"Hmph, this is quite an interesting thing..."
Orochimaru looked at the experimental results of the White Zetsu tissue in his hand and let out a soft chuckle.
Based on his experiments, he could confirm that this creature called "White Zetsu" indeed possessed certain unique properties.
Its body had an incredibly high level of compatibility, like a blank sheet of paper.
Coupled with its inherently weak soul, taking over its body would require almost no effort.
This was practically a tailor-made vessel for Orochimaru's reincarnation!
The only downside was that the White Zetsu's body was relatively weak.
While it would be easy to reincarnate into, his strength would be somewhat compromised.
However, this wasn't a major issue for Orochimaru.
If the body's strength was insufficient, he could simply ask the masked man for more materials to experiment and modify it, right?
Orochimaru might not be good at many things, but when it came to biological modification, he was an expert.
As long as he had enough materials, he could definitely create a vessel perfectly suited to him!
"However, now might not be the best time to leave the village."
Orochimaru licked his lips, feeling somewhat hesitant.
Although he had long talked about leaving Konoha, when it came to actually making the decision, he still felt a bit conflicted and reluctant.
"Regardless, I should go back and submit the mission report for now."
"Maybe I can also find an opportunity to access those forbidden techniques that have been sealed away..."
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes, giving himself a reason to return.
After he left, Black Zetsu quickly emerged from the corner of the room.
He watched Orochimaru leave, his gaze flickering with uncertainty.
"Will Orochimaru really make up his mind to leave Konoha?"
"Although White Zetsu can serve as a reincarnation vessel, its strength is mediocre. Would Orochimaru really be satisfied with it?"
Black Zetsu's voice was filled with concern.
To be honest, he really hoped Orochimaru would join their "Anti-Danzō Alliance."
Who wouldn't like a powerful, skilled, and ruthless snake like Orochimaru?
As for Obito, he wasn't entirely sure either.
He slowly appeared beside Black Zetsu, also gazing in the direction Orochimaru had left.
"If he's still hesitating, then we'll just have to force him out."
Obito narrowed his eyes, clearly already scheming something.
——————
Inside Konoha Village.
An ANBU ninja was organizing some documents.
Suddenly, the air around him began to swirl.
The ANBU ninja barely had time to react before he turned and found himself staring into a pair of crimson eyes.
"It's the Sharingan, damn it..."
The ANBU ninja immediately felt a sense of alarm, but unfortunately, against Obito's Mangekyō Sharingan, he stood no chance.
In an instant, he was overwhelmed by the Sharingan's power, completely trapped in a genjutsu.
Obito, wearing his mask, appeared before him and pulled out a scroll from his wide robe.
"One of the Sannin, Orochimaru, is conducting inhumane human experiments within the village and plans to defect with a large amount of classified information."
"Here is evidence of his crimes, as well as the location of his secret base. Report this to the higher-ups immediately."
Obito spoke in a highly persuasive tone, then handed the intelligence scroll to the ANBU ninja.
Under the influence of the genjutsu, the ANBU ninja took the scroll and began muttering to himself:
"Orochimaru..."
"Human experiments..."
"Classified information..."
"Planning to defect..."
Hearing these keywords, Obito smiled with satisfaction.
He gently patted the ANBU ninja's shoulder, ensuring that the genjutsu had fully taken hold, and whispered:
"Go, quickly inform your superiors that Orochimaru is planning to defect."
With that, Obito instantly disappeared.
The ANBU ninja's eyes flashed with a red light, and soon his gaze cleared.
"Wait, what was I supposed to do again?"
He scratched his head, then looked down at the scroll in his hand.
"Right! Orochimaru is planning to defect!"
"I need to report this to Lady Koharu immediately!"
His expression instantly turned serious.
Under the influence of the genjutsu, the ANBU ninja wouldn't question how he had obtained this information.
All he knew was that his mission was to deliver this intelligence to Koharu Utatane as quickly as possible!!
Soon, Koharu Utatane, one of Konoha's advisory elders, received the report.
To be honest, when she first saw the contents of the report, Koharu was completely stunned.
If it weren't for the fact that this ANBU ninja was a trusted subordinate she had personally cultivated and placed in the ANBU, she might have immediately cut off his head!
Because the implications of this information were far too severe!
Who was Orochimaru?
He was the Third Hokage's disciple, one of the Sannin!
He was a key figure with access to a vast amount of Konoha's intelligence and medical resources!
If someone like him were to defect, the impact on Konoha would be catastrophic.
The entire village would become a laughingstock in the ninja world.
If even the Hokage's disciple could defect, what about everyone else?
What would people think? What would the villagers think?
"Calm down, I need to stay calm..."
Koharu took several deep breaths to steady herself, then began to strategize.
First, this information had come from the ANBU.
This meant that the Hokage, Minato Namikaze, was likely already aware of it, and so was that old fox Danzō.
So why hadn't they acted yet?
Were they gathering more evidence, or making more thorough arrangements?
Or perhaps...
Were they planning to use Orochimaru's situation to their advantage?
At this thought, Koharu broke out in a cold sweat.
After all, Orochimaru was Hiruzen's beloved disciple. If news of his defection were to leak, Hiruzen's reputation would be severely damaged.
At that point, forget about competing with Danzō and the military faction—even she herself might be affected!
"No, I must inform Hiruzen immediately. We need to strike first!"
With that, Koharu didn't hesitate for a moment. She burst into action, dragging Homura Mitokado with her as she rushed to Hiruzen Sarutobi's residence.
This was actually part of Obito's plan.
The reason he had given the intelligence about Orochimaru to Koharu, an advisory elder, rather than directly to Hiruzen, Minato, or Danzō, was to gauge their reactions.
Hiruzen was immediately ruled out by Obito.
Given his indecisive nature and the fact that Orochimaru was his most talented disciple, Hiruzen might simply reprimand Orochimaru and then sweep the whole matter under the rug.
As for Danzō, that wouldn't work either.
He and Orochimaru had too many dark secrets between them, so he might also protect Orochimaru.
That left Obito with only Minato and the two advisory elders.
After careful consideration, he chose the latter.
As expected, Koharu didn't disappoint Obito.
Upon meeting Hiruzen, she immediately made her stance clear.
"We must act quickly, decisively. We need to deal with Orochimaru before Minato and Danzō catch wind of this!"
"By doing so, Hiruzen, you can also gain a reputation for upholding justice over personal ties!"
Koharu said firmly.
At this point, Hiruzen was already destined to bear the label of "failing to discipline his disciple."
The only way to mitigate the damage was to "uphold justice over personal ties."
Homura Mitokado, the other advisory elder, also voiced his agreement.
"I agree with Koharu's plan!"
"Besides, didn't Orochimaru previously work in the Root?"
"We might even find evidence linking Danzō to Orochimaru's activities in his secret base!"
Homura said with a sinister tone.
If they wanted to distance Hiruzen from the scandal as much as possible, dragging Danzō into the mess was the perfect solution.
Under the strong persuasion of his two old friends, Hiruzen was deeply conflicted.
On one side was his beloved disciple of many years.
On the other was his reputation and responsibility as Hokage.
Hiruzen found it incredibly difficult to make a decision.
"Let me think, just give me a little more time to think."
The former Hokage now looked like a helpless old man.
"There's no time for hesitation, Hiruzen!"
Koharu couldn't hold back any longer.
How could he still be hesitating at a time like this?
"Whether the information is true or not, why don't we just go and investigate the base mentioned in the report?"
"If the allegations are true, we'll capture Orochimaru on the spot."
"If nothing's wrong, we can just treat it as a routine inspection."
Koharu's words finally convinced Hiruzen.
After all, Orochimaru might not actually be involved in such things...
Right?
What if this was all just a misunderstanding?
"Understood. I will personally lead a team to investigate the base mentioned in the report."
"If the allegations are true, I will not tolerate it."
"If the report is false, the ANBU will have to give me a proper explanation!"
With that, Hiruzen immediately took action.
He gathered the few remaining loyalists he had and headed straight for Orochimaru's base.
The moment Hiruzen made his move, Danzō also received the news.
He let out a disappointed sigh and said:
"So you couldn't resist after all, Orochimaru."
With that, he opened his eyes like a lion emerging from the shadows.
"[Ox], [Dragon], [Horse]."
"Go together and capture that venomous snake for me!"
___
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