Meanwhile, in a private lab, Orochimaru, clad in a white lab coat and focused on his experiment, suddenly sensed something. His eyes flashed with annoyance.
"I don't remember inviting you here," He muttered.
Thud.
Thud.
The steady sound of a cane striking the iron floor echoed through the lab as Danzo slowly entered.
"Is this how you treat an ally?" Danzo asked, his voice as cold as his entrance.
"We're not allies yet. Our deal hasn't been finalized because I haven't received what you promised," Orochimaru said, eyes narrowing.
Seeing that his experiment wouldn't be continuing, Orochimaru quickly jotted down some notes, set his tools aside, and removed his gloves, tossing them into a nearby trash bin.
At this point in time, Orochimaru hadn't fully descended into darkness, though he had his sights set on immortality. He wasn't yet as extreme as he would later become, especially after the events involving Nawaki. This lab, for instance, was entirely legal, funded by his own earnings, and sanctioned by Konoha.
The higher-ups knew Orochimaru had a passion for experimentation, so they allowed him to build his own lab. Some of the equipment was even procured with the Third Hokage's approval.
As of now, his research didn't involve anything forbidden. Although he wasn't thrilled about Nawaki being forcibly assigned to him, Orochimaru had grown fond of the kid. So when Danzo approached him for some less-than-legal experiments, Orochimaru made his demands clear.
In addition to a hidden laboratory, he required chakra metal. That's why Danzo had recently moved most of Konoha's reserves into a storage scroll-it was a necessary part of their arrangement.
Danzo, having lost an eye and the use of his arm, was desperate. Konoha would never accept a cripple as Hokage; it would damage the village's image. To restore his body, Danzo needed to conduct certain... forbidden experiments. And who better to help than Orochimaru?
"The chakra metal was stolen," Danzo growled, his face darkening as he slammed his cane against the ground in frustration.
"I had most of the village's reserves of chakra metal sealed in a scroll and sent to you, but as soon as it left the village, it was ambushed and taken."
"Well, that's unfortunate," Orochimaru said with a sly grin.
He couldn't help but be amused at Danzo's bad luck. The shipment was stolen almost immediately after leaving the village?
The chakra metal just vanished?
"Well, without the chakra metal, I can't craft the high-level tools I need for our experiments. So, naturally, our cooperation isn't valid."
Orochimaru needed the chakra metal not just for the experiments, but also because he wanted to create a suitable weapon for Nawaki, who had been training relentlessly in taijutsu and swordsmanship.
Danzo's face twisted in frustration.