"That moment will be your best opportunity," Orochimaru said in a sinister voice.
Danzo, while rewrapping the bandages around his arm and eye, glanced at Orochimaru. "I will handle such matters myself. Conversely, Orochimaru, have you completely forgotten the kindness Hiruzen showed in teaching you?"
Facing Danzo's sudden question, the corner of Orochimaru's mouth curled. He answered with total indifference, "Emotions are the greatest stumbling block in the process of human evolution."
"Hmph, how cold-blooded," Danzo remarked plainly.
A hint of playfulness appeared on Orochimaru's face. "You, who wish to kill your own best friend to seize the position of Hokage, seem to be the least qualified person to judge me, don't you think?"
Danzo shook his head. "I am merely doing it for the sake of the Leaf."
"How hypocritical, Danzo," Orochimaru critiqued without hesitation.
Just as Danzo was about to respond, a sudden commotion erupted outside. This is a high-security secret room of the Root, how could...
In the next second, the door to the secret room was violently blown open. A familiar figure rushed inside.
"Lord Danzo, where is Yi?" Tenzo asked, his face full of anxiety. One could see none of his usual respect for Danzo.
Danzo finally finished wrapping his bandages, and his oppressive gaze fell upon Tenzo. "I recall you should be in the Anbu right now. Why are you here?"
From Danzo's tone, it was clear he was extremely displeased. However, Tenzo ignored his irritation and stared at Danzo, asking once more, "Where is Yi?"
"Heh." Danzo laughed. He didn't know how long it had been since a subordinate had defied him like this. Nevertheless, to give this subordinate a sufficiently profound lesson, Danzo temporarily suppressed his anger and stepped aside to clear the path.
Without Danzo's obstruction, Tenzo immediately saw Yi floating in the center of the pool. He instantly rushed to Yi's side, treading on the water to pick him up.
Looking at the mummified corpse of Yi in his arms, his face was filled with horror and... rage! The times they spent training together, eating together, and living together vanished like dust in the wind, leaving an irreparable hole in Tenzo's heart.
Want to learn Wood Style? I'll teach you.
That casual fellow was now a desiccated corpse lying in his arms.
"Did you kill him?" Tenzo looked up. This was the first time he had not used an honorific for Danzo.
"Danzo, it seems this child is quite dissatisfied with you." Orochimaru stood to the side with his arms crossed, shamelessly fanning the flames.
Being confronted by a subordinate like this, especially in front of Orochimaru, filled Danzo's heart with fury. "Jia, do you have any idea what you are doing?"
Tenzo ashed his teeth and suddenly formed hand signs. "I'm sorry, but I only want to avenge Yi! Wood Style: Smothering Binding Technique!"
Several soft wooden stakes sprouted from Tenzo's hands, shooting toward Danzo like long snakes.
"You think you can avenge Yi?" Danzo let out a disdainful sneer. He used the Body Flicker Jutsu to dodge the attack and pull back, then planted his feet on the wall and aimed his palm at Tenzo.
"Let me show you true Wood Style. Wood Style: Great Spear Tree!"
Danzo's arm instantly expanded into a massive tree, striking toward Tenzo like a long spear. Although Tenzo dodged immediately, the expanding roots still ruthlessly swept him away. Furthermore, several roots emerged to bind Tenzo firmly against the wall, leaving him unable to move.
Danzo landed on the ground and walked slowly toward Tenzo, leaning on his cane. As he walked, a familiar face actually surfaced on his neck. It was the face of Yi!
"Let me tell you something. Yi's sacrifice was not forced by me at all; he was completely willing to merge with me. In other words, I am now both Danzo and Yi. Do you understand, Jia? Or should I say, Tenzo? Now, do you still want to kill me?"
Tenzo looked at the face on Danzo's neck, his mouth hanging open in silence.
Orochimaru, watching from the corner, licked his lips. "Truly incredible. To actually succeed in the fusion and master Wood Style."
Originally, Orochimaru had used his Immortality Reincarnation Jutsu to trade with Danzo. However, during the actual operation, the latter discovered a major problem. Unlike Orochimaru, a rogue ninja who didn't care which body he used, the vast majority of the power Danzo wielded came from his identity.
Therefore, he could not discard his identity to move to another body, even if it granted him a very strong physique and immense power. As for undergoing plastic surgery or using ninjutsu to change his appearance after switching bodies... While that might be feasible for a leader of the Root or a high-level advisor, Danzo's goal was clearly more than that.
He wanted to be the Hokage! As the Hokage, he could not constantly wear someone else's face. Consequently, he needed to acquire Yi's abilities while retaining his own body. To this end, Simu and Orochimaru created a brand-new ninjutsu based on the Immortality Reincarnation Jutsu—the Mutual Devouring Technique used just now.
Compared to the Immortality Reincarnation Jutsu, the Mutual Devouring Technique cannot completely occupy another person's body, so it naturally cannot acquire all of the target's abilities. Rather than acquiring abilities, this technique is more like... a fusion. A fusion of two people.
In other words, Danzo had just fused Yi's soul and abilities into his own body. The advantage of this is that one can maintain their original body. The disadvantage, however, is the need to constantly suppress the other soul; otherwise, a situation might arise where two souls fight for one body.
This situation hadn't occurred mainly because Yi's soul had long been influenced by Danzo's genjutsu. He was completely dependent on Danzo and offered no violent resistance, even being willing to be ruled. Despite this, Orochimaru was still somewhat surprised by the Wood Style ability Danzo displayed.
According to previous tests, the dominant soul in this technique could usually only use half of the dominated person's power after fusion. But looking at Danzo's situation, it seemed to be more than half?
Could this be another one of your advance designs, Simu Kamizuki? Orochimaru looked at the triumphant Danzo, and the corner of his mouth suddenly curled. Only he truly understood how terrifying that man was. His mastery over the soul and life was the undisputed strongest among everyone Orochimaru had ever met!
If it really was arranged by that man, Orochimaru could almost foresee a scene of Danzo shouting "Long live Lord Jashin."
"Just thinking about it is quite interesting."
While Orochimaru was imagining this interesting scene, another commotion came from outside. Danzo's expression darkened as he looked at Tenzo and asked, "What is happening?"
The bound Tenzo said dryly, "Before I came here, I already notified the other members of the Anbu..."
"Damn it." Danzo instantly tightened the giant wood extending from his arm. The sudden increase in force translated into pain for Tenzo. Fortunately, this pain did not last long because the Anbu members finally arrived.
"Lord Danzo, are you attacking a member of the Anbu?" The newcomer was Kakashi wearing a mask, along with the Anbu Commander and son of the Third Hokage, Uemon Sarutobi.
The moment Danzo saw this person, he understood the gravity of the situation. It seemed that old fellow Hiruzen was truly angry this time. However, Danzo had anticipated his old friend's reaction. After all, Tenzo and Yi were the only two remaining Wood Style ninjas in the Leaf. As the Hokage, Hiruzen had to protect them no matter what. Now that an accident had occurred, anger was only natural.
"Elder Danzo, I need you to give the Anbu an explanation," Uemon Sarutobi said coldly, looking at the mummified corpse of Yi.
In response, Danzo only let out a cold laugh. "A mere Anbu Commander is not enough to demand an explanation from me. Take me to see Hiruzen."
Uemon's face under the mask was quite ugly. As the Anbu Commander and the son of the Hokage, his status in the Leaf had always been transcendent. The power he held far exceeded that of an ordinary Jonin. Even the other two advisors had to speak to him politely. He hadn't expected to be so belittled by Danzo today.
But then again, this man was an Elder of the Leaf. Without his father's authorization, Uemon would never dare to act on his own. What a pity, such a good Wood Style candidate. He pulled himself together and said with a hint of anger, "Then please, Elder Danzo, head to the Hokage's office and explain things to the Hokage."
Danzo did not respond; he simply deactivated the ninjutsu binding Tenzo. The latter fell to the ground, finally getting a chance to breathe. After catching his breath, Tenzo immediately looked toward the dark corner where Orochimaru had been. Unfortunately, long before Kakashi and Uemon broke into the room, Orochimaru had vanished. Furthermore, that wily man had left no trace behind.
"Curse it, was he prepared?" Tenzo's expression was grim.
Subsequently, Uemon and Kakashi took Danzo, Tenzo, and the mummified Yi to the Hokage's office.
"You killed a member of the Anbu, and one of only two Wood Style ninjas in the Leaf, Danzo," Hiruzen Sarutobi questioned with extreme gravity the moment they entered.
Uemon observed his father from the corner of his eye. He hadn't seen his father this furious in many years.
"Hiruzen, let the others withdraw first," Danzo said raspily but calmly, perfectly displaying the composure of an old politician.
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep drag of his pipe and then waved his hand. "Everyone, withdraw."
"Yes." Led by Uemon, everyone used the Body Flicker Jutsu to disappear from the room, leaving only Yi's corpse, Danzo, and Hiruzen.
"Now you can speak. I hope you can give me a reasonable explanation, Danzo." Sharp, eagle-like light suddenly erupted from Hiruzen Sarutobi's aged eyes. This time, Danzo's actions had truly crossed his bottom line. If the current situation weren't so unique, he might have already had the Anbu raid the entire Root.
But Danzo had been this Hokage's partner for decades. He had fully grasped Hiruzen's personality and spoke directly: "Hiruzen, everything I did was for the sake of the Leaf."
Hiruzen's face darkened. As expected, it was that same excuse again. But then he heard Danzo continue: "The time for the Uchiha coup is drawing near. Although Itachi Uchiha has promised us he will stop the coup, can those evil Uchiha truly be trusted?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned and countered, "Itachi is different from ordinary Uchiha. He is an Uchiha who has inherited the Will of Fire."
"What if?" A hint of coldness appeared in Danzo's eyes. "What if Itachi is only pretending to agree, and is actually planning to gather the entire Uchiha clan to launch the coup tomorrow night? Don't forget, besides the Uchiha, they have the well-supplied Spider Lily Chamber of Commerce and that mysterious, powerful Jashin Religion behind them!"
These words left Hiruzen Sarutobi silent, as he truly could not be certain of Itachi's true intentions. Seeing Hiruzen waver, Danzo added: "Hiruzen, now is not the time to argue over this. The most important thing is to unite all forces to deal with the upcoming coup! Once the Uchiha matter is resolved, I will accept any punishment from you."
Danzo's meaning was clear. The current priority was dealing with the Uchiha rebellion, not focusing on him. Even if he had committed a great error, it could be handled after the conflict. He, Danzo Shimura, was entirely devoted to the Leaf!
Undeniably, Danzo's attitude caused Hiruzen's resolve to waver. After all, the threat the Uchiha posed to the Leaf was indeed too great. Keeping Danzo as a trump card seemed like a good idea. If the Uchiha really did rebel, perhaps Danzo could lead the Root to the front lines, while also weakening the Root's power.
After a moment of silence, Hiruzen Sarutobi accepted Danzo's request. "In that case, this matter will wait until the Uchiha situation is resolved." He then shifted his tone and said sternly, "But regardless, killing an Anbu ninja is an unpardonable crime. You had better be prepared, Danzo."
Danzo didn't care and slowly closed his eyes. "Don't worry, Hiruzen. As long as the Uchiha can be successfully eliminated, I will gladly accept even if you strip me of my position as leader of the Root."
Such a frank attitude actually made Hiruzen Sarutobi somewhat suspicious and hesitant. Could it be that this fellow Danzo really did resort to this desperate measure only for the safety of the Leaf?