In a secret Root base on the outskirts of Konoha, the air was still and heavy.
Naruto arrived on schedule, flanked by Torune and Fu. This time, however, a red-haired girl stood quietly beside him. "Orochimaru-sama," he said, his voice echoing slightly in the stone chamber, "we meet again."
Orochimaru's gaze swept over them. His voice was a low rasp, but it lacked its usual edge of impatience. "You're late again." It seemed he was in a good mood.
"My apologies, Orochimaru-sama," Naruto said, his tone flat and devoid of any real regret. "As you know, Root has been busy with the envoys from the other nations."
Orochimaru was used to the boy's tardiness. "Isn't that the Anbu's job?" he countered coolly. "Since when does Root handle diplomatic receptions?"
"Root, Anbu... we're all one family," Naruto replied, a faint, knowing smile on his lips.
Orochimaru didn't bite. He had no interest in the jab.
His own scheme had been laid bare to Danzo ages ago. He'd even handed over a full copy of the plan in writing. And sure, Konoha might lose the Third Hokage, but Orochimaru knew Danzo would never claim that seat.
Don't let those two elders fool you, they might bend like reeds in the wind, but they weren't pushovers. Underestimating them would be a fatal error. When it came to something as core as the Hokage position, they wouldn't budge. Those old foxes were sharper than most gave them credit for.
'One family? The idea is laughable.' The elders held more sway over the Anbu than Danzo ever could. If Hiruzen fell, the Anbu would be theirs, and Danzo wouldn't be able to touch it, let alone absorb it into Root.
On top of that, they carried alot of weight in the Clan Head Council, which represented nearly every major clan in the village. Without a Hokage, all Danzo had was Root.
'To become the Fifth Hokage with only that? A fool's dream.' Orochimaru had worked with Danzo for decades, watching Root grow from a handful of shinobi into a force that could rival the Anbu. He knew the man's limits. Unless Danzo was prepared to stage a coup and eliminate the elders, his ambition would remain just that. And Orochimaru knew he had neither the power nor the nerve for it.
"Everything's moving forward just like you planned," Naruto said, laying it out again. "In a month, we'll punch a hole in Konoha's barrier. Sunagakure and Otogakure forces can slip in undetected."
He paused. "And the Anbu? Root's got that covered, we'll make sure they can't interfere with any rescues."
"That puts my mind at ease," Orochimaru said, though his tone was dismissive. "Konoha's barrier team is a headache. I'd rather not be discovered before the fun begins." A flicker of disdain crossed his features.
'This is precisely why he'd always looked down on Danzo,' Orochimaru mused. 'The man's methods are crude, brainless, utterly lacking in foresight. He only ever sees the prize right in front of him, never the larger game. I ran circles around him even back then. A man like that could never hold the Hokage's seat for long, even if he managed to seize it.'
Naruto shared the sentiment. 'Danzo's plan is a mess,' he thought. 'He actually believes he can use Sunagakure and Orochimaru to eliminate the Third Hokage, then swoop in and take power while they fight. He hasn't even considered that the position wouldn't fall to him, even if Sarutobi died. A ninja's influence doesn't grow with age, and a man who relies so heavily on schemes will never earn anyone's trust.'
"Danzo-sama only asks that you fulfill your end of the bargain," Naruto said.
A dry, rasping laugh escaped Orochimaru's throat. "Kukukuku. Rest assured. Tell Danzo I will complete what I promised him. This Chunin Exam will be his final performance." His golden eyes glinted. "My old teacher, Hiruzen Sarutobi, will die. Of that, there is no doubt."
"There is one more thing, Orochimaru-sama," Naruto said.
A cold chuckle. Orochimaru's vertical pupils fixed on him. "What more does Danzo want this time? Has he taken a liking to something of mine again?"
Naruto chuckled softly. "Please, don't say that, Orochimaru-sama. Danzo-sama is merely proposing a fair trade." He spread his hands in a placating gesture. "You see? You've gotten what you wanted out of this arrangement as well."
Orochimaru fell silent, his gaze unwavering as he waited for Naruto to continue. It was true, he had acquired both the Hashirama Cells and the Sharingan he coveted. His research had progressed significantly, which was the real reason for his good mood, even after failing to capture Sasuke.
"It's nothing complicated," Naruto explained. "Danzo-sama wishes for you to take on one of his promising agents for a time. As a student."
"..." Orochimaru's eyes narrowed, his ambiguous laughter hanging in the air. "Danzo is willing to entrust someone to me?" His gaze shifted, landing on the silent girl with the vibrant red hair. "It's her, isn't it? The girl."
"Her, yes. An elite from Root, and one of Danzo-sama's key prospects."
"A Root shinobi, then."
Suddenly, a chilling wave of killing intent washed over them, focused entirely on Karin. It was a familiar technique, an illusion of death meant to shatter the mind.
But it had no effect.
But it was wasted here. Just like the Tailed Beasts shrugging off genjutsu with their overwhelming chakra, unless it came from a Sharingan, Karin's reserves were just as vast. She stood there, unflinching.
On top of that, her regular sparring partner was Satori, and that entity's malice put Orochimaru's to shame.
He withdrew the pressure, a sigh of admiration escaping him. 'Another one who can ignore my killing intent. Konoha is truly blessed with an abundance of geniuses.' His gaze returned to Naruto. 'Where does Danzo find them all?'
"In that case, let her follow me." Orochimaru licked his lips, his eyes lingering on Karin. 'A talent like this belongs to me. It wouldn't be the first time I've poached from Root, after all. Kabuto was one of theirs once, too.' He was an expert at acquiring talent.
"Then I thank you, Orochimaru-sama," Naruto said with a respectful bow.
A sly look entered Orochimaru's eyes. "If you ever take a liking to my way of doing things, Tenzo-kun," he said, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial hiss, "my doors are always open to you." He was referring to Naruto's codename, the same one held by the agent who had previously betrayed Root for the Anbu, which Naruto temporarily 'bowered'. So that if there are any misunderstandings or complaints, Orochimaru could take it up with Yamato.
"What Danzo can give you, I can give you. What he cannot, I still can."
'He isn't wrong,' Naruto considered, maintaining his deferential posture. 'If you could overlook the constant risk of becoming his next vessel, Orochimaru is a surprisingly good leader to those who earn his respect. For anyone else, you're just fodder.'
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