"Not good, it seems the Fifth Hokage can't tolerate us anymore."
Koharu Utatane's single sentence startled Homura Mitokado, who had still been grumbling moments ago.
His bloodshot eyes widened sharply, and even the dark circles under them couldn't hide the shock on his face.
"Just because of this small matter?"
Homura couldn't understand—he couldn't even fathom it. How could Takeshi, the Hokage, want his life over something so trivial?
Besides, this wasn't something the Hokage should personally handle. Back in Tobirama-sensei's time, such matters would've been left to the Anbu—
"This brat isn't like Hiruzen or Sakumo. He doesn't revere the power of the Daimyō. On the contrary, this Fifth Hokage despises the Daimyō from the bottom of his heart."
Koharu pointed out the crux of the matter.
The Third and Fourth Hokage both needed someone within the village to maintain good relations with the Daimyō, which was why the two of them had been appointed as advisers.
But this Fifth Hokage—after all, he's Danzō's son—lacks the proper respect and fear toward the Daimyō.
"Foolish! This will drag Konoha into eternal damnation!"
Homura truly believed that shinobi should be loyal to their lord. Even if the Daimyō wanted them dead, they should obediently wash their necks and wait for the blade.
"Without the Daimyō's support, how can Konoha stand firm in the shinobi world?!"
He slammed his palm onto the tea table before him. The impact made the tea set tremble and lift off the surface for an instant.
Koharu squinted at her furious old friend but said nothing more. Instead, she summoned an Anbu operative.
"Go gather our people. See how many are still able to move freely."
Homura's expression darkened. "You mean... you think he's already—"
"Since he dared to openly send Tatsuma here to 'inquire,' that already proves they're prepared to make a move. All we can do now is leave with some dignity."
Koharu sighed. If Hiruzen Sarutobi hadn't suddenly appeared and stopped her actions back then, the current situation wouldn't have turned so passive.
And Danzō—always dreaming of a world ruled by shinobi alone—never realized there must always be a buffer between ninja and Daimyō.
Soon, the Anbu who had gone to gather their subordinates returned with a report.
All the old retainers the two advisers painstakingly managed to summon had received orders from the Hokage—to depart immediately for the Daimyō's mansion to protect him, and not to return to the village without permission.
"This outcome isn't too bad. At least our lives are safe."
Koharu felt a bit of relief.
"Hmph. I don't believe he dares kill all of us."
Homura understood the truth too—but he just couldn't bring himself to admit it aloud.
"Alright, enough of that. Let's resign of our own accord. As long as we live, there's still hope. With the Daimyō's backing, perhaps we can even build another Konoha someday."
Koharu gave him a cold glance, utterly disdainful of his childish tough talk.
...
"You know I don't like others stepping into my territory."
Orochimaru's cold eyes fixed on Takeshi, his tone brimming with disdain toward the outsiders.
"Those people are all research specialists from other villages. They came to prepare for the alliance."
Takeshi could only try to appease the snake.
After all, when others got displeased, they just complained—but when this one got displeased, he bit.
"You know as well as I do—our opponent is the Ōtsutsuki, after all."
Standing before a petri dish, Takeshi looked curious, but without Orochimaru's permission, he wouldn't touch anything.
"If you want to touch it, go ahead. That one contains cells from the Hyūga clan."
Noticing Takeshi's curiosity, Orochimaru, somewhat satisfied with his manners, decided to explain.
With Orochimaru's permission, Takeshi placed his hand on the petri dish, feeling the cool surface.
After a long silence, Takeshi finally spoke.
"What do you think about the Ōtsutsuki?"
Orochimaru continued working with his hands, his tone calm.
"Without sufficient samples, I can't make a proper assessment."
Samples?
Ōtsutsuki cells?
That was indeed no easy task.
He couldn't exactly go to Amegakure and ask Isshiki if he'd kindly slice off some flesh for research.
And even if they did obtain the cells, could they really study them to find a way to defeat the Ōtsutsuki?
Though Orochimaru never looked his way, he seemed to read Takeshi's silent thoughts.
"If it can be observed, it can be influenced. If it can be influenced, it can be controlled. Once we have enough samples, sooner or later we'll unravel all the mysteries of the Ōtsutsuki."
Orochimaru licked his lips.
"When that day comes, perhaps all of us will become Ōtsutsuki ourselves."
Takeshi was tempted.
But where could he possibly find... wait—
There actually was one Ōtsutsuki who would be easier to deal with.
The descendants of Hamura living on the moon.
If he remembered correctly, the lunar branch of Hamura's lineage had been torn apart by an irreconcilable feud between the main and branch families. Both sides ended in mutual destruction, leaving only Toneri alive.
Whether dead or alive, those people's bloodlines were purer than those on Earth.
"I understand. I'll find a way to get you enough samples."
Leaving those words behind, Takeshi hurriedly left the laboratory.
After all, he couldn't use space-time ninjutsu here.
"I'll be looking forward to it."
A faint smile curved Orochimaru's lips.