Danzo had taken great pride in the ingenious plan he had so carefully devised. Now that Orochimaru had laid it out so plainly, his sense of accomplishment only deepened.
He smiled fearlessly. "You came to see me just to ask about this? I have to admit, you really are clever."
A sharp gleam flashed through Orochimaru's eyes as he asked casually, "So you admit it?"
"I have nothing to admit. This is all just your speculation. Besides, everything has already been set in stone. There is no point in pursuing it now!" Danzo shook his head slyly, unwilling to leave behind any evidence against himself even now.
"How is there no point?" Orochimaru demanded with a cold smile. "In order to assassinate Teacher Sarutobi, you even plotted against me, your collaborator. Once you were done using me, you were ready to cast me aside as a scapegoat at any time. Don't you owe me an explanation?"
"Orochimaru, that's not quite right!" Danzo shook his head with an unconcerned smile. "The entire matter was caused by your experiments to begin with, and Hiruzen was killed by your own hand! It would be one thing if you refused to thank me, but what right do you have to turn around and question me now?"
"Hehehe... Chief Danzo still expects me to thank you?" Orochimaru sneered for a moment, then fixed his cold, serpent-like gaze on the fearless Danzo. "Aren't you afraid that I'll hand over all the Root operatives you hid in the laboratory and expose your conspiracy?"
"Hmm hmm hmm!" Danzo chuckled darkly. "Orochimaru, I think anger has muddled your head! Let me tell you the truth: none of those Root operatives you mentioned have any records proving their identities. They are either nameless orphans or 'dead men' who were declared