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[NTU] [ARC-23] Chapter : 311
🕑 Added 2025-05-09 02:53:30 +0000 UTC"This has to be done."
Tsunade’s voice was firm as she spoke, noticing Toshiro’s moment of hesitation.
"The preliminary agreements you reached with the other major nations have been approved."
"They’re all solid proposals, but..."
She paused, her expression growing serious as she met Toshiro’s eyes.
"As the saying goes, the first step is always the hardest."
"Prisoner exchanges, mutual trade, compensation arrangements—they’re all excellent initiatives."
"But if we want real progress, we, as Konoha’s leaders, must take the lead and set the standard."
The other nations still needed time to deliberate and discuss the terms, but no real progress would be made without someone taking the first step. And if Konoha wanted others to follow, it had to be that someone.
"So you're suggesting..."
Toshiro’s thoughts caught up with her implication.
"Exactly," Tsunade nodded. "I have been debating what the best starting point might be."
"And thanks to the prisoners you brought back, we finally have our answer."
She was right. Beginning with a prisoner exchange was a smart, calculated move.
Sasori and Deidara weren’t just any enemies—one was the assassin of the Third Kazekage, the other, a disciple of the Third Tsuchikage.
There was no doubt the Sand and Rock villages would be eager to bring their wayward sons home, if only to save face. This exchange would break the ice and make future negotiations much smoother.
"Fine."
As Hokage, Toshiro understood he could no longer act solely on impulse. He had to weigh the greater good. And compared to the peace initiative he’d proposed, holding on to two prisoners was a small sacrifice.
"But make sure interrogators extract everything they know before we hand them over," he added.
Deidara’s explosive clay techniques were far too valuable to overlook. And Sasori’s puppet—crafted from the corpse of the Third Kazekage—was a dangerous weapon that couldn’t be allowed to return to Sand’s arsenal.
"No objections there," Tsunade replied. "But... there’s still one prisoner left."
She gave Toshiro a pointed look, clearly unimpressed.
In her eyes, Toshiro was abusing his authority, blinded by Pakura’s beauty, and keeping a rogue ninja for personal reasons.
"She’s a known traitor from the Sand Village. And you, as Hokage, are openly keeping her by your side..."
Tsunade suddenly stopped mid-sentence, wrinkling her nose in disgust.
“Ugh… what’s that smell?”
Toshiro coughed, brushing off her suspicion.
"I’ll personally write to Rasa. I don’t think Pakura’s defection is an unforgivable offense. As Hokage, I think I have enough sway to make this work."
After all, her so-called “crimes” weren’t fundamental betrayals. Surely Rasa would give him this small concession.
"Ahem!" Toshiro cleared his throat again. "I’ll go check on Orochimaru."
Under Tsunade’s scrutinizing glare, he felt an odd sense of guilt and used the excuse to make a swift exit.
By now, Toshiro already knew how he intended to deal with Orochimaru.
He still had Kotoamatsukami—the perfect jutsu for a situation like this.
In the cold, dim corridor of Konoha’s maximum-security prison, an old, weary voice echoed off the walls.
"Orochimaru... even now, you feel no remorse?"
A teacher could never fully wash his hands of his student’s sins. Looking back, letting him follow Danzo had been his greatest mistake.
If only he’d chosen differently... perhaps this child would never have lost his way.
'Sarutobi...'
From a distance, Toshiro spotted the former Hokage—Hiruzen Sarutobi—standing outside the cell, clad in plain clothes, his face etched with sorrow.
When the old man turned, Toshiro nodded in greeting.
Since stepping down, Hiruzen had aged drastically. His once-powerful frame had shriveled into that of a frail elder—white-haired, wrinkled, and weary. He looked every bit a man burdened by time and regret.
"...Hokage-sama," he murmured, eyes lingering on Orochimaru behind the bars.
He seemed like he wanted to speak but couldn’t find the words.
"Chief Sarutobi," Toshiro interrupted gently, "there’s no need to say anything. I’ll give careful thought to how we handle Orochimaru."
"In that case... I won’t disturb you further."
Hiruzen turned and slowly walked away, shoulders heavy, his steps unsteady.
Not once did he plead.
Not a single word of forgiveness or hope passed his lips.
He left in silence, fading down the corridor like a shadow of the man he once was.
Toshiro watched him go, then turned his gaze to the figure locked in the cage.
He’d done more than just sedate Orochimaru with Tsunade’s special anesthetic—he was preparing for something far more permanent.
He had even called on Kushina to personally seal Orochimaru—layer after layer—until not a single thread of chakra could escape.
"How disappointing," Toshiro muttered. "After all that buildup, the reunion between master and student turned out to be anything but touching."
As Hokage, he naturally knew Sarutobi Hiruzen had come to visit Orochimaru. But judging by the cold interaction, Orochimaru had utterly rejected his former mentor.
"Master and student?"
Orochimaru slowly turned his gaze to Toshiro, who had already activated his Mangekyo. Despite being heavily restrained, he showed no trace of fear.
"That bond was just another chain holding me back from my true path."
At this point, only his eyes and lips could move.
"So tell me, Lord Hokage—what do you intend to do with me, a traitor?"
Without waiting for a reply, Orochimaru began answering his own question, his voice laced with mockery.
"Execute me?"
"Imprison me?"
"Or perhaps... enlist my talents for your own use?"
Toshiro wasn’t a by-the-book shinobi like his predecessor. Orochimaru knew the kind of deals the new Hokage had made. He didn’t expect to be killed outright—it was far more likely Toshiro would try to control him, bend his genius to serve the village.
But Orochimaru wasn’t worried. As long as he could regain his freedom, he had ways to deal with any restraint. Even death didn’t scare him—he had methods to return.
As for the anesthetic Tsunade used? It was already losing its effect. He could feel his resistance building.
"You certainly haven’t lost your confidence, Orochimaru."
Toshiro narrowed his eyes. He was already wondering if Orochimaru’s infamous shedding technique could influence the soul itself. If so, suppressing him might be far more complex.
And if Orochimaru were killed… would the revived version still be the same man?
That question—along with the unsettling differences in Orochimaru’s future versions—left Toshiro uncertain.
Finally, he spoke.
"What if I proposed a deal?"
Orochimaru’s eyes glimmered.
"A deal, Hokage? Now this is getting interesting."
He didn’t refuse. In fact, the offer amused him. The last time they had made a deal, Toshiro was just a shadow of what he had become now.
"I’ve always admired your relentless pursuit of knowledge," Toshiro began smoothly. "To develop something as profound as the Reincarnation technique—that takes true brilliance."
After the flattery, he got to the point.
"I’m offering access to certain research materials. In return, you’ll share your findings with me."
"Konoha may also commission specific research projects, for which you’ll be fairly compensated."
It was more than a deal—it was an employment contract of sorts.
Toshiro knew that using Kotoamatsukami to brainwash Orochimaru carried risks. It could compromise his scientific genius or trigger instability down the line. Cooperation—with strict boundaries—was a smarter path.
Of course, Toshiro wasn't so naïve as to leave himself unguarded.
Unbeknownst to Orochimaru, Toshiro had already embedded a trigger-based genjutsu deep within his mind. If things went wrong, Orochimaru would be in for a very unpleasant surprise.
With the deal settled, it was just a matter of timing before Orochimaru could be quietly released.
Toshiro turned to leave.
"Time to go home."
He hadn't seen what his house looked like yet. With those two women left unsupervised, he couldn't help but wonder if it was still standing.
It was an ancestral home, after all. If it collapsed under his watch, the ancestors would never forgive him.
—
"Hokage-sama!"
Just as he stepped out of the prison, a clear, energetic voice called out.
"Anko!"
He spotted her immediately—the high ponytail, the sheepish expression.
Toshiro sighed.
"So much for village security... Even Anko already knows we captured Orochimaru."
It had barely been any time since the capture, and yet even the retired Third Hokage—and now this overly enthusiastic woman—were already in the loop.
Then again… calling Anko a "girl" was no longer accurate.
Now nearly twenty, she was in her prime—vibrant, beautiful, and wild-spirited as ever.
Still, the image of her in Boruto flashed across Toshiro’s mind… and instantly dulled the mood.
Anko hesitated, her face reddening, struggling to get the words out.
"If... if Hokage-sama could—"
"Stop right there."
Toshiro cut her off, already guessing what she was about to say. His expression twitched.
He hadn’t even sorted out the chaos back home. Getting involved in side matters—especially with Anko—was out of the question.
"Your ex-sensei is a valuable asset," he said flatly. "I won’t let him die without making the most of him."
Even if Orochimaru had to be released eventually, Toshiro would make sure his value was fully extracted first.
As for Anko, there was no point in telling her more. She wasn’t exactly known for her discretion.
All she needed was a little reassurance.
