Being led here by Uchiha Feiyu, Orochimaru had already braced himself for Danzo making a move.
However, judging from the behavior of these Root operatives, this was no longer just about "grasping a weakness" — it looked more like they wanted to blow everything wide open.
Orochimaru using Uchiha clan members for human experimentation was an issue that, in the eyes of Konoha's high command, could be either serious or trivial.
Human experimentation itself was hardly rare in Konoha.
What truly crossed the line was experimenting on fellow village shinobi.
But if those shinobi happened to be Uchiha, that was another matter entirely.
While the higher-ups hadn't openly declared that "targeting the Uchiha is politically correct," the fact that the Uchiha were not aligned with Konoha's leadership was obvious to everyone.
If the village wanted to suppress the matter, as long as the information didn't leak, it would remain nothing more than a stain — a handle to be used later.
But if the news spread…
Then today it's the Uchiha.
Tomorrow, would it be the Senju?
The day after, the Hyūga?
For the clan-based ninja families of Konoha, this was a line that absolutely could not be crossed.
Once that precedent was set, Orochimaru wouldn't just lose his chance at becoming Hokage — even surviving without defecting would already count as good fortune.
Looking at the Root operatives trapped in illusion, Feiyu shrugged.
"Looks like that man over in Root isn't just trying to grab a handle or drive a wedge between us," he said calmly.
"He wants you to become a missing-nin… or better yet, die outright."
"Hehehehehe… hahahahaha!"
Orochimaru laughed in fury. His snake-like pupils shrank to pinpoints, icy killing intent leaking out.
"I underestimated him."
"This debt… I'll remember it."
"Teacher, you might want to stop focusing on revenge for now," Feiyu said lightly.
"You should think about what you're going to do next."
This wasn't just Danzo acting on his own.
The one who allowed — or even instructed — him to move was undoubtedly the Third Hokage.
"If they want me to withdraw… or leave," Orochimaru said coldly,
"Then I'll simply grant them their wish."
Danzo had done many things in Konoha, but all of them ultimately served two purposes:
to stabilize Hiruzen's position, and to pile countless dirty secrets onto himself.
"I only hope they're prepared to bear the consequences of my departure."
"And as long as you rely on Root to supply experimental materials," Feiyu added,
"Danzo will always have leverage over you."
Seeing the resolute expression on Orochimaru's face, Feiyu smiled faintly.
"In that case… why don't you let me join in, teacher?"
Orochimaru had never been the type to swallow humiliation — especially after realizing the blade stabbing him came from his most respected teacher.
Researching Uchiha bloodlines and Hashirama Cells was something Danzo knew perfectly well.
And if Danzo knew, then Hiruzen knew.
Feiyu pulled a chair over and sat down casually.
"So it's the Hokage-sama who wants you dealt with, huh?
Because your reputation is too great, and becoming the Fourth Hokage is practically a certainty?"
"As for Danzo…" Feiyu continued,
"After receiving my research reports, he probably developed ambitions of his own — so he decided to push things along and force you out completely."
Orochimaru let out a low, grating chuckle.
"So even that old man… still can't let go of power."
At this stage, Orochimaru was all but confirmed as the next Hokage.
Even if he had made mistakes, no one should have dared to flip the table outright — at the very least, it should have gone through a full high-level discussion.
"So what will you do, teacher?" Feiyu asked.
"This isn't just Danzo's doing," Orochimaru replied coldly.
"Danzo alone wouldn't dare turn on me."
"And no matter what," Feiyu added,
"using the Uchiha for experiments is an unchangeable fact. I don't believe Danzo didn't leave backups."
Danzo simply hadn't anticipated one thing:
Feiyu didn't care about the Uchiha at all.
Orochimaru fell silent for a moment before speaking slowly.
"Don't be fooled by how tolerant the Third Hokage appears.
Anyone with eyes can see who truly holds the higher ground."
"If someone believes Danzo could pull this off without Hiruzen knowing," Feiyu said dryly,
"only a freshly graduated genin would believe that."
Feiyu leaned back.
"Anyway, as an Uchiha, there's a limit to how far I can go in Konoha.
I'm not attached to the clan either. Might as well make a big scene together."
Orochimaru looked at him closely.
He didn't believe Feiyu was acting out of loyalty.
On the contrary — this disciple was terrifyingly similar to himself, if not colder.
There was only one reason Feiyu would choose to stir chaos:
it benefited him.
Killing to grow stronger… or using shinobi blood and bones to evolve.
No wonder someone this cautious about his own life is suddenly willing to burn Konoha.
Orochimaru lowered his gaze, saying nothing.
Regardless of Feiyu's motives, with his help, the chaos would be far greater.
"Teacher," Feiyu said suddenly,
"there's one technique I want to learn from you."
"Ninjutsu?" Orochimaru asked.
"What is it?"
"Edo Tensei."
When Feiyu returned to Root later, he was carrying a blood-soaked bundle in his hand.
The bundle was about the size of a football.
Blood dripped steadily from its underside — any experienced shinobi could guess what it contained.
"I want to see Danzo," Feiyu said tiredly.
The guards exchanged a glance but said nothing, leading him inside.
In Danzo's office, the old man sat with eyes closed, seemingly meditating.
"You're back?" Danzo said calmly.
"Judging by your haste, the one conducting the experiments wasn't ordinary."
His gaze lingered on the bloodstained bundle — and a flicker of surprise crossed his face.
So he actually killed Orochimaru…
Excellent.
Without Orochimaru, Feiyu would have no place outside Root.
Danzo's path to Hokage would be half complete.
Feiyu tossed the bundle onto the table.
It burst open.
Inside was a severed head.
Sunken eyes.
A ruthless expression.
Wild hair.
Bandages wrapped around one eye.
An X-shaped scar on the chin.
Danzo froze.
That face…
Isn't that… me?!
Genjutsu!
Danzo surged his chakra violently, blood spilling from his mouth — yet the image didn't change.
"Impossible… Mangekyō genjutsu?!"
"What are you trying to do, Uchiha Feiyu?!" Danzo roared.
"I ordered you to capture Orochimaru — why are you using genjutsu on me?!"
"Oh?" Feiyu smiled.
"How do you know Orochimaru was the one doing the experiments?
That was fast, wasn't it?"
Danzo's heart sank — he'd slipped.
"My men reported to me," Danzo said stiffly.
"That's normal."
"But those men were under my genjutsu the moment they left Root," Feiyu replied casually.
"I read every report. Funny — I don't remember seeing that one."
"You—! You betrayed me!!"
"Lower your voice, Danzo-sama," Feiyu said lazily.
"The entire Root has been under my illusion for half a year. That's hardly surprising."
Half a year…
Danzo felt his blood run cold.
"All Root secrets… black materials… clan leverage…"
"Kill him! Kill Uchiha Feiyu!!" Danzo screamed.
Feiyu pointed at the severed head.
"Didn't I complete the mission perfectly?"
"The one experimenting on the Uchiha… isn't this your culprit?"
One by one, the guards withdrew — Sharingan spinning in their eyes.
Danzo tried to activate his curse seals.
Nothing happened.
"Basic logic," Feiyu said softly.
"If your five senses are controlled, how can you be sure you're forming hand seals at all?"
"Damn Uchiha brat!" Danzo howled.
"The Uchiha are Konoha's greatest threat!"
"Agreed," Feiyu nodded.
"That's why I'll scatter your ashes first."
In reality, Orochimaru stood beside Feiyu, watching Danzo thrash like a madman.
"Terrifying illusion," Orochimaru muttered.
"To control Root for half a year without detection…"
"I didn't control them," Feiyu replied.
"I merely made them ignore me."
Feiyu tightened his grip on Danzo's throat.
"Do you still need him?" he asked.
"If not, I'll finish it."
Orochimaru studied Danzo quietly.
"You seem to hate him."
Feiyu's eyes were cold.
"I read memories. He's connected to my parents' deaths."
Orochimaru didn't argue.
Some debts… were meant to be paid in blood.
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