Saruobi Hiruzen left, storming away from the Root base, filled with rage.
Danzo stared at Hiruzen's departing figure, his expression dark and grim. Without delay, he hurried toward Orochimaru's laboratory.
"Orochimaru, how is the experiment progressing?"
Pushing open the lab door, Danzo's face immediately shifted to disbelief.
All the equipment in the lab had been destroyed and was still smoking.
Orochimaru stood calmly to the side, holding a soaked child in his arms.
"The experiment… I'd say it was successful. But I heard your conversation with the Hokage."
"This child is the only survivor who can endure the First Hokage's cells. Though he survived, whether or not he can use Wood Release is still uncertain."
"Considering my teacher's rage, I destroyed all the experimental data."
"I'm taking this child with me. The experiment isn't over—I need further observation."
Danzo's eyes flickered with wild joy as he looked at the child in Orochimaru's hands.
"Orochimaru, hand over the child. You should understand how important it is to me if he awakens the Wood Release."
"As for the research data—destroyed or not, it doesn't matter. From this child, I can get everything I want!"
Frenzied, ecstatic—no emotion could fully capture Danzo's current state.
Only he knew just how important the First Hokage's cells were to him. To replicate the First Hokage's glory, reviving Wood Release was essential.
And now, the result was right in front of him. As long as he could extract cells from this child and fuse them into himself, he too could withstand Hashirama's cells and gain those world-dominating Wood Release techniques.
"I know what you're thinking. But sorry, you can't take the child yet. His condition is still unstable."
"And he's still asleep. I need to take him back and observe him for a few days. You can assign someone to monitor me. Once I've collected the data and he wakes up, you can take him."
Orochimaru's attitude was firm. This was his research—without his permission, no one could take the results from him.
"Fine. I'll assign some Root members to accompany you. Once the research is complete, I want him."
Danzo understood that Orochimaru's help was still needed for the experiment, so he agreed without resistance.
"Do you have a new research site? Need me to provide one?"
"I do. Preferably not too far from the village. You know my situation—it's possible I'll be sent to the battlefield any day now."
Orochimaru's concern was justified. As one of the Legendary Sannin, he was a primary combat force.
His return to the village had been under the pretense of an injury, but it was unclear how long that excuse would hold—he could be recalled to the frontlines at any moment.
He was even planning to summon his student to assist him. Time was of the essence.
"Danzo, can your subordinates deliver a message?"
"Hm? Deliver a message? For what?"
"I want to call back my student—Gekko Chizan. He's my assistant. With him around, the experiment will progress much faster."
Danzo frowned slightly at those words.
He'd always had his eye on Chizan. But with Sarutobi Hiruzen and Orochimaru watching, he hadn't been able to make a move.
Now Orochimaru wanted him to use Root to fetch someone? That was annoying.
"I'll send someone to look for him, but I can't guarantee he'll come back. You know the current situation."
"The intelligence we've received is clear. The Land of Fields, Iwagakure, and Kumogakure are in a full-scale war. Tsunade and the others in the Land of Hot Water are suppressing Kumogakure as we speak."
"Your student is at the heart of the battlefield. Hmph, whether he can return at all is questionable."
Orochimaru smirked at Danzo's sarcasm.
"Just send someone. He has Transparent Release and the Flying Thunder God Technique. Unless he's trying to die, even a mob can't keep him down. I know my student better than you."
Yes—Gekko Chizan's greatest skill was running away.
But Orochimaru had underestimated his student's temper. After being targeted several times, Chizan was fuming.
Right now, he was already at the gates of Kumogakure.
"Chizan, go easy on Matatabi."
"Otherwise, I'll get upset, you know."
Gekko Chizan gave a speechless glance at Chōmei, then silently spread his wings and activated Transparent Release, flying forward.
Kumogakure was nearly empty aside from a few guards—most of the main forces were away.
Using insect vision, Gekko Chizan searched the area for his target.
The Two-Tails Jinchūriki—Yugito Nii.
Such a cute name!
She looked about Kakashi's age—no, maybe a little younger.
Drawing from memories of his past, Gekko Chizan switched to "Map Search Mode."
Yugito was already the Two-Tails' Jinchūriki by now, so she likely wasn't living among the general populace.
After all, Jinchūriki were rarely treated well.
Soon, Gekko Chizan found her on a mountain peak on the outskirts of Kumogakure.
"Chōmei, found her!"
"That one over there—the girl with sandy blonde hair."
Chōmei followed his gaze but looked puzzled.
"How do you know it's that girl?"
"Don't ask. I'm telling you—it's definitely her!"
Gekko Chizan shot off toward Yugito Nii with sudden acceleration.
At that moment, Yugito was training—working on her physique.
She lived alone on this mountain. Though it was a lonely life, she didn't mind.
She knew very well who she was.
"Huff..."
"Huff... I need to keep working hard! I want to become a powerful ninja—just like Killer Bee!"
Her delicate cheeks were soaked with sweat from training, but her resolve was unwavering.
She showed no signs of resentment over being a Jinchūriki.
She had just finished a set of physical training when a wave of dizziness overtook her.
Before she could react, she collapsed into unconsciousness.
Gekko Chizan slowly revealed himself, a slight smile on his lips.
"Chizan, what are you planning to do?"
"What else? I'm taking her with me. Didn't you say you had a good relationship with Matatabi? Want me to set up a meeting for you two?"
"What??? Are you kidding me?!"
Chōmei was stunned. If she transformed into her Tailed Beast form, everyone around would know. That would put them in serious danger.
"Relax. I'm not asking you to come out now. Let's go. I'm taking her somewhere nice. And that place—"
"It's going to be my territory in the future!"
Gekko Chizan had already made up his mind.
He didn't come to the Land of Lightning just to capture the Two-Tails.
He also planned to take something else—
Something extremely important to Kumogakure!
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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