In the days that followed, Amemiya Kenichi focused on honing his skills. He couldn't shake the feeling that something big was about to happen, and improving his strength seemed like the only sensible thing to do.
His teacher, Orochimaru, had been conspicuously absent during this time, even halting their daily experiments.
Kenichi knew this was merely the calm before the storm. Unless the Third Hokage died, Orochimaru had no chance of becoming the Fourth Hokage.
Sure enough, when Kenichi overheard people in the streets discussing Namikaze Minato as the Fourth Hokage, Orochimaru finally appeared before him.
"Kenichi, let's go. It's time for our experiments," Orochimaru said, looking as composed as ever. Yet Kenichi could sense his teacher's simmering anger, a flicker of fury in his eyes that he couldn't quite conceal.
Kenichi rarely saw Orochimaru like this. Knowing better than to ask questions at such a moment, he simply followed his teacher in silence.
"Kenichi, you're a smart one. I want to ask you, what are your plans for the future?" Orochimaru asked calmly as they walked through the forest.
He didn't elaborate, but Amemiya Kenichi understood his meaning perfectly.
Though it was only rumored that Namikaze Minato would become the Fourth Hokage, Konoha's leaders already knew he was the chosen successor, not Orochimaru.
The official announcement was imminent.
It wouldn't take long before Minato became the village's new leader. The only question was whether he'd be a puppet or a Hokage with real authority.
"Teacher, I want to follow in your footsteps," Kenichi replied honestly. Orochimaru knew many of his secrets, and strictly speaking, they were now in the same boat.
There was no easy way out, and Danzo knew about him too. If he stayed, he'd have to face that old schemer.
Orochimaru nodded at Kenichi's words, but he didn't stop walking. He continued deeper into the forest.
"You're smart," Orochimaru said casually. "I plan to leave this rotten village that reeks of decay. If you stay behind, you'll likely be made the scapegoat."
He knew his disciple was intelligent, far more mature than his age suggested. That was precisely why he'd chosen to take him along.
As for Anko Mitarashi, the best thing for that poor girl was to forget about him entirely.
Amemiya Kenichi followed Orochimaru obediently, knowing the man spoke the truth.
To be honest, Kenichi didn't really want to leave Konoha. The resources here were too abundant. But staying wasn't an option.
If his research on the First Hokage's cells came to light—even if only the higher-ups found out—it would unleash a tidal wave he couldn't withstand.
Konoha would inevitably have to answer to the Senju Clan. Tsunade, one of the Three Great Sages, wouldn't be able to ignore it completely. But with Orochimaru gone and Danzo shifting the blame, who would take the fall?
Naturally, the one with no connections and no power.
In this world, the underlings always take the fall. Amemiya Kenichi was a perfect scapegoat.
"I can already see how this will play out," Orochimaru said as they approached the entrance to his secret underground laboratory. "Danzo will force you to join Root under the guise of redeeming yourself, using you to continue his experiments."
Kenichi followed his teacher into the underground lab, the second-longest place he'd spent time in Konoha.
"If things get bad enough, I'll probably be thrown to the wolves to appease the masses," Kenichi said with a shrug. He'd considered this possibility.
That's why he'd decided to leave with Orochimaru.
Danzo wasn't a good leader. When his subordinates messed up, he'd toss them aside to take the blame.
At least with his teacher, he wouldn't die, be cursed with the Tongue of Ruin, or become a scapegoat.
"You're clever," Orochimaru chuckled. He hated dealing with idiots—it was tedious and troublesome. Communicating with smart people was much easier.
Jiraiya was one such idiot, actually trying to comfort him earlier, telling him not to feel too bad.
Who would be upset?
It's just the position of Fourth Hokage.
"...Teacher, you seem a little unwell," Amemiya Kenichi said tentatively, glancing at Orochimaru.
"You're mistaken," Orochimaru replied coldly. Amemiya Kenichi nodded and followed behind expressionlessly.
Still the same old Teacher Orochimaru, Amemiya Kenichi thought, suppressing a smile. He clearly cares about the Fourth Hokage position, but he still acts like he doesn't.
"The rejection phenomenon you mentioned has now been officially incorporated into our future experiments. If you have any more unique ideas, feel free to share them with me," Orochimaru said casually, flipping through an experimental log.
Amemiya Kenichi nodded. Even though Teacher Orochimaru hasn't taken me along lately, the experiments haven't stopped. They've been continuing all along.
Danzo must be getting impatient by now.
That was perfectly normal.
Sarutobi Hiruzen may have retired from active ninja duties, but he's still an outstanding politician.
Danzo was the epitome of cunning and shameless, a master of underhanded tactics.
His suppression by Sarutobi was so effective that Danzo couldn't even lift his head while Sarutobi was alive.
"Teacher, can I have these failed test subjects?" Amemiya Kenichi asked, having read the experiment logs with growing interest.
Good grief, Root really lives up to its reputation. They'd gathered eighty-two test subjects in such a short time.
And these were the ones who survived after Amemiya Kenichi suggested screening for rejection. Without his advice, they would have all been killed by the First Hokage's cells long ago.
"I'll take fifty. The rest are yours," Orochimaru said dismissively. They were just expendable materials, after all. But he had his own projects now, so he needed to take some.
"Thank you, Teacher," Amemiya Kenichi said, licking his lips. Thirty-two test subjects were more than enough. And this time, he wouldn't have to worry about them dying.
Even if they did, it didn't matter. He could just replace them. Besides, they weren't exactly easy to kill.
The Yang Chakra actually made their lungs more active—it was practically life-saving.