Orochimaru Defects

Konoha.

During the month that Denji was away, a major incident shook the village.

Orochimaru, one of the legendary Sannin and a former student of the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, was exposed for conducting inhumane experiments on villagers using Forbidden Jutsu. He fled the village when the Third Hokage and Anbu closed in, becoming the most infamous rogue ninja in Konoha's history.

The revelation caused a village-wide uproar, tarnishing Sarutobi Hiruzen's reputation.

In the Hokage's office, the tension was palpable. Hiruzen glared at Danzo, who stood calmly in front of him.

Although Danzo had remained in the background throughout the ordeal, his involvement was undeniable. Hiruzen could practically sense Danzo's fingerprints all over the situation.

"Danzo, what is your endgame? Are you trying to destroy Konoha by driving Orochimaru out?" Hiruzen demanded, adjusting his Hokage hat as if it might help keep his composure.

Konoha had never been weaker. The White Fang's suicide, the Fourth Hokage's death, a Nine-Tails Jinchūriki still in infancy, and two of the three legendary Sannin gone from the village—only Orochimaru had remained. And now, Danzo had forced him away. To Sarutobi, this felt like a direct challenge to his authority.

"Did I do something wrong?" Danzo retorted, his voice calm. "Should I have stood by and let Orochimaru continue using our villagers as experimental fodder?"

Hiruzen's face turned crimson, but he couldn't muster a counterargument. Deep down, he knew Danzo wasn't wrong.

He had always known what his prized student was up to. Ever since Orochimaru had lost the race for Hokage to Minato, he had become more withdrawn and more… inhuman. Every meeting between them only confirmed what Hiruzen feared most.

But he had turned a blind eye, hoping against hope that Orochimaru would eventually stop and return to the light. For the sake of the village—and perhaps for his own conscience—he had said nothing.

"Danzo," Hiruzen said, each word laced with barely contained fury. "I don't need you making decisions for me. I am the Hokage."

"You will regret this, Hiruzen," Danzo replied, his voice colder than ever.

"Bang!"

"....."

Danzo walked away, but unlike usual, his mood was unusually light. 

Forcing Orochimaru to flee wasn't just a strike against an errant comrade—it was a calculated move in his long game for the Hokage seat. With Orochimaru gone, Danzo had shaken Hiruzen's authority, laid bare his failures, and delivered a powerful blow to his reputation.

The emergence of Denji's exceptional talent had only fueled Danzo's ambitions further. As a grandfather, he couldn't remain indifferent. If Denji grew into a force to be reckoned with, the possibility of him becoming Hokage one day would be greatly enhanced. But that future couldn't be guaranteed unless Danzo acted now to pave the way. 

And so, Danzo made the ruthless decision to betray Orochimaru—a longtime ally—without hesitation. 

But even in betrayal, Danzo knew there would be times he'd need Orochimaru's unique expertise again. To ensure their relationship wasn't entirely severed, Danzo offered compensation: one hundred living test subjects for Orochimaru's forbidden experiments. 

With that assurance, Orochimaru set aside his grudge. The two would remain useful allies, and their partnership would remain intact.

However, acquiring that many test subjects was no easy feat, especially in light of the recent turmoil in Konoha. The village itself was no longer an option, so Danzo turned his eyes beyond its borders.

"Seiji," Danzo called out. A Root ninja materialized behind him and immediately knelt on one knee.

"Take the third and fourth squadrons to the Land of Water. Gather as many captives as you can."

"Yes, sir." The ninja vanished in an instant, leaving Danzo alone with his thoughts.

Denji returned to Konoha to find the village still abuzz with news of Orochimaru's defection. Everywhere he went, villagers whispered about the forbidden experiments and the fallout. When he reached the Root headquarters, Denji found Danzo more pleased than ever. It wasn't long before the older man began to gloat about how he'd orchestrated the entire event. 

"You've really outdone yourself this time, old man," Denji remarked, arms crossed, his tone tinged with sarcasm. "Aren't you worried that other nations might hear about this and start getting ideas? And didn't you always say you and Orochimaru had an understanding? Pretty bold of you to backstab your own ally."

Danzo's lone visible eye glinted with amusement. "You think I didn't consider that?" he retorted. "The other nations can't afford another war right now. They're too weak. Orochimaru's departure won't change that balance."

He leaned back slightly, his expression hardening. "As for Orochimaru, Hiruzen has been turning a blind eye to his actions for years. Someone had to step in. I'm protecting Konoha's future—Hiruzen just doesn't have the spine to do what's necessary."

Denji rolled his eyes. "You always have some grand justification, don't you? So, what happens when your so-called 'necessary' moves blow up in your face?"

Danzo's expression grew darker. "Let me make something clear, Denji," he said, his voice low and steady. "In this world, there are no friends, only interests. I'll do whatever it takes to protect the village—even if it means selling out someone close to me."

Denji's smile faded, replaced by a piercing gaze. "Even me?"

For a moment, Danzo seemed caught off guard. But then he shook his head firmly. "No. You and the village are my top priorities. Everything I do is to ensure the future of Konoha—and your place in it."

Denji sighed, leaning back against the wall. "Whatever you say, old man. But let's change the subject. I brought back some interesting things from my last mission…" He trailed off, steering the conversation away from betrayal and politics. 

...

Meanwhile, far from Root headquarters, Sarutobi Hiruzen sat atop a bathhouse roof, looking older and more weary than ever. Jiraiya crouched nearby, his usual mischievous grin absent. He held a telescope, though the seriousness in his expression suggested he wasn't using it for his typical antics—at least not this time. 

"What happened, old man?" Jiraiya asked, his tone uncharacteristically somber. "What did Orochimaru do this time?"

Hiruzen's gaze remained fixed on the horizon. "He lost his way," he murmured. "Do you remember his dream, Jiraiya? The one he always talked about?"

Jiraiya chuckled faintly, a hint of nostalgia creeping into his voice. "Yeah. He wanted to learn every jutsu in existence. I always thought it was impossible."

The Third Hokage sighed heavily. "It was his obsession. He let it consume him." For a moment, he seemed far older than his years, weighed down by the burden of losing yet another student to darkness. "Jiraiya," he continued, turning to meet his former student's eyes. "Konoha needs you now more than ever. I can't do this alone."

Jiraiya hesitated, the conflict clear in his face. But in the end, he nodded. "One year," he said. "I'll stay here for one year. After that, I'll bring him back."

For the first time in days, Hiruzen smiled. "Thank you, Jiraiya."