(New week, asking for a round of recommendation votes...)
"Welcome back to Konoha, Kimimaro," Danzo said expressionlessly.
"You worked hard infiltrating Orochimaru's side." The Third Hokage had clearly already spoken with Danzo and knew about the effects of the Kotoamatsukami Danzo had used on Kimimaro.
In Kimimaro's current memories, he was an experimental subject cultivated by Konoha using the Kaguya Clan's genes—just like his friend Tenzo. He belonged to Root. At the age of four, he had been sent to the Kaguya Clan in Kirigakure, where he had been swapped with a boy there. His mission was to wait for Orochimaru, the Konoha rogue ninja who was certain to appear, and then infiltrate his side.
As for why Orochimaru was certain to appear in the Land of Water, that was not something Kimimaro needed to worry about.
Since it had all been arranged by the village, he only needed to carry out his mission.
As long as it benefited the village, Kimimaro did not care even if the mission was to infiltrate and monitor someone as dangerous as Orochimaru—a task with little chance of survival.
Because he loved Konoha that deeply.
"I am glad to be able to contribute to the village." Kimimaro dropped to one knee, his tone sincere.
Naruto stood to the side, frowning so hard that his brows nearly knotted together.
Having witnessed Kimimaro's transformation before and after, he could not agree with what Danzo had done from the bottom of his heart.
Twisting someone's will like that was simply too cruel... and too chilling.
A hand rested on Naruto's shoulder. Jiraiya gave him a slight shake of the head and said, "Don't think too much about it, Naruto. There was no other way... at least this way, he got to live."
Naruto froze, then fell silent.