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Since Danzō had previously undergone research involving Hashirama cells, Orochimaru was extremely familiar with one of the samples.
He could assert with ninety-nine percent certainty that this sample belonged to Danzō.
That made the origin of the other sample extraordinarily intriguing.
It was common knowledge that Danzō's father had perished on some unknown battlefield before the Second Shinobi World War, and Danzō himself had no marriage records...
Which meant—
The man who died on that battlefield wasn't Danzō's biological father, and now Danzō had somehow managed to locate his real father through sheer determination—such a scenario was utterly impossible.
"Things are becoming fascinating," Orochimaru murmured, extracting the report. He retrieved a communication scroll, injected chakra, and shortly thereafter, a Root operative arrived outside the base.
"The results are complete." Orochimaru tossed the document to the operative without awaiting acknowledgment.
The Root ninja immediately vanished from Orochimaru's sight via Body Flicker Technique.
The results reached Danzō with utmost speed.
Upon receiving the report, Danzō refrained from opening it immediately. Instead, he dismissed everyone and retreated alone to a secret chamber.
Placing the report on the desk before him, Danzō drew up a chair and seated himself, rhythmically tapping his index finger against the tabletop, producing measured, crisp sounds.
The room's sole illumination came from a freshly lit candle, its amber glow flickering across Danzō's face in alternating brightness and shadow, rendering his appearance particularly menacing.
"Hmph, when did I become so indecisive?" Self-mockingly shaking his head, Danzō ceased his idle gestures, directly grasped the report, and began reading by the dim candlelight.
"As expected..." Upon seeing the line confirming blood relations, the weight in Danzō's heart finally lifted.
Though he appears somewhat timid, he possesses Ice Release Kekkei Genkai...
With proper cultivation, he could indeed fulfill my long-cherished ambition.
Activating a mechanism to open the chamber door, Danzō reappeared before the Root operatives.
Immediately upon emerging and observing the dim Root base, Danzō furrowed his brow and barked sternly:
"Beta!"
At Danzō's summons, Beta materialized before him once again.
"Why is the base so poorly lit? Didn't I instruct you to install electric lighting?"
"...This is my negligence," Beta bowed his head in acknowledgment.
"Then handle it immediately. Alpha-One, summon Ryōma." Seeing Beta accept responsibility, Danzō moderated his tone slightly, then directed another Root operative to fetch Aburame Ryōma.
Simultaneously, Danzō focused his attention on Gamma in the distance:
"Gamma, from today forward, resume using your true name—Yamanaka Zen."
Upon hearing this, Yamanaka Zen strode to Danzō's side and knelt on one knee: "Yes, Lord Danzō."
"Momentarily, you and Ryōma will await my orders in the secret chamber." Having formulated his upcoming strategy, Danzō issued commands before departing the scene with purposeful strides.
When Aburame Ryōma, who had been protecting Feng Bai, received the message and hurried back to base, he encountered Beta in the midst of reconfiguring the base's lighting arrangements.
Though puzzled by Beta's actions, all Root operatives obeyed only Danzō's commands exclusively. Therefore, Aburame Ryōma harbored no suspicions and proceeded directly to Danzō's secret chamber.
At the entrance, Yamanaka Zen stood rigidly, awaiting Ryōma's arrival.
The two exchanged glances before entering the chamber together.
"You've arrived, Ryōma." Danzō's demeanor toward his most capable subordinate proved noticeably warmer than his treatment of others.
"That boy—no, what is Feng Bai currently doing?" Danzō's altered reference to Feng Bai caused Aburame Ryōma to detect something different, particularly when considering Gamma's behavior—
"Feng Bai is presently fishing riverside with Sakumo Hatake and his son," Aburame Ryōma reported truthfully.
Fishing? What frivolous pursuits.
How could the renowned Konoha White Fang participate in children's pastimes?
Could this also be another scheme by that Hiruzen fellow?
Danzō immediately suspected his old comrade's involvement.
That man's intentions are never pure.
Seems I must declare my position swiftly.
After brief contemplation, Danzō revealed his strategy: "Temporarily suspend all assassination operations targeting the village's opposition factions."
"Understood." Aburame Ryōma didn't inquire about reasons, simply accepting Danzō's directive unconditionally.
"Additionally, gradually halt experiments within the Root base—especially those involving human subjects, prioritize stopping those." After once again weighing advantages and disadvantages, Danzō reluctantly decided to cease the experiments.
"Understood. Regarding Orochimaru—" Aburame Ryōma could guarantee immediate cessation of Root base experiments, but Orochimaru, though nominally assigned to Root by Hiruzen Sarutobi, remained one of the Legendary Sannin backed by the Third Hokage. Even Danzō treated him as a collaborator.
"Cut his funding directly." Danzō possessed his own methods for managing Orochimaru.
Though unable to command Orochimaru directly, he could terminate financial support.
Currently, Orochimaru's sole human experimentation involved Hashirama cells, and that project had failed long ago.
Even that experimental facility itself—
As for the proposed fusion of Sharingan and Hashirama cells, it remained merely in the planning stages.
In other words, Danzō could still completely sever ties with Orochimaru.
"You intend to abandon Orochimaru?" Aburame Ryōma keenly perceived Danzō's intentions.
Since Danzō and Orochimaru began collaborating, Danzō had promised to help Orochimaru become the next Hokage, while Orochimaru would grant Danzō greater authority in return.
Their partnership had proceeded harmoniously, yet now Danzō was unilaterally severing connections—
"Feng Bai is my son." Observing Aburame Ryōma's bewildered expression, Danzō calmly delivered this bombshell revelation.
So that's it!
Aburame Ryōma cast a knowing, shadowed glance toward Yamanaka Zen, who had already deduced the truth.
No wonder his behavior seemed so peculiar.
"You intend to support Young Master Feng Bai..." Aburame Ryōma immediately modified his address for Feng Bai.
"Precisely. He possesses Ice Release Kekkei Genkai, and with my backing plus Root's support, provided his strength proves sufficient, he stands genuine opportunity to claim that position." Danzō narrowed his single eye, seemingly already envisioning his son occupying that seat.
If I cannot become Hokage, then I'll be the Hokage's father!
Rather than supporting Orochimaru, an outsider—especially Hiruzen's disciple—it's far better to support my own son!
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