According to Hiruzen Sarutobi's orders, Danzo Shimura—now a prisoner—was forbidden from meeting anyone without explicit permission.
But clearly, neither Danzo nor Orochimaru were men who followed rules when it inconvenienced them.
And so, the two met in secret.
As for whether they might be discovered?
What a ridiculous thought.
Who did people think they were? Two ordinary criminals? These were Kage-level experts. If they wished to meet privately, how could a group of average jonin possibly detect them?
A faint ripple disturbed the air inside the dim prison cell. Then, like a snake slithering out from the shadows, Orochimaru appeared.
"Heh heh… Danzo," he drawled, flicking out his long tongue to lick the corner of his lips. "You've truly fallen to the bottom this time, haven't you?"
His pale face carried open mockery, though behind his golden eyes flickered genuine curiosity.
Sarutobi-sensei had actually thrown Danzo into prison.
That alone was shocking.
In the past, no matter what mistakes Danzo made, Hiruzen always handled it lightly—confinement, warnings, symbolic punishments at most. Never anything severe.
But imprisonment?
This was unprecedented.
Could it really be because of that boy—Hirakawa Qingshui?
The thought intrigued Orochimaru.
A newly risen genius in Konoha, powerful enough to shake the village's foundations…
Interesting.
Very interesting.
Danzo's expression, already dark, grew even gloomier under Orochimaru's ridicule.
He—Hokage's Assistant, leader of Root, a man who had dedicated his life to Konoha's prosperity—was now rotting inside a prison cell.
Humiliation.
Unforgivable humiliation.
And all of it because of that naturally wicked brat, Hirakawa Qingshui.
If that boy was not eliminated, Konoha would never know peace!
"Orochimaru," Danzo said, his voice low and strained, "I called you here for one reason only."
A brief pause.
"Kill Hirakawa Qingshui."
His composure was gone. His teeth ground together as hatred burned in his visible eye. For days now, even his dreams had been filled with scenes of Qingshui's death.
Orochimaru's expression did not change.
"If you summoned me merely to discuss such a tedious matter," he said lazily, "then this meeting need not continue."
He had no personal grudge against Hirakawa Qingshui.
Why would he risk himself simply because Danzo demanded it?
Moreover, Qingshui's strength was no trivial matter. Rumors suggested he already possessed power comparable to a Tailed Beast.
If the assassination failed, Orochimaru would gain nothing but a powerful enemy.
And Orochimaru never engaged in losing transactions.
Danzo narrowed his eye.
He understood perfectly.
Orochimaru was waiting for a price.
They were partners—nothing more. There was no hierarchy between them. Without sufficient benefit, Orochimaru would not move.
After a moment's calculation, Danzo realized there were few things Orochimaru truly lacked.
Strength? He had it.
Status? He had that too.
Knowledge? Perhaps.
But more than anything, Orochimaru lacked funding.
His experiments consumed astronomical resources.
"As long as you kill Hirakawa Qingshui," Danzo said slowly, "I will cover all your research expenses for the next half year… no, for an entire year."
Even as he said it, his heart ached.
Research was costly beyond imagination. A year's funding was no small sum, even for someone backed by the Shimura clan.
Anyone knowledgeable would understand the enormity of this offer.
But Orochimaru merely smiled and shook his head.
"Not enough."
In his view, that amount was insufficient compensation for risking his life against a rising monster.
Danzo nearly lost his temper.
Insatiable snake.
Yet he restrained himself. He was the one asking for help.
"Two years," Danzo said through clenched teeth. "I'll fund two years of research."
Again, Orochimaru shook his head.
"Danzo," he said calmly, "let us not insult one another with childish games."
He knew Danzo too well.
There was no chance Danzo would pay such a massive sum upfront. It would be distributed monthly.
And that meant uncertainty.
If their alliance fractured midway, the remaining funds would disappear.
A promise without guarantee was not a transaction.
It was deception.
Seeing his intentions exposed, Danzo showed no embarrassment.
If he could have tricked Orochimaru, it would have been worth the attempt.
But clearly, that strategy would not work.
Very well.
Time to change tactics.
"Perhaps you are unaware," Danzo said quietly, "but Hiruzen intends to groom Hirakawa Qingshui as the next Hokage."
Orochimaru's eyes flickered.
"He is your competitor now."
Admittedly, Orochimaru still harbored ambitions of becoming Hokage.
But more than political power, he sought eternity.
Immortality.
Mastery of every ninjutsu in existence.
The Hokage's seat was secondary.
Still… he would not refuse it if offered.
"You have buried yourself in experiments these past years," Danzo continued. "You have not observed Qingshui closely."
"He is completely loyal to Hiruzen. A puppet shaped by his ideology."
"If he becomes Hokage, do you truly believe he will allow your experiments to continue?"
That gave Orochimaru pause.
Danzo pressed further.
"His talent is extraordinary. Even now, his power rivals that of a Tailed Beast. Give him several more years—what then?"
"If he discovers your research…"
Danzo did not need to finish the sentence.
If Hiruzen found out, sentiment might spare Orochimaru.
But Hirakawa Qingshui?
He would hunt him without mercy.
And once he became Hokage, he would possess both authority and strength.
Death.
True death.
And that was the one thing Orochimaru feared most.
"Your words are persuasive," Orochimaru admitted softly.
Danzo almost smiled.
"But still," Orochimaru continued, "insufficient."
First, Qingshui's ascension to Hokage was not guaranteed.
Hiruzen was still in his prime. He could easily rule another decade.
Anything could happen in ten years.
Second, even if Qingshui did become Hokage…
Orochimaru could simply leave.
Without Konoha's restraints, he could pursue his ambitions freely.
If not for lingering attachments, he would have defected long ago.
Danzo's expression darkened again.
Threats would not move Orochimaru.
So he raised the stakes once more.
"I will provide you with Uchiha clan test subjects."
Orochimaru's gaze sharpened instantly.
"And," Danzo added, "I will pay half a year of funding upfront."
A pause.
"Furthermore, Hirakawa Qingshui himself would make exceptional research material after his death."
Silence filled the cell.
Then Orochimaru laughed—a low, chilling sound.
"You are truly desperate, Danzo."
But then his tone shifted.
"I also want the Edo Tensei."
Danzo's eye narrowed.
The forbidden technique created by the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju. A jutsu capable of summoning the dead back to the living world.
It had long been sealed due to its ethical violations.
Orochimaru had always desired it.
Not merely as a weapon—but as a key.
Perhaps within its secrets lay insight into immortality.
He could steal it himself.
But that would mean immediate defection.
Danzo, however, likely possessed a hidden copy.
This was the true reason Orochimaru had come.
Danzo studied him carefully.
"Very well," he said at last. "Kill Hirakawa Qingshui, and the Edo Tensei is yours."
Orochimaru smiled thinly.
"I require it first."
"He is not easy prey. Having Edo Tensei beforehand increases the success rate."
Danzo hesitated.
But he remembered his last failure against Qingshui.
This time, success was mandatory.
"Fine," he said. "Ryoma will deliver the scroll."
"Root operatives will assist you as well."
His voice grew cold.
"I have only one condition."
"Failure is unacceptable."
Orochimaru's body suddenly melted into mud, dissolving into the floor.
He had never appeared in person.
Before vanishing completely, his hoarse voice lingered.
"Relax, Danzo."
"It is only Hirakawa Qingshui."
His tone carried disdain.
Yes, Qingshui was a genius.
But who among them was not?
As silence returned to the prison cell, Danzo finally allowed himself a faint breath of relief.
Orochimaru was a venomous serpent hidden in darkness.
When he struck—
The prey never survived.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)