Experiment

Orochimaru studied Yakushi Nonō's guarded stance with great interest.

The Wandering Miko's utterly tense posture actually amused him somewhat—after all, no one who had made a name for themselves in the ANBU was a simple character.

That Hiruko... Orochimaru sneered inwardly.

He truly could not understand how a research ninja could become so obsessed with women.

Even the most exceptional ninja would struggle to guard against a fatal strike from the shadows while exhausted after lovemaking.

Keeping an elite ANBU member like that by his side was practically playing with fire.

Then again, since Hiruko dared to do this, he presumably had his own means of survival.

In the end, people like them all had a few cards up their sleeves.

"I'm sorry, but I've never heard of this department." Nonō's voice remained gentle, but her refusal could not have been clearer.

Orochimaru unhurriedly took a scroll from his robes and casually tossed it over. "Take a look."

Nonō caught the scroll, her slender fingers carefully tracing every seal upon it.

Once she confirmed that it was a genuine Hokage order, her expression immediately became more animated.

"I see."

A professional smile curved her lips. "What does Lord Orochimaru need a little spy like me for?"

"A little spy?" Orochimaru gave a soft chuckle. "What I value is your medical ninjutsu. Besides, the Wandering Miko's reputation is renowned throughout the ninja world."

Nonō's smile did not change in the slightest. "Unfortunately, Lord Danzo has already assigned me to serve Lord Hiruko."

"Interesting." Orochimaru's golden slit pupils narrowed slightly. "But now I have the authority to draw personnel from every department to establish the Research Department."

He deliberately paused. "By the way, I heard you run an orphanage? The Research Department's funding is far more abundant than Root's."

"And..."

Orochimaru suddenly lowered his voice. "Hiruko himself has agreed to this transfer. You need money badly too, don't you?"

Nonō's fingertips unconsciously rubbed the edge of the scroll, and a flicker of complicated emotion passed through her eyes.

Orochimaru's words were like a precise scalpel, piercing the softest part of her heart—the children in the orphanage who looked up at her with such longing.

"Lord Orochimaru truly understands people." She sighed softly and finally relented. "I understand."

Orochimaru's snake-like eyes narrowed slightly, revealing a meaningful smile. "You and Danzo were never the same kind of people. Those children... they are more than mere bargaining chips to you, aren't they?"

His voice suddenly dropped, taking on a seductive rhythm. "In Root, you are nothing more than a blade in his hand. But here—"

Orochimaru lightly tapped the scroll with his long fingers. "You only need to use the medical ninjutsu you excel at and cultivate some useful talents."

Nonō raised her eyes, her gaze blazing. "That's all?"

"Of course..." Orochimaru slowly uttered the words, then abruptly changed the subject. "As long as you do one small favor for me."

A dangerous smile appeared on his pale face. "You should be quite familiar with Root's collection, shouldn't you?"

The air instantly froze.

Nonō's pupils abruptly contracted before swiftly returning to calm. "You mean...?"

"Hashirama Cells, the Forbidden Scroll, Danzo's shameful research..." Orochimaru's tongue swept over the corner of his lips.

"Tell me everything you know."

Nonō frowned slightly. "Is that the Hokage's order?"

"Heh..." Orochimaru let out a quiet laugh.

"From now on, all of it will fall under the Research Department's jurisdiction!"

"I'm merely worried..."

Orochimaru's voice suddenly turned icy. "That our dear Lord Danzo will not obediently hand over everything."

He stepped forward, his shadow falling over Nonō. "And my patience has always been limited."

The next day, the air in the Hokage's office seemed frozen solid.

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, rubbed his temples, his gaze shifting between the furious Danzo and the impassive Orochimaru.

One stood while the other sat, one burning with rage and the other cold as frost, making the already stifling room feel even more oppressive.

"Hiruzen!" Danzo slammed his cane against the floor, his knuckles turning white from the force. "Are you really going to let Orochimaru hollow out Root?!"

Orochimaru did not even raise his eyelids, his voice calm to the point of indifference. "They are merely useless research materials. Keeping them in Root would be a waste."

He completely ignored Danzo's gaze beside him, which seemed ready to pierce through him, and even wore a faintly mocking smile.

"Orochimaru!" A stern rebuke came from outside the door.

Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura entered side by side, their steps steady and forceful.

Mitokado Homura moved to Danzo's side, his tone low but resolute. "Hiruzen, Danzo's negligence should be punished, but Root's foundation cannot be shaken—Konoha still needs it."

Orochimaru gave a soft laugh, his voice hoarse and dangerous. "Rest assured, I only took two people and some scrap. Root's strength... remains wholly untouched."

Utatane Koharu ignored his defense and looked directly at the Third. "The village has only just begun to recover. It cannot bear the drain of a new department—talent, funds, long-term investment, every one of them is a burden."

"We must consider the long term," Mitokado Homura added at the right moment.

Hiruzen's gaze swept over everyone—Danzo's gloom, Orochimaru's indifference, the solemnity of the two advisors—before finally settling on Minato Namikaze, who had been smiling all along.

He sighed inwardly.

They were all working for Konoha, yet each harbored their own motives.

Orochimaru was obsessed with research, but at least he had never betrayed the village.

Perhaps... letting him cooperate with Hiruko and reassigning some of Root's personnel might instead stabilize the situation?

"Those experimental subjects cannot be exposed," Mitokado Homura said in a lowered voice.

"Once the new department is established, the secret will no longer be safe."

Utatane Koharu immediately followed. "Human experimentation ultimately violates basic humanity."

Hiruzen Sarutobi could not help frowning.

The corner of Danzo's mouth lifted almost imperceptibly.

He understood Hiruzen too well—and those two old friends knew even better how to strike at his weakness.

Orochimaru said darkly, "Hehehe, are you sure?"