Orochimaru watched her wary posture with interest.
Seeing the famous Traveling Shrine Maiden so tense and guarded only amused him further—anyone who earned a reputation in the ANBU was never an ordinary person.
That fool Hikuro… Orochimaru thought to himself with silent disdain.
He could not understand how a researcher and scientist could be so obsessed with women.
Even the strongest shinobi became vulnerable after intimacy, when exhaustion set in—leaving them open to a fatal strike from behind.
To keep such a skilled ANBU operative by his side was like playing with fire.
But then again, if Hikuro dared to do it, he must have his own ways to protect himself.
In the end, men like them all held hidden aces up their sleeves.
“I’m sorry,” Nono said, still smiling calmly, “but I have never heard of this new department.” Her refusal was clear.
Orochimaru simply reached into his robes, pulled out a scroll, and tossed it to her.
“Read this.”
Nono caught it, running her slender fingers carefully over the seals.
When she confirmed it was an official order bearing the Hokage’s seal, her expression shifted.
“I see,” she said, putting on her professional smile.
“And what use does Lord Orochimaru have for a humble spy like me?”
“A humble spy?” Orochimaru chuckled softly.
“I am interested in your medical ninjutsu, and in the reputation of the Traveling Shrine Maiden—your name carries weight across the nations.”
“I am flattered,” Nono replied smoothly, “but I have already been assigned by Lord Danzō to serve Lord Hikuro.”
“How interesting,” Orochimaru murmured, his golden vertical pupils narrowing slightly.
“However, I now have the authority to select personnel from all branches of the village to form this new division.”
He paused deliberately, then added, “And I hear you run an orphanage?
The Research & Development Division’s budget is far more generous than what Root can provide.”
Leaning closer, his voice dropped to a whisper.
“And… Hikuro himself has agreed to this transfer.
I also know you are always in need of more funds.”
Nono’s fingers unconsciously traced the edge of the scroll, a flicker of conflict crossing her eyes.
Orochimaru’s words were like a scalpel, cutting straight to the part of her heart that cared most—the children waiting for her back at the orphanage.
“Lord Orochimaru truly understands the human heart,” she sighed, finally letting her guard down.
“Very well.
I accept.”
Orochimaru’s slit-like pupils narrowed slightly, and a knowing smile spread across his face.
Those children… they are more than just bargaining chips to you, aren’t they?”
His voice dropped lower, taking on a smooth, persuasive tone.
“In Root, you are nothing more than a blade he wields.
But here…”
He tapped the scroll lightly with his long, slender fingers.
“You only need to do what you do best—use your medical ninjutsu and train capable people.”
Nono lifted her gaze, her eyes sharp and steady.
“Just that simple?”
“Of course…” Orochimaru drew out the words slowly, then abruptly shifted his tone.
“As long as you do one small favor for me.”
A dangerous smirk appeared on his pale face.
“You are quite familiar with the stores and archives kept by Root, aren’t you?”
The air in the room instantly turned heavy and still.
Nono’s pupils contracted sharply, then quickly returned to their usual calm.
“And what exactly do you mean?”
“Hashirama’s cells… forbidden scrolls… all those secret experiments Danzō has tried to hide from the light…” Orochimaru’s tongue flickered across his lips.
“Tell me everything you know.”
Nono frowned slightly.
“Is this Lord Hokage’s wish?”
Orochimaru let out a low chuckle.
“From now on, all of those materials will fall under the authority of the Research & Development Division.”
“I am only concerned—”
“—that our dear Lord Danzō will not hand them over willingly?” Orochimaru finished, his voice suddenly turning cold.
He took a step forward, casting a long shadow over Nono.
“And I must warn you… my patience has never been very great.”
The next day, the atmosphere inside the Hokage’s office felt just as stiff and unyielding.
Hiruzen Sarutobi rubbed his temples, his gaze shifting between Danzō, who was seething with rage, and Orochimaru, whose expression remained as cold and indifferent as ever.
The two men stood facing each other—one burning with fury, the other frozen like ice—making the already heavy air in the room feel even more suffocating.
“Hiruzen!” Danzō slammed his cane hard against the floor, his knuckles turning white from the force.
“Are you truly going to stand by and let Orochimaru strip Root bare?”
Orochimaru did not even lift his eyelids.
His voice remained calm, almost detached. This story is hosted at g.com.
“They are merely useless research materials.
They would only gather dust if left in Root’s hands.”
He completely ignored the glare from Danzō, which felt sharp enough to pierce through flesh, and even allowed a faint, mocking smile to touch his lips.
“Orochimaru!”
A sharp reprimand rang out from the doorway.
Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado stepped inside, their footsteps steady and firm.
Homura moved to stand beside Danzō, his tone low but resolute.
“Hiruzen, Danzō must be held accountable for his mistakes, yes—but the foundation of Root must not be shaken.
The village still needs it.”
Orochimaru let out a soft, raspy, dangerous laugh.
“Rest assured.
I have only taken two people and some discarded scraps.
The strength of Root remains entirely intact.”
Koharu ignored his evasion and spoke directly to Hiruzen.
“The village has only just begun to recover.
We cannot afford to drain resources into a new department—manpower, funds, long-term commitments—every one of these is a heavy burden.”
“We must think of the long term,” Homura added promptly.
Hiruzen’s gaze swept over everyone present: Danzō’s dark resentment, Orochimaru’s cold detachment, the grave expressions of the two advisors, and finally, Minato Namikaze, who stood quietly with a calm smile on his face.
He sighed inwardly.
All of them acted in the name of Konoha, yet each carried their own hidden intentions.
Orochimaru was obsessed with his studies, but at least he had never betrayed the village.
Perhaps… letting him work alongside Hikuro and reassigning some of Root’s resources would actually help stabilize things?
“Those test subjects are not something that can be brought out into the open,” Homura warned in a lowered voice.
“Once this new division is established, all such secrets will be exposed.”
“Human experimentation violates every principle of decency and humanity,” Koharu added immediately.
Hiruzen could not help but frown.
A faint, almost imperceptible smirk appeared at the corner of Danzō’s mouth.
He knew Hiruzen well, and these two old friends knew exactly how to press the soft spots in his heart.
Orochimaru let out a cold, hissing laugh.
“Oh?
Are you so certain of that?” “Monday to Friday – Update 3 Chapters a Day”
“Saturday and Sunday – Off”