Facing Danzo, who needed something from him, Orochimaru didn't hide his intentions and laid out all his conditions upfront.
Danzo let out a light snort, then pulled out a document and tossed it to Orochimaru.
As for Orochimaru's mention of Kurama Yakumo's eyes, Danzo ignored it entirely, acting as if he hadn't heard a word.
Orochimaru caught the file and glanced at it, his eyes lighting up instantly.
Then, he gave Danzo a meaningful look.
The document didn't just contain the detailed plan for Tsunade's recent surgery—it even included the formulas for the fusion agent and suppressant Tsunade had newly developed, all clearly annotated.
For Danzo to obtain such core data, he either had a spy close to Tsunade or had planted someone high up in Hidden Leaf Hospital.
After a brief moment of thought, Orochimaru leaned toward the latter.
Tsunade had been away from the village for years, making it hard for village shinobi to get close to her. But placing someone in the hospital? That would be far simpler.
Without dwelling on the source, Orochimaru quickly reined in his curiosity and began studying the document intently.
In medical ninjutsu, Tsunade's expertise far surpassed Orochimaru's.
Orochimaru's many technical breakthroughs came from his lack of boundaries—he could conduct bloody experiments without regard for cost or consequence.
So, after reviewing Tsunade's surgical plan, Orochimaru—who'd also performed First Hokage cell transplants—couldn't help but marvel: "As expected of Tsunade!"
Danzo watched him coldly: "You've got the data. Can you replicate her surgery?"
"Of course not!"
Orochimaru chuckled lightly.
Danzo's face darkened instantly: "You dare toy with me?"
Orochimaru waved the document: "I assume you've already shown this to others, haven't you? Didn't they give you an answer?"
Danzo's expression grew even grimmer.
Orochimaru was right. The moment Danzo got the data, he'd handed it to Root's medical ninjutsu experts.
Yet, just as Orochimaru said, his subordinates had studied it and unanimously shaken their heads, admitting they couldn't replicate Tsunade's surgery.
That's exactly why he'd sought Orochimaru's cooperation!
Dropping the smirk, Orochimaru said seriously: "Tsunade's surgical plan is exquisitely crafted, but that's not the key to its success. The real key lies with the Kurama clan's main daughter!"
Danzo frowned slightly.
In truth, he deeply regretted not acting sooner. Had he known the Kurama heiress had such talent, he'd have recruited her to his side long ago.
Now, with her wielding "Wood Release" and apprenticed under Tsunade, even he couldn't easily make a move on her.
Ignoring Danzo's private musings, Orochimaru continued: "The Kurama clan has always excelled in Yin Release. Their heiress awakened a brand-new dojutsu Bloodline Limit, and her Yin Release chakra far exceeds that of an ordinary person. That's why she survived the surgery."
Danzo snapped irritably: "I don't care about that—I just want to know if you can replicate Tsunade's surgery!"
Orochimaru's lips curled into a grin: "Yes, but it'll take some time!"
"Equipment, personnel, time…" Danzo narrowed his eyes, fixing Orochimaru with a sinister stare: "I can provide all of that. I just want results!"
"Pleasant cooperation!"
Orochimaru waved the document, then turned and left.
After exiting the Root base, Orochimaru slipped out of Hidden Leaf and arrived at one of his secret underground labs.
Flipping through the data Danzo had given him again, a look of frenzied joy spread across his face.
Clearly.
He hadn't been entirely truthful with Danzo—or rather, he'd withheld the full truth!
The document Danzo handed over was far more valuable than Danzo realized—especially the formulas for the fusion agent and suppressant, which were pure gold.
Back when Orochimaru had worked to boost surgery success rates, he could only keep enhancing the suppressant's effects. This ended up damaging the First Hokage cells' vitality, resulting in Yamato—a survivor whose strength fell short of his expectations.
To him, Yamato was a half-finished product.
By comparison, Kurama Yakumo was far more perfect, making Tsunade's fusion agent and suppressant formulas undoubtedly the best in the shinobi world right now.
Just then, footsteps echoed through the lab.
Soon, Kabuto Yakushi emerged from the shadows and approached Orochimaru: "Lord Orochimaru, what's the reason for summoning me this time?"
Orochimaru smiled: "On this trip to Hidden Leaf, I found two very interesting kids."
"Oh?"
Kabuto let out a soft exclamation.
Kids deemed "interesting" by Orochimaru were no small matter. In his memory, only Kimimaro and Uchiha Sasuke had earned that distinction.
Others, like the recently recruited "Jugo," were merely valued for their research potential.
Orochimaru said: "I need someone to keep an eye on these two kids for me!"
Kabuto raised an eyebrow: "Lord Orochimaru, isn't Kimimaro at the ninja academy in Hidden Leaf? He could handle this."
Orochimaru shook his head: "That's not enough. I need you to join Hidden Leaf's medical corps."
Kabuto adjusted his glasses, skipping the "why" and cutting to: "What do you need me to do?"
"I want you to get close to Kurama Yakumo and investigate her eyes!" Pausing, Orochimaru added: "Uchiha Shinji's in the medical corps too—keep an eye on him. This Uchiha brat's got something intriguing!"
"Kurama Yakumo and Uchiha Shinji, huh?" Kabuto murmured, then smiled: "Rest assured, I'll watch them for you!"
"Don't underestimate those two brats!"
Orochimaru threw in a final warning.
In the Hidden Mist Village.
"Wood Release!?" The Fourth Mizukage stood, asking: "Is the intel solid?"
"Both Hidden Leaf's official statement and our spies embedded there have confirmed it. Tsunade of Hidden Leaf recently completed a Hashirama cell transplant surgery, bringing 'Wood Release' back!"
Terumi Mei bowed as she reported.
"Sigh!"
The Fourth Mizukage let out a soft breath.
Though Hidden Leaf was in decline, it remained the dominant force that other villages feared.
Terumi Mei asked: "Lord Mizukage, how should we respond?"
After a moment's thought, the Fourth Mizukage said: "Our top priority is still dealing with the Akatsuki. Hidden Leaf unveiling 'Wood Release' now might be aimed at countering them too. For now, we'll watch and wait!"