Danzo's single working eye narrowed as he regarded the snake-like man in front of him. Orochimaru was many things—mad scientist, serial creep, walking talking horror movie—but trustworthy? Hell no.
"I hope you understand that our relationship is purely transactional," Danzo stated, his tone as cold as ever. "Don't get any funny ideas about me."
Orochimaru's mouth stretched into a smirk. His tongue flicked out, and everyone in the room immediately felt very uncomfortable.
"Oh~ Lord Danzo, you wound me," he purred. "I only have the purest of intentions."
Danzo barely resisted the urge to sigh. He hated when Orochimaru acted like this. Especially in front of his subordinates.
Sure, all his Root ninja had been implanted with his Curse of the Tongue jutsu, which prevented them from spilling secrets.
But that didn't mean he wanted this snake freak bringing up his stolen Sharingan in public!
"If it weren't for me experimenting on you and transplanting Hashirama's cells into your body, you wouldn't have even unlocked Izanagi," Orochimaru added, his grin widening.
Danzo scowled.
Yes, Orochimaru had indeed shoved those ridiculous overpowered cells into his body, turning him into a half-tree, half-man abomination, but did he really have to say it like that?
Like he had been some desperate test subject?
...Okay, maybe he was desperate, but still!
"Enough talk," Danzo huffed. "How long until the drug to suppress the rampaging tree powers inside me is complete? And more importantly—why exactly have you slithered your way back into Konoha this time?"
Orochimaru gave a low chuckle.
"Ah~ Lord Danzo is as impatient as ever."
Danzo resisted the urge to roll his one good eye. Of course, I'm impatient! I'd rather not turn into an actual tree, thank you very much.
Meanwhile, Orochimaru momentarily drifted into flashback mode.
Long ago, back when he was a less creepy child (though still pretty creepy), his parents had been killed in the Shinobi World War—a loss that left him detached and bitter.
Sarutobi Hiruzen took him in. Raised him. Trained him.
But Konoha had never truly felt like home.
Over the years, Orochimaru became obsessed with forbidden jutsu. Not because he was evil (okay, maybe a little), but because deep down, he believed they could bring back his parents.
Of course, his morally questionable experiments didn't go unnoticed.
Once his research was exposed, Sarutobi had the perfect opportunity to kill him. Did he? Nope. Let him escape like a dramatic villain instead.
Orochimaru wasn't even grateful for the mercy. He knew the real reason.
Guilt.
Konoha had killed his parents.
And now, after years on the run—after nearly getting obliterated by Uchiha Itachi's Sharingan—he had two goals:
Destroy Konoha and take revenge on Sarutobi.
Steal Uchiha Sasuke and claim those sweet, sweet Sharingan eyes.
He refocused on Danzo, his smirk returning.
"Lord Danzo," he purred. "The cell-suppressing drug is ready, and my plan to destroy Konoha is in motion."
Danzo's expression didn't change, but inside, he was grinning.
If Sarutobi dies, there will be no one left to stop me.
Hokage? Mine.
Objections from Mitokado Homura and Koharu Utatane? Shut them up.
Nine-Tails Jinchuriki? Under my control.
Danzo nodded slightly. "Very well. If Konoha burns, Root will not intervene."
Orochimaru smirked. Plan: Success.
Meanwhile, Naruto & Hinata's Training Arc™
Far from all the creepy underground plotting, Naruto and Hinata were training their butts off.
For weeks, Naruto had been sparring with Hinata's Gentle Fist, and it was paying off.
Ding!
[Your Physical Energy has reached the upgrade standard. Would you like to upgrade?]
Naruto froze.
'Damn! The system got an update?!'
This was new. Before, the system just threw power at him. Now it was politely asking if he wanted to evolve?
Naruto grinned. "Yes. Evolve."
Ding!
[Your Taijutsu has been upgraded to Chunin level.]
[Taijutsu: LV2 (03/2000)]
Immediately, a wave of power surged through his body.
All the exhaustion vanished.
Naruto flexed his arms. "Holy crap. I feel twice as strong!"
Hinata, still panting from their spar, wiped sweat from her forehead.
"Naruto-kun… I think we should stop for today…"
Her chest rose and fell rapidly as she caught her breath.
Naruto glanced at her… and then froze.
For a solid five seconds, his brain shut down.
Because damn.
Hinata was really growing up.
Hinata noticed his stare.
Her entire face turned red.
"N-Naruto-kun… w-what are you staring at…?"
Naruto blinked.
Then grinned.
"Just admiring my future wife~"
Hinata short-circuited.
Her face was now redder than a tomato.
"W-WHO'S YOUR FUTURE WIFE?!" she squeaked, covering her face with her hands.
Naruto laughed. "Obviously you, Hinata~ Who else would it be?"
Hinata whimpered.
She wanted to argue.
She really did.
But her brain had officially shut down.
Naruto grabbed her hand. "C'mon, let's grab some ramen. My treat."
Hinata, still stunned, let him drag her along.
Ichiraku Ramen – The True Hokage's Office
"Uncle! Five bowls of char siu ramen!" Naruto's voice rang out as they entered the shop.
The old man behind the counter chuckled. "Naruto! It's been a while!"
Then, his smile widened when he saw Naruto holding Hinata's hand.
"Hoho~ Naruto, I see you finally brought a girlfriend!"
Naruto grinned shamelessly.
"Don't say that, Uncle! You'll make her shy!"
Hinata, who was already one sentence away from passing out, nearly collapsed.
Naruto laughed.
Life was good.
(End of Chapter 37)