Orochimaru, the Jonin Instructor

After they left the Hokage Building, ninja and villagers were already moving through the streets. Some strolled at ease, while others hurried along. It was a scene of peace.

One brother yawned, the other stretched, and both slipped back into their lazy ways.

It was a Nara tradition.

Nara Shikaku glanced at Tsukimi and spoke as if making casual conversation, though there was a hint of a test in his voice.

"Danzo's been dismissed. Root is being reorganized, and the Third Hokage has offered fifty million ryo plus the Second Hokage's research records. That's thorough compensation, Tsukimi. Do you think this is over?"

Shikaku had only recently become clan head, but he knew the Third Hokage's methods well. Hiruzen Sarutobi excelled at balancing the factions to keep them stable. Shikaku wanted to know whether his younger cousin could see that too.

Tsukimi kept walking, a gentle smile on his face. He knew the Third Hokage's style as well. "Not quite, big brother."

"Tell me what you think."

Tsukimi answered evenly, laying out his reasoning. "Danzo targeted me, which was a provocation against the Three Clans of Ino-Shika-Cho. The Hokage punished him severely and offered generous compensation to give the Three Clans an explanation and head off the anger of the Great Shinobi Clans."

"But that's all it is—an explanation. Once trust is broken, it's hard to repair. Given my talent and my importance to the Nara, this isn't nearly enough. The Hokage must have one last way to reassure us."

"What do you think that will be?"

"We won't have to wait long. It should arrive along with the compensation."

Just as Tsukimi predicted, an Anbu ninja arrived shortly after the two returned to the clan compound.

The Anbu ninja carried a Sealing Scroll and was exceedingly polite.

"The Hokage ordered me to deliver fifty million ryo and the research records, as well as convey the Team Assignment Order."

The Anbu ninja undid the seal, set the banknotes and the Second Hokage's research records on the table, and relayed the Hokage's orders.

"New Genin Nara Tsukimi will join Asuma Sarutobi and Kurenai Yuhi on the same team. Report to Konoha Training Ground No. 6 at nine o'clock the morning after tomorrow."

After delivering the orders and supplies, the Anbu ninja returned to report back.

Shikaku looked at the items on the table and smiled knowingly. "Looks like you called it. Asuma is the Third Hokage's youngest son, and Kurenai Yuhi is Jonin Shinku Yūhi's only daughter. Your Jonin instructor must be someone special!"

"You've already guessed, haven't you? To reassure the Three Clans, my Jonin instructor has to be one of the Sannin."

Tsukimi gathered up the items on the table, his tone lazy.

Becoming a disciple of one of the Sannin would make him Hiruzen Sarutobi's grand-disciple and bring him into the Hokage's line of succession. If he grew strong enough, he would even be eligible to vie for the Hokage's seat one day.

Jiraiya was traveling, and Tsunade was afraid of blood. That left only one of them with time to spare.

Orochimaru, the Cold Lord!

I wonder whether Orochimaru has started researching Hashirama Cells yet. Once he does, he only gets more twisted.

And so the uproar caused by Root's attempt to kill Tsukimi finally came to a temporary close after another round of maneuvering and conciliation.

Meanwhile, in the underground laboratory beneath Orochimaru's residence...

All kinds of vessels filled the dim room, and the smell of chemicals hung in the air. The dull light made the figure inside look all the more sinister.

Orochimaru wore a white robe. His face was pale, and fascination gleamed in his slit-pupiled eyes as he studied the Hashirama Cells on the workbench.

The deaths of his disciples and friends during the Second Shinobi World War had taught Orochimaru how fragile life was. Even his teacher, the Third Hokage, hailed as the Professor of the Ninja, was growing old.

And so Orochimaru had abandoned the conventional path of training. He devoted himself instead to uncovering the truth and pursuing the forbidden path to immortality.

Not long ago, Orochimaru had been assigned to Root. At first, he kept his distance from Danzo—until Danzo showed him that.

Hashirama Cells!

Hashirama Senju, the First Hokage, had possessed the power to bring the chaos of the Warring States Period to an end. Even decades after his death, his cells retained terrifying vitality. To obtain research materials and funding, Orochimaru had grown increasingly close to Danzo.

As Orochimaru worked through the data on integrating Hashirama Cells, a voice called from outside the door.

"Lord Orochimaru, the Hokage requests your presence. Please come to the Hokage Building immediately."

Orochimaru's hands stilled. A flicker of confusion crossed his narrow eyes. He had been absorbed in his research lately and barely involved himself in village affairs. Hiruzen Sarutobi knew that, so why had he summoned him?

The interruption irritated Orochimaru, but he put away his equipment and vanished from the laboratory.

A short while later, in the Hokage's office.

"You wanted to see me, Teacher Sarutobi?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi was handling paperwork behind his desk. At his disciple's voice, he looked up through the curling smoke. For a moment, he felt dazed. He did not know when his once-brilliant disciple had become so gloomy and inscrutable, or when a faint distance had opened between them.

Orochimaru's voice was flat, betraying no emotion. After greeting his teacher, he waited quietly.

Hiruzen studied him in silence for a moment before speaking.

"Orochimaru, as of today, you're relieved of all duties in Root. Your next assignment is to serve as the new Genin Nara Tsukimi's Jonin instructor."

Surprise and resistance flashed through Orochimaru's eyes. His mind was consumed with the mysteries of Hashirama Cells. Serving as a Jonin instructor would only waste his time.

He refused without hesitation. "Teacher, I've been focused on my training and research lately. I can't spare the time. The village has plenty of capable Jonin. Choose someone else."

Hiruzen's expression did not change. As though he had expected this, he laid out Tsukimi's record. "Nara Tsukimi is eight years old and a newly promoted Genin. His clan's Inherited Secret Technique has mutated into something close to a Kekkei Genkai. Last night, Danzo sent three Chunin to kill him. Tsukimi killed all three on his own."

At last, surprise stirred in Orochimaru's cold eyes.

Eight years old.

A newly promoted Genin.

And he had killed three Root Chunin by himself.

Talent and strength like that were unmatched in all of Konoha. Orochimaru knew he could not have done the same at eight.

Even with his obsession with Hashirama Cells, this young Nara had caught Orochimaru's interest.

Wait. Danzo sent ninja to kill him?

No wonder Danzo had all the research records and Hashirama Cells taken out of Root last night.

Seeing Orochimaru's resistance ease, Hiruzen continued. "Danzo attacked a village ninja without authorization. I've stripped him of every position and confined him to his home. Mitokado Homura will take over Root. That's why I'm relieving you of your duties there."

Hiruzen paused. Then he fixed Orochimaru with a heavy gaze and spoke one word at a time. "Orochimaru, you've grown too close to Danzo lately."

The quiet words struck Orochimaru like a thunderclap. He lowered his eyes.

Does he know Danzo and I have been researching Hashirama Cells? No. His expression says otherwise. He must have noticed how I've changed over the past few years.

Orochimaru instantly understood Hiruzen's true intention.

He's seen how close I've become to Danzo and wants to pull me back from the edge. I'm sorry, Teacher, but I no longer care about the empty dreams I once chased.

Should I refuse?

No. That risks exposing the research. Studying Hashirama Cells is forbidden in Konoha. Better to remain in the open. I can investigate this young Nara prodigy's secrets and avoid being caught up in Danzo's downfall.

After a moment's silence, Orochimaru raised his eyes again. The shadow and calculation in them had vanished, leaving his former indifference.

"I understand. I'll serve as Nara Tsukimi's Jonin instructor."

Hiruzen let out a quiet breath of relief. With Orochimaru's agreement, his move to reassure the Three Clans, win over a prodigy, and draw his disciple back had finally fallen into place.