Not Playing by the Rules!

"But that made it more interesting, didn't it? At least I wouldn't have to work from the sidelines on so many things anymore." Hikaru muttered to himself, a faintly unreadable smile appearing on his face.

"I hope you're smart enough."

Hikaru had originally been considering how to loosen a few screws and make the Third Hokage notice certain things himself. It seemed that was unnecessary now, but that was fine too. It saved Hikaru a great deal of effort. After all, meddling with such matters was exhausting.

"Don't you have anything to say?"

Hikaru had dealt with the Third Hokage. Meanwhile, Orochimaru needed to deal with Danzo, because that suspicious old bastard had become wary.

Orochimaru stared at the documents in his hand, reading them carefully. Hearing Danzo's words, he showed no reaction and merely replied calmly, "Then what is it that you want to know? How I obtained what I wanted and what price I paid are matters for me, Orochimaru. Don't forget that we are merely partners, not superior and subordinate."

As he turned a page, Orochimaru spared Danzo a glance and smiled faintly. To Danzo, that smile was particularly grating.

"So don't interrogate me in that irritating tone. It makes me very uncomfortable."

Danzo's eyes were filled with gloom as he said coldly, "Should I simply ignore everything, then?"

"No, no, no!!!" Orochimaru shifted his gaze back to the documents and said evenly, "You only need to remember that I have not betrayed you. That is all. Right now, you need me, and I need you. We are partners, but we are also using each other. Am I right?"

Danzo's hawk-like gaze remained fixed on Orochimaru, but unfortunately, Orochimaru had not been raised to be intimidated. He showed no reaction at all and continued with his own