This was a temptation even Danzo found hard to resist.
After all, no one in the world understood better than him what the First Hokage's power truly meant. That was the might of a god — the strength to reshape the entire Ninja World.
If he could obtain that power, nothing would stand in his way. His lifelong ambition to become Hokage would finally be within reach.
The thought of himself, wielding Hashirama Senju's legendary power and crushing Hiruzen Sarutobi beneath it, brought an uncontrollable smile to Danzo's face.
He knew this was only a possibility — a mere dream — but that didn't stop him from picturing the glorious future that might await him.
"Good… very good, Orochimaru," Danzo said, his voice trembling with excitement. "Give it to me. I'll continue funding your research. But once you achieve any results, you must share them with me immediately."
Orochimaru's golden eyes narrowed into amused slits.
"Of course," he hissed softly, "but Danzo, shouldn't you show a little sincerity first? Words alone don't impress me."
He knew Danzo far too well — the old ghost's promises were worth less than air. Only tangible things could be trusted.
Danzo snorted coldly. "What a greedy serpent. Kyosuke, give him the item."
From the shadows behind him, a dark figure emerged — a Root operative in an animal mask. Without a word, the masked ninja approached Orochimaru, handed over a scroll, and then silently melted back into the darkness like a puppet returning to its box.
Danzo said lightly, "Here, Orochimaru. One hundred million ryō — my initial investment in your work. Continue to bring me results, and your research funding will be limitless. Now… hand over that Hashirama No. 1 cell sample."
Orochimaru examined the scroll briefly, confirmed its authenticity, and smiled with satisfaction. He tossed the small container in his hand toward Danzo. The cell sample landed neatly in the old man's grasp.
"Danzo," Orochimaru warned in a low tone, "that's only a diluted sample. Don't expect it to grant you the First Hokage's full power."
"This old man knows," Danzo replied impatiently. "Now, you may go."
Having finally obtained what he desired, Danzo could hardly wait to test the fabled cells' potential.
But he had no idea that the Hashirama No. 1 sample in his hand would never allow him to wield the First Hokage's power.
At best, it might rejuvenate his aging body a little — nothing more.
The so-called Hashirama No. 1 sample was, in truth, merely a cell solution extracted by Orochimaru from Riku's body. Even Riku, the original source, hadn't gained any of Hashirama's power. How could a diluted sample taken from him possibly succeed?
Still, Orochimaru wasn't entirely deceiving him. Once more Hashirama cells were cultivated and Riku was fused with them again, the true power of the First Hokage might one day be replicated.
When that time came, however, Orochimaru himself would be the first to taste the fruit of success — and everyone else could simply wait in line.
Orochimaru slipped away, his pale face curving into a satisfied grin. The one hundred million ryō payment meant his stalled research could finally resume in full force.
Exiting the Root base, he performed the Reverse Summoning Jutsu, vanishing instantly.
Moments later, several Root operatives appeared at the site. They scoured the area for traces but found none. When they returned to Danzo's chamber and knelt before him, their report was short.
"You lost him?" Danzo's brow furrowed, then relaxed. "Hmph. It's fine. That slippery snake is too cunning to track. It's only natural."
He waved a hand dismissively. "You may leave. There will be no punishment this time — but if you fail again, don't bother returning."
The Root ninjas shuddered, bowed deeply, and retreated with visible relief.
An hour later, a Root scientist wearing glasses and a white lab coat entered Danzo's secret chamber. He handed over a report, then stood silently with his head lowered.
Danzo unfolded the report. "This is the lab analysis for the Hashirama No. 1 sample, correct? Let's see if Orochimaru dared to deceive me."
As Konoha's so-called "second-in-command," Danzo commanded many skilled individuals under Root. While none matched Orochimaru's genius, several came close. Analyzing a mere cell reagent was a trivial task for them.
Danzo read every line carefully. Gradually, the tension in his face eased.
"Hmm… very good. It does contain diluted Hashirama cells. Their invasiveness has been neutralized — there's no danger of fusion failure. It seems Orochimaru didn't lie to me after all."
But as he continued reading, his eyes suddenly narrowed. "Wait. Hyuga cells?"
He looked up sharply at the scientist. "Meitai, explain. What's this about Hyuga cells? Are you sure there's no mistake?"
The Root researcher, Meitai, replied mechanically, "Lord Danzo, there's no error. We've tested multiple times and confirmed it. The Hashirama No. 1 sample indeed contains a significant amount of Hyuga cell tissue."
"Furthermore," he continued, "our analysis suggests it's precisely this Hyuga component that neutralized the Hashirama cells' original invasiveness. Without it, the sample might have destroyed any host body."
Danzo's expression darkened, then froze in realization.
"So… according to your findings," he said slowly, "Orochimaru must have a Hyuga clan member who has already fused with Hashirama cells?"
"Yes, Lord Danzo. That is our most likely conclusion."
Meitai's words rang with certainty, and Danzo, who trusted his researchers implicitly, immediately pieced together the truth.
"You cunning snake…" he muttered under his breath. "You've been hiding something — something valuable."
A Hyuga fused with Hashirama cells… that was a treasure beyond measure. Such a subject shouldn't be in Orochimaru's hands.
Danzo clenched his cane tightly. "Such a precious experiment — Orochimaru, you can't be trusted with it. This old man will bear that burden for you instead."
He snapped his fingers. "Someone! Begin an investigation. I want every record since Orochimaru returned to the village. Focus on the Hyuga Clan — any member who might have had contact with him."
At his order, Root moved like a colossal machine coming to life.
Danzo's network of spies and operatives reached into every corner of Konoha. Sometimes, even the Hokage himself had to rely on Root's information network. And with ninjutsu and chakra amplifying their capabilities, the organization could accomplish in hours what others might take weeks to do.
Within a single day, all intelligence concerning Orochimaru's recent contacts was delivered to Danzo's desk. Among the names, several Hyuga clan members appeared.
Everything that exists leaves traces — and Riku was no exception. Though his dealings with Orochimaru had been conducted in deep secrecy, Root's specialized agents could uncover even the faintest hints of contact.
It turned out that Riku had made a previous transaction with Orochimaru — and that time, the snake had been careless enough to leave evidence behind.
Thus, Riku's profile was soon laid before Danzo.
Of course, Riku wasn't the only suspect. Before Orochimaru had successfully performed the Hashirama cell fusion on him, the scientist had also approached several Hyuga Branch Family members to collect cellular samples.
All those names were now compiled and handed to Danzo as potential links.
Danzo flipped through the reports slowly, his sharp eyes scanning every page. Each line deepened his understanding — and his ambition.
"So it's you… Riku," he murmured. "You're the one who holds Orochimaru's secret."
His lips curled into a cold smile.
"Such a valuable specimen… How could I let it remain in that snake's hands?"
He rose from his seat, cloak rustling in the still air of the underground chamber.
"Prepare a retrieval team," he ordered. "We'll proceed quietly. No alarms, no witnesses. Bring the boy to me alive — and erase every trace once the mission is done."
The shadows in the chamber stirred as masked Root agents silently acknowledged the command. Within moments, they vanished, blending back into the darkness.
Danzo stood alone, gazing at the faint glow of the sample vial still resting on his desk. The liquid shimmered faintly, reflecting the ambition burning in his one visible eye.
"Orochimaru, Orochimaru…" he whispered, his tone almost mocking. "You think you can outwit me? The secrets you hide will belong to Konoha — and to me."
He clenched his hand around the vial. "The will of fire burns brightest in the shadows."
Outside, the night deepened over Konoha, and somewhere far away, Orochimaru was already preparing his next experiment — unaware that the seeds of betrayal had already been sown.
And within those shadows, Root began to move once again, following the faint traces that would lead them straight to Riku.
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