Not to mention Sarutobi Hiruzen, who was en route to the Nara, Yamanaka, and Akimichi clan territories, on the other side, Shimura Danzō had returned to his secret Root base, where he was scheduled to meet someone he had discreetly invited earlier.
That man was none other than Orochimaru, the infamous pupil of his former comrade. With the loss of his right arm in the assault on Uzushiogakure, Danzō's combat ability had been drastically weakened. To remedy this, he required a transplant—an arm compatible with advanced chakra manipulation and sealing techniques.
His own capabilities in surgical or biological sciences were limited, so he had little choice but to seek out the most brilliant—albeit dangerous—biological researcher of their era: Orochimaru.
"What flawless vitality... what incredible power."
Orochimaru's eyes gleamed with obsession as he stared at the fist-sized mass of tissue suspended in a viscous nutrient solution.
That was a preserved segment of flesh from the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju—secretly harvested by the Second Hokage, Tobirama, during early experiments into cell-based kekkei genkai replication. Despite its diminutive size, the life force radiating from it was overwhelming, almost sentient in its vitality. It was no wonder Hashirama had once held the title of the strongest shinobi alive.
"These cells are highly corrosive and volatile. Lord Tobirama failed to stabilize them even after years of research."
Danzō's tone was grim. Though he lusted after Hashirama's strength, he feared it equally. After inheriting the late Nidaime's private laboratory, he had attempted experiments in secret—experiments that resulted in deformities, mental collapse, and chakra instability.
"So, you're not asking me to help implant the First Hokage's power directly into you?"
Detecting the caution and suppressed fear in Danzō's words, Orochimaru smirked as he inferred the man's intentions.
"I need an arm capable of restoring my combat ability—one that might even enhance it. In return, I'll grant you access to the First Hokage cell project. You'll gain exposure to the pinnacle of life-based power in the shinobi world."
Danzō's voice was low but firm. The Third Great Ninja War was approaching its next escalation. The Third Kazekage had led the Suna shinobi across the River Country border. On top of that, the elite Root operatives Danzō had deployed to Uzushiogakure were annihilated, leaving his forces short-handed.
Hiruzen, bound by diplomatic obligations and the need to maintain Konoha's internal order, could not deploy personally. So, Danzō would lead the reinforcements. He would be both general and frontline soldier—except, without an arm, he could neither form hand seals nor wield a weapon.
He had no time to wait.
Giving Orochimaru access to the Hashirama cell research would accelerate the project, and perhaps produce results faster than Konoha's sanctioned Medical Corps ever could.
"Any quality biological source?"
Orochimaru's question was clinical. Performing a simple limb graft was trivial to him; what concerned him was compatibility—especially if he wanted to pass along kekkei genkai traits.
"There's a shinobi with the Swift Release kekkei genkai."
Danzō gestured to a surgical table where a slumbering man lay restrained. This subject had been captured from an obscure Sand-affiliated rogue faction. He was rare—almost mythic—possessing a combination of Wind and Lightning chakra natures that allowed movement faster than either element alone.
"Swift Release... from Sunagakure?"
Orochimaru's tongue flicked out as his eyes danced with curiosity. He knew the bloodline well—one of the rarest in the elemental spectrum. Speed exceeding that of high-rank Lightning Release techniques. No wonder Danzō had gone to such lengths to acquire him.
"Extracting a kekkei genkai through transplantation is no small feat."
He noted that a physical graft was feasible, but assimilating the chakra nature fusion required intricate cell conditioning and suppression of rejection.
"What do you want in exchange?"
Danzō understood that Orochimaru was negotiating. That was expected. He didn't mind—it was worth the price if his power could be restored, or even enhanced.
"I want access to the Sharingan research."
Orochimaru's gaze gleamed. His fascination with the Uchiha clan's dōjutsu had begun long ago. To him, the secrets buried within the Sharingan's tomoe were equal to the potential of the First Hokage's DNA.
"Fine. Once you've completed the arm graft, you'll be cleared for access."
Danzō didn't hesitate. His own experimentation with Sharingan had stagnated—his test subjects from the Uchiha clan had produced no new developments in over a decade. With Orochimaru's scientific prowess, perhaps he'd finally uncover the next breakthrough.
"You'll gain the Swift Release—at least partially."
Orochimaru's voice was playful. While true kekkei genkai assimilation was beyond his current capabilities, he could simulate aspects of it. With chakra-stimulating medical techniques applied during the journey to the front, the fusion might begin to settle by the time Danzō arrived.
"I heard Hiruzen has praised you many times, calling you his most talented and brilliant disciple. He even implied you might become the Fourth Hokage."
Danzō abruptly changed the subject. After reviewing the reports from Aburame Shiguro, who had returned from Uzushiogakure, Danzō grew increasingly suspicious.
"Sensei is still in his prime. Isn't that premature speculation?"
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed slightly. Danzō's sudden shift in tone had intent behind it. The possibility of ascending to Hokage had crossed his mind before—but never so blatantly.
"Things in the village are shifting. The war may bring about the need for a new Hokage. But from where I stand, it seems Hiruzen isn't grooming you for that role."
Danzō's implication was clear—he was seeding doubt.
Orochimaru was brilliant. Danzō needed such men, and more importantly, men who felt spurned.
"Danzo-sama, are you attempting to drive a wedge between me and my master?"
Orochimaru's voice was calm, but his eyes glinted coldly.
Danzō didn't flinch.
"You are Hiruzen's finest disciple, but your intellect and ambition make you unpredictable. He can't control you. That's why he's diverting his hopes elsewhere."
He continued, his voice growing quieter.
"Did you know Jiraiya was assigned a child to mentor at the Academy? Hiruzen personally arranged it and has been teaching the boy forbidden ninjutsu."
Danzō handed over a folder. Inside was a detailed analysis of a young boy—nameless in the records, but marked by one key trait: his unparalleled nerve conduction speed.
"He's trying to groom that child to master the Flying Thunder God Technique—the most feared jutsu of Tobirama-sensei."
Only those with ultra-high neural responsiveness could survive its instantaneous spatial shifts. Otherwise, the technique would kill the user before they could react to threats upon arrival.
This boy was a perfect candidate.
Danzō had seen the technique firsthand. Tobirama's true terror wasn't his Water Style—it was this jutsu, which made him impossible to capture and deadly in an instant.
"If that child learns the Flying Thunder God, he will surpass even you."
The implications were clear. The Hokage seat wouldn't go to Orochimaru. It might go to someone yet unworthy—someone malleable, someone Hiruzen could mold.
"Brilliant misdirection, Hiruzen," Danzō muttered under his breath. "You've played a longer game than any of us realized."
And perhaps… Orochimaru would finally understand what betrayal felt like.