Danzo spoke those words to Orochimaru quite seriously.
The atmosphere in the Isolation Room suddenly grew somewhat tense.
A slightly dangerous gleam flickered in Orochimaru's eyes, and he released Danzo's collar, which he had grabbed in his agitation.
He gently smoothed the creases from Danzo's collar, then turned away.
"Fine, you're the Head of State..."
Only after a long silence did Orochimaru come out with those words.
Looking at the plainly unconvinced Orochimaru, Danzo sighed as well.
"All right, all right..."
"Whatever you want to do, I approve, but you must restrict it to yourself alone!"
Orochimaru visibly perked up at that.
Danzo raised his hand again, holding up one finger.
"But you have to write a report at every stage and keep it on file!"
Danzo had softened after all. He sighed after saying that and, without lingering in the Laboratory, instructed Orochimaru to resurrect the people on the list who were to be resurrected, then walked out.
Orochimaru's contributions were countless. In fact, many of the empire's current possessions had been developed by the Laboratory under his leadership.
Danzo also understood that asking a researcher in pursuit of truth to leave a "mountain of gold" unexplored was rather impossible.
Rather than have Orochimaru secretly "stir things up," it was better to give him an environment with some restrictions.
"Tch!"
"Why is everyone under me so extreme?"
Danzo returned to his office. There wasn't a single document on the desk; instead, several exquisite pieces of teaware sat there.
Recalling the frenzy in Orochimaru's words, Danzo felt the urge to sigh again.
"Ah... let's not wipe out the Shinobi World ourselves before the Ōtsutsuki even arrive..."
He poured hot water into his teacup, watching the fine tea leaves rise and sink in it.
Danzo gently blew on the drifting steam,