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After this meeting, Tsunade could clearly sense that the conflict between the higher-ups and the Uchiha clan had reached its peak—and it was the kind of conflict that seemed impossible to resolve.
Now, recalling Midorima's words about "the right timing, geographical advantage, and human harmony," Tsunade suddenly found it all unbelievable.
Even if all those conditions were met, it still wouldn't be possible.
Just sitting in the meeting room, she could feel the tension in the air—the kind where both sides were ready to kill each other.
When she returned to her residence, Shizune was cooking. Two plump, tender chickens were laid out on the dining table.
After asking, Tsunade learned that one of them was for Midorima, leaving her momentarily speechless.
With a cup of sake in hand, Tsunade frowned and stared at Midorima.
Midorima ate quietly, not saying a word.
Finally, Tsunade couldn't hold back any longer and broke the silence. "Tell me, was it Danzō who kidnapped Shizune?"
Shizune's hand trembled, and the rice on her chopsticks fell to the floor.
It would still take some time for her to erase the terrible memories from that month.
"Actually, there's a question that's been right in front of you this whole time, but you've never asked. I've been curious about it too," Midorima said with a smile.
"What is it?"
"Why did Orochimaru come to Konoha in the first place? He's been gone from the village for so long. Aren't you curious?"
"Wasn't it because of Itachi?" Tsunade asked, surprised.
"That was his decision after arriving in Konoha. You should know that Itachi became a Chunin through the exams, not on the battlefield. At most, he was only famous in small circles. Every ninja village has geniuses like him. Orochimaru wouldn't take such a risk just for that."
Tsunade immediately realized the problem. She had always assumed Orochimaru came to Konoha because of Itachi, but after Midorima's reminder, she felt naive for thinking so.
"How can I make you trust me?" Tsunade asked.
"I've always trusted you," Midorima answered honestly. "Otherwise, I wouldn't still be here. The reason there's a barrier between us is that we have different stances. As a missing-nin from Kirigakure, my identity naturally puts me at a disadvantage. Digging deeper, it's probably because I wasn't born in Konoha, right?"
Tsunade nearly wanted to cry. "If you were a Konoha ninja, you'd definitely become Hokage one day."
"Don't flatter me. I have no interest in being Hokage," Midorima shook his head. "I'd much rather be free and do as I please. Why would I want to serve others?"
"..."
Tsunade was about to retort but suddenly remembered that she had left Konoha after the Second Shinobi War. She didn't exactly have the right to criticize him.
"Fine. Let's get serious..." Tsunade set her sake cup on the table. "Since you trust me, I won't beat around the bush. I need your help."
"Oh? And then?" Midorima looked at her suspiciously.
Tsunade did have a lot of valuable things, but he wasn't particularly interested in them—including her summoning contract with Katsuyu.
Sure, Katsuyu was powerful, but he had no desire to study medical ninjutsu.
Studying medicine couldn't save him.
Now, if Tsunade could provide him with Hashirama's cells, that would be a different story.
He wanted to see what would happen if the [Cell Research Lab] was combined with Hashirama's cells.
"I want to form an alliance with you—as an individual, separate from Konoha," Tsunade declared.
"Huh?" Midorima wondered if he had misheard and rubbed his ears.
Shizune's eyes widened in shock as she stared at Midorima. What did you do to Lady Tsunade?
"What do you mean by 'alliance'? Vague promises won't cut it. I'm not well-read, so don't try to trick me," Midorima chuckled.
"It means sharing information and resources. If one of us is in trouble, the other must help without hesitation," Tsunade explained.
"That's it?"
"That's it."
"Aren't you just taking advantage of me? Sharing information and resources... wouldn't that all come from me?" Midorima said, amused.
This wasn't a matter of who had more leverage.
"I know, I know," Tsunade rubbed her temples. Midorima had a point.
Right now, she really couldn't offer him much.
"But you'll definitely have to fight the Akatsuki at some point, right?"
Midorima nodded. The Akatsuki were too naive, being used without realizing it. If Obito really pulled off the "Infinite Tsukuyomi," he wouldn't be able to stay out of it. Besides, Obito had framed him for a major crime—he couldn't just let that slide.
"If you ally with me, I'll help you whenever you need it—even if it costs me my life," Tsunade said solemnly.
That actually moved Midorima.
When fighting the Akatsuki—or even Obito and Madara—ordinary medical ninjutsu would be useless. But Tsunade's abilities had been proven in battle.
"That does sound interesting," Midorima nodded.
However, facing the Akatsuki and Obito with just Tsunade wouldn't be enough. He'd need to find a way to drag Jiraiya into this too—maybe even the Third Hokage.
Many hands make light work.
These were Midorima's private thoughts, and he certainly wouldn't voice them.
The two quickly drew up an alliance contract, each keeping a copy.
As for whether Tsunade would honor it, Midorima wasn't worried. Tsunade usually kept her word. Even if she didn't, it wouldn't affect him much.
Besides, Jiraiya wouldn't let Tsunade take reckless risks—he'd probably step in himself.
On the surface, it was just a contract, but it would inevitably influence Jiraiya as well. For Midorima, it was a decent deal.
"Now, tell me—why did Orochimaru come here?" Tsunade asked.
"Before I answer that, let me ask you something. Do you know why Orochimaru was driven out of Konoha in the first place?"
"Of course, it was because—" The words died on her lips as cold sweat broke out on Tsunade's forehead.
Everything connected.
She clenched her fists. "The disappearances of Konoha ninja—was it because of this?!"
"Yes."
"And Shizune's kidnapping too?!"
"Shizune... her case was a bit special. She seemed to have been taken by mistake, but they couldn't just let her go, so she was kept in the dungeon temporarily."
"Back then, very few people knew about that incident—only Danzō, Orochimaru, and a handful of others... So it really was Danzō," Tsunade muttered.
Midorima wasn't surprised that Tsunade knew about the cloning experiments. After all, Yamato had survived, becoming a ninja who could even use Wood Release.
Even in Konoha, he was probably the only one who could use it at this point.
No one likely knew yet that Danzō could also use Wood Release.
"But why would he call Orochimaru here?" Tsunade wondered.
"That's a long story. Haven't you ever wondered what kind of injury Danzō has on his head and arm? Why hasn't it healed after all this time?" Midorima countered.
"I've offered to treat him before, but he refused," Tsunade said thoughtfully.
"..."
Midorima broke out in a cold sweat. You really had the nerve to ask.
Still, he would've loved to see Danzō's expression at that moment—it must've been priceless.
"What's hidden under those bandages?" Tsunade pressed.
"Sharingan. Danzō wanted Orochimaru to perform a surgery to implant them. Tell me, if Itachi had known about this last time, what do you think he would've done?"
Tsunade's fists tightened.
She knew Midorima wouldn't lie about this—after all, all it would take to verify was removing Danzō's bandages. And based on her previous interactions with Danzō, she already suspected there was something hidden beneath them.
If it was the Sharingan, it all made sense.