From Orochimaru's tone, Chiyo could tell that Orochimaru was unaware of Sasori's situation.
'Perhaps this is just a coincidence.'
Right now, she just wanted to return immediately to investigate and see if things were really as she suspected.
She said calmly, "Orochimaru, we did indeed research the human puppet forbidden technique for a period of time, but the research was long ago ordered terminated by me, and all the data was destroyed. Don't dream in broad daylight."
Orochimaru chuckled. He didn't believe a single word of what Chiyo said.
After all, just like the Wood Release experiments he and Danzo conducted had been called off, the data on the surface had also been destroyed.
But not only did he have backups, Root had them too.
However, seeing that Chiyo had no intention to trade, he didn't press further.
Though he pursued eternity, what he truly sought was eternity in terms of biology. He didn't want to turn himself into a cold and lifeless object.
He wanted the research data on the human puppet technique merely out of a thirst for knowledge and a desire to make analogies and learn from it.
So, he said, "Elder Chiyo, can this war be over now?"
Chiyo gave Orochimaru a deep look, then glanced at Kakashi, and finally let her gaze rest on Namikaze Minato.
She snorted lightly, then turned to Rasa and said, "Announce it."
Rasa nodded, looked at the Sand army that appeared both exhausted and confused, raised his hand, and loudly declare, "The war between us and Konoha is over. From this moment on, retreat."
This result, in fact, many Sand ninjas had already sensed in their hearts, but only when Rasa spoke did everything truly settle.
Some breathed a sigh of relief, some were unwilling, and some showed hatred on their faces, looking at Konoha's formation.
It was the same on Konoha's side.
What does war bring?
At this moment, many people on the battlefield didn't know.
They simply looked at the surrounding devastation and showed confused expressions.
Everyone felt a wave of desolation.
Orochimaru looked at this scene and said to Minato beside him, "The Myriad Snake Array we prepared in advance didn't come into play. I originally thought we could give the Sand a surprise."
Minato, feeling Orochimaru's exceptional strategy, said sincerely, "Thanks to Orochimaru-sama, otherwise this war wouldn't have ended so easily."
Orochimaru sighed, "Is that so?"
He looked at Minato's youthful face and suddenly felt that having Minato serve as Hokage wasn't a bad choice.
This way… he could also let go of some things and focus on his research in peace.
He said calmly, "I'll report today's events as-is. What do you think about the Fourth Hokage?"
Minato answered without hesitation, "My dream since childhood has been to become Hokage. If I get the chance, I'll run for it."
Orochimaru nodded and looked in Konoha's direction, "Yes, though Teacher Hiruzen still retains his vigor, he's no longer young. The older one gets, the more muddled they become. It's time to elect a new Hokage." [T/N: 😂]
Minato suddenly recalled the intel Obito mentioned about Orochimaru's future. For some reason, he felt that Orochimaru already had the intention to leave.
Not wanting such an outcome to occur, he immediately asked, "Orochimaru-sama, do you really enjoy doing research?"
Orochimaru chuckled, "Yes."
Minato said, "If I become the Fourth Hokage, I'll establish a massive laboratory for you, provide ample research funding. Orochimaru-sama, maybe you'll bring a new wave to the ninja world."
Orochimaru was stunned.
'Is Minato subtly hinting at me to withdraw from the Hokage race?'
'No,' Orochimaru saw sincerity in Minato's eyes. Minato genuinely believed he could bring a wind of change to the ninja world.
A subtle emotion welled up in Orochimaru's heart.
In the past, Hiruzen wouldn't have thought that way. Or rather, 80 to 90 percent of ninjas wouldn't think that way.
Ninjas only cared about killing, missions, and getting stronger.
But in this world, there were things besides what ninjas cared about.
Orochimaru had always lived in an unspeakable loneliness, even his good friend Jiraiya wasn't someone on the same path.
Unexpectedly, Minato turned out to be far more interesting than most ninjas he had met, 'It didn't use to be this way. When did it start to change?'
Orochimaru couldn't help but ask, "Minato, why… do you think this way?"
[T/N: Female Orochimaru does look good but alas this is not a gooner fanfic]
Minato thought of Kushina.
With some inspiration from Obito, Kushina had recently come up with many whimsical ideas.
One invention after another emerged from her hands. These items seemed insignificant, but upon closer thought, they could even bring transformation to the entire ninja world.
Were these items hard to make? No.
Though they required an extremely high level of sealing technique, for Kushina, it wasn't too difficult.
But why hadn't they been made before?
Because Kushina had been bound by ninja thinking, she had never considered doing it this way.
Thinking of this, Minato smiled and said, "Orochimaru-sama, I just think that the ninja mindset is too narrow, the vision too limited. We need to find ways to make the world better from different perspectives, different ideas."
Orochimaru was somewhat surprised. At this moment, his view of Minato completely changed.
A massive laboratory and ample research funding? These were indeed exactly what he lacked.
He couldn't help but speak some heartfelt words, "Most of my research is dangerous."
Minato, however, smiled and said, "If Orochimaru-sama is simply conducting research, there's always a way, isn't there? Sometimes, control within a certain degree isn't that hard."
Orochimaru suddenly felt that Minato might know something. Otherwise, how could he say such words?
But such things, he wouldn't ask directly. He simply changed the subject, "Let's handle the aftermath. We still have a lot of work to do…"
———
Ninjas come fast, and they leave fast. Half a day later, the entire battlefield of Kikyo Mountain was left only with land soaked in blood…
One injured person after another was sent to the medical tents in Konoha's camp. Rin, Nono, and others were so busy they couldn't handle it all.
Minato finally got away from the crowd of admirers and returned to his own tent to rest for a while.
At this time, Obito walked in.
Minato saw this and asked, "Obito, earlier, did you intentionally leave a handle for Rasa to hold over me?"
Obito nodded, "Rasa doesn't trust Konoha. Talking to him about ideals and peace is useless. The only thing he trusts is benefits."
"To ensure his own interests, the best way is to grab hold of the other side's weakness. With leverage, there's a shared secret. In his view, such a relationship is the most solid."
Minato couldn't help but shake his head, "Obito, you really do have a lot of clever tricks."
Obito said, "I've just been to more places and seen more."
"Besides, saying we handed over leverage, in fact, wasn't it also to accelerate Teacher Minato's rise?"
"Konoha, under the leadership of Teacher Minato, is truly more reassuring."
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