Orochimaru frowned as he saw Anko off.
Takeshi had finally agreed to her wish and arranged for this restless companion of his to be assigned to frontline missions.
But Orochimaru could see right through it—Anko's talent was only above average. As long as she stayed by his side, she would be under his protection. But if she really went out there and fought alongside other shinobi...
"Everyone has their own choices. But you—someone always called cold-blooded and ruthless—can actually feel pity for your disciple?"
A sinister voice rose from behind him. Orochimaru didn't need to turn his head to know who the speaker was.
That voice was far too familiar—so familiar that it made him want to kill its owner with his own hands.
"You, who are called the Darkness of the Shinobi—weren't you the one who, for the sake of so-called blood ties, ruthlessly abandoned me?"
Orochimaru did not turn around to look at Danzo. Instead, he walked straight over to the experiment table.
Danzo stared at Orochimaru's back with eyes full of loathing. After being struck by Orochimaru's words, his disgust for him grew even stronger.
Unfortunately, right now Konoha needed Orochimaru.
He was one of the rare few who had noticed that Orochimaru's research could bring real benefits to the village. When Orochimaru had been unable to pursue his studies openly due to ethical concerns, it was Danzo who gave him a stage to display his talents.
But Orochimaru's vile attitude had made Danzo loathe him early on. Only after Takeshi arrived had he found a proper excuse to kick Orochimaru aside and let Root's research division take over his work.
The truth, however, proved itself again—Orochimaru was Orochimaru. Even though Danzo's subordinates were talented, when faced with the enormous amount of complex research, Root's researchers still didn't know where to start.
It wasn't until Root was disbanded, and those researchers officially entered the newly established Research Bureau, that they were finally able to catch a glimpse of Orochimaru's secrets.
"This is the documentation you wanted."
Danzo calmed his mood and gestured with his free hand.
At his signal, several subordinates entered the laboratory carrying prepared scrolls, which they placed on an empty table.
"And this is?"
Hearing the noise, Orochimaru's eyes lit with faint interest. He turned his head and glanced at the seals on the scrolls.
"The documents you wished to study—legends about Princess Kaguya, and..."
A gleam of light flashed in Danzo's narrowed eye.
"The true identity of the Sage of Six Paths."
Such words should have been shocking enough to shake the entire shinobi world—but they did not stir much in Orochimaru's heart.
Instead, he revealed a look that said, "Just as I thought," and slowly walked over to the scrolls.
"As expected—the files kept in Konoha's archive room had all been edited by you."
Not long ago, Orochimaru had applied for access to the archive's secret records. Though he had been granted approval, after only a quick glance he had noticed traces of Root's hand all throughout the documents.
In other words, the content inside was exactly what Danzo wanted others to see.
"There's still no proof that the Ōtsutsuki exist. If we reveal their existence now, the soldiers will lose their will to fight."
Danzo spoke slowly as he paced through the laboratory.
"Besides, ever since Root's dissolution, I've lost the manpower to investigate Ōtsutsuki ruins. Fortunately, after the Internal Affairs Department was established, Takeshi chose to make Tatsuma its leader. Only then could the ruins exploration project begin again."
Orochimaru caught many details from Danzo's words.
"So then, our Fifth Hokage still doesn't know of the Ōtsutsuki's existence?"
"The Hokage has countless matters to handle. He cannot manage everything. Someone must bear these burdens in his place."
Danzo spoke as if to himself. Though he didn't directly answer, he confirmed Orochimaru's suspicion.
"But once the ruins exploration reaches substantial progress, Tatsuma will tell him the truth."
For Danzo, the more pressing matter now was Takeshi's strategy for the Land of Fire.
Even if the Ōtsutsuki existed, they could not descend upon the shinobi world in the short term.
Since that was the case, they had to take advantage of this vacuum period, unify the shinobi world, and prepare to face the Ōtsutsuki together.
Orochimaru's interest in the documents gave Danzo a partner. With his cooperation, Konoha would grow even stronger.
"I understand."
Seeing the detailed records in the scrolls, Orochimaru finally fit together the last missing piece of his conjecture.
But this also meant that his scientific prosthetic project would have to be shelved again for a long while.
Yet the heavy workload did not wear down Orochimaru's patience. Instead, it completely ignited his fighting spirit.
For a researcher, the pursuit of the unknown was the reason they lived.
Even if the path ahead was filled with thorns, he had the confidence to sweep all obstacles away.
Watching Orochimaru's expression, Danzo knew his task was complete. He had contributed another piece of strength to Takeshi's rule. The corner of his mouth curved into a subtle, almost imperceptible smile as he turned and left.
"I'll leave it to you then."
His hoarse voice lingered in the laboratory as his back receded.
Only after Danzo was gone did the ANBU release Hiruko, allowing him to return to Orochimaru's side.
"Orochimaru-sama..."
Hiruko had no idea what the two of them had just discussed. He only saw that Orochimaru's expression seemed slightly twisted.
"Hiruko, put aside your current research. Focus with me on investigating these visitors from beyond the heavens."
Orochimaru licked his lips and shoved one of the scrolls into his arms.
"But I..."
Hiruko was confused. He was on the verge of achieving results in his bloodline limit fusion project. To abandon it now was more painful than death.
But when he looked at the contents of the scroll, all thoughts of bloodline limits and fusion instantly disappeared from his mind.
The mysteries of chakra—this subject was far more profound than anything they had studied so far.
The Research Bureau began a new line of investigation. Under Tatsuma's deliberate concealment, Takeshi still had no idea that their focus had already shifted.
At that moment, he was busy ruffling his own hair and tearing at his clothes.
In his plan, the enemies he would face were still Uchiha Madara and Ōtsutsuki Kaguya.
And his method of dealing with them was the crude, straightforward approach of driving Naruto and Sasuke to the brink of death—then waiting for the Sage of Six Paths to descend like a machine god.
Beside him, Itachi watched Takeshi's antics and gently reminded him:
"Scratches alone aren't tragic enough. Shouldn't you smear some fake blood on your face?"
Shikaku's plan was for Takeshi to appear battered in front of Konoha and give a speech, thereby pressuring the Daimyō's palace.
"I don't think that's necessary. A village's Kage showing blood—feels like it would damage my prestige."
Takeshi grabbed a handful of dirt from the ground and smeared the dust across his face.
"How's this? Do I look like I've been beaten up badly?"
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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