Kapitel 274: 273-Twenty

"Never mind," he sighed, refocusing his attention on the task at hand. "I'll just work with what I have."

With that, he turned back to his clones, who were making remarkable progress in their training. The clones worked tirelessly, each one attacking their assigned task with unyielding focus, summoning and dispelling the gates in rapid succession.

The Rashomon Gates appeared in perfect formation, solidifying with immense weight before dissipating into nothingness, only to reappear moments later.

Renjiro could feel his chakra ebb and flow, his reserves replenishing as each clone dispelled and sent their knowledge back to him. Every cycle brought him closer to full mastery, the familiar chakra signature of the jutsu becoming like second nature.

Hours passed, and with each gate summoned and released, Renjiro felt his connection to the jutsu grow more refined. His body ached, his chakra reserves stretched thin from the repeated summoning and exertion, but his determination never wavered. The clones continued, driving themselves further until the results were flawless.

After five long hours, Renjiro felt a shift. The final gate shimmered into place with a completeness he hadn't sensed before, its presence exuding the same unwavering strength as the previous two. He let out a slow breath, knowing that he'd done it—the mastery was his. He had command over the Rashomon Gates.

With a flick of his fingers, he dispelled his clones in a sweeping wave, his body jolting as the accumulated knowledge and experience poured back into him.

It was an overwhelming rush, but as the last of it settled, he felt whole, each piece of insight and chakra control locking into place as though it had always been there.

"All right," he said quietly to himself, his eyes glinting with satisfaction.

"Time for the real test."

He drew his hands together, fingers moving through the familiar seals with practised grace. Snake, Horse, Ram, Monkey, Tiger, Boar, Dog. With a final hand sign, he slammed his palms down on the earth, channelling the chakra with renewed vigour.

"Boom!"

Seven Rashomon Gates erupted from the ground in a perfect line, each one towering and unyielding, their surfaces gleaming with the weight of their defence. They stood side by side, identical in size, power, and intensity, each one exuding the same dense aura that seemed to ripple through the very air around him.

Renjiro stepped back, his Sharingan whirring to life as he studied each gate in turn. The strength radiating from them was palpable, the seven gates aligned like an impenetrable wall.

'I could always work on reducing the hand sign needed, but overall, this is good.'

His lips curled into a grin, the sheer scale of what he'd accomplished filling him with pride. He had done it. The Rashomon Gates were his to command.

But even as he admired the Jutsu's completion, a new thought wormed its way into his mind, one that stirred his curiosity even further.

"What if… what if I used my sealing techniques to enhance the gates even more?" He muttered, half to himself, his fingers already itching to begin experimenting.

His knowledge of fuinjutsu was quite vast by now, and he knew that, in theory, he could incorporate seals to modify the gates—perhaps strengthening them, altering their properties, or even adding offensive capabilities.

The idea thrilled him, the possibility of elevating an already formidable jutsu to unprecedented levels. He chuckled softly, his gaze drifting across the seven gates once more. There was so much potential here, and he could already feel his mind racing with the ways he could make this jutsu truly his own.

---

Meanwhile, back in Konoha, the night had fallen in a cloak of quiet shadows. The village was silent, most of its residents already tucked away in their homes, but in the depths of the village's research division, a faint light flickered in one of the labs which was more primitive but modern according to the time.

Inside, the dim glow of lamps cast eerie shadows across the walls, illuminating shelves lined with glass vials, each one containing substances and compounds with names so obscure they seemed more like dark secrets than science.

A lone figure worked meticulously over a table strewn with scrolls, ink, and various chemicals. His eyes were sharp, his movements precise, every flick of his wrist a testament to his singular focus. The figure scribbled notes with a thin smile, seemingly unbothered by the late hour.

The quiet was suddenly broken as the door creaked open, and a second figure stepped into the room. The air thickened, a tension settling as the newcomer's presence filled the lab. The figure looked up, his gaze narrowing with a glint of amusement as he recognized the figure.

"If someone saw how hard you were working," the man murmured, his voice low and edged with derision, "they wouldn't know how thoroughly you tortured that poor soul to death."

"What's wrong with being committed to my experiments, Danzo-sama?" the figure replied, feigning innocence as he set down his brush. "I am, after all, a hard worker."

Danzo's single visible eye twitched, his expression barely concealing his irritation. The figure's words dripped with insincerity, a mocking undertone that Danzo didn't miss.

"Then work harder on your character, Orochimaru," Danzo remarked coolly, taking a step closer.

"Especially if you still aim for the title of Fourth Hokage."

=====

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Kapitel 275: 274-Tell Me More

Orochimaru's laugh slithered through the dimly lit lab, filling the cold air with an almost mocking edge. He leaned back from the corpse he was experimenting on, his hands still red and slick with blood, and his golden, snake-like eyes gleaming with amusement. The lamp beside him cast long shadows across his face, amplifying the cruelty in his smirk.

"Why would I take advice from someone who's wanted the Hokage's position his entire life," Orochimaru murmured, "and yet has never even come close to holding it?"

Danzo felt a flicker of irritation, his jaw tightening. But he quelled the reaction, willing his features to stay calm, smooth, unreadable. He'd spent years learning to mask his emotions, to create a cold, hardened exterior that didn't so much as twitch under provocation.

He knew Orochimaru's baiting was intentional, and he wouldn't give him the satisfaction of rising to it.

"I don't know why you're spouting such nonsense," Danzo replied smoothly, his voice low and controlled.

He folded his arms, letting his gaze settle on Orochimaru, who had taken a few predatory steps forward, circling him like a snake closing in on its prey.

"Oh?" Orochimaru's voice dripped with sarcasm, the sound almost a purr.

He tilted his head, his dark hair slipping over one shoulder as he stepped closer. "Why are you lying, Danzo-sama? It's written all over your face."

Danzo forced himself to remain still, his hands clasped tightly behind his back. He had faced shinobi on the battlefield, and stood unflinching against killers and assassins—he could certainly maintain composure against Orochimaru.

But his mind was racing. Did Orochimaru know? No, he couldn't. Danzo had been careful, keeping his plans close, buried under layers of misdirection and secrecy.

Orochimaru's smirk widened as he watched Danzo's silence. "I can tell you're planning something, Danzo," he murmured, inching even closer.

"I just wonder… is it against Sensei?" His voice dropped to a whisper, his tone teasing and taunting.

"Yes, that must be it. But what are you going to do, then? Force him to step down?" Orochimaru cocked his head as if contemplating the idea, a finger tapping his chin. "No, Sensei is far too proud to bow down to anyone, especially you. So, what is it?" His eyes gleamed.

"Assassination?"

Danzo's control faltered, his mouth pressing into a thin line as he felt the words hit far too close to home. He had, in fact, considered assassination, though it wasn't a decision made lightly.

Hiruzen had grown complacent, too merciful, and Danzo knew that only a strong, uncompromising leader could secure the village's future. Someone like himself. But now, Orochimaru was digging into his carefully hidden intentions, unraveling them with disturbing ease.

Despite his experience, Danzo's reaction slipped through—a small, almost imperceptible furrow of his brow, a twitch of his mouth that vanished almost instantly.

If it had been anyone else, even most other shinobi, they wouldn't have noticed. But Orochimaru's eyes were too sharp, too attuned to every movement, every shift in body language.

Orochimaru chuckled softly. He had studied the human body extensively, both on and off the battlefield. He understood not only how to break a body but also how to read it, each flicker of expression, each twitch of a muscle, like the pages of an open book. And Danzo's reaction, no matter how slight, was confirmation enough.

"Oho," Orochimaru purred, a grin spreading across his face as he took a step back, his hands spreading in mock celebration.

"So that's it, then?"

Danzo's muscles tensed as he watched Orochimaru, now openly reveling in the discovery. The Sannin practically skipped with glee, a disturbing sight given the blood staining his hands.

"You're actually planning to kill my dear teacher. How daring," Orochimaru sneered.

"Though, honestly, the odds aren't exactly in your favour, are they?"

Danzo's expression was carefully controlled again, though his heart pounded under the cloak of his robe.

"You're playing a dangerous game, Orochimaru," he replied, his voice a low warning.

Orochimaru ignored him, his gaze fixed on his bloodied hands. With a delicate twist of his fingers, he wiped away some of the red stains, his tone turning almost casual.

"But I could help you," he suggested, glancing at Danzo out of the corner of his eye. His voice carried a knowing edge, one that suggested he already understood exactly how much he had Danzo cornered.

"Enough of this, Orochimaru." Danzo's response was quick, his words clipped and final.

He wouldn't give Orochimaru the satisfaction of manipulating him, and he certainly wasn't about to let the Sannin worm his way any deeper into his plans.

Orochimaru's talents were undoubtedly valuable, but his ambitions and twisted mind made him an unpredictable ally—too dangerous to keep close, too useful to discard entirely.

A glimmer of disappointment crossed Orochimaru's face. He pouted slightly, his voice taking on a mockingly childlike tone. "This is why you're so boring, Danzo-sama," he said with a sigh, drawing out the honorific as if it were a burden to say.

"It seems I can never convince you to take risks."

Orochimaru's expression shifted then, losing its playfulness as he focused on Danzo with a more serious gaze.

"Now," he began, his voice softer, more measured. "Is it done?"

Danzo gave a slow nod. "Yes. But remember, this means you owe me another favour." His voice carried a quiet menace, reminding Orochimaru of the unspoken terms between them.

The Sannin's work was invaluable, but every favour, every piece of assistance, came with a price. One Danzo intended to collect.

Orochimaru's eyes gleamed with cunning. He tilted his head, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Are you sure you don't want to settle accounts now?"

Danzo's eyes narrowed at the suggestion. He was well aware of Orochimaru's experiments, his insatiable curiosity, his disregard for the boundaries of ethical research.

And it was true: much of Orochimaru's work continued under the radar only because of Danzo's support, kept hidden from the Hokage's watchful eye.

Danzo even provided him with rare and dangerous resources, like cells from the First Hokage, hoping to cultivate something powerful enough to deal with threats like the Uchiha clan.

But despite the Sannin's efforts, nothing he'd created so far could rival the raw strength of the Sharingan.

"Now is not the time," Danzo replied firmly, his voice cutting through Orochimaru's suggestion with finality.

Orochimaru raised an eyebrow, then shrugged, his demeanor shifting back to its lazy mockery.

"Very well. Who did the deed, then?" His tone was almost too casual, a subtle hint that he knew more than he let on.

"Yano's team," Danzo answered, his voice steady, offering no further detail. He would give only what was necessary.

Orochimaru's eyes brightened with interest. "Ah, Yano," he murmured, a sly smile spreading across his face. "Your special boy. I wonder how he'll turn out, given enough time."

Danzo ignored the taunt, his gaze hardening. Yano had indeed been a promising asset, a shinobi who had earned Danzo's confidence through his loyalty and skill.

But he had no intention of discussing this with Orochimaru, least of all in a conversation that had already wandered too far into dangerous territory.

"That will be all," Danzo said, his tone final as he turned toward the door. The conversation had gone on long enough, and he was ready to leave the lab, to put some distance between himself and Orochimaru's probing gaze.

This would not be the last time they worked together, but he wouldn't give the Sannin any more information tonight.

He reached for the door handle, ready to slip out into the dark hallways beyond. But before he could leave, Orochimaru's voice stopped him, a pleading undertone that was rare and, coming from him, strangely genuine.

"Danzo-sama," Orochimaru called, his voice soft but insistent. "Wait."

Danzo turned, his hand hovering over the door handle, but his expression remained cold and unmoved. "What is it now?" he asked, his voice carrying a hint of impatience.

Orochimaru took a step forward, his eyes gleaming with something that was almost excitement. "I finally had a breakthrough," he said, a grin curling across his face. He watched Danzo with a keen intensity, waiting for his reaction.

"In that matter we discussed."

Danzo's gaze sharpened, and he hesitated, the barest flicker of interest crossing his features. He knew Orochimaru's potential, his genius. If he had truly found something of value, it could change the dynamics of their deal.

But he was also well aware of the dangers of becoming entangled in Orochimaru's ambitions. And yet, the prospect of a new weapon, a new advantage…

Danzo narrowed his eye, considering, before letting out a slow sigh. He released the door handle, his voice turning cold and businesslike. "Tell me more," he said, stepping back into the lab.

Orochimaru's grin widened, a flash of victory in his eyes. The night was far from over, and in the dim glow of the laboratory, they began their discussion anew, scheming in the shadows of Konoha.