The conference room of the Hokage Building gathered many high-level officials in the village.
The heads of major families, such as Hinata Hizashi, Uchiha Fugaku, and Nara Shikaku.
And some famous Jonin, Orochimaru, Jiraiya, Namikaze Minato, etc.
On the left and right sides of the Hokage, there were two advisors to the Hokage and Danzo Shimura.
These people are sitting here to discuss the matter of the Kirigakure ninjas who are constantly harassing their border.
This ninja world war has not ended, it has just entered a period of calm. Both Konoha and Iwagakure have been seriously injured, but the remaining three parties of the five major ninja villages still have strength left. No one is sure what the future will be like.
"Who do you think is better responsible for the Mist Ninja side?" Sarutobi was in the chief position, looking at the people on the left and right sides.
Everyone present looked at each other, but no one took the initiative to speak.
There are only two candidates for this so-called leader, Minato and Orochimaru, and everyone present knows it.
But at this moment, no one is the first to choose the person they support.
Seeing that no one spoke, Sarutobi looked at Jiraiya on his right who was still hanging his arm with a bandage.
"Jiraiya, what do you think?"
Jiraiya was a little embarrassed when he heard this. He said that he was naturally supporting his disciple.
But now Orochimaru was sitting across from him, and what happened before made him feel guilty. Now he couldn't answer Sarutobi's questions.
"How about... I, I go?" he said hesitantly.
Sarutobi was quite speechless: "Okay, don't die there again like this."
Jiraiya immediately laughed dryly: "I said I wanted to go, but you didn't let me go."
Sarutobi didn't bother to pay attention to his way of avoiding the problem, and looked at the outsiders again.
Fugaku and Nichizu each sat in their own seats with their eyes closed, seeming to be deaf to everything going on around them.
"I recommend Minato." Shikaku suddenly said at this time.
"Everyone should know how well Minato performed in the battle with the Iwa Ninja. It is precisely because of Minato's presence that we can win again and again. This time in the war with the Mist Ninja, Minato will definitely be able to successfully lead and defeat the enemy."
Sarutobi nodded happily and glanced at the others: "Does anyone have other ideas?"
Shikaku started to speak, and many people present spoke out in support of Minato.
Orochimaru looked normal at this, but every time someone spoke, he would glance away.
"I think Lord Orochimaru should be in charge."
Finally, there were different sounds in the room.
This person's reason was that Orochimaru brought reinforcements during the previous battle with the Iwa Ninja, and he also claimed that if Orochimaru-sama had led them from the beginning, the battle with the Iwa Ninja would have been won long ago.
His words also won many supporters.
Listening to the voices supporting Orochimaru in the room, Danzo couldn't help but raise the corners of his mouth.
But fortunately, those who supported Minato and those who supported Orochimaru did not have any disputes with each other. They simply stated their own ideas. Although they had their own supporters, they also respected the other of the two.
Sarutobi sighed secretly when he saw this, he had already expected this scene.
He had the intention to let Minato be the general, but he also knew that doing so might lead to dissatisfaction from some people. Orochimaru saved Konoha, and everyone was indebted to him.
He looked at Orochimaru and found that he was also looking at him.
After thinking for a moment, Sarutobi said: "Orochimaru, what do you think..."
"I think it would be better for Minato to lead us to fight this battle." Orochimaru interrupted what Sarutobi wanted to say.
As soon as this statement came out, there was an instant uproar in the conference room, and everyone present was shocked. Should this be what Orochimaru said?
Danzo frowned instantly and his eyes became gloomy. He had specifically reminded Orochimaru to fight for this position before, but now Orochimaru was about to give it up!
Minato sat there stunned for a long time, and after coming back to his senses, he quickly said: "No, I'm still worse than Orochimaru-senpai..."
"Minato, you don't have to be humble." Orochimaru said with a smile.
"You have been fighting side by side with everyone on the front line. Your companions in the village also trust you more. I believe that you can definitely lead everyone to repel the Mist Ninja."
People like Sarutobi and Jiraiya who were familiar with Orochimaru seemed to have gotten to know Orochimaru again, and their eyes were filled with surprise.
Sarutobi thought for a long time, but still couldn't figure out what Orochimaru could be plotting.
Orochimaru then looked at Jiraiya and asked, "Jiraiya, what do you think?"
Jiraiya recovered from his daze: "I... agree with your idea."
Orochimaru's eyes swept over everyone present: "Compared with Minato, I am not suitable for this position. You don't need to recommend me. I believe Minato can do better than me."
Everyone looked at each other, and if the occasion didn't allow it, they couldn't help but whisper.
Sarutobi coughed lightly and then made a decision.
"Since Orochimaru said so, Kirigakure will have trouble with Minato."
Minato heard this and stood up and bowed: "You should do your best!"
When the meeting dispersed, Orochimaru ignored Danzo's cold eyes and left.
Looking at the people gathered in small groups discussing something in low voices, Orochimaru was filled with disdain. These people would never guess what he would do.
All of them hold high positions, but their political acumen is pitifully low in Orochimaru's opinion.
In this aspect, they are completely crushed.
When he had this thought, he had excluded himself.
Orochimaru thought that he just didn't bother to think about such things and stayed with them, and now it was enough for Yuma to give him advice.
On Minato's side, he left the Hokage Building with Ino Shikacho and the other three.
Shikaku was still frowning and thinking about Orochimaru's unpredictable behavior today.
Orochimaru also covets the position of Hokage, which is known to everyone, what made him change his temper.
"Is it possible..." Lu Jiu suddenly thought of something and muttered to himself.
"What's wrong?" Minato asked.
Shikaku's expression changed, and he whispered to Minato: "Have you forgotten why we were retreating steadily when we fought against the Iwa ninja?"
As soon as these words came out, the expressions of the other people all changed.
Minato frowned slightly and said, "Shikaku, if you think so, you have concluded that the mole is related to Orochimaru-senpai."
Shikaku's meaning was very clear. The reason Orochimaru gave up this position to Minato was because he planned to secretly make some small moves in the rear to make Minato stumble at the front.
At that time, he will play the role of savior again and reap all the fruits.
Shikaku said: "Minato, the matter is so big that we cannot afford to be careless."
Minato said: "If it is really Orochimaru-senpai who did it, evidence must be produced. Then the Hokage and all his companions in Konoha will judge this criminal. If there is no evidence, everything is just our random imagination. You can’t use this as a fact to speculate on other people’s thoughts. Now that I sit in this position, I will naturally try my best to bring victory to the village!”
Shikaku just smiled bitterly when he heard this. Only Minato could say nice things, and they still had to do other things.