Orochimaru's Defection

Crack!

Tsunade crushed the wineglass in her hand.

"Old Man, is what you said true?"

Tsunade knew her grandfather's cells had been studied.

But she had been young at the time, and her family had never told her about it.

Besides, her second grandfather had started the research. Tsunade had let the matter rest all these years.

But if what Hiruzen Sarutobi said was true, she would never allow this to happen!

"There's no direct proof yet. That's why I want you to help investigate."

"What about ANBU?"

"Danzo and Orochimaru won't leave any traces for ANBU to find."

Hiruzen Sarutobi exhaled a puff of smoke, a sharp glint in his clouded eyes.

"Officially, I'll have ANBU infiltrate and investigate."

"Unofficially, I hope you'll help me."

Hearing this, Kazan asked him a question.

"Does Minato know about this?"

"I'll discuss it with him when I get back."

So that was how it was.

Minato Namikaze had become Hokage, but Hiruzen Sarutobi still held the power.

It made sense.

ANBU was supposed to answer directly to the Hokage, but Hiruzen Sarutobi controlled it. He also had the Sarutobi Clan behind him and years of influence built up in Konoha.

Minato Namikaze still had a long way to go before he could take full control of Konoha.

"If it turns out Orochimaru restarted the research into the First Hokage's cells... what will you do?"

Jiraiya raised his cup to his lips but did not drink.

Hiruzen Sarutobi gave no answer. He just smoked in silence.

Even he did not know how he would handle it when the time came.

Perhaps he would lock Orochimaru up first and decide what to do afterward.

Hiruzen Sarutobi left.

Orochimaru had once been his most prized student. He had placed great hopes in him and,