Orochimaru, the Supervising Jonin

After they left the Hokage Building, the streets were already busy with Ninja and villagers. 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 usual lazy manner.

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

Though Shikaku had only recently become clan head, he knew the Third's methods well. The man excelled at balancing and stabilizing the various factions. Shikaku wanted to see whether his cousin understood that too.

Tsukimi kept walking, a mild smile on his face. He knew the Third's style just as well. "Not quite, Brother."

"Tell me what you think."

Tsukimi answered calmly, laying it out step by step. "Danzo targeted me, which was a provocation against the Ino-Shika-Cho Clans. Lord Hokage's harsh punishment of Danzo and generous compensation were meant to give the three clans an explanation and quell the anger that might spread among the Great Shinobi Clans."

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

"What do you think he'll do?"

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

Just as Tsukimi predicted, not long after they returned to the Clan Grounds, an Anbu Ninja arrived.

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

"Lord Hokage ordered me to deliver fifty million ryo and the research materials, as well as the Team Assignment Order."

The Anbu Ninja released the seal, laid the banknotes and the Second Hokage's research materials on the table, then relayed the Hokage's order.

"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."

Having delivered the order and handed over everything he had brought, the Anbu Ninja left to report back.

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

"You've already guessed, haven't you? To reassure the three clans, my supervising Jonin has to be one of the Sannin."

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

Becoming a disciple of one of the Sannin would also make him Hiruzen Sarutobi's grand-disciple. It meant entering the Hokage's line of succession. If he grew strong enough, he would even be qualified to compete for the Hokage Position.

At present, Jiraiya was traveling and Tsunade was afraid of blood. That left only one of them available.

Orochimaru, the Cold Lord!

Tsukimi just didn't know whether Orochimaru had started researching Hashirama Cells yet. Once he did, he only grew more twisted.

And so, after another round of checks, balances, and attempts to win people over, the turmoil caused by Root's ambush finally came to a temporary end.

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

Vessels of every kind filled the dim room, and the smell of chemicals hung in the air. The weak light made the figure inside look all the more sinister.

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

During the Second Shinobi World War, the death of a disciple and the loss of a friend had taught Orochimaru how fragile life was. Even his teacher, the Third, hailed as the Professor of the Ninja, was growing old.

That was why Orochimaru had abandoned the conventional path of training. Instead, he devoted himself entirely to seeking truth and pursuing the forbidden dream of eternal life.

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

Hashirama Cells!

Hashirama Senju, the First, had possessed the power to bring the Warring States Period to an end. Though he had been dead for decades, his cells still held terrifying vitality. To obtain experimental material and research funds, Orochimaru had grown increasingly close to Danzo.

Just as Orochimaru was working through the data on fusing Hashirama Cells, a voice called from outside the door.

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

Orochimaru's hand stilled, and a trace of puzzlement flashed through his narrow, slit-pupiled eyes. He had been immersed in his research lately and scarcely paid attention to village affairs. Hiruzen Sarutobi knew that. 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 Office.

"Teacher Sarutobi, you wanted to see me?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi sat behind his desk handling official business. At his disciple's voice, he looked up through the curling smoke. For a moment, he felt dazed. He could not say when his once-brilliant student had grown so brooding and inscrutable. A faint distance had settled between them as well.

Orochimaru's voice was flat, betraying no emotion. After greeting him, he waited quietly for Hiruzen to continue.

Hiruzen watched him in silence for a moment before speaking slowly.

"Orochimaru, as of today, you are relieved of all duties in Root. You will serve as supervising Jonin for the new Genin, Nara Tsukimi."

Surprise and reluctance flickered in Orochimaru's slit-pupiled eyes. His mind was consumed by the mysteries of Hashirama Cells. Serving as a supervising Jonin would only waste his time.

Without hesitation, Orochimaru refused. "Teacher, I've been focused on training and research lately. I don't have the time. The village has plenty of capable Jonin. You can choose someone else."

Hiruzen's expression did not change. As though he had expected this, he calmly laid out Tsukimi's record. "Nara Tsukimi is eight years old and a newly promoted Genin. His 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, something stirred in Orochimaru's cold eyes. He was astonished.

Eight years old.

A newly promoted Genin.

And he had killed three Root Chunin by himself.

Talent and strength like that were unmatched even across all of Konoha. Orochimaru knew he could not have done it at eight years old.

Though Orochimaru was obsessed with Hashirama Cells, the young Nara had caught his interest.

Wait. Danzo sent Ninja to assassinate him?

No wonder Danzo sent people to take away all the research materials and Hashirama Cells from Root last night.

Seeing Orochimaru waver, Hiruzen continued. "Because Danzo attacked a Ninja of the village without authorization, I stripped him of every post and confined him to his home. Mitokado Homura has taken over Root. That's also why I'm removing you from your duties there."

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

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

Does he know Danzo and I have been researching Hashirama Cells? No. Judging by Teacher's expression, that isn't it. 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 of darkness? I'm sorry, Teacher, but I no longer chase those empty dreams I once did.

Should I refuse?

No. Refusing might expose me. Researching Hashirama Cells is forbidden in Konoha. Better to stay in the open for now. I can investigate this young Nara genius's secret and avoid getting caught up in Danzo's downfall.

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

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

Hiruzen quietly breathed a sigh of relief. With Orochimaru's agreement, his move to reassure the three clans, win over the young genius, and draw his disciple back had finally fallen into place.