"Plotting against Tsunade? Heh heh~ This plan is quite audacious."
Inside the Hokage residence, Orochimaru licked his lips as he looked at the plan for re-creating Wood Release ninjas. Imagining Tsunade's furious rampage and the chaos it would cause in Konoha, Orochimaru couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation.
Facing him, Hiruzen and Danzo sat side by side. Upon hearing Orochimaru's words, Danzo snorted and said, "Hmph! Tsunade is just a Jonin in the village. How dare she rebel?"
"The Senju Clan is gone! That's the result of my efforts," Danzo continued.
With the Senju Clan gone and Mito implying she wouldn't get involved, Danzo didn't believe that Tsunade alone could stir up much trouble.
Hiruzen glanced dissatisfiedly at his old friend but did not retort.
Orochimaru closed the plan in his hands and looked at his sensei and Danzo, asking, "How do you plan to get the village to agree to this proposal? If Tsunade opposes it, I doubt other ninja clans will easily consent."
Recreating Wood Release ninjas requires studying the remains of the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, whose stature even after his death all these years makes him impossible to ignore.
As his granddaughter, Tsunade holds enough sway that if she speaks against it, no ninja clan in the village, including the Uchiha, would dare to dissent.
The premise for implementing this plan hinges on Tsunade's approval. As the heir of Senju Hashirama, Tsunade has the authority to decide on this matter.
If Tsunade agrees to donate her grandfather's remains, what grounds would others have to object? However, given Tsunade's personality, persuading her to agree would be as difficult as reaching the heavens.
Hiruzen sighed and said, "You should also know that Tsunade has been dedicated to establishing a new Medical Ninja Training System, right?"
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes and said, "Coercing Tsunade? Sensei, that's not something a sensei should do."
"Speaking of it in more blunt terms wouldn't hurt."
Hiruzen waved his hand and continued, "This is just a deal without winners. Indeed, it's not a behavior fitting for a sensei, but it's also not my intention."
Noticing his sensei agreeing with what he said, Orochimaru showed curiosity in his eyes briefly, but it quickly disappeared. Such topics were better left for casual times, although they hardly had any casual time left between them.
"Who came up with this plan?"
Setting down the plan, Orochimaru asked curiously. Danzo showed a strange sense of pride and said, "Sakamoto Tatsuma."
"Hmm?"
Orochimaru frowned. This plan seemed a bit naive. It didn't give off the usual sophisticated feeling that immediately impressed. Was it because Tatsuma was unwilling to cooperate, or was his ability actually limited?
Noticing Orochimaru's change in mood, Hiruzen said, "Actually, there isn't a perfect solution to this issue. Whoever plans it won't have much deviation. It's just that Tatsuma can ensure the plan's implementation."
Hearing this, Orochimaru nodded. In the short term, he didn't have a better idea either. Perhaps, as Hiruzen said, there wasn't much room to solve this problem.
However, can Tatsuma ensuring the plan's implementation really be considered a method to prevent Tsunade from getting angry?
Orochimaru didn't dwell on it for long. He straightened up again and looked at his sensei, saying, "In that case, what's the point of bringing me here? I don't have the ability to persuade Tsunade."
Hearing Orochimaru's rhetorical question, Hiruzen wasn't annoyed. Instead, he took out another set of plans and said, "The village hopes that you will lead this research."
"Konoha should have many Ninja dedicated to scientific research, right? At the very least, ANBU should have recruited many talented individuals. Why do they need me to lead?"
Orochimaru shook his head. He didn't hold high hopes for this research. There was no need to waste too much time and effort, especially with the risk of human experimentation. If anything went wrong in this research, he would be the "culprit."
Moreover, if his disciple found out that he was about to conduct this research, tarnishing his grandfather's remains, it would likely...
Seeing Orochimaru refuse, Danzo frowned and said, "Are you going against the village's arrangements?"
"Danzo-sama, I am neither an ANBU member nor a member of your Root organization now. What the village gives me are called mission assignments, and I have the right to refuse. It's not a matter of going against."
Orochimaru maintained his smile. There are only two situations where a ninja would unconditionally accept the village's orders.
The first is ANBU members. They must unconditionally carry out orders issued by the Hokage and cannot refuse. This is the cost of becoming an ANBU ninja.
The second is during wartime, where all ninja must unconditionally accept the village's call to duty. This is the responsibility and duty of every ninja.
Orochimaru is not an ANBU now, and Hiruzen hastily declared the end of the war years ago, although there are still small-scale battles in various places, it is no longer wartime.
If this were ten years ago, or even five years ago, Orochimaru might have agreed to his sensei's arrangement for himself. However, after experiencing the war, Orochimaru has some grievances in his heart.
After the Land of Rain war ended, he helped Tatsuma conceal his well-hidden dissatisfaction with the village elders. But at the same time, he also had similar thoughts in his mind.
Especially after he and Tsunade worked hard to control the war from spreading and confined it to the Wind and Fire countries' conflict, the sudden betrayal by the village elders gradually escalated the war into the Great Ninja War.
During the covert investigation into the actions of the Iwa-nin, it was also due to Hiruzen's "indulgence" that Tsunade issued a call for help, leading to a situation where Konoha completely lost control of the war.
Every decision made by the village elders on a whim results in countless ninja sacrificing their lives to fulfill them.
Currently, with the war over, one would expect things to stabilize. However, not only are the village elders acting impulsively, even the Daimyo have begun making rash decisions. These human experiments are completely unnecessary and devoid of any value.
Orochimaru's feigned ignorance caused Hiruzen to furrow his brow. He gave a stern look at Danzo, who seemed about to speak again, before turning back to Orochimaru and saying:
"Orochimaru, the village never forces any ninja to undertake tasks they are unwilling to perform. However, this research can only be completed with your abilities. Here's the deal, Orochimaru: if you agree to lead this research, I will allow you to choose freely one of those experiments you previously mentioned to me for independent study."
"Sensei, are you using the methods meant for dealing with Tsunade on me?"
Orochimaru leaned forward slightly, looking at his sensei whose face was showing signs of age, quite different from two years ago. Suddenly, he felt a hint of unfamiliarity in his heart.
However, in an instant, Orochimaru also thought of himself, back when he had nothing and knew nothing. At that time, he was eager for everything, eager to learn, eager to research what he wanted to study. But now, why did he have hesitations?
There was a slight tremor in the beard of Hiruzen's chin. He noticed the gaze of his disciple. He didn't know when it started, but Orochimaru's reverence of him in his eyes had diminished over time, until now, only a slight respect remained to maintain decorum.
"Talking about methods, I simply can't easily control the funds allocated by the Daimyo," Hiruzen softened his tone. "I still value your experiments, but the cooperation between the village and the Daimyo cannot be interrupted."
Hiruzen continued with gentle words. Orochimaru straightened up and then reclined against the back of his chair, saying, "Alright, I can take on the role of lead researcher for this study."
Upon hearing this, both Hiruzen and Danzo showed signs of relief, but Orochimaru added, "However, I have one condition."
"You may speak."
Furrowing his brows, unable to guess Orochimaru's intentions, Hiruzen chose to ask directly. Orochimaru looked at the two plans and said, "I can't complete these experiments alone. Let Tatsuma help me."
Upon hearing this, both Hiruzen and Danzo frowned deeply, their resistance evident. Danzo directly said, "Tatsuma cannot be involved. Tell me who you need, and I will find someone for you. Whether it's researchers from the village, ANBU, or Root members, you can have anyone at your disposal."
Upon hearing Danzo's urgency, Orochimaru suddenly smiled—not a polite smile, but a mocking one. He didn't answer directly but looked towards his sensei.
Orochimaru naturally understood that the village did not want Tatsuma involved because they probably didn't want this child tainted. But Tatsuma had no stains. Why should Orochimaru have any?
Throughout Tatsuma's journey, he had always been too upright. Coupled with his talent, Orochimaru didn't need to think much to realize that these two in front of him viewed Tatsuma as a successor to be groomed.
If the village doesn't want Orochimaru to take the blame, he naturally would be willing to watch and even help Tatsuma grow into the image his sensei hoped for. But why does the village treat them differently?
Looking at his sensei, Orochimaru spoke up, "Haven't you already said it? These people are incompetent, and I do not associate with incompetence."
Hiruzen frowned and said, "Orochimaru, Tatsuma is currently my bodyguard, and he's doing well. Moreover, he has never been involved in research before, so he probably can't help you."
"I believe in his talent, and I also think he's interested in working with me," Orochimaru said confidently, as if he had already made an agreement with Tatsuma long ago.
Meanwhile, in Senju Clan's territory, Tatsuma, who was sleeping, suddenly shuddered and curled up, continuing to sleep.
Inside the Hokage residence, Hiruzen's expression darkened as he asked, "Can't this condition be changed?"
Orochimaru put away his smile and said, "This is my only condition. Oh, yes, don't forget what you promised before."
Hiruzen lowered his eyelids and pondered continuously. After a while, he raised his head and said, "Alright."
"Hiruzen!" Danzo wanted to object, but Hiruzen waved his hand and said, "I have made up my mind. However, Orochimaru can only join this project as an ANBU."
"I look forward to the day when the project starts." Orochimaru stood up and said, "Sensei, Danzo-sama, I have matters to attend to in my laboratory, so I won't delay any longer."
With that, he turned and left, leaving behind the two grim-faced men. After Orochimaru left, Danzo gritted his teeth and said, "Hiruzen, even if you don't agree, we have ways to make Orochimaru agree. You're too soft!"
"That's enough, I have already decided!"
"You will regret this! You will ruin Konoha's future!"
"Danzo, I am the Hokage!"
Watching his stubborn old friend, Danzo stormed off in anger, slamming the door shut forcefully.
"Bang!"
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