"Orochimaru may not have discovered this yet." Senmei Asahi said, his voice low and certain as he faced the dimly lit interior of Danzo's underground base, "But through my observation, among the sixty test subjects, only one has the potential to successfully fuse with the Hashirama cells."
Shimura Danzo's lone visible eye narrowed behind his bandaged face. The air between them turned heavier, more electric. This was a man who didn't tolerate arrogance unless it came with merit.
"And you're saying your ability surpasses even Orochimaru's?" Danzo asked, tone sharp.
Asahi nodded without hesitation. "In this particular field, yes. Orochimaru's methods are brilliant but reckless. His current approach cannot be replicated—it's a gamble, a life-or-death struggle with each test subject. But I'm different. I've studied under Tsunade-sensei for years. I've glimpsed secrets of the Senju clan no outsider should have seen. My knowledge of pharmacology allows for precision rather than gamble."
It was a calculated bluff, part truth, part manipulation. In reality, among those sixty children, Asahi had no idea which one would grow into the individual known as Yamato. He didn't even know if that success story had occurred yet in the current timeline. But that detail wasn't important—not now. What mattered was that one child would survive the infusion and awaken Wood-style. That was a fact from the original timeline. Danzo didn't need more than that.
Danzo stared at Asahi, assessing. "And what is it exactly that you want?"
"One set of Hashirama cells." Asahi said plainly. "I can't begin unless I have viable material to work with."
Danzo leaned back. His gloved fingers interlocked. "And if you fail?"
"I won't. Even if I don't improve on Orochimaru's process, I already stand on the shoulders of his research. My failure would still surpass most people's success."
Asahi could sense hesitation in Danzo's chakra. A man like him never made decisions based on trust. Trust was for fools, and Danzo was many things, but never a fool (T.L Note: I doubt that, bro tried to poke the Susanoo with a kunai). So Asahi decided to push harder, to tip the scale.
"Danzo-sama." he said smoothly, "Do you recall the mission where I accompanied Uchiha Chizuru to investigate the disappearance of the Third Kazekage?"
Danzo's gaze sharpened. "I remember. The two of you reported that Sasori of the Red Sand was behind it."
"Exactly. But did you ever wonder why Chizuru didn't return to claim any credit himself? Why I, and not he, submitted the report?"
The Root commander's fingers twitched. That had puzzled him, though he'd never found a satisfying explanation.
"Because I showed him a note—a page from the Second Hokage's personal research journals." Asahi said, carefully monitoring Danzo's reaction. "It detailed theories on awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan."
Danzo stood abruptly. "You told him that?!"
His voice, though contained, rippled with fury. Danzo's hatred for the Uchiha ran deep—rooted in ideology, paranoia, and fear. Any spark toward awakening their Kekkei Genkai was a threat he could not allow.
"Calm yourself, Danzo-sama. I only shared theory. Besides, I don't believe Chizuru has what it takes to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan. He lacks the emotional extremity necessary."
Danzo scoffed but said nothing, clearly restraining himself.
"But." Asahi pressed, "If you want to know that secret—if you want access to that information and to ensure it doesn't fall into the wrong hands—you'll need to protect me from any fallout related to Orochimaru."
"You want immunity from the coming purge?" Danzo asked flatly.
"Precisely. In return, I offer you knowledge of the Mangekyō and my continued research into the Hashirama cells—without the risks Orochimaru brings."
Danzo grunted, clearly weighing the proposal. Finally, he relented.
"Very well. But I expect results."
"And I expect materials." Asahi countered immediately. "Without Hashirama cells, my hands are tied."
Danzo paused, then turned. "Come with me."
Asahi followed the elder deeper into the Root's labyrinthine base. The silence was broken only by the rhythmic clack of sandals on stone. Despite having won this round of negotiation, Danzo's mood was foul. It grated at him to be led—manipulated by someone half his age. Yet the logic was sound. Asahi posed no immediate threat to the Hokage seat, unlike Orochimaru. And the boy was clever—clever enough to pit Uchiha interests against each other, and manipulate Danzo himself without appearing insolent.
Of course, Danzo wouldn't trust him. That was not his nature. He made a silent vow to have his men investigate everything about Asahi—his friends, history, and secrets. Sooner or later, he'd find leverage. And when that happened, the leash would tighten.
Eventually, Danzo handed Asahi a sealed vial.
"The Hashirama cells." Danzo said curtly. "I expect updates. Don't disappoint me."
Asahi bowed respectfully and left the Root base with light steps and a clear purpose. The night air outside hit his face like a welcome breeze.
'With Danzo's cooperation.' he thought, 'Orochimaru's suspicions should quiet down for now.'
Root's influence was no joke. Orochimaru wouldn't underestimate Danzo's involvement.
More importantly, Asahi now had a real sample of Hashirama's cells. With this, he could begin forging his own path to power.
Back in his private quarters, Asahi cleared his workbench, laid out his tools, and began a comprehensive analysis. The first concern: whether Danzo had tampered with the sample. He performed multiple reagent tests, thermal screenings, and spiritual imprint scans.
No tampering.
Danzo was careful. He wouldn't jeopardize a potential asset—not yet.
With the sample secure, Asahi began formulating the next step: a drug to suppress the rampant regenerative nature of Hashirama's cells. Orochimaru had pushed Asahi to develop such a compound before, but his refusal to use Tsunade's bloodline as a bargaining chip had stalled the project.
Now, with actual cells on hand and no direct orders to manipulate Tsunade, Asahi could conduct research his own way. He didn't need to surpass Orochimaru—only to succeed.
The drug he envisioned wouldn't just restrain the cells; it would harmonize them, allow integration rather than domination. If successful, he might reach a level similar to Yamato—not full Wood-style mastery like Hashirama, but control nonetheless.
And that was enough for now.
Asahi leaned back, reviewing the chemical structure of his proposed serum, when a sudden thought flickered in his mind.
'This research alone isn't enough. I'll need more data—and a reason for Orochimaru to keep trusting me.'
The answer was clear: share just enough. Feed Orochimaru pieces of progress, just enough to retain his interest, without revealing the full picture. That was the game Asahi had decided to play.
He would go to the front lines under the guise of delivering new research to Orochimaru—a peace offering to mask their fraying alliance.
"It seems I'll need to visit Konoha Hospital tomorrow." Asahi murmured to himself. "There's still something useful buried in the medical archives."
His eyes gleamed with ambition. Tonight was only a step—one that brought him closer to his goal of mastering the Hashirama cells.
And further from anyone's control.
*****
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