The night was pitch-black.
A thin mist covered the forest outside Konoha, while moonlight filtered through the gaps between the leaves, casting mottled shadows across the ground.
Danzō walked alone through the forest.
His footsteps were as light as a cat’s, making virtually no sound.
His single visible eye glimmered coldly, as though he could see everything even in the darkness.
After passing through a dense patch of bushes, Danzō stopped in front of what appeared to be an ordinary giant tree.
He formed several complicated hand seals.
Slowly, a hidden door appeared in the trunk.
It slid open without a sound, revealing a staircase leading underground.
Danzō stepped inside.
The hidden door quietly closed behind him.
At the end of the staircase was a spacious underground laboratory.
Glowing seals were embedded throughout the walls, providing a faint but steady source of light.
Various instruments and test tubes covered the laboratory tables.
The air was filled with the sharp smell of chemicals.
Orochimaru stood before a microscope.
His golden slit pupils were focused intently on the lens while his hand rapidly recorded notes in a notebook.
“You came.”
Orochimaru did not even look up.
His voice was hoarse and calm, as though he had expected Danzō’s arrival.
Danzō walked over to the laboratory table and glanced at the documents and samples scattered across it.
“Hiruzen ordered the Wood Release experiments to be stopped.”
“You’re still continuing?”
Orochimaru finally raised his head.
A meaningful smile appeared at the corners of his mouth.
“Scientific research cannot simply be interrupted because of a single order.”
“Besides…”
“Isn’t that exactly why Lord Danzō came here?”
Danzō snorted coldly but did not deny it.
“I want the latest results.”
Orochimaru put down his pen and took a small container from a nearby refrigerated cabinet.
Inside floated a piece of tissue emitting a faint green glow.
“This is our latest cultivated Wood Release cell sample.”
“Its stability has improved by thirty percent compared to the previous version.”
“But it is still far from producing genuine Wood Release.”
Danzō took the container.
A trace of greed flashed in his single eye.
“It’s still not enough.”
“The Wood Release of the First Hokage was capable of suppressing tailed beasts.”
“That is the power we need.”
Orochimaru’s golden slit pupils narrowed slightly.
“Lord Danzō, scientific research requires time.”
“And it also requires…”
“More resources.”
Danzō placed the container back on the table.
His voice was dark.
“Resources aren’t a problem.”
“I’m about to head to the front lines in the Land of Rain.”
“There will be plenty of war orphans and displaced people there.”
“If you need experimental subjects, you can get as many as you want.”
“You should also use this opportunity to ask Hiruzen to send you to the border.”
“If we work together there, things will be much more convenient.”
Orochimaru’s smile deepened.
“If I get the opportunity, I’ll apply to go to the front lines.”
“However…”
“Recently, I’ve also become interested in another form of power.”
“Oh?”
Danzō raised an eyebrow.
“Tailed-beast cells.”
Orochimaru spoke slowly.
“If we can obtain the power of a tailed beast, it might accelerate our Wood Release research.”
“It could even allow us to develop an even more powerful kekkei genkai.”
Danzō fell silent.
A trace of hesitation appeared in his single eye.
The tailed beasts were closely guarded secrets of the various hidden villages.
Obtaining their cells would be anything but easy.
But when he thought of the power of Wood Release, he eventually nodded.
“Fine.”
“But obtaining tailed-beast cells is extremely dangerous.”
“I can only provide you with some intelligence and assistance.”
“You’ll have to handle the actual operation yourself.”
Orochimaru gave a slight nod.
“That will be enough.”
“All Lord Danzō needs to tell me is which tailed beast would be the easiest to obtain.”
Danzō thought for a moment before speaking quietly.
“Fukaki, the Eight-Tails’ jinchūriki from Kumogakure.”
“His personality is impulsive, and he’s been appearing frequently near the border recently.”
“However, Kumogakure is heavily guarded.”
“You’ll need an insider to obtain precise information about the jinchūriki.”
“An insider?”
Orochimaru’s interest was piqued.
“Someone from Root.”
“Nonō Yakushi.”
Danzō’s voice remained cold.
“She is currently operating undercover in Kumogakure as a medical ninja.”
“She’ll soon be assigned to the border.”
“I’ll notify her to cooperate with your operation.”
A trace of approval flashed through Orochimaru’s eyes.
“Lord Danzō’s preparations really are far-reaching.”
“Then our cooperation is settled.”
Danzō nodded.
He turned to leave, but before walking away, he threw out one final warning.
“Remember.”
“The experiments must be moved to a secret facility outside the village.”
“Hiruzen’s Anbu have already started to suspect something.”
Orochimaru gave a soft laugh but did not answer.
His attention returned to the microscope, as though their conversation had been nothing more than an insignificant chat.
After Danzō left, the laboratory once again fell silent.
Orochimaru opened a drawer and took out a scroll.
He slowly unfurled it.
It contained research notes concerning various kekkei genkai.
His fingers gently traced the words Wood Release and Tailed Beasts.
A feverish light flickered in his eyes.
“Power…”
“The eternal mystery…”
He murmured softly.
His voice echoed through the empty laboratory.
Danzō’s figure had already disappeared deep into the forest.
…
Inside Konoha Hospital, the corridors carried the faint smell of disinfectant.
Nurses occasionally hurried past, carrying medical supplies or patient records.
Uchiha Chiya stood in the middle of the lobby and looked around.
He then stopped a passing medical ninja.
“Where is Lady Tsunade?”
“She is in the laboratory on the third floor.”
The medical ninja pointed toward the stairs.
Chiya nodded in thanks and quickly headed upstairs.
On the third floor, bright light spilled through the crack beneath a door at the end of the corridor.
Chiya gently knocked.
An impatient voice came from inside.
“Come in.”
Chiya pushed the door open.
The room was filled with scrolls and laboratory equipment.
Tsunade was hunched over her desk, writing rapidly.
Her long blonde hair was loosely tied behind her head, with several strands falling beside her face.
Her flawless features were filled with concentration.
Hearing footsteps, she spoke without looking up.
“If you’re here to report the condition of the wounded, just leave the report on the desk.”
“Lady Tsunade.”
Chiya smiled as he spoke.
At the familiar voice, Tsunade’s pen suddenly stopped.
She immediately raised her head.
Surprise flashed through her light-brown eyes.
“You?”
Chiya waved the scroll in his hand and smiled.
“Looks like I interrupted you.”
Tsunade put down her pen, crossed her arms, and leaned back in her chair.
She raised an eyebrow.
“What’s an Uchiha brat doing at the hospital?”
“Don’t tell me you’re injured.”
“Do you need me to treat you?”
“Not quite.”
Chiya walked forward and handed her the scroll.
“The Hokage asked me to give this to you.”
Tsunade accepted it and unrolled it.
Her brow gradually furrowed.
“Medical-ninja training plan…”
“I’m supposed to handle this with you?”
“Yes.”
Chiya nodded.
“The Hokage trusts us.”
Tsunade gave a soft snort, though she couldn’t quite hide the smile at the corners of her eyes.
She tossed the scroll onto the desk.
Her tone carried a hint of pride.
“Training medical ninjas isn’t that simple.”
“Do you think you can just teach them a few healing techniques and expect them to survive on the battlefield?”
Chiya looked at her slightly raised chin and unconvinced expression.
He couldn’t help laughing.
“What are you laughing at?”
Tsunade glared at him.
“Nothing.”
Chiya waved his hand, though amusement remained in his eyes.
“I just think Lady Tsunade looked a little like she was showing off her expertise.”
“Showing…”
“Showing off?!”
Tsunade froze.
She immediately understood what he meant.
Her fair cheeks instantly turned red.
She slammed her palm onto the desk.
“You brat!”
“Just because you helped me before doesn’t mean you can talk to me like that.”
“Are you making fun of me?”
Chiya quickly shook his head.
“Of course not.”
“I just think Lady Tsunade is quite cute.”
“C-Cute?!”
Tsunade’s voice suddenly rose several octaves.
Her face became even redder.
She took a deep breath and forcibly suppressed her embarrassment before speaking coldly.
“Enough nonsense!”
“If the old man has asked you to assist me, then tell me.”
“How are we supposed to begin this training program?”
Seeing her desperately trying to maintain a serious expression while clearly being embarrassed, Chiya secretly laughed.
But his expression soon became serious.
“Because we’re currently at war, what we need are medical ninjas who can be deployed to the battlefield quickly.”
“Not experts who have spent years studying advanced medical theory.”
“So the training should focus on battlefield first aid, basic medical ninjutsu, and chakra control.”
Tsunade’s expression softened slightly.
She nodded.
“You’ve got some ideas, at least.”
“Also, we can divide the trainees into small groups.”
“Each group can be led by an experienced medical ninja and trained directly in simulated battlefield environments.”
Chiya continued.
“This will improve efficiency while allowing them to experience battlefield pressure ahead of time.”
Tsunade considered it for a moment.
A trace of approval appeared in her eyes.
“Not bad.”
“Practical training really is more effective than empty theory.”
She paused before adding:
“But precise chakra control is the foundation of medical ninjutsu.”
“We have to be extremely strict about that.”
“Of course.”
Chiya smiled.
“When it comes to that, I’m afraid nobody is more qualified than Lady Tsunade.”
Tsunade gave a small snort.
But the corners of her mouth rose slightly.
“At least you have some good judgment.”
The two looked at each other.
For some reason, the atmosphere between them became noticeably more relaxed.
“So…”
“Pleasure working with you?”
Chiya extended his hand.
Tsunade looked at his hand.
Then she looked into his smiling eyes.
In the end, she sighed softly and reached out to shake his hand.
“Just don’t hold me back.”
Chiya’s smile deepened.
“Don’t worry.”
“I’ll do my best to keep up with Lady Tsunade.”
Tsunade withdrew her hand and turned around to organize the documents on the desk, subtly hiding her slightly flushed ears.
For some reason, she was beginning to look forward to their upcoming cooperation.
But she still refused to admit it.
“Eight o’clock tomorrow morning.”
“Meet me at the training ground.”
“If you’re late…”
“You know what happens.”
“Yes, Lady Tsunade.”
Chiya answered with a smile before turning around and leaving.
The door closed behind him.
Tsunade stopped what she was doing.
She stared toward the doorway and let out a quiet snort.
But the smile in her eyes refused to disappear.
“This brat…”