At the Root's base, Danzo Shimura looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had come here again, and said with dissatisfaction, "Hiruzen, this is not your office!"
"Danzo, Orochimaru showed me her research results."
"Hiruzen, what do you mean?"
Danzo Shimura's face darkened. Hiruzen Sarutobi bothered him again and again. Even a clay figure has a temper, let alone someone who wasn't known for being good-tempered.
Not to mention Hiruzen Sarutobi, he would even argue with the Daimyo without hesitation.
"Konoha's soldier pills are provided by the Akimichi Clan. Orochimaru's improvement of the soldier pill formula was done with your funding, and the formula is co-owned by you and Orochimaru."
Hiruzen Sarutobi stated his purpose and implicitly indicated that he would not take the formula from Danzo Shimura.
Of course, he couldn't let Danzo Shimura take something that belonged to his disciple, not even his old friend of many years.
"Are you worried about the Akimichi Clan? Konoha has many missions for Ninja. Wouldn't it be good to keep them busy? Besides, this is something you should be concerned about, Hiruzen. What does it have to do with me?"
Danzo Shimura said indifferently. What did the Akimichi Clan's fate have to do with him?
It was Hiruzen Sarutobi who should have the headache, not Danzo Shimura.
Of course, that being said, the formula would eventually be given to the Akimichi Clan. The Nara Clan of the Ino–Shika–Chō was Konoha's medicinal supplier and had been close to the Akimichi Clan for generations.
The Akimichi Clan could get medicinal ingredients from the Nara Clan at a cheaper price. Even for the sake of Konoha, giving the formula to the Akimichi Clan was the safest and best option for Konoha.
However, he couldn't just hand over the formula directly, at least not now.
This would make Orochimaru's research achievements and his efforts seem cheap.
"I will inform Akimichi Torifu about this."
Seeing that Danzo Shimura was unwilling to give up the benefits he had gained, Hiruzen Sarutobi had no choice but to bring up Akimichi Torifu.
"Hiruzen, don't go too far!"
Danzo Shimura slammed the table and stood up, glaring fiercely at Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Danzo, I am the Hokage. I must consider everyone."
Hiruzen Sarutobi said seriously. The two looked at each other confrontationally, neither willing to back down.
Hiruzen Sarutobi then said, "Danzo, this is for Konoha! Other families will be watching how we handle this matter. Do you want the Hokage and Konoha Higher-Ups to lose their prestige?"
"..."
Danzo Shimura remained silent. Didn't he just fund Orochimaru to improve the soldier pill formula?
Danzo Shimura funded Orochimaru for the sake of Konoha. How did it become, in Hiruzen Sarutobi's words, the culprit that caused the Hokage and Konoha Higher-Ups to lose prestige?
Danzo Shimura sneered and said, "Hiruzen, you are too cunning. I cannot provide the soldier pill formula to the Akimichi Clan for free. As Orochimaru, who improved the soldier pill formula, she cannot hand over her research results without complaint, allowing a bunch of fat pigs to enjoy the benefits without effort!"
"Danzo, watch your language! The Akimichi Clan is an important Ninja clan of Konoha." Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes widened in anger, and he reprimanded sharply.
"Hiruzen, what exactly do you want? Just say it."
Danzo Shimura stared at Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Let's have a meeting. Konoha Higher-Ups, the Akimichi Clan, and Orochimaru, let's discuss a solution together."
Hiruzen Sarutobi said in a deep voice. He couldn't make a decision on behalf of Orochimaru in this matter, nor could he let the Akimichi Clan take all the benefits.
Hokage Building, conference room.
Akimichi Torifu sat in a chair, looking at the people who hadn't all arrived yet. He was getting restless. The income from soldier pills was too important to the Akimichi Clan. After knowing what the meeting was about, he hadn't eaten anything for over two hours.
"Torifu, it's rare to see you like this."
Utatane Koharu looked at the restless Akimichi Torifu.
"soldier pills are very important to the Akimichi Clan."
Akimichi Torifu forced a bitter smile at Utatane Koharu's teasing. Who would have thought that Hiruzen's disciple, so young, would possess such terrifying talent? What was originally a business where they could make money effortlessly was now on the verge of collapse.
"Improving the soldier pill formula is a good thing, Torifu. You don't need to worry too much."
Homura Mitokado comforted him. As old friends for many years, he naturally had to help. However, Orochimaru was Hiruzen Sarutobi's disciple; both sides were important. Moreover, Danzo Shimura was also involved in improving the soldier pill formula.
For now, he could only offer support verbally.
On a street near the Hokage Building, Tsunade saw Orochimaru walking towards the Hokage Building. She quickened her steps and stood in front of her, hands on her hips, asking, "Orochimaru, what are you doing here?"
"Going to the Hokage Building for a meeting, about the soldier pill formula."
Orochimaru answered truthfully. Hiruzen-sensei hadn't told her to keep it a secret, so what if she told Tsunade?
Perhaps something even more interesting would happen.
"A meeting? Who's attending?"
Tsunade was a little surprised, not expecting Orochimaru's improved soldier pill formula to have such a big impact.
"Hiruzen-sensei, Danzo-sama, and the Village's Higher-Ups. There should also be people from the Akimichi Clan."
"You won't get taken advantage of, will you?"
Tsunade looked worriedly at Orochimaru, who seemed easy to bully and would just stay silent if bullied.
I'll get taken advantage of? How did you figure that out?
Orochimaru didn't know what image she had in Tsunade's mind, surely not extremely easy to bully, right?
"With Hiruzen-sensei and Danzo-sama, nothing will happen." Orochimaru patted Tsunade's shoulder, "Tsunade, you're worrying too much."
Judging solely from the fact that Akimichi Torifu did not become a Konoha Higher-Up in the original story, it can be seen that he was not someone keen on power.
A wife, children, a warm bed, waking up naturally every day, eating until full, living a pig's life—that's what he wanted.
Speaking of which, this seemed to be the life all Akimichi Clan members wanted.
"Tsunade, let's talk after the meeting. I'm going to be late."
Orochimaru smiled slightly, walked past Tsunade, and quickly headed towards the Hokage Building.
Watching Orochimaru's retreating figure, Tsunade became even more worried that she would be bullied.
No, I have to tell Grandma!
"Lightning Release: Lightning Stimulation!"
Tsunade formed hand signs, her skin becoming even fairer and faintly shimmering with lightning. In the blink of an eye, she disappeared.
Hokage Building
Inside the conference room, a heated debate was taking place.
"Impossible, I will not give up the formula! Don't even think about it! The improved soldier pill formula was funded by me for Orochimaru to improve. I have a say in the formula!"
Danzo Shimura never expected that on this matter, Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado would side with Hiruzen Sarutobi, wanting him to hand over the formula for free so they could look like the good guys?
Dream on!
"Danzo, calm down, don't misunderstand us. We never said you should give up the formula."
Homura Mitokado was puzzled by Danzo Shimura's intense emotions. Based on his understanding of Danzo Shimura, he shouldn't be like this!
The adult world is so dirty!
Orochimaru listened to the adults' arguments, picked up her teacup, blew on it, and took a small sip, as if the intensely debated matter had nothing to do with her.
Orochimaru, say something!
Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura watched Orochimaru calmly sip her tea, acting as if nothing concerned her, both wanting to grab her by the ear and force her to say something.
Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado were quite pleased that Orochimaru made no inappropriate remarks; their discussion was not for a junior like her to speak in.
If they could get Danzo to agree, and the Akimichi Clan obtained Orochimaru's improved soldier pill formula, even if the price increased slightly, the new soldier pill would become the most popular item among Konoha Ninja.
"Lady Mito, you... why are you here? The Hokage and Higher-Ups are having a meeting in the conference room, you..."
A hesitant voice came from outside, followed by Uzumaki Mito's voice, which was friendly but brooked no opposition.
"Is that so? I'm here to find Orochimaru. Are you sure you want to stop me?"
Uzumaki Mito smiled kindly.
"You dare block my Grandma?"
Tsunade stepped forward and pushed aside the guarding Ninja.
"Thank you, Princess Tsunade!"
The guarding Ninja's eyes were filled with gratitude as he looked at Tsunade.
Uzumaki Mito stepped forward, pushed open the conference room door, and looked at everyone present, asking with a smile, "Am I interrupting you?"
"La... Lady Mito! You, why are you here?"
Everyone stood up in unison, respectfully looking at Uzumaki Mito.
Danzo Shimura saw Uzumaki Mito, his face showing a hint of fear and deep apprehension.
"Grandma Mito, why are you here?"
Orochimaru looked in surprise at Uzumaki Mito, who rarely left her home, and immediately saw Tsunade peeking out from behind her, sticking out her tongue and making faces at Hiruzen Sarutobi and the Konoha Higher-Ups.
"Alright, I know what's going on."
The turn of events was slightly different from what Orochimaru had expected. She had thought Tsunade would forcefully join the meeting, but she was clearly more astute, knowing she would be at a disadvantage, so she brought Uzumaki Mito along.
It's also possible that Tsunade didn't think that far ahead; calling for an adult is an exclusive childhood skill that almost all children possess. As they grow older, some lose this skill, while others retain it.