Naruto: I'm really not an evil scientist!

Orochimaru observed Yakushi Nonou's wary posture with great interest.

The walking shrine maiden's tense posture amused him somewhat—after all, none of those who made a name for themselves in the dark side were simple characters.

"That guy Hiruko..." Orochimaru sneered inwardly.

He simply couldn't understand how a research ninja could be so obsessed with women.

It should be noted that even the most elite ninjas, in their exhausted state after an affair, are vulnerable to a deadly attack from the shadows.

Keeping such an elite secret service member by your side is practically playing with fire.

But then I thought, since Beiruhu dared to do this, he must have his own way of protecting himself.

Ultimately, who among them doesn't have a few trump cards up their sleeve?

"Sorry, I've never heard of this department." Nono's voice was still gentle, but her refusal couldn't be clearer.

Orochimaru calmly pulled a scroll from his robes and tossed it over casually. "Take a look at this."

Nonou took the scroll, her slender fingers carefully tracing each mark.

When she confirmed that it was a genuine Hokage warrant, her expression immediately became lively.

"I see."

A professional smile played on her lips. "What would Lord Orochimaru need a little spy like me for?"

"A little spy?" Orochimaru chuckled. "What I value is your medical ninjutsu, and your reputation as a walking shrine maiden is well-known throughout the ninja world."

Nonou's smile remained unchanged: "I'm sorry, Lord Danzo has already assigned me to serve Lord Hiruko."

"Interesting." Orochimaru's golden vertical pupils narrowed slightly. "However, now I have the authority to draw personnel from various departments to form a research department."

He paused deliberately: "By the way, I heard you run an orphanage? The research department has much more funding than the root department."

"and..."

Orochimaru's voice suddenly lowered: "Hiruko himself agreed to this transfer. You must be short of money too."

Unconsciously, Nono's fingertips traced the edge of the reel, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes.

Orochimaru's words were like a precise scalpel, piercing the softest part of her heart—the children in the orphanage who were looking at her with longing eyes.

"Lord Orochimaru truly understands people's hearts." She sighed softly, finally admitting, "I understand."

Orochimaru's snake-like eyes narrowed slightly, revealing a meaningful smile: "You and Danzo are ultimately not on the same side. Those children... are they more than just bargaining chips to you?"

His voice suddenly lowered, taking on a seductive rhythm: "At the Root, you are nothing more than a knife in his hand, but here—"

Orochimaru tapped the scroll lightly with his long, slender fingers: "You just need to utilize your expertise in medical ninjutsu and cultivate some useful talents."

Nonou raised her eyes, her gaze sharp: "It's that simple?"

"Of course..." Orochimaru slowly uttered two words, then suddenly changed the subject, "as long as you do me a small favor."

A dangerous smile appeared on his pale face: "You should be very familiar with the Root's collection, shouldn't you?"

The air froze instantly.

Nonou's pupils contracted sharply, then quickly regained their composure: "You mean...?"

"Hashirama cells, forbidden scrolls, Danzo's shady research..." Orochimaru's tongue brushed across the corner of his mouth.

Tell me everything you know.

Nonou frowned slightly: "Is this the Hokage's intention?"

"Heh..." Orochimaru let out a soft laugh.

"From now on, all of these will be under the jurisdiction of the Research Department!"

"I'm just worried..."

Orochimaru's voice suddenly turned icy: "Our dear Lord Danzo is unlikely to hand over everything so readily."

He took a step forward, shadows looming over Nonou: "And my patience has always been limited."

The next day, the air in the Hokage's office seemed to freeze.

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, rubbed his temples, his gaze shifting between the furious Danzo and the indifferent Orochimaru.

The two figures, one standing and the other still, one burning with anger and the other cold as ice, made the already gloomy room even more oppressive.

"Hiruzen!" Danzo slammed his cane down, his knuckles turning white from the force. "Are you really going to let Orochimaru hollow out Root?!"

Orochimaru didn't even lift an eyelid, his voice calm to the point of being indifferent: "They're just useless research materials; it's a waste to keep them at Root."

He completely ignored Danzo's gaze that seemed to pierce him, and even a faint hint of mockery appeared on the corner of his mouth.

"Orochimaru!" A stern rebuke came from outside the door.

Koharu and Homura entered side by side, their steps steady and powerful.

Mitokado Homura stood beside Danzo, his voice low but firm: "Hiruzen, Danzo's negligence deserves punishment, but the foundation of Root cannot be shaken—Konoha still needs it."

Orochimaru chuckled, his voice hoarse and dangerous: "Don't worry, I only took two people and some scraps. The strength of Root... is completely unharmed."

Xiaochun ignored his explanation and looked directly at the third generation: "The village has just started to improve and cannot afford the drain of a new department—talent, funds, long-term investment, each one is a burden."

"We need to think about the long term," Mitokado Enoki added at the opportune moment.

Hiruzen's gaze swept over everyone—Danzo's gloom, Orochimaru's indifference, the solemnity of the two advisors—before finally landing on Minato Namikaze, who was always smiling.

He sighed inwardly.

They were all doing it for Konoha, yet each had their own agenda.

Orochimaru was obsessed with research, but at least he never betrayed anyone.

Perhaps... having him cooperate with Hiruko and then allocating some of the Root forces could stabilize the situation?

"Those test subjects can't be exposed to the light of day," Mitokado said in a low voice.

"Once the new department is established, the secrets will be impossible to keep."

Koharu Tsurugi then added, "Human experimentation ultimately violates human ethics."

Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't help but frown.

Danzo's lips curled up almost imperceptibly.

He knew Hiruzen all too well—and these two old friends knew even better how to hit his weak spot.

Orochimaru said in a sinister tone, "Heh, are you sure?"