Danzo's mood was shattered by Orochimaru's sudden appearance.
"The Cloud ninja attacked the Artificial Tailed Beast testing grounds."
Orochimaru's voice was unhurried as he spoke, yet Danzo's expression shifted dramatically upon hearing this.
"The experimental base? Wasn't it already relocated back to the Hidden Leaf Village?"
In his understanding, all the data and test subjects related to the Artificial Tailed Beast should have been escorted back to the village by Orochimaru weeks ago.
He had even planned to mobilize the Root's forces to seal off the area, ensuring that the research results wouldn't be interfered with by any external forces.
And that "external" included Hiruzen Sarutobi!
That damn monkey!
But Orochimaru clearly hadn't followed the plan.
Orochimaru shrugged slightly, a faint, almost mocking smile playing on his lips.
"It hasn't been fully relocated yet. After all, the research isn't complete. Moving a laboratory in the middle of incubation isn't an easy task."
His tone was as languid as ever, yet it made a vein twitch faintly at Danzo's temple.
"What's the current situation at the laboratory?"
"It was attacked."
Orochimaru spoke slowly, his voice still calm, but each word made Danzo's fingers clench tighter.
"The Cloud ninja suddenly appeared within the Land of Rain. They were clearly targeting our research. Fortunately,"
He chuckled lightly, his tongue darting out to lick the corner of his mouth, "Jiraiya and I were both on site."
Danzo looked up sharply. "Jiraiya? He was there too?"
Orochimaru shrugged, his expression carrying a hint of subtle mockery.
"Heh, our teacher has always been very concerned about my research, so he specifically sent someone to keep an eye on it."
"Hiruzen..."
Danzo muttered the name under his breath, his voice grinding out like crushed rock.
He had thought the Third Hokage was still maintaining a facade of tolerance, letting things run their course!
But he had misjudged Hiruzen!
That guy was the king of hidden agendas, letting him manipulate everything while quietly reaping the benefits!
That damnable dead monkey!
Jiraiya's appearance was orchestrated by Hiruzen Sarutobi;
And the Cloud ninja getting their hands on the experimental data became the perfect excuse for Hiruzen to suppress the Root and restrict Orochimaru.
"What were the losses at the laboratory?"
Danzo asked in a low voice.
Orochimaru smiled, as if he had anticipated the question.
"The Cloud ninja stole a small portion of the data, but it's fine. I dealt with that ninja immediately."
He added nonchalantly, "Though I didn't expect it to be the Jinchuriki of the Two-Tails."
"Jinchuriki are indeed troublesome."
Orochimaru continued calmly, "Unfortunately, Jiraiya and I accidentally killed the Jinchuriki."
Danzo slowly narrowed his eyes, a nearly inaudible groan escaping his throat. "...You killed the Jinchuriki?"
"An accident."
Orochimaru reached up to adjust his long, draped hair, his tone so casual it bordered on flippant.
Danzo tapped his fingers lightly on the table.
"The death of the Two-Tails will enrage the Land of Lightning completely."
"Yes."
Orochimaru smiled. "So I've already sent a strongly worded warning letter on your behalf."
"A warning letter?"
"Indeed, in your name."
He pulled a scroll from his robes and unrolled it on the table.
It contained a brief declaration written in the tone of Shimura Danzo of the Hidden Leaf's Root.
Half threat, half sarcasm:
It must be said, these words carried an imposing aura.
They perfectly matched the demeanor of the Leaf's Darkness.
Danzo remained silent for a moment, shifting his gaze away from the scroll and coughing twice.
"Regarding the laboratory, you should still keep an eye on Hiruzen!"
The system in the Hidden Leaf Village was highly distorted, with no information sharing between Danzo's Root and the Third Hokage's Anbu.
This allowed Orochimaru, the mole, to manipulate the situation, leading both Danzo and Hiruzen to temporarily believe that the other held control over the Ninja Beast Egg laboratory.
Moreover, Orochimaru had consistently produced Ninja Beast Eggs during this period, preventing the two sides from openly clashing and seizing it by force.
In the Hokage's office, smoke swirled densely.
Raindrops tapped against the window frames, creating a fine, rhythmic sound.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat behind his desk, slowly turning his pipe between his fingers, unable to conceal his shock.
"What? Danzo killed the Two-Tailed Jinchuriki?"
His voice carried a trace of disbelief.
Orochimaru, standing before him, gave a slight bow.
A glint flashed in his pupils, but his tone remained as calm as ever:
"Yes, teacher. Not only did he kill the Two-Tailed Jinchuriki, but he also personally delivered an extremely strongly worded letter."
Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned deeply, reaching out to take the scroll.
After opening it and scanning the contents, his expression gradually darkened.
The letter's tone was concise yet highly provocative.
Hiruzen remained silent for a long time before lifting his head, the smoke before him forming a hazy barrier.
"What exactly is he trying to do?"
Orochimaru, lying without a hint of shame, replied calmly.
"The Cloud ninja attacked the Artificial Tailed Beast testing ground.
Lord Danzo naturally had to uphold the Hidden Leaf's dignity."
Hiruzen frowned. "But the laboratory... it's still in the Land of Rain, right?"
"Correct."At this point, Hiruzen suddenly praised Danzo: 'He established the laboratory in the Land of Rain because it's outside the Hidden Leaf's borders, avoiding village public opinion; and it's in a neutral zone among the great nations, making it easy to conceal and control.'" It must be said, this arrangement... is indeed clever."
Danzo has matured as well.
It seems he hasn't completely lost his mind over these years.
Hiruzen exhaled a puff of smoke, his brow relaxing slightly.
"In matters like this, he actually handles them quite well."
"These matters are inherently sensitive. If placed within the Hidden Leaf, regardless of the outcome, they would be seen as a threat by other ninja villages. The Land of Rain is the most suitable gray area."
Orochimaru lowered his head slightly, black hair falling, barely suppressing a laugh.
It must be said, the Hidden Leaf's systems are full of loopholes. Who would believe that the village's two highest authorities could be so completely mistaken about this matter?
"..."
Hiruzen remained silent for a moment, lightly tapping his pipe against the desk.
The sound was brief and sharp.
"Will the Cloud ninja launch a war because of this?"
His words were measured, carrying a trace of seasoned caution.
Orochimaru shook his head, his tone still calm.
"Not for now. The death of the Two-Tailed Jinchuriki is a disgrace to the Land of Lightning, but it's also a deterrent. If Danzo truly masters the Artificial Tailed Beast Transformation technique, then the Hidden Leaf already possesses a new deterrent power. Until they uncover the truth, they won't dare act recklessly."
Hiruzen slowly leaned back in his chair, his aged face faintly visible through the smoke.
After wrestling with it for a while, he found Orochimaru's reasoning sound.
Lately, Orochimaru seemed to have changed quite a bit.
Exhaling smoke.
Hiruzen suddenly said: "Orochimaru, it seems you've forgotten one thing."
"Teacher, what is it?"
After a moment of contemplation, Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly spoke: "Regarding the matter of Artificial Tailed Beasts, you never properly handed it over to me for thorough evaluation."
Thorough evaluation?
Looking up at Hiruzen Sarutobi, Orochimaru snapped back to attention: "Alright, I'll prepare a Ninja Beast Egg for you shortly."
It was clear that Hiruzen Sarutobi also wanted to hatch a Ninja Beast, but Orochimaru hadn't given him one during this period.
Only now had he finally been unable to resist asking for it.