They traveled through time at the same time, but the villainous scientist

Chapter 21 Danzo: Our Root organization needs someone like you!
Huh? Danzo?!
Orochimaru felt a chill run down his spine, but his face remained impassive.

Why is he here?

And judging from the looks of it, she came specifically to see him.

The fact that the Hokage's assistant personally sought him out, and in a place like this, not in the Hokage's office, is definitely not a simple matter.

"I wonder what business Lord Danzo has with me?"

Orochimaru took a deep breath and asked calmly.

Danzo smiled, a smile that carried a strange, unsettling meaning.

"Heh, the right to read the [Book of Sealing] isn't something you can easily obtain. It seems the Hokage has high hopes for you..."

Of course, some of my own advice may have played a role as well.

These words immediately stirred up a storm in Orochimaru's heart.

What did Danzo mean by that? Did he suggest to the Third Hokage that he read the book?
"Sarutobi... is too indecisive. Some geniuses cannot be reasoned with. They are destined to take a different path and need a broader stage and more freedom."

Danzo seemed quite pleased with Orochimaru's reaction and continued.

He took a step forward, emerging from the shadows, and pointed at Orochimaru.
"Orochimaru-kun, you are such a genius."

"Your talent even surpasses that of the Second Hokage, my teacher, Tobirama Senju."

Orochimaru felt a little strange listening to Danzo's string of praises.

This isn't right! Shouldn't Danzo be staring at him with a sinister look, offering some ambiguous warning or probing? Why is he suddenly praising him?
And is it appropriate to step on his teacher in front of him?

"Thank you for the compliment, Lord Danzo."

"If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave now. Tsunade is still waiting for me..."

Orochimaru gave a polite reply and then prepared to take his leave.

He didn't want to get too involved with Danzo, after all, Danzo was a standard villain in the original work...

"and many more."

Danzo called out to him.

Orochimaru stopped and turned to look at Danzo.

"Orochimaru-kun, you read the 'Book of Sealing' and went to the Senju clan... If I'm not mistaken, you're looking for research materials on the Second Hokage, aren't you?"

Danzo's smile deepened, as if he could see through Danzo's every thought.

These words, like a bolt of lightning, instantly shattered Orochimaru's facade of calm.

He suddenly raised his head, his eyes filled with incredulous surprise, staring intently at Danzo.

He was indeed looking for it! He didn't hide it from anyone else either. What surprised him was why Danzo would specifically seek him out to say something like that.

The fish finally took the bait.

Danzo looked at the rare look of surprise on Orochimaru's face and felt a surge of pleasure as he gained control over everything.

"My teacher, the Second Hokage Tobirama Senju... he left behind many forbidden techniques."

But do you know?
Most of the forbidden techniques recorded in the Book of Seals are only half-finished products.

Tobirama-sensei's passing was so sudden; there was still so much research that hadn't been completed..."

Danzo spoke slowly, his tone carrying a hint of remembrance and regret for the deceased.

Wait, is that how it is?
Upon hearing this, Orochimaru's eyes flickered, and he realized what was happening.

As for Danzo, there's his previous discovery in the library, his great achievements in the original work, and his use of Hashirama cells and the Sharingan.

Everything led to the same result...

The person who inherited the Second Hokage's unfinished research, his laboratory, and his secret documents... was none other than Shimura Danzo standing before us!
If that's the case... Danzo's offer to let him see the Book of Seals was probably just bait...

Orochimaru suppressed the shock in his heart and re-examined the man in front of him.

His ambition, his methods, his thirst for power... all of this seems to have a reasonable explanation.

"Lord Danzo... what do you mean by that?"

Orochimaru took a deep breath, his tone becoming serious, and looked directly into Danzo's eyes.

He felt quite helpless, though he had to admit that Zhuge Qing was right; forbidden power was always in the hands of those who would stop at nothing.

"Ha~"

Seeing Orochimaru's reaction, Danzo's smile finally spread wide, a triumphant air mixed with a hint of appreciation for Orochimaru's talent.

"The meaning is very simple."

"Teacher Tobirama's research is vast and profound; what is recorded in the Book of Seals is merely the tip of the iceberg."

As his disciple, I inherited a portion of it… Our Konoha needs a genius like you to carry on the Second Hokage's legacy and truly complete those forbidden techniques!

Danzo stopped beating around the bush and directly revealed his ultimate goal.

really……

Upon hearing this, Orochimaru's heart skipped a beat.

He had only speculated before, but now he is basically certain.

The experimental data that the Second Hokage lost while researching forbidden techniques is with Danzo. No wonder Orochimaru, as the Third Hokage's disciple, would cooperate with Danzo in the original work.

The temptation... is undeniably great.

But he quickly calmed down.

"Lord Danzo invited me so directly..."

Orochimaru frowned slightly. "Aren't you afraid... that my teacher will mind?"

The teacher he was referring to was naturally the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Hahahaha!"

Upon hearing this, Danzo burst into laughter as if he had heard something extremely ridiculous.

The laughter echoed through the alley, sounding somewhat jarring.

"Hiruzen... values ​​light too much."

Danzo's tone calmed down, but his eyes remained sharp.
"But he may have forgotten that what supports a great tree to stand tall is often its roots buried deep in the ground."

Orochimaru, you should understand that some sacrifices and methods are necessary to protect the greater good.

Blind mercy won't work in the cruel world of ninjas.

Your research direction is probably difficult for Hiruzen to understand, and he may even impose restrictions on it.

But in my opinion, this is the right path to exploring the boundaries of the ninja's potential.

Danzo stared intently at Orochimaru, his eyes burning with intensity.

Hmph, of Hiruzen's three disciples, Jiraiya is dull-witted, Tsunade is impulsive and easily angered, only Orochimaru is deep-thinking and exceptionally talented... he's worth using...

The next Hokage must be in my hands!
Danzo was calculating in his mind, but on his face he wore a sincere expression that said, "We are kindred spirits."

Orochimaru's eyes flickered uncertainly.

Cooperating with Danzo?
This is tantamount to seeking skin from a tiger!

In the original story, this guy was a real schemer; he was even capable of assassinating the Third Hokage in order to become Hokage.

The information left behind by the second generation is indeed tempting...

However, he currently lacks the ability to mitigate risks.

Root's methods have always been cruel; who knows how many bizarre secret techniques they employ?

If Danzo were to turn against him like in the original story, he wouldn't even have a chance to run away.

The risk is too great!
At least for now... no!
Only after you have sufficient self-protection capabilities can you deal with this kind of old fox.

Having thought this through, Orochimaru had already made up his mind.

"I appreciate Lord Danzo's kindness."

"only……"

"My knowledge is still limited, and I haven't figured out many basic things yet."

"I'm afraid... I'm not yet capable of handling the important task you mentioned."

"When I have more experience and knowledge in the future, perhaps..."

Orochimaru raised his head, looked at Danzo, and said with some regret.

He didn't make any definitive statements, leaving room for maneuver.

After saying that, he bowed slightly to Danzo, then turned and walked in the direction where Tsunade and Jiraiya had disappeared.

As Danzo watched Orochimaru's departing figure, his smile remained unchanged, but instead deepened.

He understood Orochimaru's unspoken meaning.

Not now...

But later on, it's possible...

The fish has taken the bait...

(End of this chapter)