina's side for the next few months. Don't you want to try to persuade him?"
Now, for these old guys, the biggest problem and the most urgent dilemma to be solved is - how to help Minato Namikaze to the position!
In the original world line, the victory of the battle of Kannabi Bridge paved the way for Minato to become the Hokage, but in this world line now, this smooth road has been broken long ago...
The break was complete and without any suspense.
Since the old guys are unwilling to replace other candidates, how to continue to support Minato Namikaze has become their biggest problem at the moment.
Not long ago, Sarutobi Hiruzen had hoped to let Namikaze Minato lead the negotiations with Kirigakure to gain some reputation.
Unfortunately, the effect is not good...
"Hey, Minato kid, why did he negotiate the contract like that before?" At this time, Mitomon En also spoke.
However, Sarutobi Hiruzen just gave his old friend a cold and tired look without saying a word.
Is this really Minato Namikaze's fault?
Sarutobi Hiruzen actually knew very well in his heart: No!
It was because the old guys who made decisions in the rear were too weak, and their thoughts were completely seen through by their opponents, and all their bottom lines were clearly predicted.
But what good can we do even if we understand?
After all, they don't have the courage to restart the war.
Under such a premise, no matter how eloquent Minato Namikaze was, the negotiations would not be successful.
So this was the last chance to improve Minato Namikaze's reputation before the New Year, but in the end the result was not satisfactory.
Even after the peace talks with Kirigakure, the Uchiha clan's reputation in the village rose even more than that of Minato Namikaze!
I don't know who taught them, but it seems that the Uchiha clan suddenly got wise after the battle with Kirigakure - they knew how to build momentum for themselves, take credit, and publicize themselves, and they even learned to win over other ninja clans with whom they had fought side by side.
The old guys like Sarutobi Hiruzen are worrying so much that their hair is turning white.
"This is not a solution. If Minato doesn't take action, Orochimaru will probably completely overshadow him." Utane Koharu said worriedly.
Upon hearing this, Sarutobi Hiruzen put down his pipe and said nervously.
"What has Orochimaru done recently?"
Utane Koharu turned her head and looked at him.
"Why, Hiruzen, don't you know? Orochimaru has recently asked the village for a lot of supplies. I guess he will make some big moves in the next few months."
As an elder, Utane Koharu has been managing the distribution of supplies in the village. Even after Sarutobi Hiruzen abdicated, she still retained this power.
Now, hearing her say this suddenly, Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't help but take a deep puff of his cigarette.
The wrinkles on his forehead deepened again.
At that moment, many dark thoughts that could not be told to outsiders surged in the hearts of these old guys.
At the same time, what outsiders don’t know is that a large part of the supplies that Orochimaru requested from Konoha’s logistics department were actually secretly and quietly transferred to the Land of Rain!
In this game, everyone who remains at the table is already a villain!
The kind-hearted people had been kicked out long ago.
So Orochimaru doesn't care at all what the old guys in the village think of him now.
He has already found a way out for himself.
In the laboratory of the Rain Country, Orochimaru cooperated with Hiruzen again after a long time.
Although Okunoki was very disgusted by this, Orochimaru remained calm.
There was even a Kong who teased, "Biluhu, your skills seem to have regressed. What's the matter? Has the life in the Rain Country been too comfortable, and has it worn away your ambition?"
Hiruhu resisted the urge to curse and said angrily, "Orochimaru, you should remember: this is my research institute!"
But Orochimaru just smiled and remained unmoved by the scolding. "But I brought the supplies and test materials this time. Don't make a fuss. It's time to add the fourth dose of medicine."
"you!"
Beiluhu still found it difficult to accept the idea of working again with the venomous snake that had abandoned him.
It was not until soon after that Shiba Kiyokawa came to the research institute.
"What happened?"
Orochimaru responded calmly, "There have been some breakthroughs in the first project, but it will take time to produce results. However, the second project has been completed."
"Oh?" Shiba Kiyokawa suddenly became interested.
The first subject he left behind was the study of the evolution of the white eye.
Having read the original work, he certainly knows that the Byakugan, like the Sharingan, can continue to evolve upward, and its final form is no worse than the Rinnegan.
Thinking back to when he got a pair of Byakugan from Hyuga Hideki, he only gave one eye to Chihiro, and the other one was left for follow-up research.
Now Orochimaru is finally willing to cooperate and has even brought his own materials - several corpses of Hyuga branches.
No one knows how Orochimaru got the materials. Shiba Kiyokawa didn't ask, and Orochimaru himself didn't say.
"Tell me more specifically, what progress has been made on the first project?" asked Shiba Kiyokawa.
Orochimaru replied: "We have verified your inference so far. There is indeed a 90% chance that the Byakugan has a higher level of evolution.
It's just a pity that I still haven't found an executable evolutionary path.
To be honest, I suggest you try transplanting a white eye yourself."
Shiba Kiyokawa thought about Orochimaru's suggestion and finally rejected it.
"Still not, Orochimaru, remember what I warned you not long ago?"
Orochimaru thought about it and finally remembered, "You mean, don't rely too much on ninjutsu, and don't always follow the old path of the Six Paths Sage?"
Shiba Kiyokawa nodded, "Yes, whether it is the Sage's Eye, the Samsara Eye, or the possible evolution of the Byakugan, their source is the Six Paths Sage.
But remember what I told you? If you want to open up a new path, you shouldn't always rely on the legacy of the Sage of Six Paths."
This is exactly the warning that Shiba Kiyokawa gave to Orochimaru after synchronizing the information after returning from the Land of Demons.
Now that we have confirmed that we are allies, there is no need to be stingy in sharing information.
And more importantly: In Shiba Kiyokawa's opinion, Orochimaru's wisdom and scientific research talent play an indispensable role in opening up new paths!
Orochimaru looked at Shiba Kiyokawa deeply and suddenly smiled.
“I thought you were joking, Qinghe-kun, but I didn’t expect you to be serious.
Haha, you are already looking forward to the heights of the Six Paths Sage? Don’t you think it’s too early? "
Shiba Qinghe shrugged, "You should always aim high, right? I've been dreaming of subverting the ninja world for two years."
Orochimaru couldn't help but let out a series of laughs.
He probably thought Shiba Kiyokawa was joking again.
But they don’t know that some truths are often spoken inadvertently in a joking tone.
Then Shiba Kiyokawa took the initiative to avoid the topic.
"Now let me see your second topic, which has yielded results."
(End of this chapter)
