Upon hearing Koharu’s words, Hiruzen’s expression grew hesitant, just as expected.
Seeing this, Orochimaru could not help but frown.
He sighed inwardly—his old teacher no longer possessed the boldness and determination he had shown in his youth.
Time had indeed left its mark, slowly wearing away the sharp edge of his resolve.
Now more than ever, Hiruzen felt the weight of his age.
It was a relief that the new Fourth Hokage was already in place; he only needed to offer guidance for a while longer.
The firm, decisive leadership of his younger years had gradually softened with time.
In the life of a shinobi, survival rates were low enough after countless wars and missions.
To have reached such an advanced age was already considered a great achievement.
Aside from Ōnoki of Iwagakure, there were few left who were older than him.
At this stage, all Hiruzen wanted was for the village to develop steadily and peacefully.
And Koharu’s words had only added another stone to the already wavering balance in his mind.
“Is that not all the more reason to correct what has gone wrong?”
Orochimaru spoke up, a flicker of disappointment crossing his face as he noticed his teacher’s hesitation.
“Precisely because Root operates without mercy or regulation that so many tragedies have occurred.
The purpose of the Research & Development Division is to set clear rules and standards, to reduce unnecessary sacrifices within the village.
Only then can we prevent such tragedies from repeating themselves.”
Danzō turned sharply to face him, snorting coldly.
“I admit Root is ruthless and unyielding.
But compared to you, Orochimaru, you are far more heartless!
You were the one leading the experiments on Wood Release, and you directed every step of the research.
Even if I bear part of the blame, does that make you some kind of saint?”
Setting aside the facts for a moment, he thought, Orochimaru should take full responsibility for all of this!
How could someone who had shown such cruelty toward his test subjects speak such lofty words?
Was this still the Orochimaru he knew?
Homura Mitokado frowned, silently wondering what had brought about such a change in the man.
“Senior Homura,” Orochimaru retorted coldly, “the true cause of all this stands right beside you.
Danzō once tried to eliminate Hikuro.
Did he ever consider how it would affect me?
Hikuro was, after all, under my supervision!”
“If I recall correctly, the Ino-Shika-Chō clans fully supported Lord Hiruzen in the past, helping him secure the village’s alliances.
You should be satisfied with that much.
Or would you prefer I invite Senior Chōza Akimichi here to share his opinion on this matter?”
Orochimaru’s sharp response cut off whatever Homura had intended to say next.
Rebuked so openly, Homura felt humiliated.
He shot an angry glance at Danzō, silently cursing him for acting without scruples and leaving such a dangerous mess behind.
Danzō’s face darkened further.
He had never imagined that what he once considered a trivial matter would lead to such a chain of complications—especially since his attempt to assassinate Hikuro was already proven fact, and had resulted in the deaths of dozens of Root operatives.
“That is enough,” Hiruzen said, finally making up his mind.
He spoke with a firmness and decisiveness rarely seen in recent days, bringing the discussion to an end.
“I have already given my word to Orochimaru and Hikuro regarding the transfer of personnel and the creation of the Research & Development Division.”
With the Fourth Hokage still in the process of consolidating his authority, the Third Hokage’s final word left the two advisors with no choice but to fall silent.
Standing nearby, Minato fully supported the decision and offered no objection.
Still, Hiruzen softened the blow slightly to ease tensions.
“The village’s finances are stretched thin, so we can only provide part of the initial funding.
For the time being, the division will have to raise its own resources moving forward.”
“Hmph!” Danzō grunted in dissatisfaction.
Leaning heavily on his cane, he turned and left the Hokage’s office, which felt nothing but humiliating to him.
Yet deep inside, his hunger for the title of Hokage burned brighter than ever.
I will obtain that position, no matter what it takes!
Once he was gone, Koharu and Homura exchanged a weary glance and said no more.
Elsewhere, Orochimaru was speaking with Shisui Uchiha.
“Lord Orochimaru… you wish to meet our clan head?” Shisui asked, caught off guard.
Orochimaru was known to be part of Hiruzen’s inner circle, and had never held a favorable view of the Uchiha.
Shisui took a deep breath and nodded.
“I am certain he will be honored to receive you.”
He understood he was merely a messenger, but he also knew his leader well.
Suppressed and marginalized by the village leadership for years, the clan head would seize any opportunity to improve their standing among the higher ranks, no matter the cost.
“Tomorrow evening, then,” Orochimaru said.
“I will come at that time.”
After giving his instructions, he departed in haste.
The new Research & Development Division was still a hollow shell, with countless matters waiting to be organized and put in order.
As for Hikuro, he had slipped away unnoticed at some point, his whereabouts unknown—even Orochimaru could not track him down.
He had already decided to select an advisor from the Nara clan to manage his own daily affairs and paperwork.
That night, Orochimaru visited Hikuro’s private residence.
“The suggestion you made earlier is most intriguing,” Orochimaru said, his voice growing more animated as he spoke.
“Wood Release is a Kekkei Genkai formed by combining Water and Earth nature chakra, yet it also possesses such extraordinary vitality—almost as if it carries the properties of Yang Release as well.
Perhaps the original Wood Release of the First Hokage was not merely a fusion of two elements, but of three: Water, Earth, and Yang.
That would explain why its life force is so overwhelming.
“So the key to suppressing the destructive absorption and rapid growth of Hashirama’s cells is to find another power capable of counterbalancing and stabilizing them.
“If we can neutralize their effects and reduce their intensity to a level ordinary shinobi can safely withstand, we can turn them into a usable enhancement serum.
It might even be possible to make Wood Release compatible with every shinobi!”
Orochimaru spoke faster and faster, his words pouring out in a rush, his eyes glowing with intense excitement.
“I have already reviewed every record related to Wood Release in Konoha’s archives, as well as the historical texts of the Senju clan.
And after studying all of this, I believe the power best suited to balance and match Hashirama’s cells is none other than the Kekkei Genkai of the Uchiha clan.”
“If we regard the power of Hashirama’s cells as a manifestation of Yang Release, then the Uchiha clan, whose nature is Yin, may well hold the ability to balance it.”
“You mean you intend to use the Uchiha as your test subjects?” Hikuro asked with a faint smile.
“But they are not a clan to be trifled with easily.”
“Hah—offer them enough benefit, and they will agree,” Orochimaru replied, completely unconcerned.
“And what exactly do you plan to trade with them?” “Monday to Friday – Update 3 Chapters a Day”
“Saturday and Sunday – Off”