Danzo was furious.
He knew Orochimaru had spies embedded in Root—just as he had his own informants watching Orochimaru. That wasn't what upset him. The test subject known as "A" had been under Root's control for years. All the useful data had long since been extracted; the research potential had dried up.
No, what truly enraged Danzo was Orochimaru's blatant attitude. So arrogant, so dismissive—it was as if he didn't even consider Danzo a threat.
Orochimaru, on the other hand, was also livid.
That fool Danzo had no idea what the Wood Release subject—proof of a successful bloodline limit transplant—meant to him.
The leap from zero to one was far more significant than the jump from one to a hundred. If he had known earlier about the boy with Wood Release, he might not have turned to researching the Reanimation Jutsu. He wouldn't have gone down the twisted path of body-hopping and stealing the bloodlines of others. He could have simply reinforced his own body instead.
But two angry men rarely produce meaningful conversation.
So, Djinn took over for Orochimaru. From the start, he intended to provoke Danzo—to satisfy Orochimaru's simmering rage, and more importantly, to unbalance Danzo's judgment. Anger clouds reason, after all.
He lowered his legs from the table, sat upright, and just as Danzo was about to explode, he cut in:
"Tonight, the Fourth Hokage died. The seat of Hokage is vacant once again."
Danzo's face froze. His withered hand clenched tightly around his cane.
"Jiraiya will return soon," Djinn continued, a sly smile tugging at his lips. "So, who do you think is most likely to become the next Hokage? Jiraiya? You? Or me?"
Danzo responded coldly, "There won't be a next Hokage."
He was sure that, with the village in turmoil, they'd rely on the familiar. The most likely outcome was the return of the Third Hokage.
"Oh, you mean the old man?" Djinn tilted his head, eyes gleaming. "That's only a temporary solution. What the village truly needs is a Hokage who is young, strong, and at the peak of their power."
Danzo's eyes narrowed. That phrase—young and strong—stabbed deep.
With Tsunade gone, the White Fang's suicide, and Minato's death tonight, the village's top-tier fighting force had dwindled. Only two of the Sannin remained—Jiraiya and Orochimaru.
As for the younger generation—Kakashi, Asuma, Shisui… they would need another five, maybe ten years to reach their prime.
It was impossible for Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, to continue holding office for much longer.
And Jiraiya? His ambitions lay elsewhere. Realistically, Orochimaru was the most likely candidate to become the next Hokage.
Danzo's expression finally shifted. His voice was cold.
"Orochimaru, do you want to be Hokage? Don't be delusional. Hiruzen and Jiraiya would never support you."
"No, they will," Orochimaru replied.
His expression softened into a bright, almost innocent smile. The usual coldness in his demeanor completely vanished.
"Because I'm going to lie to them."
Danzo's expression cracked. His eyes widened, and with a sharp snap, the cane in his hand broke in half.
Was this really the same Orochimaru? The one who always wore his malice openly? Had he… learned how to act?
And not just act—he was good at it.
Even knowing it was a performance, Danzo found his perception of Orochimaru slightly shaken. He didn't doubt for a second that the Third Hokage and Jiraiya could be fooled.
This version of Orochimaru was dangerous. Very dangerous.
Orochimaru—rather, the one mimicking him—was clearly pleased by Danzo's reaction. Mimicry was his specialty.
After all, in a previous world, he had once played the role of Tanjiro Kamado—the very image of innocence and compassion. With that face and demeanor, who could say Orochimaru had a wicked heart?
Danzo's gaze turned grim.
Setting aside Orochimaru's sheer power, his contributions to the village were undeniable. His downfall had only come because of his disturbing presence and his inability to restrain his darker impulses. If he managed to change that image now…
He could actually become Hokage.
After a tense silence, Danzo asked, "Orochimaru, what are your terms?"
Danzo wasn't a fool. He knew Orochimaru bringing up the Hokage seat wasn't because he truly sought it—not now, anyway. This was a bargaining chip. Pressure. A show of power to force a compromise.
And the worst part? Danzo had no choice but to compromise. A true bargaining chip only works if it carries weight—and this one did.
Orochimaru raised one finger. "First, you'll return the Wood Release boy to me. All traces of him at Root must be erased."
Danzo nodded with a blank face. He had expected this demand. The boy had outlived most of his usefulness anyway.
"Second," Orochimaru continued, "I want all of your research data on the First Hokage's cells."
Danzo hesitated, then nodded. Sharing the data wouldn't cost him anything. And if it meant eliminating Orochimaru's threat to the Hokage seat, it was a fair price.
Orochimaru would produce more results soon enough anyway. Danzo could just leech off that progress later.
"And finally," Orochimaru said, smiling again, "I want 200 million ryō."
Danzo's face darkened. "That's extortion. Impossible."
"If you hadn't hidden the Wood Release research and the original cell data from me," Orochimaru replied smoothly, "I wouldn't be demanding them now. Those first two conditions are simply recovering what I'm owed."
"As for the money—that's compensation. For someone who controls Root, 200 million shouldn't be a problem, should it?"
Danzo refused flatly. "I don't have that much. I can't give you 200 million."
"So," Orochimaru said, head tilting, his smile fading to ice, "how much can you give me?"
"You can't expect to walk away without paying something, Danzo."
A heavy silence fell over the room. Tension thickened.
Finally, Danzo gave in with a bitter scowl. "I can offer 100 million. No more."
Orochimaru's eyes gleamed. "You halved it so easily… truly ruthless. Very well. I accept—but the funds must reach me within three days."
"In return," Danzo said firmly, "you are not to involve yourself in the Hokage election in any form."
"No problem," Orochimaru replied without hesitation.
The deal was sealed. The room fell silent again.
Satisfied, Orochimaru stood and made his way to the exit. But just as he stepped through the door, he paused.
"Danzo," he said, his voice smooth and quiet. "I know you've got dirt on me. But you'd better not try anything stupid."
"If you try to destroy my standing in Konoha, I will beg the Third. I'll throw myself at my teacher's feet if I must."
"All on the condition that I become the next Hokage's shadow."
"Don't think I can't do it. You're too tainted to ever rule this village. But me?"
"With you as a warning... I'll do even better."
"And when that happens, Konoha will have a second Root. Think there'll be a place for you then?"
The sound of his footsteps faded down the hallway… until nothing remained.
Danzo stood motionless, eyes locked on the door, his expression stormy.
He couldn't expose Orochimaru—not without exposing himself. And since Orochimaru no longer cared for the Hokage seat, Danzo had more to lose by making a move.
But still... he couldn't let this go.
Danzo pressed a mechanism on his desk. A Root Genin appeared moments later.
"Find them," Danzo ordered. "Everyone who knows about Subject A. Investigate every last one of them."
"Root out every last spy Orochimaru left behind."
________
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