Starting with the usurpation of Akatsuki, the ninja world was overthrown.

Chapter 190 Controlling the Rhythm

Chapter 190 Controlling the Rhythm

The fact that Orochimaru, a lifelong believer in science, could ask such a mystical question as "Do you really have precognitive abilities?" speaks volumes about Shiba Kiyokawa's current reputation.

After the battle of Kannabi Bridge, no one dared to underestimate him anymore!

Even if he only has one pair of threes in his hand now, others will still be suspicious and fearful that he has a royal flush.

Instead of answering Orochimaru's question, Shiba Kiyokawa countered, "Whether I have precognitive abilities or not is irrelevant. What's important is: shouldn't you answer the question I asked you in my letter now?"

Orochimaru remained silent for a long time, then suddenly laughed again.

"You guessed right, I can't become Hokage. You don't need to test me. I've known this for a long time."

"So candid?"

"What's the point of me hiding it now? Shouldn't you have known already?"

Shiba Kiyokawa really wanted to say: I really don't know.

The original work doesn't explain why Orochimaru failed to catch Hiruzen Sarutobi's eye; it only says that he would defect a few years later because his human experiments were exposed.

Shiba Kiyokawa only had some vague guesses, but no concrete evidence.

Fortunately, his enigmatic persona has now become deeply ingrained in people's minds.

Even Orochimaru began to doubt whether he had precognitive abilities, so at times like this, all he had to do was smile.

As expected, Orochimaru quickly came to his own conclusion after observing him for a while.

He then explained to himself, "Since taking over the front lines, I have never helped the Sarutobi clan recruit ninjas or gain any benefits. The people sent by Root and Anbu will soon be absorbed by me."

Based on that alone, those old fogies would never choose me as Hokage, unless they had no other choice.

Orochimaru is a truly ruthless person; he is ruthless to his enemies and ruthless to his own people.

In stark contrast to Minato Namikaze, who was a warm and gentle figure, he consistently adhered to a cold-blooded and efficient command style.

In order to maintain his cold-bloodedness while ensuring the loyalty of his subordinates, Orochimaru always adhered to the principle of absolute fairness.

He needs someone to die, and that person must die, regardless of who they are or what their last name is.

This would certainly allow them to win battles and enable Konoha to stabilize a large front line with only a small number of ninjas.

But this is not what the old guys sitting in the Konoha building back then wanted.

Orochimaru has been in charge of the southwestern front for almost three years, and the Sarutobi clan there has not only failed to prosper but has instead suffered rapid losses.

This is the fundamental reason why Hiruzen Sarutobi never liked Orochimaru!

As for personal morality, human experimentation, and insufficient understanding of the Will of Fire, those are just excuses.

"Are you willing to accept this?" Shiba Kiyokazu asked.

However, Orochimaru just smiled and said, "Hehe, you don't need to provoke me. I chose this path myself."

Three years ago, when the war had just broken out, I knew very well that I was not worthy of Sarutobi-sensei's attention when I first strangled that Sarutobi clansman who deserted the battlefield but still wanted to lead his entire squad back to the village with the snake binding technique on the front line.

If you're just trying to tempt me with the Hokage position, then you're probably going to be disappointed.

"Qinghe-kun, that's something I gave up myself; you can't tempt me."

Shiba Kiyokawa nodded.

In that instant, he understood what Orochimaru truly cared about.

"I understand. You don't care about the Hokage position, but you care about the victory on the southwestern front."

You willingly dirtied your hands and gave up everything in the village, all for the sake of winning the war.

But now that we're about to succeed, you're scared. You're afraid I'll interfere, aren't you?"

Thus, the initiative in this negotiation ultimately returned to Shiba Kiyokawa's hands.

His previous guesses were slightly inaccurate.

He originally thought Orochimaru cared about the Hokage position.

He wrote that letter to provoke Orochimaru and hopefully accelerate the process of Orochimaru's defection.

Unexpectedly, Orochimaru was very rational and had an exceptionally clear understanding of his situation.

No matter how much Shiba Kiyokawa tried to provoke or provoke him, it couldn't shake him at all.

However, that letter still inadvertently lured Orochimaru there.

Now Shiba Kiyokawa finally understood—Orochimaru didn't come because the letter mentioned the Hokage position, but because the letter mentioned Mount Kikyo!

Orochimaru didn't care whether he became Hokage or not, but he couldn't accept that the battle he had planned with everything he had given up would end up like the Battle of Kannabi Bridge!

So at this moment, Orochimaru did not deny it, but picked up the White Zetsu scroll that Shiba Kiyokawa had handed him again.

"I have made some progress in analyzing these things, and I am probably the only one in the entire ninja world who has the ability to figure them out. Hiruko is still far behind."

He was emphasizing his own value.

This is tantamount to tacitly acknowledging the threat posed by Shiba Kiyokawa.

He was indeed afraid that Shiba Kiyokawa would interfere with his plans at Kikyoyama.

Although Shiba Kiyokawa knew nothing about the place except for that name.

The deterrent and shock brought by the Battle of Kannabi Bridge was simply too great!

Even if Shiba Kiyokawa had no chips at all, he could still intimidate everyone!

"Your offer to stay out of my battle is not enough."

"Didn't I already teach you the cloning technology? Kiyokawa-kun, excessive greed will only bring destruction. I'm not a weak person like Sarutobi-sensei."

"Don't be nervous. I don't intend to make things difficult for you right now. Why don't you listen to my advice first?"

The next moment, Shiba Kiyokawa looked into the distance and slowly said, "Right now, all you can think about is how to complete your battle plan and end the war you are in charge of."

But Orochimaru, have you thought about what you'll do after the war between Konoha and Sunagakure is over?

After much back and forth, Shiba Kiyokawa eventually steered the conversation in a direction most favorable to himself.

"You know you're destined not to become Hokage; none of those old guys will support you."

They can't even accept Sakumo Hatake, let alone someone as extreme as you, who is even more so than Sakumo Hatake.

I can promise not to interfere with your performance on Kikyō Mountain, allowing you to complete your battle plan and deliver a perfect finale to your three-year-long strategy.

But what happened after that? What happened after the victory at Kikyoyama?

You no longer have the support of your roots in the village; you are short of funds and lack resources.

Moreover, after you step down as frontline commander, you will only be an ordinary Jonin, and your situation in Konoha will only become more difficult at that time!

You are now only thinking about ending the war and fulfilling your long-cherished wish, but have you ever thought about the fact that all your current recklessness is based on the premise that you are still an indispensable frontline commander of Konoha?

I deliberately spared Minato's life before, and now Tsunade has returned. Orochimaru, if the war in the southwest really ends, Konoha will no longer need so many frontline commanders.

Have you thought about what you will do when that time comes?

Have you ever thought about how you'll maintain your position in Konoha if your research and your secret communications with me are exposed then?

At that moment, Shiba Kiyokawa smiled like a demon roaming the earth, and every word he uttered seemed to strike Orochimaru's vitals.

Although the process was somewhat complicated, and he hadn't anticipated Orochimaru's indifference to the Hokage position, Shiba Kiyokawa ultimately controlled the pace of the conversation and achieved his goal!

He once again pushed Orochimaru to the edge of a cliff!

Just like before, he forced Orochimaru to choose between Tsunade and Hiruko!

(End of this chapter)