Hiruzen Sarutobi walked out of Orochimaru's house with a large bag of medicinal tea. Looking at the closed door, he recalled the expression on Orochimaru's face just now, an expression of anticipation.
What was Orochimaru anticipating? The effects of the medicinal tea?
Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't think much of it and vanished in a flash.
Not long after he left, a Root Ninja contacted Orochimaru in a very secretive manner.
Can't sit still?
The note in Orochimaru's hand turned to ash. Through the code, she understood Danzo Shimura's intention.
Thinking of the Iburi Clan's abilities, she clearly understood what Danzo Shimura was worried about.
It seems my dear Hiruzen-sensei has put a lot of pressure on Danzo-sama!
Orochimaru envisioned piles of reports. In just one day, the reports from various places could form a small mountain.
Hiruzen Sarutobi used the excuse that Danzo Shimura, as Assistant Hokage, should share the Hokage's burdens, and sent all sorts of miscellaneous things to Danzo Shimura for him to handle.
Danzo Shimura couldn't refuse, for he was the Assistant Hokage.
At night, at the Root base.
Orochimaru, familiar with the way, arrived here and saw Danzo Shimura, who was busy with documents and reports, his stamp continuously pressing down on the papers.
"Orochimaru, you're here."
Danzo Shimura's movements stopped. The guard next to him, who was handing him documents, wiped the sweat from his face.
Danzo Shimura looked up at Orochimaru and asked, "Did Hiruzen entrust you with the matter of the Iburi Clan joining Konoha? This is a very important matter for Konoha."
"Danzo-sama, Hiruzen-sensei entrusted me with inviting the Iburi Clan to join Konoha. This is also the will of the two Advisors."
Orochimaru had already guessed why Danzo Shimura was in a hurry to see her, and it was as she expected.
"Orochimaru, do you think the Iburi Clan would be willing to join Root and become unsung heroes in the darkness for Konoha?"
Danzo Shimura looked at the reports, observing the expression on Orochimaru's face.
"Danzo-sama, I'm afraid that would be very difficult. If the Iburi Clan agrees to join Konoha, they will not have a sense of belonging to Konoha nor consider Konoha their home immediately after joining."
Orochimaru's words were quite direct.
People just joined Konoha, and before they even settled down, you want them to make sacrifices? That's outrageous. Not to mention the Iburi Clan, any other Ninja clan would be scared away.
Why would they be unwilling? Having joined Konoha, Konoha is their backing and their home. Why would they be unwilling to contribute to Konoha?
Danzo Shimura frowned, suppressing the urge to say these words.
These words could be said in front of Hiruzen Sarutobi, and in front of Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado, but definitely not in front of Orochimaru.
"That's a pity then."
Danzo Shimura thought that if the Iburi Clan joined Konoha without a sense of belonging, he couldn't use them, and neither could Hiruzen Sarutobi. He supposed their joining Konoha must be related to Orochimaru, since Orochimaru's research had saved their clan.
"Danzo-sama, I believe that if we give them enough time, once they see themselves as members of Konoha and fully integrate, only then will they willingly protect Konoha, and protect our shared home."
Orochimaru offered her suggestion. As for whether Danzo Shimura would listen, that was beyond her consideration. Right now, he was being closely watched by Hiruzen Sarutobi.
If the Iburi Clan joined Konoha, they would definitely be strictly protected. If Danzo Shimura were to make a move against the Iburi Clan at this time, his position as Assistant Hokage would likely be over.
"I understand, Orochimaru, thank you for your hard work on this matter."
Danzo Shimura never thought that one day he would be comforted by a child. He clapped his hands, and a Root Ninja handed a scroll to Orochimaru. "Orochimaru, I hope this scroll, which records Wind Release Ninjutsu, can help you. Don't bury your talent."
Danzo Shimura had witnessed Orochimaru's talent in Wind Release Ninjutsu and didn't want her to bury it by getting too absorbed in research.
"Danzo-sama, rest assured, I will not waste my talent!"
Orochimaru's eyes lit up at the Ninjutsu scroll, and she accepted the scroll that recorded Wind Release Ninjutsu.
This child is truly easy to understand.
A hint of a smile flashed in Danzo Shimura's eyes.
My esteemed angel investor, you're making this very difficult for me!
Facing Danzo Shimura, who repeatedly sent money and Ninjutsu scrolls, Orochimaru was very conflicted. If not for her preconceived notions, her impression of Danzo Shimura would be quite good—a friendly, great benevolent person.
Orochimaru thought it over and decided to try to see if she could stop Danzo Shimura from doing those troublesome things.
If she couldn't stop him, as long as it didn't involve her, she wouldn't easily turn against Danzo Shimura, unless he crossed her bottom line.
After all, regardless of his motives, Danzo Shimura had been good to her and had never shown any desire for her to join Root.
---
A cold wind blew, and tiny snowflakes drifted down.
The Hokage Rock was covered with a layer of snow. The people responsible for clearing the snow stood on a high-altitude platform controlled by ropes, holding snow-clearing tools and tidying the snow on the Hokage Rock, Konoha's most important and iconic landmark.
In the warm room of the Senju Residence, Tsunade lay on the windowsill, propping her chin with her hands. On the table lay a deck of playing cards, two dice, and a scroll that showed signs of having been opened, with the character "medical" (medicine) written on it.
"Eh! I should go see what Orochimaru is doing!"
Tsunade thought of Orochimaru, quickly changed into her winter clothes, haphazardly wrapped a scarf around her neck, and ran out.
"Grandma, I'm going out!"
Tsunade waved to her grandmother, who was doing a facial with skincare products.
Uzumaki Mito shook her head helplessly, seeing Tsunade like this, thinking how her granddaughter was like a tomboy. She had the dashing spirit of a Kunoichi, but none of the gentle charm of a girl.
"Orochimaru, where are you going?"
Tsunade arrived at Orochimaru's doorstep and saw Orochimaru walking out of her house.
"To the Iburi Clan."
Orochimaru immediately noticed Tsunade's scarf, which looked like it was tied in a knot around her neck, and couldn't help but reach out to untie it.
"The Iburi Clan? Oh! That Ninja clan that lives in the forest near Konoha!"
Tsunade knew a little about the Iburi Clan.
"Yes, I'm going to invite them to join Konoha."
Orochimaru put the scarf back on Tsunade.
"Hehe…"
Tsunade wiped her reddened nose, squinted, and grinned, tugging at her scarf as she invited, "Want to share a scarf?"
"Absolutely not, that's so silly."
Orochimaru moved away from Tsunade, crossing her arms, rejecting her both with actions and words.
"Tch! If you don't want to, then don't!"
Tsunade's cheeks puffed out slightly, and she turned her head away, watching Orochimaru from the corner of her eye.
"Ah! This scarf is so warm! Too bad you don't have one."
How childish can you be?
Orochimaru sighed helplessly, listening to Tsunade's words behind her, which sounded more like an invitation than a boast.
Oh?
Orochimaru noticed a child beside a man with the Uchiha Military Police Force insignia on his shoulder. The child had a silly smile and somewhat resembled Uchiha Fugaku, as she remembered him.
Uchiha Fugaku, huh?
What would happen to the Uchiha without Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Sasuke if this guy were chemically castrated?
A very tempting idea suddenly popped into Orochimaru's mind, but she quickly dismissed it.
Forget it, what does the Uchiha's fate have to do with me?
I'm not so shameless as to lay a hand on a young child.
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