Setting Aside the Facts!

After hearing Koharu Utatane's words, the Third Hokage indeed showed hesitation.

Seeing this, Orochimaru could not help frowning. He quietly lamented that his teacher no longer possessed the bold decisiveness he had shown in his youth.

Sure enough, the years had left indelible marks upon him, gradually wearing away his former sharpness.

At that moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt increasingly unequal to the task. Fortunately, the new Hokage had already taken office. He only needed to assist him for a while longer.

The resolute, uncompromising manner of his younger days had gradually lost its edges and hardness.

In the profession of a ninja, having endured countless wars, the survival rate for missions had never been high. Living to his age already made him a long-lived man.

Counting them up, the only person older than him seemed to be Onoki of the Hidden Rock Village.

Now, all he wanted was for the village to develop steadily and peacefully.

And Koharu Utatane's words undoubtedly dropped another stone into his already wavering heart.

"Shouldn't that be all the more reason to set things right?" Noticing his teacher's hesitation, disappointment flashed through Orochimaru's eyes as he spoke up.

"It is precisely because Root was cold-blooded, ruthless, and wholly unregulated that this series of tragedies occurred.

"The Research Department was established solely to create rules and reduce needless sacrifices in the village. Only then can similar tragedies be prevented from happening again and again."

Danzo abruptly turned toward Orochimaru and snorted. "I admit that Root is cold and ruthless.

"But compared to that, Orochimaru, you are even more cold-blooded!

"You led the Wood Release experiments, and you led all the research as well.

"Even if I was at fault, does that make you, Orochimaru, some kind of good person?"

Setting aside the facts, Orochimaru should bear absolute responsibility for this matter!

How could Orochimaru, someone so cold-blooded toward test subjects, say something like that?

Were you still the Orochimaru I knew?

Homura Mitokado could not help frowning as he considered Orochimaru's changes inwardly.

"Senior Homura, the one responsible for all of this is Danzo, standing beside you.

"He once attacked Hiruko. When he attacked him, when did he ever care about civilian ninja? And when did he ever care about me?

"Hiruko was my subordinate back then!!" Orochimaru replied coldly.

"If I remember correctly, the Ino–Shika–Cho clans gave their full support to Teacher Hiruzen back then and helped him stabilize the village's alliances. Be content, or I'll invite Senior Akimichi Torifu over to judge who is right."

With a cold expression, Orochimaru directly cut off whatever Homura Mitokado had been about to say.

After being rebuked by Orochimaru, Homura Mitokado felt rather uncomfortable. He glared at Danzo and silently cursed him for being too unscrupulous, leaving behind such a major problem.

Danzo's expression grew darker still. He had not expected what he had considered an insignificant matter to cause so many changes.

After all, Hiruko's stabbing had been conclusively proven, and a great many Root ninja had died at the time.

"Enough. I have already agreed to the personnel transfers and the establishment of the Technical Development Department for both Orochimaru and Hiruko."

The Third Hokage finally made up his mind. Drawing upon much of his former decisiveness, he swiftly stopped the discussion and made his decision.

The Fourth Hokage had not yet fully taken control of the situation. With the Third Hokage having made the final call, the two advisors could only fall silent.

Minato Namikaze, standing nearby, fully supported the decision and naturally had no objections.

However, the Third Hokage still gave them a way to save face and offered a little reassurance. "The village's finances truly cannot support the establishment of a new department. A portion of the initial funding can be allocated, but subsequent expenses will have to be raised by the Technical Development Department itself."

The Third Hokage added.

"Hmph!" Unable to get his way, Danzo snorted and left the Hokage's office, leaning on his cane, the place having thoroughly humiliated him.

At the same time, his desire for the position of Hokage burned like a raging fire within him. I must obtain the position of Hokage!

Watching Danzo leave, Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane exchanged a sigh and said no more.

Elsewhere, Orochimaru spoke with Shisui about the Uchiha Clan.

"Lord Orochimaru, you wish to visit our clan head?" Shisui was caught off guard.

After all, Orochimaru belonged to the Third Hokage's faction and had never held a favorable impression of the Uchiha Clan.

Among the Third Hokage's faction, only the newly appointed Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, had a somewhat better opinion of the Uchiha Clan.

Shisui took a deep breath and nodded. "The clan head will certainly be delighted by your visit."

He knew that he was merely a messenger at the moment, but that did not prevent him from saying so based on his understanding of the clan head.

The clan head had been suppressed by the upper ranks for a long time. If he had an opportunity to enter their circle, he would certainly spare no effort.

Orochimaru nodded. "Tomorrow. I'll go over tomorrow night."

After giving his instructions, he hurried away.

The Research Department was still in ruins, nothing more than an empty shell. Countless matters awaited his attention.

As for Hiruko, that fellow had slipped away at some unknown time, and his whereabouts were a mystery. Orochimaru could not find him for the moment.

Orochimaru had already planned to select a consultant from the Nara Clan to handle his daily affairs.

That night, Orochimaru visited Hiruko's villa.

"Hiruko, the suggestion you made last time was very interesting. Although Wood Release is a bloodline limit composed of water- and earth-nature chakra, its vigorous life force seems to be mixed with Yang Release.

"Perhaps the First Hokage's Wood Release bloodline limit was formed through the fusion of water, earth, and Yang attributes.

"So, to curb the devouring and proliferative nature of the First Hokage's cells, the key lies in finding another power that can oppose it and bring it into balance.

"According to your idea, if it can be neutralized and weakened to a level ordinary ninja can withstand, it can naturally be made into an enhancement serum.

"Perhaps Wood Release can make every ninja compatible!"

The more Orochimaru spoke, the more excited he became, firing off his words like a barrage as a burning light gleamed in his eyes.

"I have already investigated all of Konoha's data involving Wood Release, as well as the historical records of the Senju Clan.

"I believe the bloodline limit most compatible with this power should be that of the Uchiha Clan.

"If the power of the First Hokage's cells is regarded as a manifestation of Yang Release,

"Then the Uchiha Clan, representing the Yin attribute, may be able to balance this power."

"Orochimaru, you intend to use the Uchiha Clan as test subjects, don't you?" Hiruko said with a smile.

"But the Uchiha Clan will not be so easy to deal with!"

"Heh, as long as there are sufficient benefits, the Uchiha Clan will agree," Orochimaru said indifferently.

"Orochimaru, then what do you intend to use for the trade?"