The night was as dark as ink, and the forest outside Konoha Village was shrouded in a thin mist, with moonlight filtering through the gaps in the leaves, casting dappled shadows.
Danzo moved through the forest alone, his steps as light as a cat's, making no sound.
A cold light flickered in his single eye, as if he could see everything even in the darkness.
Passing through a dense thicket, Danzo stopped in front of a seemingly ordinary giant tree.
He formed a few complex hand seals, and a hidden door slowly appeared on the tree trunk.
The door slid open silently, revealing a descending staircase.
Danzo stepped inside, and the hidden door closed quietly behind him.
At the end of the staircase was a spacious underground laboratory, with glowing runes embedded in the surrounding walls, providing a faint but steady light source.
The lab tables were covered with various instruments and test tubes, and the air was filled with a pungent medicinal smell.
Orochimaru was standing in front of a microscope, his golden slit pupils intently staring at the lens, his pen rapidly recording something in a notebook.
"You're here."
Orochimaru said without lifting his head, his voice hoarse and calm, as if he had already anticipated Danzo's arrival.
Danzo walked to the lab table, his gaze sweeping over the documents and "samples" on the desk.
"Hiruzen has already ordered a stop to the Wood Release experiments, and you're still continuing?"
Orochimaru finally looked up, a meaningful smile playing on his lips.
"How can scientific research be interrupted by a mere order?
Besides, isn't Lord Danzo here for the same reason?"
Danzo snorted coldly, not denying it.
"I need the latest progress."
Orochimaru put down his pen and took out a small container from a nearby refrigerator, inside which floated a piece of tissue glowing with a faint green light.
"This is the latest Wood Release cell culture sample; its stability has increased by 30% compared to before, but there's still a gap before it becomes true Wood Release."
Danzo took the container, a hint of greed flashing in his single eye.
"It's not enough. The First Hokage's Wood Release could suppress Tailed Beasts; we need that kind of power."
Orochimaru's golden slit pupils narrowed slightly.
"Lord Danzo, scientific research takes time, and it also requires… more resources."
Danzo placed the container back on the table, his tone grim.
"Resources are not an issue. I am about to head to the Land of Rain front lines, where there are plenty of war orphans and displaced people.
You can have as many test subjects as you want. It would be best if you used this opportunity to ask Hiruzen to send you to the border; it will be more convenient for us to collaborate then."
Orochimaru's smile deepened.
"If I get the chance, I will apply to go to the front lines. However, I've also become very interested in another kind of power recently."
"Oh?"
Danzo raised an eyebrow.
"Tailed Beast cells."
Orochimaru slowly said.
"If we can obtain the power of a Tailed Beast, it might accelerate Wood Release research and even develop more powerful Bloodline Limits."
Danzo was silent for a moment, a hint of hesitation flashing in his single eye.
Tailed Beasts are core secrets of each village, and obtaining their cells would be no easy feat.
But thinking of the power of Wood Release, he finally nodded.
"Alright, but acquiring Tailed Beast cells is too risky. I can only provide some intelligence and assistance; the specific actions you'll need to complete yourself."
Orochimaru nodded slightly.
"That's enough. Lord Danzo just needs to tell me which Tailed Beast is easiest to acquire."
Danzo pondered for a moment, then whispered.
"Fukai, the Eight-Tailed Jinchuriki of Hidden Cloud Village, is impulsive and has been frequently appearing at the border recently.
However, Hidden Cloud Village is heavily guarded, so you'll need an insider to get precise information on the Jinchuriki."
"An insider?"
Orochimaru was intrigued.
"A Root member, Yakushi Nonou."
Danzo said coldly.
"She is currently undercover in Hidden Cloud Village as a Medical Ninja and will be assigned to the border soon. I will inform her to cooperate with your actions."
A hint of approval flashed in Orochimaru's eyes.
"Lord Danzo's planning is indeed far-reaching. Then, our cooperation is hereby established."
Danzo nodded and turned to leave, dropping a remark before he went.
"Remember, the experiments must be moved to the secret base outside. Hiruzen's Anbu have already started to suspect."
Orochimaru chuckled lightly, not answering.
His gaze returned to the microscope, as if the conversation just now was merely an unimportant chat.
After Danzo left, the laboratory fell silent once more.
Orochimaru took out a scroll from a drawer, slowly unrolling it, revealing research notes on various Bloodline Limits.
His fingers lightly traced the words "Wood Release" and "Tailed Beast," his eyes gleaming with fanaticism.
"Power… eternal mystery…"
He murmured softly, his voice echoing in the empty laboratory.
Danzo's figure had already disappeared into the depths of the forest.
…
Inside Konoha Hospital, a faint smell of disinfectant permeated the corridors, and occasionally nurses hurried by, carrying medical supplies or patient charts.
Uchiha Akirastood in the center of the hall, looking around, then asked a passing Medical Ninja for Lady Tsunade's whereabouts.
"Lady Tsunade? She's in the laboratory on the third floor."
The Medical Ninja pointed towards the stairs.
Akira nodded in thanks, then quickly went upstairs.
Arriving on the third floor, bright light shone from under the door of a room at the end of the corridor.
Akira gently knocked on the door, and Lady Tsunade's slightly impatient voice came from inside.
"Come in."
Pushing open the door, he saw a room filled with scrolls and experimental equipment.
Lady Tsunade was hunched over her desk, writing furiously, her golden hair casually tied back, a few strands falling beside her face, her flawless face intently focused.
Hearing footsteps, she spoke without lifting her head.
"If it's a report on the injured, just leave it on the table."
"Lady Tsunade."
Akira said with a smile.
Hearing the familiar voice, Lady Tsunade's pen paused, and she suddenly looked up, surprise flashing in her bright brown eyes.
"It's you?"
Akira wiggled the scroll in his hand and smiled.
"It seems I've interrupted you."
Lady Tsunade put down her pen, crossed her arms, and leaned back in her chair, raising an eyebrow.
"Uchiha brat, what are you doing at the hospital? Are you injured? Do you need me to heal you?"
"Not at all."
Akira stepped forward and handed her the scroll.
"Hokage-sama asked me to give this to you."
Lady Tsunade took the scroll, unrolled it, and her brows gradually furrowed.
"Medical Ninja training plan… to be overseen by you and me?"
"Yes."
Akira nodded.
"Hokage-sama trusts us greatly."
Lady Tsunade snorted softly, unable to hide the smile in her eyes.
She tossed the scroll onto the table, her tone slightly haughty.
"Training Medical Ninja isn't that simple, you know? Do you think teaching a few healing jutsus is enough for the battlefield?"
Akira looked at her slightly raised chin and slightly defiant expression, and couldn't help but chuckle.
"What are you laughing at?"
Lady Tsunade glared at him.
"Nothing."
Akira waved his hand, his eyes still holding a smile.
"I just thought Lady Tsunade looked a bit like she was showing off her expertise just now."
"Show… showing off?!"
Lady Tsunade froze, then immediately reacted, her fair cheeks instantly tinged with red.
She slammed her hand on the table, gritting her teeth.
"You brat! Don't think you can talk to me like that just because you helped me before! Are you mocking me?"
Akira quickly shook his head.
"No, no, I just think Lady Tsunade is very cute."
"Cu… cute?!"
Lady Tsunade's voice suddenly rose, and her face became even redder.
She took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing her emotions, and said coldly.
"Enough nonsense! Since the old man sent you to assist me, then tell me, how should this training plan begin?"
Akira saw her trying to maintain seriousness but unable to hide her embarrassment, and secretly chuckled, but his expression became serious.
"During this wartime, what we need are Medical Ninja who can quickly be deployed to the battlefield, not experts who deeply research medical theory.
Therefore, the focus of the training should be on battlefield first aid, basic healing jutsus, and Chakra control."
Upon hearing this, Lady Tsunade's expression softened slightly, and she nodded.
"That's a decent idea."
"Additionally, we can divide the trainees into small groups, led by experienced Medical Ninja, and train them directly in simulated battlefield environments."
Akira continued.
"This will both improve efficiency and allow them to adapt to the pressure of the battlefield in advance."
Lady Tsunade pondered for a moment, a hint of approval flashing in her eyes.
"Not bad, practical training is indeed more effective than theoretical discussion."
She paused, then added.
"However, precise Chakra control is fundamental for Medical Ninja; this aspect must be strictly controlled."
"Of course."
Akira smiled.
"In this regard, I'm afraid no one is more skilled than Lady Tsunade."
Lady Tsunade snorted lightly, but the corners of her mouth curved upwards slightly.
"At least you have some discernment."
The two exchanged glances, and the atmosphere inexplicably lightened.
"So, a pleasant cooperation?"
Akira extended his hand.
Lady Tsunade looked at his hand, then at his smiling eyes, and finally sighed lightly, reaching out to grasp it.
"Just don't hold me back."
Akira's smile deepened.
"Don't worry, I'll do my best to keep up with Lady Tsunade's pace."
Lady Tsunade withdrew her hand and turned to tidy the documents on the table, hiding her slightly flushed ears.
She felt a strange sense of anticipation for their upcoming collaboration, but her words remained sharp.
"Tomorrow morning at eight, assemble at the training ground. If you're late… you know the consequences."
"Yes, Lady Tsunade."
Akira agreed with a smile, then turned and left.
After the sound of the door closing, Lady Tsunade stopped what she was doing.
She looked towards the door and let out a soft "hmph," but the smile in her eyes could not be hidden.
"This brat…"