Chapter 105: The Arrival of Tanzō
"An orphanage?"
Orochimaru looked at Yue Yan with a strange expression.
"Is there someone here you said could be my experimental assistant?"
No wonder Orochimaru was skeptical. After all, the children in the orphanage usually had Mother and Father who were not outstanding and died on the battlefield. As a result, they had no one to take care of them and were sent here. With limited access to resources, it was difficult for them to grow up even if they were geniuses.
As for the caregivers here, those with abilities had become ninjas. Unless there were special circumstances, no one would come to work here.
In response, Yue Yan shrugged.
"Lord Orochimaru can just test it out later."
Although Nonō Yakushi didn't show any talent in scientific research in the original work, the fact that she was valued and recruited into Root by Tanzō indicated that her abilities were definitely not weak. Being an experimental assistant for Orochimaru would surely be more than enough for her.
After Orochimaru met the orphanage director, Nonō Yakushi, his evaluation of her was also quite okay.
Just as Nonō was about to pour some water for Orochimaru and Yue Yan and temporarily leave, Orochimaru looked at Yue Yan.
"Director Nonō's abilities are okay, but it's not the reason for you, Yue Yan-kun, to specially invite me here, right?"
Seeing that Orochimaru was very interested, Yue Yan thought for a while and decided to gloss over it. After all, he couldn't just tell Orochimaru that Kabuto Yakushi would be his future assistant.
"Lord Orochimaru should know that the White Snake Sage also has special abilities similar to those of the Great Toad (Gama) Sage, right?"
Hearing this, Orochimaru raised an eyebrow but didn't interrupt Yue Yan.
"After learning the Senji of the Ryuchi Cave under the guidance of the White Snake Sage, I also have some special abilities. Lord Orochimaru can just think that I'm able to capture some fragmented images of the future. However, this ability is rarely triggered, and I just saw it by chance."
"The Senji of the Ryuchi Cave is really amazing."
As a summoner from the Ryuchi Cave, Orochimaru knew that the White Snake Sage had similar abilities. If it weren't for the fact that he wasn't suitable for practicing Senji, he would definitely have learned it.
"Since it was seen by you, Yue Yan-kun, I'll believe it. As for the person you mentioned, it shouldn't be Director Nonō, right?"
"Indeed." Yue Yan nodded and said, "There is a child in this orphanage, his name should be Kabuto Yakushi. In the images I saw, he was doing experiments by your side. And I've also seen that child before. He respects and admires Director Nonō very much."
"I understand what you mean, Yue Yan-kun. Controlling a person by controlling the one they look up to. This really doesn't seem like something a disciple of that idiot Jiraiya would do."
Hearing this, Yue Yan rolled his eyes and couldn't help but retort, "Sure, Jiraiya - sensei is a bit of a fool, but his disciple ain't."
"Alright."
Orochimaru shrugged and didn't care.
After Nonō Yakushi returned, Orochimaru also expressed his desire to meet a child named Kabuto.
After Orochimaru and Kabuto met, Yue Yan planned to leave.
This matter was basically a done deal. After all, currently, Nonō Yakushi was only listed by Tanzō as a candidate to be absorbed into Root and hadn't taken action yet. From the original work, examples like Kimimaro, Karin, Suigetsu, Jūgo, and Guren were all living proofs. Therefore, Yue Yan had great confidence in Orochimaru's ability to recruit people.
After that, the actions of the high - ups in Konoha were largely in line with what Yue Yan had said.
After Orochimaru handed over his command, the high - ups in Konoha had no intention of re - using Orochimaru and sending him to the battlefield. Moreover, over time, the calls for Orochimaru to become the Fourth Hokage began to fade.
This move silenced all the original supporters of Orochimaru. After all, anyone with a discerning eye could guess the high - ups' thoughts in Konoha. They didn't completely cut ties with Orochimaru, but they tried to stay as far away as possible, avoiding offending the future Fourth Hokage and getting into trouble.
However, Yue Yan was not affected at all. He just went about his daily business as usual. Occasionally, when Orochimaru asked him to participate in experiments, he never refused.
Orochimaru, who was treated this way, didn't say anything. It was as if he had lost all interest in the position of the Fourth Hokage overnight and focused on his own research.
In Orochimaru's view, vying for the position of the Fourth Hokage was just to meet the expectations of his teacher, Hiruzen Sarutobi. Since he was pushed out, there was no need for him to fight for it anymore. Although if Orochimaru approached Hiruzen Sarutobi and expressed his desire to be the Fourth Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi might soften his heart. But Orochimaru wouldn't do that. His pride wouldn't allow him to seek something like this through supplication.
This matter was basically over. However, a certain sly old fox clearly knew that Orochimaru didn't want to fight for the position of the Fourth Hokage, not that he couldn't. Therefore, to prevent Orochimaru from changing his mind, he secretly sought out Orochimaru.
In a laboratory near the Death Forest in Konoha, Orochimaru was conducting an experiment on the Kekkei Genkai with Yue Yan. Next to them were Kabuto Yakushi and Nonō Yakushi, serving as assistants.
At this time, Tanzō swaggered over with his two confidants, Fū Yamanaka and Torune Aburame.
Seeing Tanzō, Orochimaru couldn't help but narrow his eyes. Although he had guessed what was coming, he didn't show it on his face.
"Elder Tanzō, what can I do for you?"
Tanzō didn't even glance at Yue Yan and Nonō Yakushi beside him and spoke in a flat tone.
"I'm here to cooperate with you. Ask your subordinates to leave first."
Hearing this, Orochimaru let out a soft laugh and asked Nonō and Kabuto to leave temporarily.
After Nonō and Kabuto left, Tanzō looked at Yue Yan with an unhappy expression, as if Yue Yan owed him money.
"Why aren't you leaving?"
Before Yue Yan could say a word, Orochimaru spoke in a low voice.
"Yue Yan-kun is my collaborator, not my subordinate."
"Humph, just a little brat."
Tanzō didn't take Yue Yan seriously. Since Orochimaru wanted him to stay, then so be it.
Hearing this, Yue Yan couldn't help rolling his eyes. Just a little brat? I, this so-called little brat, could twist your head off and use it as a ball right away. If I didn't want to avoid defecting from the village, I'd have killed you long ago.
Tanzō didn't notice the change in Yue Yan's expression. Instead, he took out an experimental document related to Hashirama cells and handed it to Orochimaru.
"I need you to help me with the research. We'll split the results fifty-fifty."
After receiving it, Orochimaru looked at the content. When he saw the steps of conducting human experiments on living people, his eyes narrowed.
"I can take on this experiment, but I'll only be nominally involved. I won't care about or ask about anything else."
"That won't do."
Tanzō knew Orochimaru had seen through his plan, but he flat-out refused.
"We both know certain things well without saying a word. If you don't cooperate with me, some of your experiments will have to stop."
"Is Elder Tanzō threatening me?"
Feeling the cold killing intent released by Orochimaru, Fū Yamanaka and Torune Aburame, Tanzō's most loyal henchmen, drew their Kunai and stood in front of Tanzō.
As for Tanzō, he remained completely unfazed by Orochimaru's killing intent and stayed calm as usual.
"I'm not threatening you. I'm just stating the facts. After all, Root can give you better support and enough money for your experiments."