Orochimaru and Danzo's Deal

"Stop the bleeding!" she said to Shizune, her voice perfectly calm, revealing no emotion whatsoever. Yet, no one noticed the barely perceptible tremor in her body.

Upon hearing the Shizune immediately realized what was happening. Her palms glowed softly as she carefully examined Koki's body. Koki, slightly embarrassed, explained, "It's just a superficial injury."

Under Shizune's meticulous care, Koki's wound quickly stopped bleeding and scabbed over.

"Thank you," Koki said sincerely.

"Has the fighting ended on your side?"

Shizune nodded slightly. "The battle is nearing its end, no need to worry. Lord Jiraiya is there too."

"That's excellent."

Tsunade glanced at Koki's clothes, which were now free of blood, and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Koki's strength and progress far exceeded Tsunade's expectations. She thought to herself, "As long as I severely Danzo, the remaining heavy responsibility can be handed over to him."

Meanwhile, Danzo's back wounds had already healed.

His sharp, hawk-like gaze swept over Tsunade and the others. Beneath the wrinkles etched on his face lay deep anger and resentment; he had never imagined he would find himself in such a desperate situation.

Danzo glanced at the confident Tsunade and the sword-wielding Koki, a hint of wariness flashing in his eyes.

He knew that neither of the two men before him was easy to defeat, especially Koki, whose sharp eyes and aura made him feel an unprecedented threat.

"Orochimaru, why don't you come out and talk to me?" Danzo's voice broke the suffocating silence. He knew that only Orochimaru's appearance could turn the tide for him.

Upon hearing this, Tsunade's pupils contracted slightly, and a strong sense of unease surged within her. Shizune, in turn, felt a sudden wave of terror.

"Ha--ha--" A series of eerie and arrogant laughs rang out, and Orochimaru suddenly emerged from the ground beside Danzo. His appearance was silent and chilling.

Orochimaru extended his serpentine tongue, lightly licked his lips, and slowly said, "Tsunade, it's been a long time!"

He crossed his arms in front of his chest, showing no intention of making a move, but his stance clearly leaned towards Danzo's side.

Tsunade's gaze was grave, anger and disappointment mingling in her eyes. She glared at Orochimaru, her voice trembling with barely concealed rage. "Orochimaru, how dare you collude with Danzo?"

Orochimaru merely smiled indifferently, his laughter hollow and cold, ignoring Tsunade's questioning.

Danzo slowly released the sealed ninja tool from his right hand, his tone deep and resolute. He said to Orochimaru, "Orochimaru, hold Tsunade. After this is done, you will be rewarded accordingly."

He knew that only by relying on Orochimaru's power could he possibly defeat Tsunade and Koki.

Orochimaru's eyes flickered as he stared at Danzo with amusement, and he asked softly, "Don't you know what I need?"

"Aren't you interested in the information about Hiruko 'Chimera Technique?" Danzo knew Orochimaru's fanaticism for forbidden techniques and believed this was an irresistible temptation for him.

Orochimaru gave a dismissive snort, clearly not taking it seriously.

"Then, I will offer you the treasure you've been dreaming of!" Danzo's voice was deep and powerful.

A cold glint flashed in Orochimaru's eyes. After a moment of contemplation, he finally uttered two words: "Deal."

Clearly, the item Danzo held an irresistible attraction for him.

The atmosphere inside the hotel grew increasingly tense. Tsunade clenched her fists tightly, watching Orochimaru and Danzo. She couldn't let them succeed!

Watching Danzo and Orochimaru negotiate as if no one else was around, Tsunade's anger surged like a tidal wave. She coldly rebuked them, "Orochimaru, you have fallen so low! You have no humanity left!"

The fact that her former comrades-in- Tsunade with grief.

Orochimaru, in his hoarse voice, slowly expounded his philosophy. "Humans are nothing but fragile creatures, and humanity is utterly insignificant."

"What is there to regret in abandoning humanity in order to explore the mysteries of life?"

Koki stood quietly to one side, her gaze fixed on Orochimaru. Her hair fluttered in the wind, and her dark eyes were deep and calm, revealing a profound understanding of Orochimaru's strength and madness.

Fortunately, Koki never completely let her guard down with him.

Orochimaru felt Koki's gaze, but he refused to look back even once. He gently brushed the hair from his forehead and silently prayed: Koki, please forgive me.

After I obtain this research...

Orochimaru had his own plans and ambitions.

At that very moment, Danzo had already sent three of his fiercest subordinates into the fray. Like wild beasts unleashed from their cages, they pounced on Tsunade and Shizune.

Danzo personally chose Tsunade as his enemy. After releasing the seal on his right hand, he used the Wood Release technique of his right hand to bind Tsunade. His attack was swift and fierce, and the power of Wood Release surrounded Tsunade.

The three Jonin from Root were not very strong, and Shizune had not yet reached the Jonin level. Seeing that the two were about to be defeated, Koki drew his sword, ready to step forward.

Orochimaru, witnessing this scene, spoke slowly with a rare gentleness in his deep voice, "Koki, I advise you not to interfere!"

His tone carried both a warning and a seemingly unspeakable sorrow.

Koki narrowed his eyes, completely believing Orochimaru's words. He gently gripped the short sword at his waist and slowly drew it from its sheath.

The blade reflected a chilling glint in the dim light as he whispered defiantly, "Come on, Orochimaru, stop me, or let me take your life."

Orochimaru gritted his teeth, his hands clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white from the force. He closed his eyes, as if enduring excruciating pain. After a long while, he opened them again, the anger from before gone.

In those golden eyes, the surging emotions gradually subsided, leaving only unwavering determination.

He said firmly, each word ringing out, "I will never be your enemy."

A fierce wind raged, its biting force cutting into everyone's skin. Dust, fallen leaves, and broken branches danced in the air, obscuring everyone's vision.

Immediately, everything returned to the vast sea of snow, as if they had never existed there.

Koki gently closed his eyes, his black hair falling across his forehead and obscuring his expression. When he opened them again, blue light flickered in his hand.

"Stop talking nonsense, come on."