"Lord First."
Orochimaru stepped out of the shadows, a complex, indescribable light flickering in his golden slit pupils. He walked over to Hashirama Senju, looking at the Apostle of Despair, then at the bottle of "Holy Water."
"Orochimaru?"
Hashirama Senju frowned slightly.
"What are you trying to say?"
"I'd like to ask a question."
Orochimaru looked at the Apostle of Despair.
"Where is the dividing line between Konoha ninja and civilians? What counts as a Konoha ninja?"
The Apostle of Despair tilted his head, seemingly considering the question.
"Anyone with the status of a Konoha ninja and strength at least equal to a genin is a Konoha ninja."
"Oh?"
A playful smile curled Orochimaru's lips.
"Then I've developed a new drug that can instantly give civilians without chakra a chunin's worth of chakra, but it reduces their lifespan by ten years."
He held up two fingers.
"If I give this drug to a thousand civilians, and Lord Danzo grants them the status of Konoha ninja, would that count as a thousand Konoha ninja?"
Hashirama Senju's pupils abruptly contracted.
"Orochimaru, you actually researched... such an evil method."
His voice carried anger he could not suppress.
"Evil?"
Orochimaru turned to look at him.
"Lord First, now is not the time to discuss evil."
"They have Tsunade. What will happen to her if we don't make the exchange? Have you considered that?"
Hashirama Senju fell silent.
"Orochimaru! You're an absolute genius!"
The Apostle of Despair's voice carried a trace of undisguised admiration.
"I suggest you join the Jashin Cult. We can provide resources, funding, and status for your experiments."
"No need."
Orochimaru shook his head.
"I'm quite comfortable in Konoha."
"What a pity."
The Apostle of Despair sighed.
"Then let's make the exchange."
He picked Tsunade up and faced Hashirama Senju.
"Will you