Chapter 5: Orochimaru, Cheerful and Sunny

Danzo was furious.

He was well aware that there was an Orochimaru spy within Root, because among Orochimaru’s subordinates, he had his own agents as well.

As for Test Subject A, he wasn’t much of a loss. After years in Root, every experiment that needed his cooperation, every bit of data that could be squeezed from him, had long since been wrung dry. What truly angered Danzo was not the loss of a failed test subject, but Orochimaru’s brazen attitude—so open and blatant, as if he didn’t see Danzo as a threat at all.

Orochimaru, too, was angry.

That fool Danzo completely failed to grasp the significance of a successful bloodline transplant experiment. The leap from zero to one, mathematically speaking, meant far more than the leap from one to a hundred. If he had known of the existence of the Wood Release boy earlier, he never would have turned to developing Living Corpse Reincarnation and gone down the path of seizing other bloodline ninja’s bodies. Wouldn’t it have been far better to simply strengthen his own?

Communication between two angry men was inevitably low quality and fruitless, which is why, from the very start, the Lamp Genie had replaced Orochimaru’s consciousness.

His arrogance was calculated to provoke Danzo—partly to appease Orochimaru’s own seething emotions, and partly because a man in anger was furthest from reason; even if he managed to suppress his rage, his judgment would be clouded.

“Orochimaru” drew his legs down from the table, sat upright, and spoke just as Danzo was about to explode in fury.

“Tonight, the Fourth is dead. The office of Hokage is vacant again.”

Danzo’s expression froze, his withered right hand clenching his cane tightly.

“Jiraiya will be back soon,” he said.

A playful smile appeared on “Orochimaru’s” face. “Who do you think is most likely to become the next Hokage? Jiraiya? You? Or me?”

“There will be no next Hokage,” Danzo replied coldly.

With the village shaken by such upheaval, stability would be the priority. Most likely, the Third would return to office.

“Oh, you mean the old man,” “Orochimaru” said, shaking his head. “But that’s only a temporary measure. The village needs a Hokage—one in the prime of life, with strength at its peak.”

Danzo’s eyes narrowed. The words “prime of life” stabbed at his nerves.

After Tsunade’s departure, White Fang’s suicide, and now the death of Minato tonight, among those at the Kage level only two of the Sannin remained—Jiraiya and Orochimaru. The younger generation—Kakashi, Asuma, Shisui… how long would it take for them to mature? Five years? Ten?

The Third could not possibly remain as interim Hokage for that long.

Jiraiya had no interest in the office, and Orochimaru truly was the most likely candidate.

Danzo’s face finally showed a change. He said coldly, “Orochimaru, you want to be Hokage? Delusional. Hiruzen and Jiraiya will never support you.”

“No, they will.” “Orochimaru’s” demeanor melted into a warm, radiant smile, the chill vanishing without a trace.

“Because I’ll deceive them.”

This… was that even possible?

Danzo’s composure cracked. He stared wide-eyed like a startled fish, crushing his cane to splinters in his grasp.

Orochimaru—the one who’d always worn his malice openly—had learned to act? And with such skill?

Even knowing full well this was a façade, Danzo found his own impression of Orochimaru wavering. If he could be fooled, how could he doubt the others would be as well?

Troublesome. This version of Orochimaru was far too troublesome.

“Orochimaru” was thoroughly pleased with Danzo’s expression—imitation was, after all, the Lamp Genie’s specialty.

And with the temperament and countenance of Tanjiro Kamado, the saintly host from the last world, who could say for certain that Orochimaru’s heart was truly black?

Danzo’s gaze grew darker and more sullen.

Setting aside raw strength, Orochimaru’s contributions to the village were plain for all to see. The only reason he had failed before was that his wickedness had always shown plainly; he could never compare to Minato’s sunny, open nature. No one at the rank of special jonin or above would ever cast their vote of trust for him.

But if Orochimaru could remake his image as he had just done, perhaps he really could become Hokage in the future.

After a brief silence, Danzo spoke. “Orochimaru, name your terms.”

Danzo was no fool. He understood that Orochimaru’s mention of the Hokage position at this moment wasn’t because he truly intended to compete, but to reveal his bargaining chips and force Danzo’s hand.

But Danzo had no choice but to compromise. A bargaining chip had weight precisely because it truly mattered.

“Orochimaru” raised a finger. “First, you’ll hand over that Wood Release boy to me, and erase all traces of him from Root.”

Danzo nodded impassively. This was expected. Losing a ninja whose value had already been drained was hardly a loss.

“Second, I want all of Root’s research data on the First Hokage’s cells.”

Danzo hesitated, but agreed. Knowledge could be copied without loss. If this would dispel Orochimaru’s threat to the Hokage seat, it was well worth it.

As for aiding the enemy?

Danzo knew full well Orochimaru’s scientific genius. With his talent, he would soon develop something even more valuable; these records would only save him some time.

“And finally, two hundred million ryo.”

Danzo’s face darkened dramatically. “That’s outrageous. It’s impossible.”

Orochimaru smiled. “The Wood Release boy and the First Hokage cell data—if you hadn’t hidden them from me, I’d already have them. Those first two terms are only reclaiming what’s rightfully mine.”

“The last is compensation. For you, Lord Danzo, who controls Root, two hundred million shouldn’t be much.”

Danzo refused flatly, “Root doesn’t have that much money, and I can’t produce two hundred million.”

“How much can you give, then?”

“Orochimaru” tilted his head, his smile fading, his gaze turning icy. “Danzo, you don’t really think you can get rid of me without paying any price, do you?”

Danzo’s face was grim as he remained silent. A dangerous tension began to fill the Root meeting room.

After a long moment, Danzo took a step back and spoke slowly. “I can’t give you two hundred million. The most I can offer is one hundred million.”

A flash of light passed through Orochimaru’s eyes. “Slashing it in half at once—Danzo, you really are something. I’ll agree, but only if you deliver the full hundred million within three days.”

Danzo’s voice was low. “In exchange, you will not participate in the Hokage selection in any way.”

Orochimaru agreed without hesitation. “No problem.”

The deal was struck, and silence fell once again.

Having achieved his aims, “Orochimaru” stood up and strode toward the exit without hesitation.

Just as he crossed the threshold, he spoke again:

“Danzo, I know you have dirt on me.”

“But you’d best not get any funny ideas.”

“If you destroy my standing in the village, I won’t hesitate to humble myself, to beg the Third, to beg my teacher to protect me.”

“In exchange for serving as the shadow behind the next Hokage.”

“Don’t doubt that I could do it. You’re as black as they come, yet you’re still thriving in Konoha.”

“And with your example before me, I’ll do it even better.”

“Hey, if Konoha gets a second Root, do you think there will still be a place for you?”

“…”

The voice faded away until it vanished.

Danzo stared after Orochimaru’s retreating figure, his face darkening.

He had neither intended nor dared to expose Orochimaru’s crimes—that would be tantamount to exposing himself, especially since Orochimaru no longer cared for the Hokage’s seat; only Danzo himself stood to lose.

But even so, he could not let himself be taken advantage of for nothing.

Danzo pressed a switch on his desk. A Root ninja entered at his summons. Danzo issued his orders:

“Investigate everyone who knows about Test Subject A. Track them all down. Pull out every last one of Orochimaru’s plants.”