I founded the "Bragging Cult" in Naruto.

Chapter 213 Those who have nothing are less likely to hesitate or look back.

"To scheme against Tsunade? Heh~ That's quite a bold plan."

Inside the Hokage's residence, Orochimaru looked at the plan for rebuilding Wood Release ninjas in his hand and couldn't help but lick his lips. Just thinking about Tsunade's rage and the scene of her smashing Konoha made Orochimaru feel a little excited.

Opposite him, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura sat side by side. Hearing Orochimaru's words, Danzo snorted and said, "Hmph! Tsunade is just a Jonin in the village. Does she dare to rebel?"

The Senju clan is gone! It was all Danzo's doing.

Without the Senju clan, and with Mito Uzumaki hinting that she wouldn't get involved, Danzo didn't think Tsunade could cause any big commotion on her own.

Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at his old friend with some dissatisfaction, but did not say anything in rebuttal.

Orochimaru closed the plan in his hand, looked at his teacher and Danzo Shimura, and asked, "How do you plan to get this proposal approved by the village? If Tsunade objects, I doubt the other ninja clans will easily agree either, right?"

To recreate Wood Release ninjas, it is necessary to study the body of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju. Hashirama Senju's status means that even after so many years since his death, he cannot be ignored.

As his granddaughter, Tsunade only needs to voice her opposition, and no one in the village, big or small, will dare to contradict her, not even the Uchiha clan.

The premise for this plan to proceed is that Tsunade agrees, as she is Hashirama Senju's successor and has the right to make the decision.

If Tsunade agrees to donate her grandfather's body, why would anyone else object? However, given Tsunade's personality, getting her to agree is as difficult as climbing to the sky.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed and said, "You should also know that Tsunade has been dedicated to establishing a new medical ninja training system, right?"

Orochimaru narrowed his eyes and said, "Coercing Tsunade? That's not something a teacher should do."

"It doesn't matter if we say it in a filthy way."

Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his hand and continued, "This is just a deal with no winners. It's certainly not the behavior of a teacher, but it wasn't my intention either."

Noticing that his teacher claimed to be changing, Orochimaru's eyes showed curiosity, but it quickly disappeared. This kind of topic was better left for casual conversation, although there was hardly any casual conversation left between them.

"Who came up with this plan?"

Orochimaru put down the plan and asked curiously, Danzo revealed a strange sense of pride and said, "Sakamoto Tatsuma."

"Um?"

Orochimaru frowned. This plan was rather naive, lacking the kind of immediately striking quality he usually displayed. Was it that Tatsuma was unwilling to cooperate, or was his ability actually limited?

Noticing Orochimaru's change in mood, Hiruzen Sarutobi said, "Actually, there isn't a good solution to this problem. No matter who plans it, there won't be much difference. It's just that Tatsuma can ensure the plan's implementation."

Upon hearing this, Orochimaru nodded. He didn't have any better ideas in the short term. Perhaps, as Hiruzen Sarutobi said, there wasn't much room for solving this problem.

However, Tatsuma is able to ensure the plan's success. Has he found a way to prevent Tsunade from going berserk?

Orochimaru didn't think for long. He straightened up again, looked at his teacher, and said, "If that's the case, what's the point of having me come here? I'm not capable of persuading Tsunade."

Hearing Orochimaru's feigned question, Hiruzen Sarutobi wasn't annoyed. Instead, he took out another plan and said, "The village hopes you will lead this research."

"Konoha must have plenty of ninjas dedicated to scientific research, right? At the very least, the Anbu should have recruited quite a few talented individuals. Why should I be in charge?"

Orochimaru shook his head. He wasn't optimistic about this research. There was no need to waste too much time and energy. Besides, if anything went wrong with this human experiment, he would be the "culprit."

Moreover, if his own disciple were to find out that he was about to conduct this research and defile his grandfather's body, he would probably be in trouble.

Seeing Orochimaru refuse, Danzo frowned and said, "Are you going to go against the village's arrangements?"

"Lord Danzo, I am neither a member of the Anbu nor a member of your Root. What the village gives me is a commissioned mission, and I have the right to refuse. It is not a matter of disobeying them."

Orochimaru maintained his smile. There are only two situations in which a ninja will unconditionally accept orders from the village.

First, there are the members of the Anbu. They can only unconditionally carry out the orders given by the Hokage and cannot refuse. This is the price of becoming an Anbu ninja.

The second type is that during wartime, all ninjas must unconditionally accept the village's conscription, which is the responsibility and obligation of every ninja.

However, Orochimaru is no longer an Anbu member, and Hiruzen Sarutobi hastily declared the war over before the new year. Although there are still small-scale battles in various places, it is no longer wartime.

If it were ten years ago, no, even five years ago, Orochimaru might have agreed to his teacher's arrangements for him, but after experiencing the war, Orochimaru harbored some resentment.

After the war in the Land of Rain ended, he helped Tatsuma conceal his well-hidden dissatisfaction with the village's higher-ups, but at the same time, he himself harbored similar thoughts.

In particular, when he and Tsunade were trying their best to control the war and keep it confined to the war between the two countries of Wind and Fire, the sudden betrayal by the village's high-ranking officials caused the war to gradually develop into the Ninja World War.

While investigating the movements of the Iwa ninja, it was Hiruzen Sarutobi's "indulgence" that led Tsunade to send out a distress signal, causing the war to escalate into a situation that Konoha could not control at all.

Every idea that the village's higher-ups make on a whim will be fulfilled by countless ninjas who will risk their lives to achieve it.

Now that the war is over, one would expect things to settle down. But not only the village's higher-ups, but even the daimyo is starting to have second thoughts. They think that these human experiments were completely unnecessary and worthless.

Orochimaru's feigned ignorance caused Hiruzen Sarutobi to frown, but he still glared at Danzo, who was about to speak again, before saying to Orochimaru:

"Orochimaru, the village never forces any ninja to carry out a mission they don't want to do. However, only you have the ability to complete this research."

"Alright then, Orochimaru, if you're willing to lead this research, then I agree that you can freely choose any of the experiments you mentioned to me before."

"Teacher, are you using the same methods you used on Tsunade on me?"

Orochimaru leaned forward slightly, looking at his teacher, whose face showed signs of aging and who had changed drastically from two years ago, and suddenly felt a sense of unfamiliarity.

But in an instant, Orochimaru also thought of himself. When he had nothing and knew nothing, he longed for everything, longed to learn, longed to study what he wanted to study, but why did he have reservations now?

Hiruzen Sarutobi's beard twitched slightly as he noticed his disciple's gaze. He didn't know when it had started, but Orochimaru's eyes had gradually lost their awe, until now, only a semblance of respect remained to maintain appearances.

"What methods are you talking about? It's just that I can't easily control the funds allocated by the daimyo. I still have more faith in your experiment, but the cooperation between the village and the daimyo cannot be interrupted."

Hiruzen Sarutobi softened his tone, and Orochimaru straightened up, then leaned back in his chair and said, "Okay, I can be the lead researcher for this study."

Upon hearing this, both Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo showed delight, but Orochimaru said, "But I have one more condition."

"you say."

Frowning, unable to guess Orochimaru's purpose, Hiruzen Sarutobi chose to ask directly. Orochimaru looked at the two plans and said, "I can't complete these experiments by myself. Let Tatsuma help me."

Upon hearing this, both Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo frowned, their resistance evident. Danzo said directly, "Tatsuma can't get involved. What kind of person do you need? I can find him for you."

Whether it's researchers from the village or talents from the Dark Guard or Root, they can all be at your disposal.

Upon hearing Danzo's anxious words, Orochimaru suddenly smiled—not a polite smile, but a mocking one. He didn't reply, but instead looked at his teacher.

Orochimaru naturally knew that the village did not want Tatsuma to be involved, because the village probably did not want the child to be tainted. But Tatsuma was untainted, so why should Orochimaru be?

Tatsuma has been too upright all along, and coupled with his talent, Orochimaru didn't need to think to know that the two in front of him were grooming Tatsuma as their successor.

If the village doesn't make Orochimaru take the blame, he's naturally willing to watch and even help Tatsuma grow into the kind of person his teacher hoped he would become. But why does the village treat him differently?

Looking at his teacher, Orochimaru said, "Didn't you already say that these people are incompetent, and I will not associate with incompetent people?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a grim face, "Orochimaru, Tatsuma is now my bodyguard, and he's doing a good job. Besides, he's never been involved in scientific research, so I'm afraid he can't be of much help to you."

"I believe in his talent, and I also feel that he is interested in working with me."

Orochimaru spoke confidently, as if he had already made a promise with Tatsuma.

Meanwhile, within the Senju clan's territory, Tatsuma, who was asleep, suddenly shuddered, curled up into a ball, and continued sleeping.

Inside the Hokage's residence, Hiruzen Sarutobi, his face dark, asked, "Can't this condition be changed?"

Orochimaru's smile faded, and he said, "This is my only condition. Oh, and don't forget what you promised earlier."

Hiruzen Sarutobi lowered his eyelids, deep in thought. After a long while, he raised his head and said, "Okay."

"Hiruzen!"

Danzo wanted to object, but Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his hand and said, "I have already made up my mind. However, Orochimaru can only join this project as an Anbu member."

"I look forward to the day when the project is approved."

Orochimaru stood up and said, "Master, Lord Danzo, I have matters to attend to in my laboratory, so I will not stay any longer."

After saying that, he turned and left, leaving the two men with dark faces. Once Orochimaru was gone, Danzo said with exasperation, "Hiruzen, even if you didn't agree, we have plenty of ways to make Orochimaru agree. You're too soft-hearted!"

"That's enough, I've made up my mind!"

"You'll regret this! You'll ruin Konoha's future!"

"Danzo, I am the Hokage!"

Seeing his stubborn old friend, Danzo stormed off in anger, slamming the door shut behind him.

"Bang!"

(End of this chapter)