Orochimaru, Kabuto, and Danzo
"Kabuto, your talents shouldn't be wasted by following that ambitious Uchiha Feng."
"Come work for me, officially leave him. You know I really need an excellent assistant like you."
Orochimaru's snake-like eyes repeatedly scanned Kabuto, revealing the expression of someone he truly admired.
Seeing this, Dou's expression didn't change at all. He simply pushed up his glasses as usual and said while hurrying on his way:
"Lord Orochimaru, you flatter me."
"A mediocre ninja like me is hardly worth your trouble."
"Mediocre? Hah, you're insulting my judgment and questioning Feng Jun's judgment."
"..." Kabuto fell silent, unsure how to respond.
He deeply respected Uchiha Feng, who saved him and Nonō's mother, and also Orochimaru, who had helped him find and discover his true talents over the years.
Therefore, he couldn't speak ill of the other person in front of either of them.
"I don't know what he will do with you after you return to Uchiha Feng."
But what you've learned from me over the years is something that is destined to be incomprehensible to the world.
So, you!
You will most likely end up like those researchers at the Root, forever confined to some place by him, endlessly researching things for him.
But this shouldn't be your life.
You are just an orphan from Orphanage, with no background or bloodline.
Therefore, you should be a free Yakushi Kabuto, unburdened, unshackled, and without the need to pledge allegiance to anyone.
Orochimaru chuckled, using words to tempt Kabuto.
Unexpectedly, Kabuto then turned to Orochimaru with a smile and said:
"Yes, Lord Orochimaru, I am just an orphan with no background and no bloodline."
But I am bound by shackles.
I was already tightly bound by Yakushi Nonō.
He made it impossible for me to get rid of him, and I was deeply attached to him, even if it meant giving up everything else.
Hehe, so, I'm really sorry, Lord Orochimaru.
When he said this, his smile wasn't the professional fake smile he usually used to deceive people.
That was a genuine, heartfelt smile, emanating from the depths of his soul, when he thought of something truly worth being happy about.
Clearly, Orochimaru understood Yakushi Kabuto and knew that Yakushi Nonō was very important to Kabuto.
Little did they know just how important Yakushi Nonō was to this man who always wore glasses, had a calm expression, and greeted everyone with a smile.
That kind of dependence, that willingness to give everything for it, is something that Orochimaru, a researcher who has already lost his humanity, can never understand.
Just like how science and engineering students can never understand the romance that language brings.
Just like in the original future, he could never understand Naruto's obsession with Sasuke, even though he himself seemed to have had those feelings.
Fortunately, although he couldn't understand, he could see things clearly. At the same time, he would only gently guide those who wanted something, and never force them to do anything against their will.
After all, he's not as obsessed with the Sharingan as he was in the original storyline, and he doesn't lust after Sasuke's body Tenten.
We have information provided by Feng five years ago, and in the past five years, we have also provided him with a lot of Sharingan to help with the research.
Orochimaru has long since lost interest in the Uchiha bodies, except for Uchiha Feng and the Masked Man, of course.
In his mind, apart from Hiruzen Sarutobi, Jiraiya, and Tsunade, all other humans are probably just a bunch of carbon and water compounds, consumables for research.
"Well, it seems I was too late after all."
Hey! Let's catch up on the progress of our current experiments.
Hehe, try to finish everything before you leave.
"Me!? Alone?"
Lord Orochimaru, do you need to call Junenka to come with you? (Note: Because Kimimaro is under Feng's command, Junenka is another member of the Kaguya Orochimaru whom Orochimaru recruited. Kimimaro sounds like "shark fin" in Japanese, while Enka sounds like "bird's nest" in Japanese.)
Orochimaru's words startled Kabuto for a moment, but having worked under Orochimaru for so long, even though the latter was often erratic, the shrewd Kabuto was able to keep up with his pace.
This is also one of the reasons why Orochimaru was reluctant to part with his handbag.
"No need. Let Junenka continue guarding the Otogakure. Summon the Sound Four."
I need to go and have a talk with Rasa; I might have to use the Four Violet Flames Formation if necessary.
Orochimaru shook his head slightly upon hearing this and made other arrangements.
As for what he plans to do with the Four Violet Flames Formation, well, those who know, know!
It can only be said that Orochimaru truly deserves his title as a former Hokage candidate; his Will of Fire is far stronger than that of Jiraiya, Tsunade, and others.
If you don't believe me, look at the situation of Orochimaru, Konoha, and Sunagakure after the so-called Konoha Crush Plan ended.
First, Orochimaru, and the answer is: he has nothing.
Loss: Because this plan exposed their location and the secret of the Otogakure and the Living Corpse Reincarnation Jutsu, many people died, and one person even lost both hands and was sealed away.
Konoha gained the advantage of recruiting Tsunade, a younger Kage Level ninja. Even without Tsunade, there would have been Jiraiya, which set the stagnant Konoha's windmill spinning again.
They also completely subdued the restless Sunagakure, turning it into a loyal subordinate of Konoha.
Losses: The elderly and Jonin Kage Level Hiruzen Sarutobi and the tuberculous Jonin Gekko Hayate died, and some buildings were damaged.
As for the other high-level combatants of Konoha, they were completely unharmed.
Finally Sunagakure, the result was the same: nothing at all.
Loss: The current Kazekage is dead, but he died at the hands of Konoha. The One-Tail Jinchuriki was captured by Konoha. It's not Konoha's fault; the Jinchūriki struck first.
Even the border ninjas who secretly invaded the Land of Fire were routed by the well-prepared Konoha Ninja because their intelligence was leaked.
In the end, for the sake of the village's survival, he had no choice but to obediently become a subordinate of Konoha.
Look, look, a Konoha Crush Plan!
Konoha didn't collapse; it actually got better.
However, Sunagakure, which participated in the plan, almost collapsed;
Orochimaru, who devised the plan, gained nothing but losses.
It's just that Orochimaru is missing-nin now, not still in Konoha, otherwise his achievements would be enough for him to Hiruzen Sarutobi and become Hokage.
"Lord Orochimaru, someone has sent you a message."
Orochimaru, who was on his way to the Land of Wind to 'make a name for himself' in Konoha, received a message from Ryūchi Cave.
"Hmm? Danzo, huh."
"Heh, looks like he wants to get rid of the old man even more than I do."
He muttered to himself as he took a letter from the mouth of a small snake.
Then, the letter was unfolded, and he slowly read it:
Not long ago, a great battle broke out on the outskirts of Tanzaku Street. The traces on the scene were comparable to the battle Hashirama Senju, and Madara Uchiha at the Valley of the End. But your traces were on the scene.
Orochimaru! We should be allies, but you seem to be holding back a lot from me.
Tell me, who did you fight there?
Also, is it possible to replicate your current formidable strength?
"If you can give me this capability in return, I'll take your intelligence, money, or even live people—whatever you need, we can discuss it."
"Heh, still as foolish as ever."
However, that plan does indeed need Danzo's help, so... I'll give you something in return.
After reading the letter, Orochimaru muttered a couple more words, then pulled out several Summoning Scroll, and finally picked out two bottles of potion.
Give this to him, and tell him while you're at it.
"One of these two bottles can enhance the activity of the cells in his body, and the other can enhance his Wood Release."
Orochimaru tossed the two vials of medicine to the communication snake and then ignored it, continuing on his way.