"So, what would our cooperation involve?" Orochimaru asked with interest.
This was a major financial backer. With Danzo's funding, Orochimaru believed he could achieve breakthroughs in some of his research within a year.
Every breakthrough brought Orochimaru another step closer to the eternal truth.
Danzo looked at White Snake and said, enunciating each word, "Impure World Reincarnation, and transplantation of the First's Hashirama cells."
"Certainly." Orochimaru's faintly amused voice came from White Snake's mouth. "I can help you with Impure World Reincarnation right now. I can even give you complete control."
Danzo raised an eyebrow and said gravely, "Orochimaru, I don't want Impure World Reincarnation at its current level. The reincarnated bodies must be able to wield most of the strength they had in life, if not all of it!"
"Lord Hokage, that would be rather difficult. That wasn't the true purpose of this ninjutsu the Second created. He intended it to be used with Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags. Getting reincarnated bodies to wield the strength they had in life won't be easy," Orochimaru said.
"How much?" Danzo asked.
"Lord Hokage, this isn't a question of money. You know this ninjutsu was created by the Second, a master of forbidden techniques. Improving it won't be that easy," Orochimaru said.
Danzo said flatly, "Five hundred million!"
"Lord Hokage, as I said, it won't be easy!" A trace of helplessness crept into Orochimaru's voice.
"Eight hundred million!" Danzo raised his offer again.
Orochimaru said gravely, "One billion! I'll need one billion to improve this ninjutsu! Reincarnating an elite jonin will cost twenty million, a Kage-level fighter eighty million, and anyone stronger than a Kage will cost two hundred million. They're quite difficult to control."
"Hmph!" Danzo snorted in displeasure. "Orochimaru, you've certainly got a big appetite. Aren't you afraid of biting off