In a dark, underground chamber somewhere in Konoha, two cunning old foxes were exchanging words.
"Orochimaru, why have you come to see me at this hour?" Danzo stared impassively at the newly arrived Orochimaru.
Although they had collaborated many times, it didn't mean they were friends.
They only came together for their own benefits, and their cooperation was purely a matter of mutual exploitation.
If not for their shared interests, they would be nothing more than strangers walking their own paths.
"Hehe, Danzo, the Konoha Crush plan is about to begin. Isn't it normal for me to come and discuss matters with you?" Orochimaru licked his lips, revealing a sinister smile.
He knew getting information out of Danzo wouldn't be easy, so he didn't ask directly; instead, he chose to beat around the bush.
"Oh? What else is there to discuss?" Danzo asked smoothly, his expression unchanging, while inwardly speculating on Orochimaru's true purpose.
He didn't believe for a second that Orochimaru had suddenly sought him out just for this. The main plan had already been finalised.
Even if there were minor details left to iron out, it wasn't enough to warrant a personal visit from Orochimaru.
"Hehe, Danzo, in this plan, you barely have to lift a finger. You sit back in the shadows and reap the rewards."
"Unlike me, who has to fight to the death against the old man and the Fourth Kazekage. Must be nice," Orochimaru said with a sneer.
"So? I have already promised that afterward, I will provide you with a large amount of experimental resources and funding, giving you the compensation you deserve. What more do you want?"
Danzo narrowed his eyes, replying while thinking to himself, 'Does this guy think what I promised last time wasn't enough? Is he trying to extort even more from me?'
Previously, when formulating the plan, he had promised Orochimaru that as long as the plan resulted in Hiruzen Sarutobi's death and his own ascension to Hokage, he would provide Orochimaru with experimental funds and various live test subjects as a reward for his contribution.
However, despite the promise, he had no intention of actually fulfilling it. He had only made the promise to stabilize Orochimaru and ensure the plan proceeded smoothly.
His true hope was that Orochimaru and Hiruzen would kill each other, allowing him to take over all of Orochimaru's research data and proceed more smoothly with his own bodily modifications.
"I need you to give me a portion of the funds in advance," Orochimaru replied.
"How much?"
"Twenty million ryo."
"Impossible!!"
Hearing this number, Danzo nearly had a stroke. The Shimura clan wasn't exactly overflowing with wealth.
Before he became Hokage, where was he supposed to get that kind of money for Orochimaru? And even if he had it, he wouldn't give that much all at once.
"Forget about the money. Until the plan succeeds, I won't give you a single ryo! Besides, what use do you have for that money right now?"
"Heh heh, I have a use for it, naturally. And it's for the sake of our plan." Seeing Danzo take the bait, Orochimaru steered the conversation towards his main topic.
"For the plan?"
"Yes. I need to use these funds to investigate a person. Someone who might affect our plan."
"Who?"
"A man named Son Goku."
"Hm?"
Hearing Orochimaru's answer, Danzo narrowed his eyes, his mind racing. He instantly deduced Orochimaru's true intent.
So all that winding talk was just for this!
Orochimaru had obviously guessed that he had information on Goku, which was why he had come.
He didn't ask directly because he knew Danzo wouldn't give it up easily. But after all that setup, it would be unreasonable for Danzo to refuse.
If he stubbornly refused or demanded conditions, it would create a rift between them. What if Orochimaru then decided not to follow the plan?
The experimental resources and funds could wait, but his ascension to the position of Hokage could not be delayed for even a single day longer!
After staring at Orochimaru for a moment, Danzo turned to a trusted subordinate at his side. "Go and get the file on Son Goku."
"Yes, my lord!"
Orochimaru watched this with a faint smile, saying nothing more. His goal had been achieved, and saying anything else might provoke Danzo into withholding the information.
A short while later, after finishing the file and leaving Danzo's base, a sharp glint flashed in Orochimaru's eyes.
'Even Danzo can't find out where he comes from?'
'Son Goku... just who exactly are you?'
"It seems the entire plan will need some adjustments!"
Meanwhile, in a room inside the tower in the Forest of Death.
"That is the situation, Lord Hokage."
Anko Mitarashi, the proctor for the second exam, was reporting to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Just like in the original story, patrol chunin had discovered the three dead Grass ninja near the exam site and reported it to Anko.
Upon arrival, Anko immediately determined that the victims' missing faces were the result of the Vanishing Facial Copy Technique.
The only person who knew this technique was its inventor, her former teacher, the rogue ninja Orochimaru.
She immediately entered the Forest of Death to search for him, prepared to die taking him down with her.
While she was searching, Orochimaru, having retreated from Goku, happened to be looking for her as well, and they inevitably crossed paths.
After teaching his former student a lesson, Orochimaru threatened her, saying that if she did not stop the exam, he would destroy Konoha.
He did this because his plan to abduct Sasuke had failed. If he wanted to capture Sasuke later successfully, the chaos of the Konoha Crush plan would be the perfect opportunity!
"I understand. The exam will proceed as planned. I will order increased surveillance on Orochimaru's movements," Hiruzen said slowly after a moment of contemplation.
He felt a twinge of regret. Why had he been so soft-hearted back then and let Orochimaru go? Now, it was bringing trouble to Konoha.
Was he truly too old? Was he no longer fit to be Hokage?
Just as he was lost in thought, Anko suddenly exclaimed in surprise. "Huh? Are the candidates this year all speed demons? These brats have already finished the exam, too."
In front of her were several monitors displaying all activity at the base of the tower. Whenever candidates arrived, it was recorded.
Before this, two teams had already arrived, both breaking the previous records for the fastest completion time. Now, this third team had also broken the record, leaving her astonished.
Was this year's batch a gathering of geniuses? They were all incredible!
Hearing this, Hiruzen snapped out of his thoughts and looked at the screen. When he saw the three figures displayed, the furrow in his brow caused by the Orochimaru situation relaxed, and a faint smile appeared on his face.
"It's Naruto and his team."