Orochimaru did not hold a particularly high opinion of Shimura Danzo.
To him, Danzo represented the part of Konoha that had begun to "rot." It just so happened that this decaying, foul-smelling root was perfectly suited to provide the convenience he needed for the path he intended to walk—whether it was campaigning for the position of Hokage, researching forbidden jutsu, or securing funding for his scientific endeavors.
From Danzo's perspective, the feeling was mutual. Currently, within Konoha, many viewed Orochimaru's transition into Root as the arrival of an heir, or perhaps a student of the Hokage coming to gain experience, a "reserve talent" who would most likely become the Fourth Hokage.
However, to Danzo—who desperately wanted to become Hokage himself—Orochimaru was an eyesore!
How much of an eyesore? If a Hokage election were held today and Danzo had even the slightest chance of sitting at the table, he would want nothing more than to immediately strangle Orochimaru, his rival for the seat!
First and foremost, Orochimaru was the "Monkey's" student. Danzo knew better than anyone what Hiruzen Sarutobi was thinking by shoving such a promising successor under his command. It was a move to absorb Danzo's political assets and build momentum for Orochimaru.
But did Shimura Danzo have a choice? He did not.
Ever since the Second Hokage appointed the Third Hokage on his deathbed, Danzo had acted as if to compensate for his regrets and the cowardice born in that moment. He took upon himself the dark side of the village that Hiruzen Sarutobi could not touch as Hokage. He shed blood and risked his life in the shadows of the shinobi world—a place filled with countless lies, betrayals, and intrigue.
He had lost an eye and an arm. As a top-tier Wind Style user, it was now difficult for him to weave hand signs, and his strength was a shadow of what it once was.
And it was precisely at this moment—when it seemed his future was relegated to the sidelines, feeling unwilling yet powerless—that Hiruzen Sarutobi "conveniently" sent Orochimaru. In turn, Orochimaru brought the hope of using Hashirama cells to heal his severed arm, restore his strength, and perhaps even gain power far beyond what he had in the past.
What was this? An exchange? A consolation? Or a blatant attempt to steal everything Shimura Danzo had spent his life building?
Danzo felt humiliated, but he couldn't refuse. He could only bite the bullet and acknowledge Orochimaru, using his own resources to cultivate the Third Hokage's student.
His future seemed set. If he didn't want to lose his current status, he had to give his all to push Orochimaru into the seat of the Fourth Hokage, and then continue to serve as the darkness for that Fourth Hokage.
That was how it was supposed to be...
Except...
At that moment, standing on the cliff and watching the battle below draw to a close, the Hyuga branch house brat was ultimately no match for the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. After his Wind Style was forcibly broken, he was left with only Taijutsu—which was not his forte.
Danzo was in no hurry to intervene.
Leaning leisurely on his cane, he looked down with indifference at the young Hyuga in peril. Then, as if in passing, he spoke to Orochimaru.
"Lately, Jiraiya's student has been quite active..."
Hearing this, Orochimaru's brow furrowed imperceptibly. Then, with a raspy, nonchalant laugh, he asked, "Are you talking about Minato Namikaze?"
"He is indeed quite hardworking."
"Hardworking? Hmph," Shimura Danzo scoffed, his tone growing cold. "Orochimaru—"
"If 'hard work' allows one to repel the Hidden Cloud forces led by the Fourth Raikage and the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki in the Land of Fields..."
"If 'hard work' allows one to complete an S-rank mission under the combined assault of the Four-Tails and Five-Tails..."
"If 'hard work' earns one a wife who is the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki..."
"If 'hard work'... can forge the title of the 'Yellow Flash,' making the shinobi of other nations view his mere presence as a reason to abandon a mission without punishment—"
Danzo cast a dark look toward Orochimaru and asked flatly:
"Orochimaru, why don't you try working a bit harder?"
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes, the smile on his face stiffening slightly.
Since Minato Namikaze had begun to distinguish himself, Hiruzen Sarutobi and the village elders had been grooming him according to the standards of the next Hokage. Furthermore, they were doing all of this right in front of Orochimaru.
Beyond the fact that Minato's achievements and prestige were beyond reproach, this was also a subtle jab at Orochimaru, letting him know that the Hokage's seat wouldn't just fall into his lap—that he, Orochimaru, needed to produce some decent results of his own.
But...
Orochimaru didn't have the time to care about any of that right now. His research into the "Jutsu of Immortality" was at its most critical stage. Dealing with the trivial errands Danzo demanded of him was already annoying enough; he had no desire to go risk his life on the front lines when he was so close to mastering the Living Corpse Reincarnation.
Orochimaru's face suddenly darkened, and he fell silent.
Seeing Orochimaru's silence, a flash of weariness crossed Danzo's eyes, but it quickly transformed into the cold indifference one holds for a "tool." He then spoke calmly:
"Orochimaru, you are on the verge of losing the Hokage seat."
"If you cannot produce results in other areas, you should know what your fate will be if the higher-ups ever discover the experiments you've been conducting."
Danzo emphasized the word "higher-ups."
Upon hearing this, Orochimaru's attitude turned cold. He replied tersely, "Is there anything else?"
"One more thing—" Danzo cut in, his gaze looking down at the misty, nameless forest below. "Go and bring that brat back for me."
"You know what to do."
Whatever flicker of interest Orochimaru had felt toward Hyuga Yu vanished instantly under the weight of Danzo's nagging. He said nothing, nor did he bother asking why Danzo was interested in the boy. Wanting only to finish this troublesome chore as quickly as possible, he gave a casual nod.
In an instant—Swoosh!
Orochimaru's figure vanished from the cliffside.
Danzo swept a cold gaze over the spot where he had just stood and shifted a few steps to the side with an air of distaste. Since the reports from the Land of Grass front had arrived, he was certain that Minato Namikaze would be the greatest obstacle to Orochimaru becoming Hokage.
As such, Orochimaru's position as a collaborator with Root had become exceptionally awkward. On one hand, working with Root meant he was inevitably exposed to the darkness of the shinobi world, leaving a stain on his record. On the other hand, the interests of Root and Orochimaru were deeply intertwined; if Orochimaru failed to become the Fourth Hokage, it wasn't hard to guess that he would likely take over Danzo's current position.
But for now, at least, Danzo had no intention of stepping down—especially not if it meant handing over his life's work to the Monkey's student.
He wasn't that generous.
Danzo had thought that bringing these points up might provoke Orochimaru, who seemed to be busy tinkering with something unknown. After all, their interests were currently aligned, and Orochimaru slacking off did him no favors.
However, Orochimaru's reaction left him deeply disappointed.
Shimura Danzo couldn't help but shake his head. "What a waste."
"He doesn't even know how to train a successor. Three brats, and each one is stupider than the last."
He paused, his single eye narrowing as he looked in Hyuga Yu's direction. After a moment of silence, he let out a cold snort.
"Hmph!"
"This matter... I'll have to handle it myself!"
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