Danzo: Root Needs Talent Like You!

Hmm? Danzō?!

Orochimaru felt a jolt in his heart, though his expression remained impassive.

Why would he be here?

And by the looks of it, he had come specifically to find him?

For the assistant to the Hokage to seek him out personally, and in a place like this rather than the Hokage's office, this was definitely no simple matter.

"I wonder what business Lord Danzō has with me?"

Orochimaru took a deep breath and asked in a calm tone.

Danzō smiled, a smile that carried a trace of inexplicable depth, making one feel rather uncomfortable.

"Heh heh, the qualification to read the Scroll of Sealing is not easily obtained. It seems the Hokage places high hopes in you...

Of course, perhaps some of my own suggestions played a role in that."

As soon as these words were spoken, waves surged in Orochimaru's heart.

What did Danzō mean by this? Was it he who suggested to the Third Hokage that he be allowed to read the scroll?

"That fellow Sarutobi... is too indecisive. Some geniuses cannot be judged by conventional logic. They are destined to walk a path different from others, requiring a broader stage and more freedom."

Danzō seemed very satisfied with Orochimaru's reaction and continued.

He took a step forward, emerging from the shadows, and reached out to point at Orochimaru.

"Orochimaru-kun, you are just such a genius.

Your talent even surpasses that of the Second Hokage, my teacher, Tobirama Senju."

Listening to Danzō's string of praises, Orochimaru felt something was strange.

The tone of this conversation was all wrong! Shouldn't Danzō be staring at him with a sinister gaze, offering vague warnings or probes? Why had he suddenly started praising him?

And was it appropriate to disparage his teacher right to his face?

"Thank you for the praise, Lord Danzō."

"If there is nothing else, I shall take my leave. Tsunade is still waiting for me..."

Orochimaru responded with polite formality and prepared to depart.

He did not want to get too deeply involved with Danzō; after all, this man was a textbook villain in the original story...

"Wait."

Danzō called out to stop him.

Orochimaru paused his steps and turned to look at Danzō.

"Orochimaru-kun, you have read the Scroll of Sealing and visited the Senju estate... If I am not mistaken, you are searching for the Second Hokage's research materials, aren't you?"

Danzō's smile deepened, as if he had seen through all his thoughts.

This sentence was like a bolt of lightning, instantly shattering the calm facade Orochimaru had constructed.

He jerked his head up, his eyes filled with incredulous surprise, staring fixedly at Danzō.

He was indeed searching! He hadn't hidden it from others, but what surprised him was why Danzō would specifically seek him out to say such things?

The fish has finally taken the bait.

Watching the rare expression of surprise on Orochimaru's face, a sense of pleasure at having everything under control welled up in Danzō's heart.

"My teacher, the Second Hokage Tobirama Senju... he left behind many forbidden techniques.

But do you know?

Most of the forbidden techniques recorded in the Scroll of Sealing are merely half-finished products.

Teacher Tobirama left too suddenly, and there were still many studies he hadn't had the chance to perfect..."

Danzō spoke slowly, his tone carrying a trace of nostalgia and regret for the deceased.

Wait, so that's how it is?

Hearing this, Orochimaru's gaze flickered as he realized the truth.

Danzō's words, combined with his previous discoveries in the archives and Danzō's legendary achievements in the original story regarding the use of Hashirama cells and the Sharingan.

Everything pointed to one conclusion...

The person who inherited the Second Hokage's unfinished research, the person who inherited the Second Hokage's laboratory and secret files... was none other than the Shimura Danzō standing before him!

If that was the case... then Danzō agreeing to let him read the Scroll of Sealing must have been the bait cast out for him...

Orochimaru suppressed the shock in his heart and re-evaluated the man before him.

His ambition, his methods, his thirst for power... everything now seemed to have a logical explanation.

"Lord Danzō... what do you mean by this?"

Orochimaru took a deep breath, his tone becoming grave as he looked directly into Danzō's eyes.

Yet, in his heart, he felt quite helpless; he had to admit that Zhuge Qing was right—forbidden power is always held in the hands of those who will stop at nothing.

"Heh."

Seeing Orochimaru's reaction, the smile on Danzo's face finally blossomed completely, carrying the air of a victor, along with a hint of appreciation for Orochimaru's talent.

"The meaning is simple."

"Teacher Tobirama's research was vast and profound; what is recorded in the Scroll of Sealing is merely the tip of the iceberg."

"As his student, I have inherited a portion of it..."

"We in Konoha need a genius like you to inherit the will of the Second Hokage and truly complete those forbidden techniques!"

Danzo stopped beating around the bush and laid out his ultimate goal directly.

As expected...

Hearing this, Orochimaru's heart skipped a beat.

Previously, he had only been guessing, but now he was basically certain.

The lost experimental data from the Second Hokage's forbidden research was with Danzo; no wonder in the original story, Orochimaru, as a student of the Third, would end up collaborating with Danzo.

This temptation... was undeniably immense.

But he quickly calmed himself down.

"Lord Danzo, to invite me so directly..."

Orochimaru frowned slightly, "Aren't you afraid... that Teacher would mind?"

The teacher he referred to was, naturally, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Hahahaha!"

Upon hearing this, Danzo laughed out loud, as if he had heard something incredibly ridiculous.

The laughter echoed in the alleyway, sounding somewhat grating.

"Hiruzen... he values the light too much."

Danzo's tone calmed down, but his gaze remained sharp.

"But he perhaps forgets that what supports a great tree standing tall is often the roots buried deep underground."

"Orochimaru, you should understand that certain sacrifices and methods are necessary to protect the greater whole."

"Blind benevolence does not work in the cruel Ninja World."

"Your research direction is something Hiruzen likely cannot understand, and he might even place restrictions upon it."

"But in my eyes, this is the correct path to explore the boundaries of a ninja's potential."

Danzo stared at Orochimaru, his eyes burning with intensity.

Hmph, among Hiruzen's three students, Jiraiya is dull-witted, Tsunade is impulsive and hot-tempered; only this Orochimaru has a deep mind and extraordinary talent... he is worth using...

The next Hokage must be under my control!

Danzo's internal calculations were clicking away, yet his face wore an expression of sincere camaraderie, as if to say, "We are the same kind of people."

Orochimaru's eyes flickered uncertainly.

Collaborate with Danzo?

This was no different than asking a tiger for its skin!

In the original story, this guy was a treacherous old schemer who would even go so far as to assassinate the Third Hokage just to become Hokage himself.

The data left behind by the Second Hokage was indeed tempting...

But he currently lacked the ability to mitigate the risks.

The methods of Root had always been cruel; who knew how many bizarre secret techniques were hidden within.

If Danzo were to turn on him like in the original story, he wouldn't even have a chance to run.

The risk was too great!

At least for now... it was impossible!

He had to possess sufficient self-preservation capabilities before he could maneuver around such an old fox.

Thinking of this, Orochimaru had already made his decision.

"I appreciate Lord Danzo's kindness."

"It's just that..."

"My knowledge is still shallow, and there are many fundamentals I have yet to fully grasp."

"I'm afraid... I am temporarily unable to shoulder the heavy responsibility you speak of."

"When I have... a deeper accumulation of knowledge in the future, perhaps..."

Orochimaru looked up at Danzo, speaking with a touch of regret.

He did not close the door completely, leaving a sliver of room for the future.

After speaking, he bowed slightly to Danzo, then, without lingering, turned and walked in the direction where Tsunade and Jiraiya had disappeared.

Watching the retreating back of Orochimaru, the smile on the face of Danzo did not change; instead, it deepened.

He understood the hidden meaning behind the words of Orochimaru.

Not now...

But, in the future, it would be possible...

This fish could be considered hooked...