Chapter 113: The Hokage and the Daimyo

The situation gradually escalated. Word spread throughout Konoha that envoys from the Daimyo of the Land of Fire were on their way to demand accountability. Not only the ninja but even the villagers were aware of this impending confrontation.

The newspaper staff sensed something unusual. With Kahn’s arrival in Konoha, the head of the local newspaper approached him promptly: “Lord Kahn, should we report on the incident involving White Fang of Konoha?”

“Wait another day or two, until the Daimyo’s envoys arrive. And please, don’t call me ‘Lord.’ Just ‘Boss’ or ‘Editor-in-Chief’ will do,” Kahn replied.

Though the title felt awkward to him, Kahn understood that once they reached the Fire Country’s capital, many would address him in such a manner.

“You can cover other stories in the meantime, such as…” Kahn began, but suddenly felt a piercing gaze fixed upon him. Turning his head, he saw Kusunai staring intently. Since the newspaper’s establishment, each issue featured tales of ninja exploits. Those who made it into the paper were admired by many.

Kusunai had been a regular reader since the paper’s inception. Stories of renowned ninja were often discussed by villagers on the streets. If only she could be featured herself...

However, Kusunai’s situation was complicated. Her identity was sensitive and unlikely to be approved for publication by Konoha. Moreover, she lacked any notable achievements; it would be absurd to place her story in a sensationalist column.

“Why don’t you take a break for now? I’ll let you know when the Daimyo’s envoys arrive,” Kahn told the newspaper staff. Hearing this, Kusunai’s cheeks flushed with displeasure.

Silently, she resolved not to give her boss a massage for at least three days.

“Kusunai, I remember you were once targeted by the Cloud Village. I can’t publish your story because it would put you in danger,” Kahn said sincerely after tapping his fingers on the table to draw her attention back.

“If they target you again, it will be perilous. Especially now, when tensions in the ninja world are so volatile. Do you understand what I mean?”

Kusunai realized her previous impulsiveness. Being a Jinchuriki, spreading her story recklessly would only create trouble for Kahn.

Still, she wouldn’t admit it aloud. “Of course I understand. I just had a stiff neck earlier and was looking out the window…”

Her excuse was weak, her voice trailing off.

Kahn didn’t expose her but instead rubbed his own neck and murmured, “My neck feels stiff too, and dealing with all these matters daily gives me a headache…”

Kusunai blushed deeply. She had noticed her boss’s gaze earlier—he clearly hoped for a lap pillow massage. But today she wore short socks, which made the idea embarrassing.

“Boss, y-you should come here, I’ll… help you!”

Though she tried to pretend not to hear herself, the words slipped out. Despite it not being the first time, the lap pillow always made Kusunai feel bashful.

...

The ninja squad from Iwa had returned after a rotation of duty. The frontline was commanded by Orochimaru, who had been dispatched to the Land of Grass border by the Third Hokage following the White Fang incident. During his time there, he had repelled several small-scale attacks from Iwa, thwarting their advance and intentions.

After the Land of Earth’s Daimyo sent envoys, tensions between the two villages eased, and Orochimaru was recalled, replaced by another to command the Grass border.

Though Orochimaru had no major military achievements, he maintained Konoha’s morale at the Grass border camp and was treated as a hero upon return.

Kahn had gone to the roadside to greet Orochimaru’s return. Orochimaru noticed him, gave a knowing look, and then proceeded toward the Hokage’s office.

Orochimaru had many reports to make to the Hokage and handovers to complete, so he would not be free until evening.

Taking command of a camp was a transition from advisor to decision-maker; many Jonin in Konoha existed, but few could independently lead frontline operations.

After exchanging glances with Orochimaru, Kahn did not linger. Even Tsunade was unaware of their cooperation; they communicated through Orochimaru’s summoned snakes in Ryuchi Cave. Important matters were kept there, impenetrable even by Konoha’s Anbu, no matter their skill.

As dusk approached, Kahn suddenly sensed the chakra of the small white snake calling him.

He immediately performed a summoning technique, bringing forth the white snake from Ryuchi Cave. “Summon Orochimaru here,” he instructed.

Afterwards, Kahn cast protective and sealing barriers around the house to prevent outsiders from spying.

Once completed, the white snake summoned Orochimaru.

“It’s been a long time, Kahn-kun. I didn’t expect you to become the Fire Country’s propaganda lord…” Orochimaru smiled, surveying the protective spells and sealing barriers. He felt reassured.

He had intended to hold their conversation inside Ryuchi Cave but was surprised to be summoned to Kahn’s room. With multiple layers of barriers, many prying eyes would be kept at bay. He was also surprised at how close Kahn was to Kusunai, even mastering sealing techniques.

“Propaganda lord was an accident. The Daimyo’s relationship with Konoha isn’t as smooth as it seems. I was given this title so my newspaper could assist him somewhat. It’s a flattering title within the Fire Country but carries no real power,” Kahn explained as he served Orochimaru tea and sat across from him.

“From the moment he refused the ninja guards Konoha sent, Sarutobi-sensei understood the Daimyo’s intentions. But recruiting qualified guards externally wasn’t easy, so he finally accepted the six guards Konoha dispatched,” Orochimaru said with a wry smile, acknowledging the Daimyo’s cunning but reliance on Konoha.

Kahn cut to the chase. “Orochimaru, do you intend to become Hokage?”

“Hokage…” Orochimaru paused. The thought existed but was not strong. Compared to people like Jiraiya, becoming Hokage was merely a waypoint, not his ultimate goal.

To him, Hokage was a position to realize his true ambitions.

“Orochimaru, the Third Hokage is an obstacle for me, as are several senior advisors. Without them, cooperation with Konoha would be easier, and we wouldn’t have to act so covertly… like with this super soldier serum,” Kahn said, producing Dr. Erskin’s super soldier serum dossier and passing it to Orochimaru.

Judging by the data alone, the serum could multiply a normal person’s physical parameters several times over and greatly increase brain utilization. If applied to ninja, the enhancement could be even greater.

Numerically, it could grant an ordinary person the physical abilities comparable to a Chunin.

“Amazing serum. If mass-produced, the number of Chunin and Jonin in Konoha could double,” Orochimaru mused. Though less potent than the Absolute Despair Virus, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for ordinary ninja, especially those stuck at the Chunin level who might rise to Jonin or special Jonin.

“Besides this, I have these biological cell research materials as a gift for you, Orochimaru,” Kahn added, handing over a complete set of biological cell science knowledge from Japan. Orochimaru’s research was somewhat crude — proficient in human anatomy but lacking Tsunade’s medical finesse, making his methods rather rough.

This material would complement his weaknesses and save much effort if he intended to develop forbidden jutsu.

Orochimaru did not take the files but fixed Kahn with his golden, vertical slit eyes. His cooperation had limits and he would not be controlled.

“Kahn-kun, you wish to leverage me, the Hokage, or Konoha for your goals?”

“I seek only profit — from gold, silver, bronze, and iron to eternal life and immense power. The ninja world harbors many resources worth claiming and developing. I want to find a partner, like Ryuchi Cave,” Kahn replied.

“Hokage and Daimyo?” Orochimaru smiled and flipped through the books. Their desires aligned, explaining their many shared interests.

If the Fire Country’s Daimyo and Hokage could set aside distrust and cooperate fully, they would be the most promising force to unify the ninja world.

Unfortunately, since Konoha’s founding, that hope has steadily diminished. Orochimaru saw the ninja world as a windmill stuck in endless cycles. Jiraiya spoke of peace but passed the hope to the next generation...

“I don’t like the title ‘Daimyo,’ but that position is desirable... Taking the Daimyo seat wouldn’t be difficult for me. The only obstacle is Konoha, so I need your help — on the condition that you become the Fourth Hokage, Orochimaru,” Kahn said.

Kahn now had many means to deal with ordinary people, but ninja were another matter. Their secret techniques rivaled his magic, including memory searches and summoning the resurrected through Edo Tensei.

Seizing the Daimyo title was simple; the challenge was preventing Konoha’s ninja from rebelling against the change. Without Konoha’s military power, the Daimyo’s few guards would be easily overcome by a few bounty hunters.

Without ninja allies, Kahn’s plans would be extremely difficult.

(End of chapter)