Bab 226: Chapter 226 - High-Level Conflicts Arise!
At that moment, Orochimaru suddenly appeared.
"Danzo-sama, I'll be taking him with me," Orochimaru said abruptly, glancing at the unconscious Zero Four behind him.
"Hmm?" Danzo narrowed his eyes. "Orochimaru, what are you implying?"
Orochimaru responded calmly, "His arm—I'm the only one capable of restoring it. Or would you prefer he remain useless?"
Danzo's expression grew serious. "How did you know something happened to Zero Four?"
Orochimaru shrugged. "I found a body—it was him. So I came by to confirm if anything had occurred."
"Danzo-sama, are you doubting me?" Orochimaru continued, his tone level as a large snake appeared behind him. From the snake's mouth, Zero Three, the teammate who had accompanied Zero Four on the mission, emerged.
Danzo inspected Zero Three's body with a puzzled expression. "How did he die?" he murmured, finding no visible trauma. It reminded him of the two Root members who had mysteriously died in the hospital a year prior.
"No visible injuries, no residual toxins," Orochimaru noted. "I'll need to conduct a full autopsy to determine the cause. In the meantime, I'll take Zero Four with me." With that, Orochimaru took Zero Four and left, unconcerned with how Danzo planned to deal with Reiki next.
As Orochimaru left, Danzo sat heavily, mulling over the rising complications. He had been keeping a close eye on Tsunade, whose actions seemed random yet connected to various prominent families in Konoha. With her powerful disciple by her side, Danzo knew Tsunade wasn't acting without purpose.
At the same time, Sarutobi Hiruzen's stance seemed increasingly ambiguous, especially with his growing displeasure towards Orochimaru. Coldly, Danzo vowed not to let this slide so easily.
---
The next morning, Tsunade returned with an armful of medicinal ingredients, looking exhausted.
"Sensei, you should rest. The training's progressing well and can run on its own for now," Reiki said, concerned.
Tsunade chuckled, staggering slightly as she replied, "Good idea. After a night of drinking, rest sounds perfect." She headed to her room, leaving Reiki momentarily stunned. He had been worried about her overworking, but, in typical Tsunade fashion, she'd turned it into a night of drinking instead.
In Naruto's office, Sarutobi Hiruzen was reading a report with a bewildered expression.
"Did the Root Organization target Reiki? Two jonin killed?" he muttered, astonished. Danzo had sent two jonin to assassinate a chunin, only to lose them? "Summon him," Sarutobi Hiruzen ordered, anger simmering.
When Danzo arrived, Sarutobi Hiruzen tossed a file at him. "Explain this."
Danzo, irritated, skimmed the contents and froze as he realized Sarutobi Hiruzen already knew everything.
"I did it," Danzo replied without excuse, acknowledging the report's details. Zero Three was dead, Zero Four critically injured—Sarutobi Hiruzen had clearly infiltrated Root.
"An explanation?" Sarutobi Hiruzen's anger surged. "What are you planning, Danzo?"
"You're ignoring the reality, Sandaime," Danzo retorted, his temper rising. "We agreed to back Orochimaru! But lately, Tsunade and Jiraiya have overstepped. Haven't you noticed? Or do you have a new successor in mind that we should be informed about?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed. "Orochimaru has always been our primary choice. Tsunade and Jiraiya are simply fulfilling their duties as loyal Konoha members. Neither is suited for leadership, and we both know it."
"Sandaime, trust my instincts. Either assign Reiki to Root, and I'll train him, or suppress Tsunade's influence," Danzo pressed, refusing to let his recent setbacks slide. Tsunade's influence was growing, and Reiki's connections with Konoha's prominent families threatened to complicate matters further.
"Let me think it over. Dismissed."
"I expect a swift response," Danzo replied before leaving.
After Danzo's departure, Sarutobi Hiruzen pondered deeply, pulling out Tsunade's file, followed by Reiki's.
"An exceptional medic with impressive combat ability…" he mused. "It's time I meet him personally."
---
At the Sarutobi clan's residence, Sarutobi Asuma noticed his father's return and immediately rushed over.
"Father!" Asuma greeted excitedly.
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at him warmly. "How's your training coming along?"
Asuma nodded with determination, eager to prove himself, even if he lacked his brother Shinnosuke's raw talent.
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