Even before Orochimaru defected from Konoha, the two were close partners for many years.
Shimura Danzo provided the human subjects, funds, and location required for human experiments.
Orochimaru was responsible for the research and applied the data from the human experiments to Shimura Danzo, helping him complete the fusion of Hashirama's cells and the transplantation of the Sharingan.
Later, their activities were exposed.
Orochimaru defected from Konoha as a result, but he did not cease his cooperation with Shimura Danzo.
A year ago, his Konoha Crush plan succeeded largely due to the numerous pieces of intelligence provided by Shimura Danzo.
All in all, they had cooperated for many years and had a sufficient foundation of trust.
It was precisely for this reason that when Orochimaru received Shimura Danzo's invitation, he accepted it with little hesitation.
Otherwise, given his increasingly irritable and suspicious nature after his hands were sealed by the Third Hokage, he would not easily leave his lair.
...
In the wooden house, Orochimaru examined the determined Shimura Danzo and was puzzled.
"Seek my cooperation? Didn't I make myself clear enough? My hands are sealed, and I don't have much fighting power!"
The mere mention of this made Orochimaru inexplicably angry.
That old man desperately used the Dead Demon Consuming Seal before he died, leaving him practically disabled now, unable to heal, like a bone stuck in his throat-utterly disgusting!
Shimura Danzo said plainly, "I don't need you to provide fighting power. I only need you to provide counter-summoning support for snakes."
"Hah!" Orochimaru twitched his mouth. "You haven't even met Uchiha Megumi, and you're already thinking about how to escape?"
"I am simply preparing for contingencies!" Shimura Danzo sneered. "Lack of foresight and rash action are major taboos on the battlefield!"
Orochimaru raised his eyebrow slightly, leaned back, and settled in comfortably.
"Danzo, first tell me how you plan to deal with Uchiha Megumi. I don't want to travel a thousand miles with you for nothing."
"We'll start with her son. Control Seiya and force her to gouge out her eyes and hand over Mikazuki Munechika."
Shimura Danzo was confident.
"In this way, without the Mangekyo Sharingan and without the Shinobi blade that enables her special ability, Uchiha Megumi is just an ordinary Shinobi!"
Orochimaru pondered for a moment and raised an objection.
"Seiya has an unharmed body, and Uchiha Megumi probably won't willingly submit to your threat."
Shimura Danzo's eyes flickered, holding the winning hand.
"I don't need to harm Seiya; I only need to take him away and imprison him somewhere. Itachi's intelligence mentioned that Seiya is simply an unharmed body and does not possess powerful offensive means. Once trapped, he cannot free himself."
"At that time, I will threaten Uchiha Megumi with separating mother and son forever. How do you think Uchiha Megumi will choose?"
Orochimaru mused for a moment, then shook his head.
"Gouging out her eyes and handing over the Shinobi blade will not help remove the threat but instead put her in greater danger. Uchiha Megumi is a smart person who chose to leave Konoha; she won't commit such a foolish act."
Shimura Danzo scoffed and refuted, "Uchiha are prejudiced fools driven by emotion, and the stronger the Uchiha, the more so! Shisui, Itachi, and Sasuke are all like this!"
"Uchiha Megumi left Konoha because her parents died at Takamagahara, and she had no other relatives in the village!"
"If her biological son is under my control, can she calmly weigh the pros and cons and judge the situation?!"
Shimura Danzo's gaze was burning, sure of victory.
Orochimaru thought for a long time, finally raised an eyebrow, and smiled. "The older the ginger, the spicier it is!"
"Do you agree to cooperate then?" Shimura Danzo asked.
Orochimaru stated bluntly, "You don't have to worry about the counter-summoning for snakes. Seiya's body belongs to me!"
"Good!" Shimura Danzo agreed readily.
"When do we leave?" Orochimaru asked.
"Up to you. All my men are on standby and can leave at any time."
"Such fast action? It's not easy at your age! Judging by your momentum, you seem determined to get Uchiha Megumi's Mangekyo Sharingan!"
"I am not just after a pair of eyes, but also for the sake of the village! The Uchiha bloodline must not fall into the hands of Kumogakure!"
Shimura Danzo's eyes were stern, his expression solemn, and his posture upright, exuding a great sense of mission.
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes, noncommittal.
"There's no time to lose, let's depart!"
...
Seiya and his party of four traveled over mountains and waters, eliminating wave after wave of reckless fools before finally arriving at the capital of the Land of Iron-Rinto City.
Compared to Jieun City, which was perpetually covered in snow, Rinto City had a relatively comfortable climate, a large population, and towering buildings, making it very prosperous.
Being in a foreign land was quite novel and full of interest.
Thirteen years ago, Seiya had spent two months playing in this city, but he was too young and had no memory of it now.
Mabui was entrusted with the crucial economic responsibility between the villages, so Seiya and the others dared not delay.
Upon entering the city, they first took her to the Guesthouse so she could rest and prepare for the multilateral economic cooperation meeting a week later.
The Guesthouse was located on the Daimyo Street, the central axis of Rinto City, and was a functional building officially used by the Land of Iron to host important guests from various major nations and Shinobi villages.
After verifying their documents, Seiya and his party entered the Guesthouse.
In the lobby, a blonde female Shinobi was completing check-in procedures at the counter.
The female Shinobi's hair was very thick; even tied into four buns at the back of her head, it did not look sparse at all; she was tall, dressed in a tight Shinobi uniform, and carried a giant fan on her back, almost as tall as she was.
Mabui glanced at her, recognized her, and whispered, "That is Temari, the older sister of the Fifth Kazekage of Sunagakure."
Seiya raised an eyebrow, not paying much mind.
After finishing her procedures, Temari, out of Shinobi habit, instinctively scanned her surroundings, immediately spotting the exceptionally handsome Seiya and the female Shinobis accompanying him.
She courteously nodded in acknowledgement.
The economic cooperation meeting was about to begin; since they would inevitably run into each other, the necessary pleasantries had to be exchanged.
Mabui politely smiled back, then walked to the counter to complete her procedures.
Temari couldn't resist letting her gaze linger on Seiya for a moment longer, then composed herself and went upstairs.
At the same time, the sound of footsteps clattered.
A short, black-haired female Shinobi with a Konoha forehead protector and a clean appearance walked down the stairs.
Seiya looked over and recognized her; he had seen her in Tanzaku Town a few months ago-Shizune, Tsunade's disciple. Her pet, a small female pig, was truly unique.
"Net-senpai, hello!" Shizune greeted respectfully.
Megumai nodded slightly.
Just then, a bright voice sounded from the entrance.
"You Kumogakure Shinobis are really something! So many of you for an economic meeting!"
Seiya frowned slightly; the voice was very familiar.
Shion, however, turned around in surprise.
"Kurotsuchi! You came to the Land of Iron too!"
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