Danzo's Olive Branch

"Shizune, who were you talking to?"

Tsunade, still bleary-eyed, walked over while stretching. But when she saw Orochimaru, who had already washed up, she froze for a moment as well.

"Hmph... I thought you'd died somewhere out there!"

Orochimaru was already used to Tsunade's disdainful look as she curled her lip.

"You've put on quite a bit of weight while I was gone!"

With that, Orochimaru ignored her darkening expression and headed straight back to his room.

After he left, Tsunade quietly lowered her voice and asked Shizune:

"Hey, Shizune, have I really gained weight?"

Shizune looked at her, then toward Orochimaru's room, and answered timidly:

"Apparently... not?"

"It's over, it's over. I must've eaten too much junk food lately. It's all Orochimaru's fault..."

Orochimaru could have guessed Tsunade's reaction with his toes. After all, weight was an extremely sensitive subject for women.

Over the following days, Orochimaru returned to his peaceful routine.

That day, Orochimaru was tinkering with his research in the laboratory. Although he had already fused Uzumaki Clan cells, he had yet to finish analyzing the Uchiha and Hyuga cells.

Just as he focused on shaking a test tube, a rustling sound outside the door abruptly halted his hand.

The next instant, Orochimaru vanished from where he stood.

"You've got some nerve!"

At the entrance to the laboratory, Orochimaru gripped a masked ninja tightly by the throat, lifting him up as easily as a chick. His voice turned hoarse and sinister.

Sneaking into the Senju Clan compound in broad daylight and spying on his experiments—this man was tired of living!

"Urk... Orochimaru, Lord Danzo requests your presence!"

Just as the ninja was about to suffocate, he finally squeezed out a few words through gritted teeth.

Upon hearing that, Orochimaru finally loosened his grip and tossed him aside like a piece of trash.

So he was a Root ninja. Orochimaru had thought he was an Anbu ninja sent to watch him.

Come to think of it, he had not done anything out of line lately. The Third Hokage should not have set his sights on him.

"Orochimaru, Lord Danzo sent me to invite you over."

Having caught his breath, the Root ninja spoke in a somewhat stiff tone. Through the two holes in his mask, Orochimaru looked into those emotionless eyes and gave a sinister smile.

"So this is how you Root people operate. Lead the way!"

Orochimaru had no interest in wasting words on these minor underlings, human weapons stripped of all emotion by Danzo.

Rather than using the main gate, the Root ninja vaulted over the wall and led him along secluded, shadowy paths. It was clear that these sewer rats were accustomed to this way of doing things.

Moving like a thief all the way, Orochimaru followed the ninja to an underground chamber at the edge of Konoha.

This place was likewise classified as a forbidden zone of Konoha. The Konoha Military Police Force and Anbu ninja generally did not patrol this area; Root had its own patrol units here.

After winding through countless turns into the depths of the underground chamber, Orochimaru openly surveyed his surroundings. This Root base was not much different from other underground chambers—dark, damp, and oppressive.

After walking for five or six minutes, the Root ninja leading the way finally stopped.

"Lord Danzo, the man has been brought!"

Orochimaru looked toward the voice. One-eyed Danzo sat imposingly in a large chair. After carefully looking around, Orochimaru saw only a table and a chair. It was quite simple.

The room's decor was practically identical to the Hokage's office. It was obvious that the old thief Danzo had coveted the Hokage position for a long time.

"Orochimaru, it has been a long time."

Danzo waved his hand, dismissing the ninja who had led the way, then rose from his seat.

"Lord Danzo, what made you think of me?"

Orochimaru's voice also became dark and hoarse. As the darkness of the Ninja World, Danzo could not possibly be seeking him out for anything good.

Thinking about what he possessed that Danzo might need, the answer was already obvious.

Sure enough, Danzo's next words revealed his true intentions:

"What do you think of the research into Hashirama Cells?"

"If this research succeeds, it will naturally be of great benefit to the nation and its people. Setting aside inheriting the First Hokage's Wood Release Kekkei Genkai, merely using it to regenerate severed limbs and repair damaged bodies would be a revolutionary advancement for medical care throughout the Ninja World."

Not to mention the Medical Ninjutsu that only ninja could master in this world—even in the advanced medical environment of his previous life, regenerating severed limbs would have been a historic breakthrough!

Moreover, this world had been mired in war for years. Who knew how many ninja had been crippled, or how many families had lost their primary breadwinners?

"Mm! I strongly agree with your view."

Danzo was very satisfied with Orochimaru's answer and continued:

"If this research project is restarted and you are allowed to continue it, are you confident you can succeed?"

At last, Danzo revealed the true purpose of summoning Orochimaru.

The moment he finished speaking, Danzo's remaining eye fixed fiercely on Orochimaru's expression, and the pressure of his presence unfolded.

Faced with Danzo's imposing aura, Orochimaru did not respond immediately. Instead, he fell into thought.

He was not considering Danzo's question. The moment Danzo mentioned restarting the research, a mechanical voice rang out in his mind once more.

Detected that the host has triggered the plot: Danzo's Olive Branch! You have the following choices:

① Accept Danzo's invitation to cooperate and continue researching Hashirama Cells. You will obtain the perception ability "Mind Net."

② Reject Danzo's invitation and disdain to associate with him. You will obtain Armament Haki.

The rewards this time are quite generous. Mind Net is another name for Observation Haki, and Armament Haki is also something Orochimaru wants.

But considering his own circumstances, Armament Haki would only be icing on the cake for his physique, whereas Observation Haki could greatly strengthen his perception.

Besides, he would definitely continue researching Hashirama Cells in the future anyway. Cooperating with Danzo would merely be putting on a disguise. As for the risk of being exposed later, just like in the Original Work, would Danzo pin all the blame on him?

This time, Orochimaru was not the one stirring up trouble first. It did not matter if that old thief Danzo shoved the blame onto him. He was destined to defect anyway, and sooner or later, he would settle accounts with him!

"You seem rather opposed to my idea?"

Seeing Orochimaru remain silent for so long, Danzo assumed he was having trouble making up his mind.

"I have no objection to conducting the research, but what about the Third Hokage..."

Coming back to his senses, Orochimaru met Danzo's cold gaze and voiced his concern.

"Hmph! This is Root's business. It is not his place to interfere."

After a pause, he continued:

"Everything I do is for Konoha. Are you unwilling to make even this small sacrifice?"