144 Not to Offend Orochimaru in Vain

“Sir, here is today’s battle report.”
“Put it over there.”

Danzo didn’t even lift his head. He took the first document and began flipping through it rapidly.

It had been three days since they began sweeping the black market within the Land of Fire. The battle had evolved from an intense initial confrontation to a relentless pursuit, hunting down the remaining fugitives.

The resistance from the black market was far weaker than Konoha had anticipated.

After all, the bounty hunters were a loosely organized group. Those with keen senses and reliable information, upon hearing of the assassination of the Cloud Hidden Team in the Land of Fire, had fled to smaller nations like the Land of Rain.

Among the remaining ninja, there were some with formidable strength, but they were exceedingly few.

Hence, the Third Hokage changed tactics. He withdrew half of the elite ninja and ordered them to serve as unofficial captains of the rookie squads, turning this operation into a training exercise.

Sending a group of inexperienced genin into battle undoubtedly transformed the mission from a simple operation into a challenging one.

They had to ensure the mission’s success, allow the genin to gain experience, and protect their lives as much as possible—a considerable test for any commander.

Even with Danzo’s extensive experience, the paperwork and exhaustion often kept him busy late into the night.

He secretly resented the Third Hokage’s commands even more, deepening his desire to claim the title of Hokage for himself.

Whoosh—

Amid the rush of wind, a figure appeared inside the temporary command post. “Sir, we have confirmed the location of Orochimaru’s secret laboratory.”

Danzo looked up, a faint glint flickering in his eyes. “And the experimental data on the First Hokage’s cells?”

“It is very likely there as well. We discovered many expensive experimental devices there; it must be Orochimaru’s main laboratory.”

The Root ninja hesitated briefly before speaking softly, “However, Orochimaru is there too. He is immersed in a nutrient tank, seemingly asleep. Though he has not moved for three days and nights, we dare not act rashly.”

He then produced a scroll from his pocket. “This is a depiction of the laboratory.”

Danzo examined the image on the scroll, his eyes narrowing slightly. Suddenly, he recalled the Third Hokage’s words from that day.

“Could it be that he is truly cultivating Sage Jutsu, or perhaps healing an injury…”

“But whatever it is, three days… or perhaps even longer of no movement, clearly indicating a state that must not be disturbed.”

After a moment’s contemplation, Danzo gave his order: “Do not fear startling the snake. Strike directly and retrieve all experimental data from the secret laboratory. As for Orochimaru… regardless of whether we find the First Hokage cell data, destroy that laboratory after.”

Stealing experimental data, whether successful or not, would alert Orochimaru. He would not grant a second chance. Since that was the case, the operation had to be effective.

Beneath the mask, the Root ninja’s face showed a flicker of surprise, but under Danzo’s gaze, he could only nod in agreement. “Understood.”

After the Root ninja left, Danzo sat upright behind the desk, lost in thought.

Neither his actions nor Orochimaru’s secret laboratory were meant to see the light of day; their conflict could only unfold in the shadows.

But he could destroy Orochimaru’s laboratory—could Orochimaru dare attack Root itself? The Third Hokage would never allow such a thing.

“However, Orochimaru will not take this loss quietly. He will surely seek revenge at the right moment.”

A faint gleam sparked in Danzo’s eyes. “Perfect. I will use this opportunity to pull out a few more nails from Root.”

Besides Kabuto Yakushi, there must be other Orochimaru spies within Root—such as the one who leaked the Wood Release ninja Yamato.

He was certain that Kabuto was unaware of this.

…

In the underground laboratory, in a dark corner,

Kabuto Yakushi leaned against the wall, suppressing all scent, his expression serene and indifferent, his presence nearly nonexistent.

No matter how powerful the ninja’s senses, infrared detectors in the technology, or anything else—they all perceived him as nothing more than a cold, hard stone.

And indeed, he was like an unyielding rock, as if he could remain there until the end of time.

A day and night passed in the blink of an eye.

Suddenly, Kabuto opened his eyes. Through the gaps between tables, chairs, and equipment, he fixed his gaze on a sudden black mist appearing under the light.

More precisely, it was a swarm of insects.

Kabuto closed his eyes briefly, sighing softly in his heart. “The Aburame clan… no wonder. So this means they are from Root?”

Even the sharpest ninja would not constantly be wary of the ubiquitous insects in their surroundings; he was no exception. The laboratory’s location had inevitably been compromised.

Of course, Orochimaru was not unprepared. The laboratory’s defenses had been designed specifically to counter the village’s sensory ninja.

The Aburame clan’s insects could evade human detection but could not fool snakes, which, as living beings, were highly sensitive to foreign biological intrusions.

It was precisely because of this that Kabuto sensed a clue.

In the past, early detection of the laboratory’s exposure would have allowed ample time to erase all traces and complete the evacuation.

But now, Orochimaru was in a deep slumber.

This rendered the snake swarm’s early warning almost useless.

“Should I eliminate this insect clone?”

Kabuto silently pondered, his fingers tracing the rim of a poison vial before stopping.

He understood clearly why Root ninja had come here—to seize Orochimaru’s experimental data.

And the most notable research recently was undoubtedly that concerning the First Hokage’s cells.

Without obtaining that, Root would never give up.

Ordinarily, they wouldn’t dare confront Orochimaru head-on, even if they had ten times their courage, but now the opportunity presented itself.

Under the dim light, the black insect mist coalesced into a human form—a man wearing a mask and clad in tight black clothes—who briskly approached the table.

The intruder made no attempt to refuse or hesitate. He gathered every visible document into his arms.

Kabuto watched silently, unmoving.

He had already hidden the First Hokage cell research data elsewhere. Compared to these documents, preserving Orochimaru’s slumber was now the top priority.

He believed that even Orochimaru himself would agree with this assessment.

Once they acquired the experimental data, the intruders would have no reason to invade again. The only concern was whether they would sabotage anything upon departure.

As Kabuto remained quietly vigilant, the Root ninja swiftly collected all the documents, leaving no scraps even in the trash bin.

Having completed this, the Root ninja slowly approached the nutrient tank where Orochimaru rested and took several dozen explosive tags from a scroll, intending to rig a timed detonation.

At that moment, a sudden chill ran through him. He slowly raised his head and met a pair of cold, icy serpent eyes.

An overwhelming pressure bore down on him. The Root ninja’s heart leapt in terror. Without hesitation, he turned and fled.

The explosive tags scattered, falling to the ground in disarray.