Danzo's Hard-On for Hokage Secrets

"Damn Hiruzen…"

After being rebuffed by Sarutobi Hiruzen last time, Danzo persistently went back several times.

But each time, he was turned away.

The more stubborn Hiruzen was, the more unwilling he was to talk, the more Danzo couldn't contain himself.

What was the treasure that could unify Konoha and the Ninja World? So special that Hiruzen wouldn't reveal a single word about it to him?

It must be something incredible!

Maybe it was a Forbidden Technique that could instantly change the balance of power in the Ninja World?

Thinking back on all these years, he had been collecting the Sharingan of the Uchiha clan, stealing the eyes of Uchiha Shisui, and using Orochimaru to transplant the cells of the First Hokage into himself, all because he had obtained the Uchiha clan's Forbidden Technique that could distort reality.

Izanagi.

And the strongest Illusionary Technique, Kotoamatsukami.

With these two techniques, Danzo had the confidence to take over Konoha.

And now, the "treasure" that Tobirama-Teacher had left behind, enough to revolutionize the entire Ninja World, was right in front of him…

"Hiruzen, even you can't stop me… no, can't stop the progress of the entire Konoha."

With that thought, Danzo summoned all the members of Root.

"I need someone to go undercover in the Anbu."

Wasn't Sarutobi Hiruzen trying to absorb fresh blood?

Then he would let him have his fill!

----

"Wait, Orochimaru!"

Having finally found Orochimaru's trail, Aburame Ryoma excitedly wanted to step forward and talk, but he didn't expect Orochimaru to act as if he were nothing.

"What? I already gave you a chance to live, and you still want to come looking for death?"

Orochimaru's cold, vertical pupils showed no sign of human emotion.

"Or do you think the little bit of camaraderie we shared under Danzo will make me show you mercy?"

"Orochimaru-sama, let me kill him."

Yakushi Kabuto, who was following Orochimaru, quickly took out a kunai.

Although the appearance of this bug-using ninja was a bit unexpected, Orochimaru had just killed the Fourth Kazekage and was currently weakened. He couldn't let the people of Konoha see through his weakness.

"No, Senior Orochimaru, Hokage-sama… and Danzo-sama sent me to contact you, but not to deal with you."

Feeling the killing intent emanating from Orochimaru's eyes, which was enough to make his whole body ice-cold, Aburame Ryoma's back was covered in a thin layer of sweat.

"Oh? Danzo aside, what on earth is my 'beloved teacher' planning?"

Temporarily signaling Yakushi Kabuto not to act, Orochimaru wanted to see what the other party would say.

"According to Danzo-sama… Hokage-sama seems to want you to return to Konoha."

Aburame Ryoma said cautiously.

"What an interesting joke. That old man personally branded me as a rogue ninja and kicked me out of Konoha. Now he wants me to come back with a single sentence? What does he take me for!?"

"Orochimaru-sama…"

Orochimaru's rare rage made Yakushi Kabuto a little worried.

Who knew if Danzo had sent anyone else to lie in ambush nearby? If Orochimaru's current injuries were exposed, it would be difficult to deal with later.

Especially since he also had an identity related to Danzo.

"Go back and tell your Hokage that the day Orochimaru returns to Konoha will be the day he dies!"

Although his body was weakened and unbearable, Orochimaru's appearance was no different from before.

Still as gloomy, evil, and awe-inspiring as ever.

"Let's go, Kabuto."

"Yes, Orochimaru-sama."

Thank goodness, no fight.

Yakushi Kabuto breathed a sigh of relief.

But before he could relax, Orochimaru, who had just said he was leaving, suddenly used Hidden Shadow Snake Hands to attack Aburame Ryoma, who was still standing there.

"Orochimaru, you're still so insidious."

Aburame Ryoma's face was pale, but Orochimaru's Hidden Shadow Snake Hands did not hit him. Instead, it was blocked by a ninja with spiky hair covering his body.

"Ji-Jiraiya-sama!"

Aburame Ryoma never expected that Jiraiya, one of the Sannin, had been following him all along.

But he was also grateful that Jiraiya was by his side, otherwise he might not have been able to dodge that Hidden Shadow Snake Hands just now.

"You go back to Konoha first. I'll handle Orochimaru."

Jiraiya retracted his hardened hair and said to Aburame Ryoma without turning his head.

"Yes…"

Knowing that he would definitely not be able to intervene in the upcoming battle, Aburame Ryoma immediately followed the order and disappeared into the forest.

"Orochimaru, you knew I was coming?"

From the moment he appeared, Jiraiya only had Orochimaru in his eyes.

"Your clumsy ninjutsu can only fool mediocre people like Aburame Ryoma. There's no way it could have fooled me."

Even Jiraiya had come?

Just what is his 'beloved teacher' planning?

It couldn't be that he already knew that he had ambushed and killed the Fourth Kazekage.

Although he was calmly reminiscing with Jiraiya on the surface, Orochimaru was already a little panicked inside.

If it really came down to it, he would have to sacrifice Kabuto, and escape on his own.

"Is that so."

Seeing his former friend become a rogue ninja and acting like he would never turn back, Jiraiya's eyes were full of disappointment.

"You've gotten a little better, but frankly, your face still puts me to sleep."

Orochimaru said, while pretending to yawn.

Although he was arrogant and didn't think he would lose to Jiraiya, Orochimaru knew that in his current weakened state, it was best not to fight if he could avoid it.

"You're still the same as before, never mincing words."

Being ridiculed by Orochimaru wasn't a rare occurrence, Jiraiya was not only not angry, but even a little nostalgic.

"Teacher sincerely wants you to return to the Village, although I don't know what he's thinking."

"Sincerely? How laughable, I've already…"

Hadn't his crimes already been made public in Konoha?

Now he wanted him to return, wasn't that just making him a target for everyone to attack?

Moreover, not becoming Hokage was always a thorn in his heart.

Of course, he wasn't actually that obsessed with becoming Hokage.

It's just, he could do without it, but it couldn't not be offered. To add insult to injury, Hiruzen favors Jiraiya's student publicly... utterly humiliating!

So, in Orochimaru's heart, Sarutobi Hiruzen had betrayed him first, not him betraying the Village.

"Don't be in such a hurry to refuse, Orochimaru."

Jiraiya interrupted Orochimaru's next words, and then threw over a scroll containing text.

"Teacher said that after reading this letter, you might change your mind."

"A letter?"

Orochimaru didn't think that someone like Jiraiya would tamper with the things he threw over, so he quickly opened the scroll.

Then a look of shock flashed across his face.