Konoha, reported by the Fourth Hokage at the start.

Chapter 283 Hiding a Trick

On the way back, Orochimaru looked very unhappy.

His Wood Release technique wasn't as powerful as he had imagined.

The imagined wooden figure, capable of grabbing the Tailed Beast Ball with its bare hands and crushing the Nine-Tailed Fox as easily as a chick, did not materialize.

On the contrary, his Wood Release: Tree World Descent was completely cut apart by that brat's Sand Iron Lightning Sphere without any resistance.

This made Orochimaru realize that even though it's the same Wood Release technique, the power can vary drastically depending on who uses it.

Currently, he cannot use the First Hokage's Wood Release: Wood Human Technique, nor can he use the Wood Dragon Technique.

To improve Wood Release abilities, one must find the person suspected of being the mysterious Explosion Release ninja from back then, and find the experimental subject in that person's possession.

"I heard that a year ago, that mysterious Explosion Release ninja attacked Sunagakure and was killed by the Fourth Kazekage. Is that true?"

Orochimaru's eyes showed a thoughtful expression. The reason he immediately applied to come here when Sunagakure launched its attack on the Land of Rivers was that he wanted to personally go to Sunagakure to confirm the life, death, and identity of that mysterious Explosion Release ninja.

Orochimaru initially didn't believe the Fourth Kazekage could kill that mysterious Explosion Release ninja, but after fighting that red-haired brat, he was no longer sure.

Sunagakure has changed.

Putting aside the Scorching Release user, Pakura, he couldn't think of anyone in Konoha who could rival that red-haired brat. Perhaps only the three Sannin working together could reliably defeat him.

Just as he was thinking about it, Orochimaru suddenly shook his head.

"Forget it, let's not think about it too much for now?"

"I should think about how to explain to Danzo and my teacher that I possess Wood Release."

The original cell solution from the experimental subject that he obtained back then was also highly corrosive, making it unusable and impossible to cultivate.

So, although Orochimaru eventually used his own cells to experiment and created an adaptation factor that could fuse with his cells, it was only enough for him to use, and only he could use it; no one else could use it.

Now that all those adaptive factors are gone, it won't be easy to explain to that old man Danzo when I go back.

Orochimaru felt a headache coming on just thinking about Danzo's gloomy face.

It's not that Danzo is a threat to him.

Even though Wood Release wasn't as powerful as he had imagined, the massive amount of chakra from transplanted Wood Release cells still brought about a dramatic change in his strength.

Orochimaru was confident that with his ninjutsu and combat talents, no one in the ninja world could kill him.

Therefore, he was not afraid that Danzo would pose any threat to his life.

But he feared that without the support of Danzo and his teacher, he would be unable to continue participating in many of Konoha's research projects, and his research would come to a standstill.

After all, no one wants someone who hoards their research findings.

Danzo must have been furious when he found out he knew Wood Release.

"bump!!"

"Clang..."

Orochimaru was right. A few days later, Danzo received information from the Land of Rivers and was furious. He smashed the entire desk in the Root office to pieces.

Orochimaru!!!

"And there's that old monkey, Hiruzen!!!"

Danzoki's chest swelled, and his eyes turned red.

The master and apprentice conspired to deceive him, secretly developing a method to transplant Wood Release cells but refusing to share it with him.

He was the first person to extract the adaptive factor.

He made the first breakthrough in transplanting Wood Release cells.

It was he who made the transplantation of Wood Release cells possible.

However, Hiruzen and Orochimaru, those two old and young bastards, secretly transplanted Wood Release cells into him without his knowledge.

"That's outrageous!"

"Hiruzen, you owe me an explanation!"

Danzo immediately left the Root base and, disregarding the fact that it was two or three in the morning, knocked directly on the door of Hiruzen Sarutobi's house.

Unlike Orochimaru, who wanted all his anger to be focused on him alone.

Danzo believed that the person most responsible for the success of the Wood Release cell transplant was Hiruzen Sarutobi, because he was Orochimaru's teacher, and Orochimaru would not have concealed the success of the Wood Release cell transplant from him without his orders.

However, when the Third Hokage heard Danzo say that his good disciple could use Wood Release ninjutsu, he was completely taken aback.

As an excellent politician, the three generations reacted quickly.

From Danzo's words, he instantly understood that Danzo was also unaware of Orochimaru's successful transplantation of Wood Release cells.

But even Orochimaru's respected teacher didn't know!

"You...you don't know either!"

Danzo suddenly realized what was going on, and his previously furious anger subsided, and he even felt like laughing.

The Third Hokage, who brainwashed people with the Will of Fire all day long, never expected that one day he would be outmaneuvered by his own good disciple.

Clearly, Orochimaru didn't trust him as much as the Third Hokage had imagined.

Orochimaru!

The Third Hokage's expression was somber as he recalled Orochimaru's indifferent attitude towards everything in his youth.

He thought he had become the only support in the heart of his apprentice, who had lost both his parents at a young age.

Unexpectedly... Orochimaru didn't tell him about such an important matter as the successful transplantation of Wood Release cells.

If the other party hadn't encountered a powerful enemy and revealed his Wood Release technique, his beloved master would have been imprisoned for who knows how long.

Clearly, the apprentice has grown up and has his own ideas.

"Hiruzen, quickly call Orochimaru back. You know how important Wood Release is; we can't let him fall into enemy hands."

Danzo said gravely, "The enemy isn't stupid. They definitely know that Orochimaru's Wood Release wasn't obtained normally. If he's captured by the enemy, his Wood Release will definitely be leaked, and then..."

It's hard to say what will happen then, but Orochimaru must come back immediately.

Danzo had been longing for Wood Release for so long, he didn't want to wait any longer.

"no."

The Third Hokage immediately shook his head, rejecting Danzo's suggestion, and said, "Orochimaru cannot return now."

Danzo asked urgently, "Why? Aren't you afraid something will happen to Orochimaru?"

The Third Hokage glanced at Danzo, a hint of wariness flashing in his eyes, and shook his head, saying, "Wait a little longer."

What are you waiting for?

Of course, we wait for the secret service to report.

Orochimaru possessed such crucial information as Wood Release, and no matter how late it was, the Anbu would report it to him.

Now, Danzo has actually obtained relevant information before the Anbu, and the development of Root is somewhat beyond the control of the Third Hokage.

"You..." Danzo wanted to say something, but seeing the wariness in the Third Hokage's eyes, he froze, suddenly realized something, and fell silent, saying nothing more.

Soon, the Anbu reported that the Third Hokage had obtained all the information about Orochimaru in the Land of Rivers.

"Orochimaru...sigh!"

Upon seeing the information in the intelligence report, the Third Hokage sighed inwardly. Orochimaru had not sent him a message immediately after revealing his Wood Release, which made the Third Hokage somewhat uncomfortable, but there was nothing he could do about it.

This is the drawback of having Orochimaru join the Wood Release experiment.

Orochimaru will inevitably see through his hidden side, which will make him more reserved towards him.

The Third Hokage had actually anticipated this, but he still couldn't quite accept that Orochimaru had indeed held back from him as predicted.

But whether he can accept it or not, Orochimaru and he can never go back to the way things were.

"It seems we don't need to consider Orochimaru for the next Hokage position."

The Way of the Three Generations.

"Alright, Hiruzen," Danzo said at this moment. "You've seen the intelligence, now you can order Orochimaru to be brought back."

"No." The Third Hokage rejected Danzo's suggestion again, staring at another piece of information in the intelligence report, his brows furrowed, and said, "Orochimaru cannot return yet. A Sasori of the Red Sand has emerged from Sunagakure. He not only inherited the Third Kazekage's Magnet Release - Iron Sand Manipulation Technique, but also innovated and developed a powerful combination ninjutsu of Magnet Release and Lightning Release. Its power is so great that it forced Orochimaru, who has mastered Wood Release ninjutsu, to flee."

The Third Hokage said in a deep voice, "This person is too dangerous. Currently, only Orochimaru can stop him. To ensure that the battle line in the Land of Rivers does not collapse, Orochimaru cannot return."

"But..." Danzo said anxiously.

"There are no 'buts'," the Third Hokage said decisively. "Everything must be done in the best interests of Konoha. The battlefront in the Land of Rivers must not be pushed into the Land of Fire."

(End of this chapter)