Night of Root Extermination

Root base

Candles were lit in Danzo's office. It was late at night, and Danzo and Orochimaru sat facing each other across a coffee table.

"Orochimaru, assisting you is no problem, but now, I also have a small request, and I hope you can agree to it."

Danzo was somewhat interested in Orochimaru's late-night visit and his request for assistance, but Orochimaru most important task at the moment was his own revolutionary cause.

Orochimaru's visit at this time is a perfect opportunity to utilize his power.

"Danzo, if you can assist me, then my operation will be foolproof. Then, we'll each have one Rinnegan, hehehe..."

Orochimaru's voice was hoarse, and as he finished speaking, he couldn't help but reveal an evil smile.

Having spent two and a half years in the Akatsuki, Orochimaru had a fairly good grasp of the Akatsuki's internal intelligence.

Believing he had grasped Pain's secrets, he thought it was time to make his move and take Pain's Rinnegan.

Acting alone is ultimately risky, so he specifically came to the Root to seek Danzo's assistance. Knowing Danzo very well, he was certain that Danzo would intervene.

Especially given Danzo's precarious situation in Konoha, he desperately needed power, and that Wood Release arm is strong evidence of that.

As for Danzo's small request, Orochimaru didn't take it seriously. It was nothing more than asking him to carry out some high-difficulty S-rank missions. Orochimaru, whose Ninjutsu was already nearing perfection, didn't care about such things. Akatsuki Orochimaru cared about most right now was Pain's Rinnegan.

Danzo Orochimaru lost in his own fantasies, Danzo said expressionlessly:

"Orochimaru, let's put that matter aside for now. Listen to my request first."

"Oh? I'd like to hear more about it."

Orochimaru licked his lips and answered softly, his demeanor nonchalant.

"Orochimaru, what I'm about to say is top secret. If I reveal it, you'll have no choice but to assist me. Consider whether you want to listen."

Danzo knelt on a prayer mat. The Danzo flickered in the dim room, casting a mysterious glow on his face.

Upon hearing this, Orochimaru finally became concerned about Danzo's small request. After a moment's thought, he chuckled and said:

"Danzo, please speak freely. Whatever difficulties you encounter, I can help you, can't I?"

Orochimaru's face was extremely confident, then he smirked and continued jokingly:

"Top secret? Don't you know my mission history? Your so-called secret can't possibly be something as absurd as assassinating the Hokage."

"That's right, it was the assassination attempt on the Fourth Hokage Uchiha Nara."

Danzo, with a serious expression, quietly agreed, indicating that Orochimaru had guessed correctly.

"Well?"

Upon hearing this, Orochimaru's relaxed demeanor froze. The smirk on his face slowly faded, and his expression gradually turned serious. He asked with some disbelief:

Are you joking, or are you serious?

Orochimaru narrowed his eyes slightly. The Fourth Hokage, Uchiha Nara, was the only person Orochimaru could neither see through nor fathom. His mastery of Ninjutsu was now a mystery.

Orochimaru could sense was an indescribable sense of danger emanating from the Fourth Hokage, a danger that made him even more wary than Pain, the leader of the Akatsuki.

Orochimaru's understanding of Uchiha Nara was that Uchiha Nara's Ninjutsu skills surpassed his own. His learning ability was also somewhat bizarre; many of Orochimaru's Ninjutsu would undoubtedly be learned and mastered by the Fourth Hokage.

Furthermore, having served as Hokage for so many years, Uchiha Nara must have already mastered Ninjutsu in the Scroll of Sealing, given his learning ability. Such a person is not someone to be trifled with.

In the past few years, Orochimaru had joined the Akatsuki, which frequently assigned him complex war missions, taking up some of Orochimaru time and energy. At the same time, his research on forbidden techniques had made great progress, with breakthroughs achieved one after another.

Therefore, the frequency of intelligence reports to the Fourth Hokage gradually decreased. However, Orochimaru still had no intention of breaking away from the Hokage's rule. He planned to report the Akatsuki's situation to the Fourth Hokage all at once after gathering intelligence on the Akatsuki. Presumably, the Fourth Hokage wouldn't say anything. It was just a special reason that delayed the intelligence report; it wasn't a big deal.

However, if he assists Danzo in launching his so-called revolutionary actions, he will be unable to clear his name. If it succeeds, all will be well; if it fails...

Danzo coldly observed Orochimaru, Orochimaru eyes occasionally flashed with a sharp light, clearly weighing the pros and cons.

"Orochimaru, do you think I would have the mind to toy with you?"

Danzo spoke coldly and solemnly, picked up the now-cold tea from the coffee table, took a sip, and slowly put it down.

Orochimaru transplanted Wood Release arm into himself, and his arm was Sharingan. Orochimaru might have guessed that he had a way to use the Sharingan, but he would never have imagined that it would be the forbidden Sharingan technique Izanagi.

This time is different from before. My strength has greatly increased, and Orochimaru's usefulness is almost gone. If Orochimaru dares to disobey, I will keep him here today, having walked right into my trap. It will be a way to rid Konoha and the Shinobi World of a scourge.

The two were in cahoots, neither of them were kind-hearted; they were both ruthless.

Orochimaru gazed intently at Danzo's serious face, realizing his visit was somewhat abrupt, coinciding with Danzo's Danzo attempt after years of retirement. After a slight hesitation, he said softly:

"If you're absolutely certain..."

Orochimaru didn't continue. If there was a very high chance of success, Orochimaru would assist him. But if it was a risky operation, involving the Root in a direct confrontation with Konoha, then he shouldn't be involved; he would never agree under any circumstances.

"Of course there are absolutes..."

Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump!

Danzo was speaking when he heard the sound of a large bell hanging high in the organization.

"Um?"

Danzo's expression grew increasingly serious, and he immediately got up and left the office.

This large bell will only ring in two situations. First, it will ring when Danzo himself issues an order to summon everyone. Second, it will ring when the base encounters an emergency, and everyone must assemble immediately upon hearing the bell.

Danzo did not issue any orders; the current situation is clearly the second one.

Danzo sniffed Danzo he stepped out of the office. The sealed underground base was filled with a bloody smell that was very familiar to the ninjas.

Danzo whispered to the two guards outside the office:

"Come with me."

As soon as he finished speaking, Danzo rushed towards the exit, Danzo by two masked ninjas.

The Root base, apart from the central cross-shaped bridge and small square, consists entirely of caves.

The cave in Danzo's office was unusually spacious, and soon Danzo leaped out of it.

The closer they got to their destination, the stronger the smell of blood became, Danzo felt increasingly uneasy.