Evening.
Outside Konoha Village, there was an orphanage not far from there.
In the secret experimental base.
Orochimaru, wearing a Konoha headband and a green combat vest, was immersed in a pile of messy research materials.
"Hashirama cells and Wood Style are truly not easy to master!" Orochimaru muttered regretfully.
Even he was helpless, which showed how complicated Hashirama cells were!
After the Kyuubi was sealed into Kushina's body, to further stabilize the Kyuubi's power, Hiruzen, Danzo, and the two advisors unanimously agreed to mobilize the entire village to conduct secret research on Hashirama cells, hoping to regain Konoha's Wood Style.
However, due to a large number of volunteers dying during the experiment, Hiruzen had to stop the research and keep all relevant experimental records with the meeting.
But Danzo didn't give up. No matter how many sacrifices he made, he had to achieve his goal. So he found Orochimaru and continued his experiment.
And 60 babies were kidnapped from surrounding villages as human test subjects.
The technology at that time was still very crude, only weakening the strength and erosion of Hashirama cells, then injecting them into the babies' bodies, relying on the babies' own resilience to forcibly adapt.
Of course, the consequences were terrible.
Fifty-nine babies died from severe rejection reactions.
As for the last one, Orochimaru left because he was busy with other experiments.
He was too lazy to leave it at the end to confirm. He thought it was a failure.
After that, Orochimaru's research on Hashirama cells still made poor progress and suffered repeated setbacks. However, because of his endless desire for the strongest Kekkei Genkai, Wood Style, he never gave up and continued to learn.
"Wood Style is truly a beautiful and powerful ability!"
"If we have this power, the Kyuubi riot wouldn't be a problem."
"Speaking of which, it actually caused the Kyuubi to lose control. Sensei and Minato were really careless!"
"Something strange has been happening in the village recently. Danzo has completely taken over the Hokage's power."
"It seems that the situation for Minato isn't optimistic either! As strong as Minato is, after being attacked by the Kyuubi, he will still be injured, and he might die!"
"When you die, you lose everything."
"It seems that this weak body is not enough to support me in mastering all the ninjutsu in the world!"
"I need to speed up my forbidden techniques!"
Orochimaru muttered emotionally.
All he wanted was to master all the ninjutsu in the world and become the greatest individual!
Unfortunately, his lifespan wasn't enough to do this.
*SWIRL*
A slight tremor came from the experimental base, interrupting Orochimaru's thoughts. It was caused by someone forcibly breaking in and triggering the defense mechanism.
He frowned.
At this time, who would come to his experimental base? After all, not many people knew this place.
Could it be Danzo? He just took over the Hokage's power, and he's planning to kill someone and silence him?
No need to be too anxious, right?
Or does he think that he can be eliminated by just sending a few root ninjas?
Orochimaru was still thinking and considering whether to evacuate immediately or meet the visitor?
But he found that the traps outside the room where he was were also triggered! This means that the intruder has broken through the defense layers!
"So fast!"
"Why?"
Orochimaru was shocked, even his own teacher couldn't break through that fast, could he?
The next moment, the familiar Yellow Flash charged into the room and saw Orochimaru.
The Fourth Hokage: Namikaze Minato!
When he saw Minato appear, Orochimaru wasn't afraid, but his eyes lit up immediately, and he was very excited.
Because Minato could appear here, it only proved one thing! He wasn't seriously injured at all!
It seems that either the village elders lied to everyone.
Or Minato himself has deceived everyone.
No matter which one, Orochimaru was very curious and interested!
If it was the latter, Orochimaru was already trembling with excitement just thinking about it.
"Minato, it's you! No wonder you could break in so quickly!"
"Orochimaru."
"It wasn't easy for you to come to me, right? It seems I can hear a good story."
Orochimaru grinned, already guessing that the purpose of Minato's visit was not simple.
Minato took a deep breath.
He explained the purpose of his visit as briefly as possible.
Orochimaru listened quietly. Then he narrowed his eyes, very excited.
"A very brilliant idea!"
"Using the Kyuubi Rebellion to push Danzo forward, you gather power behind the scenes and prepare to deliver a fatal blow!"
"Minato, are you finally not going to give in to those old men anymore, are you ready to kill them, and truly take control of the Hokage?"
Orochimaru had long suspected that such a day would come sooner or later.
Hiruzen was getting older, but Minato was still young and strong.
The power shift between the old and new generations would either cause great chaos or slowly fade and rot over time.
He just didn't expect Minato to be so decisive! This is much faster than schedule!
This isn't his style.
What changed him?
The Kyuubi Rebellion?
Then it wouldn't change completely.
"It's not about killing them. I don't intend to harm their lives. I just want to ask them to step down as soon as possible."
Minato shook his head and explained.
Orochimaru continued to narrow his eyes and smiled viciously: "You finally look like a Hokage, but you're still not cruel enough!"
"And from the way you speak, it seems that time is very urgent? I'm curious what made you suddenly make this decision. After all, this doesn't look like a plan you made."
Orochimaru's vision and experience were just as astonishing. He revealed many tricks in just a few words and took the initiative to ask:
"Sorry, but I can't tell you that part of the information now. Unless I'm absolutely sure that you have cut off contact with Danzo." Minato's words were very straightforward.
It was already clear that there was collusion and cooperation between Orochimaru and Danzo.
Of course, Minato wouldn't be able to reveal more important confidential information before that connection was completely severed, lest he leak it to Danzo.
"Minato, this isn't your attitude to win me over! If you want my support, you should at least show a little more sincerity!"
Minato frowned, silently sighing that Orochimaru was still very difficult to deal with.
"For me, showing up here is the greatest sincerity."
Hearing this, Orochimaru was already moved. But he still didn't give up and wanted to get more information.
"Oh? Then, are you not afraid that I will immediately tell Danzo about that information?"
"No, I think you can't!"
"Making baseless statements isn't the kind of behavior a Hokage should do."
"Then, let's say it another way. If you insist on leaking the secret, you will be hunted down by me in the future, to the ends of the earth!"
Minato's words changed, and he became a little more aggressive.
The Yellow Flash's permanent pursuit is more terrifying than the S-Class wanted notice issued jointly by the five great nations.
This is almost equivalent to the end of your life!
Otherwise, even if you escape to the ends of the earth, you just need to relax a little.
Orochimaru licked his lips. Although he was afraid, his body became more excited:
"Being hunted down by the Yellow Flash? Truly terrifying!"
"But Minato, you should know very well that I'm not that easy to kill! And you're the only one, so it won't be easy to catch me, right?"
Minato looked at Orochimaru without answering.
But the next moment, another figure gradually emerged from the darkness behind Minato, and those red eyes shone in Orochimaru's field of vision.
"What if you add me? What about the Uchiha Clan?"
Uchiha Fugaku crossed his arms and threatened coldly.
Seeing Fugaku appear, Orochimaru's excitement reached its peak.
He could only click his tongue and say: "This is truly a big surprise!"
"Minato, I have to look at you with admiration again!"
Orochimaru was extremely shocked.
Unexpectedly, Minato, who had always refused to fight and was willing to give in for Hiruzen, had secretly gained the support of the entire Uchiha Clan!
Even Fugaku was closely tied to him.
This is very unexpected!