Chapter 120 – Orochimaru's Counterattack
As Kazane and his companions returned to Konoha, Hiruzen Sarutobi did not follow.
Though their unexpected arrival had disrupted his plans, Kazane's overwhelming presence had, ironically, played right into his hands—subduing the attending Kages and halting their pressure.
With Orochimaru now having virtually no chance to become Hokage, Hiruzen felt the political field cleared. Once he returned to the village, whether he passed the title on to Minato Namikaze or retained it himself was entirely within his discretion.
To a seasoned politician like Hiruzen, now was the perfect time to request war reparations.
Thanks to Kazane's earlier display, the other villages were sure to comply. With that money, the village could be rebuilt, and the fallen would receive the compensation they deserved.
Yes—he, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was the Hokage who had contributed most to Konoha. Only someone like him, who always placed the village first, had the right to sit in that seat.
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Meanwhile, back in the village…
Kazane and Orochimaru returned without fanfare, each heading straight home without making any public appearances.
But by the next day, rumors had begun to spread—rumors that were decidedly different from those of days past.
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Noon – Ichiraku Ramen
As always, Konoha's safest spot at lunchtime bustled with both civilians and shinobi from all corners of the village.
At the center of one of the rows of stools, two unnamed shinobi were chatting idly while waiting for their bowls of ramen.
"Hey, did you hear? Lord Orochimaru stormed the Five Kage Summit!"
The moment those words dropped, ears perked up all around. Civilians and shinobi alike subtly leaned closer.
Gossip, after all, is a universal pastime—no one can resist the call of a juicy story.
"For real? Come on, spill it. That summit had all the strongest from across the ninja world! Even Lord Hiruzen was being pressured to hand over our hero, Kazane!"
"Oh, Kazane was there too."
"What?! Even Kazane showed up? He's the strongest in the ninja world! Did a fight break out?!"
"Listen, this is top-secret stuff. Don't go spreading it around. I heard it from my older brother—he's a Jōnin in the Intelligence Division."
The crowd leaned in closer. With a source that legit, no one wanted to miss a word.
"First it was just Orochimaru-sama. But then Jiraiya-sama and Tsunade-sama showed up too!"
"You mean the Legendary Three Sannin of Konoha?! All three of them together?! I haven't heard of that happening in forever!"
"Exactly! When they arrived in the Land of Iron, they summoned their three great beasts—scared those samurai so bad some of 'em probably wet themselves."
"No way! Aren't those samurai always talking trash about shinobi? Sounds like the Sannin finally taught them a lesson!"
"You're telling me! But then it got crazier—five Kage, their personal guards, and more than ten top-tier ninja came out to confront them!"
"Ten elite shinobi?!"
The surrounding patrons were officially hooked. Many who had been distracted moments before now gathered around, eager to hear more.
"Shh! Keep your voice down. What I'm about to tell you is really secret."
"I swear, man. I've got the tightest lips in Konoha!"
"Alright then—listen up. Just when things were about to explode… Kazane appeared."
"You should've seen it. The moment he stepped out, those ten elite ninja? Dead silent. Not a single one dared say a word."
"No way... is Kazane really that powerful?"
"Would I lie to you? I'm only sharing this 'cause we're close. Otherwise, I'd be in deep trouble just mentioning it."
"And that's not even the craziest part! Surrounded by samurai and more than ten top-tier shinobi, Kazane glared at them—just glared—and everyone except the top elites passed out on the spot!"
"That's insane. He's not human—he's a damn god!"
"It's true. Just wait. News will reach us from the Land of Iron soon. When it does, the whole world will know. Why would I lie about something this big?"
"Stop interrupting. You wanna hear the rest or not?"
"Yes! Please! Go on!"
The crowd pressed in.
"Then—get this—Kazane looked the Five Kage dead in the eyes and said, 'So which of you wanted me dead? I'm standing right here. Come and get me.'"
"And those Kage? Nothing. Not a word. Just froze up like statues."
"Man... If I had even one ten-thousandth of Kazane-sama's power, I wouldn't still be a Genin."
"I swear, it's all true! And it gets better. You know Mifune, right?"
"Of course! The Land of Iron's legendary samurai. That guy's blade is so fast, he can kill you before you know you're dead."
"Well, Kazane-sama fought him. But not with a real sword. No—he used a fruit knife! The kind we use to slice apples."
"No way..."
"Yep. Took him down in just a few swings. Sliced his sword in half and left him on the ground bleeding."
"That's… unreal."
"That's the power of Konoha's strongest. Hatake Kazane-sama."
"Hard to believe the same three great shinobi villages that even the Hokage feared… were shut down just like that."
"Yeah. Only someone like Kazane could make them all back down like cowards. That's what it means to show the true might of Konoha's ninja."
"I tell you—Kazane-sama is the Second Coming of the First Hokage. No doubt about it."
"And Lord Orochimaru? Hokage's chosen successor? He's the only one worthy to lead us with Kazane-sama at his side."
"With those two around, no village would ever dare invade us. Konoha is unstoppable!"
At that moment, Teuchi—the owner of Ichiraku Ramen—stepped forward with their orders.
"Alright, boys. Time to eat!"
The shinobi quickly turned to their steaming bowls.
At the same time, similar conversations were breaking out all over the village.
"You hear? Lord Orochimaru stormed the Kage Summit!" 1314
The tale spread like wildfire. By day's end, it had reached every corner of Konoha.
And with each retelling, the legend grew.
People added their own flair. New details. More drama.
By sunset, Orochimaru and Kazane were no longer controversial figures.
They were Konoha's saviors.
And Hiruzen Sarutobi?
In the minds of many—he was just the old man who tried to give up a hero to save face.
Complete version available at P@treon, Zynos