https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-261-The-Fourth-Hokage-Succession-Battle-Concludes-/12932162/
Chapter 260: The Ultimate Package Deal!
Chapter 260: The Ultimate Package Deal!
"I want the traveling shrine maiden, and I want the Konoha Orphanage moved to the Heavenly Fortress!"
Dong Ping stated his conditions.
Indeed, he had his eyes set on the talented pharmacist, Yano Yu.
She was a versatile talent, excelling in medical ninjutsu, espionage, and other areas.
Moreover, she had one major weakness.
The orphanage!
By exploiting this vulnerability, he could ensure her loyalty, and there was no better candidate in terms of value for his goals.
"No way! She's our Root's strongest ace; there's no way I'm giving her to you!"
Danzo was furious.
As she was his trump card for gathering intelligence, he was genuinely reluctant to let her go.
"But if I'm not mistaken, hasn't she already left Root?"
Dong Ping bluntly revealed this information.
After the battle at Ginseng Mountain, she had focused on managing the orphanage, and even her subsequent return to Root was due to coercion.
"How...how could you possibly know that?"
Danzo pondered silently.
He couldn't fathom how Dong Ping had obtained Root's intelligence.
Even though it wasn't top-secret, it shouldn't have been accessible to outsiders.
"Don't worry about how I know. Isn't it a fair trade to have a powerful ally like me by your side, supporting Orochimaru, in exchange for a weapon you can't control?"
Dong Ping's assertive inquiry.
He had no intention of negotiating with Danzo; his attitude was clear—'I don't care what you think; I'll do as I please.'
It was a straightforward deal; if Danzo agreed, it was a done deal; if not, it was off.
Otherwise, he might as well be playing mind games, which he knew he couldn't win against these veterans.
So, in negotiations, Dong Ping always stuck to his initial terms, rarely wasting words.
Danzo fell silent.
Yano Yu had indeed requested to leave Root, and he had approved it.
He hadn't anticipated someone coming to poach her, especially with knowledge of her weakness.
His reason for agreeing to her departure was precisely because he could use her vulnerability to coerce her into serving Root when needed.
Now, it seemed like his plans were in disarray.
"Alright, but you must explicitly declare your support for Orochimaru!"
In the end, Danzo agreed.
With the Ninja World War over and Yano Yu's departure from Root, trading her support for Orochimaru's ascension ensured a higher chance of success for his plan to become Hokage.
Unfortunately, Dong Ping was unaware of Danzo's thoughts; otherwise, he would have thought him delusional.
The organization had already decided on the Third Hokage's successor, Naruto Uzumaki, so how could Orochimaru possibly take that position?
After the nominee was chosen, it was up to the Fire Country's Daimyo, with the final decision resting with the Hokage.
At that time, the most influential person would be Senju Hashirama, and manipulating things behind the scenes would be no easy task for them. So, their support was both crucial and inconsequential.
There was a reason for this assessment.
Support was considered crucial because the more supporters the Hokage, Senju Hashirama, had, the more he would have to take them seriously. If everyone supported someone else, it would be challenging for the Hokage to go against so many people.
Support was deemed inconsequential because the Hokage could still push through their decision, disregarding the supporters.
Just like the Second Hokage, who didn't consult anyone else and still appointed the Third Hokage, Senju Hashirama.
So, the Hokage position was merely a show for outsiders.
The decision had always been in the hands of the previous Kage.
"Deal!"
Dong Ping nodded and left.
Given their unique identities, it was indeed inappropriate for them to linger together.
As for the details, they would be left for their subordinates to negotiate. Once they agreed, the matter would be settled without issue.
Yano Yu secured! It could be said that Dong Ping had already secretly sheared off a significant portion of Leaf Village's resources.
First, there was the Uchiha Main Family clan, consisting of hundreds of ninjas, virtually a small ninja village in itself.
Then there were over a hundred civilian ninjas, several minor ninja clans, and the orphans with chakra potential found by Leaf Village's ninjas.
All these resources were only accessible because of Leaf Village's backing.
If he were to truly leave the protection of Leaf Village and start anew in some remote location, these resources would be out of reach, not to mention the Soul Transfiguration Technique and other forbidden jutsu.
In the end, his core was just one word.
Jing!
After reaching an agreement, Dohei openly declared his stance that very day.
Support Orochimaru!
He did so without hesitation, making his support clear as day.
His statement left many confused.
After all, Naruto Uzumaki had been his mentor, and with his relationship with Ninekane and her brother, why was he now supporting Orochimaru's rival?
Ninekane almost lost her temper right there and then, ready to give him a beating.
Fortunately, Naruto held her back; otherwise, Dohei would be running for his life instead of peacefully studying Soul Transfiguration Techniques in his residence.
With Dohei's support, and Danzo's Root secretly backing Orochimaru, everyone believed that the Hokage position was as good as his.
After all, Orochimaru's abilities and achievements were impeccable, and he was also part of the Hokage lineage.
But only Dohei knew the ultimate outcome.
So, despite his calm exterior, immediately after declaring his support, he had Yamazaka Koji arrange for the orphanage's relocation.
Of course, he also took Noro with him.
Once they reached the Heavenly Fortress, it would be easy to make her work for him.
All he needed was to say, "Noro, you don't want to see these children go hungry, right?"
And she would be compelled to serve him.
Speaking of which, Dohei's anticipated hidden surprise had also arrived.
Kabuto Yakushi!
The future Super White Hair and behind-the-scenes big boss was now at the orphanage.
He was an orphan adopted after the Ginseng Mountain incident, and naturally, he would move with them.
While Kabuto wasn't particularly innovative, he was an exceptional learner.
In the future, he might inherit and carry on the exclusive techniques that Dohei mastered.
All Dohei needed to provide was the Teleportation Potion.
Was he really taking the orphanage just to bind Noro?
How naive, it was all because he knew the orphanage harbored a potential-filled genius like Kabuto, whose value alone was enough for Dohei to fight for.
All of Orochimaru's subordinates were incredibly loyal and brimming with potential, so Dohei had to act fast to secure them.
Fortunately, Orochimaru didn't have prophetic abilities; otherwise, they would have clashed.
Because among his future subordinates, Dohei had already snatched away Kurenai, Kabuto, and Karin, as if they were solely targeting him, not caring about anyone else.
Now, since Dohei was on his side, he even sent his disciple as a gesture of gratitude.
Miyamizu Shizuka!
Currently, she was still a vibrant young girl, not yet the 'Auntie' she would become.
During their meeting, Shizuka showed her discontent with Dohei's fame rivaling her teacher's, offering a plethora of expressive faces.
Just as everyone thought the Hokage election was a done deal.
The messenger sent by the Daimyo arrived with the results.
It was time for the announcement! Many had even prepared their congratulations for Orochimaru's ascension to the Hokage position.
And at this moment of anticipation, Dohei, of course, wouldn't miss it.
He had come to the Hokage Tower early in the morning.
Note that this announcement wasn't made in a conference room but was to be declared publicly to the villagers, with the previous Hokage passing on the Hokage hat, a far more formal process than depicted in anime.
The Hokage Tower was already packed with countless villagers.
Dohei's team, naturally, had found a high spot to observe the platform in front of the tower.
There, the Leaf Village's top brass and the Daimyo's messenger stood.
The two Hokage nominees were also on the platform.
After half a day, the time finally arrived.
The Hokage messenger unfurled the magnificent scroll in his hand and read out the name written on it.
(End of Chapter)
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