"So that's how it is."
Even with Danzō pressing him down, Orochimaru showed no trace of panic. He merely smiled faintly and remarked, "Ah, Lord Danzō, your serum specialization is speed. How... swift of you."
"You dare laugh at a time like this?" Danzō pressed a kunai against Orochimaru's throat, a single flick away from piercing straight through. "Orochimaru, sometimes I wonder if you have any sense of self-preservation!"
"No strength enhancement, nor any peculiar force field," Orochimaru mused aloud, ignoring the threat. Then, with a sudden twist of his body—
*Schlick.*
The kunai plunged into his throat as expected, splattering Danzō's face with crimson.
"You—?!"
Danzō hadn't anticipated this suicidal move. His expression froze in shock.
Orochimaru straightened up, the gaping wound in his neck visibly healing before their eyes.
"This—! What is this?!" Danzō's eyes bulged, disbelief etched across his face.
"Surprising, isn't it? To think Lord Danzō is still only aware of speed specialization." Orochimaru arched a brow, his voice dripping with amusement. "How... unexpected."
"What's unexpected?"
"Oh, nothing."
Orochimaru lied.
The real "unexpected" he referred to was the super-ninja serum Yuto had shown him earlier—its purity far surpassing his own concoctions. Such refinement could only come from countless experiments.
Given that Yuto was Danzō's trusted subordinate, Orochimaru had assumed Danzō's research must have been even more advanced.
But now, face-to-face with the man, he realized—'this fool barely understands the Super-Ninja Project!'
'How intriguing.'
That brat Yuto was hiding far more than he'd imagined.
"Orochimaru, are you mocking me?" Danzō's voice was ice.
"Oh, I'm not the one mocking you, Lord Danzō." Orochimaru's grin turned venomous. "It seems even your precious ROOT lacks loyalty."
"Enough! My affairs are none of your concern!" Danzō's bandages unraveled, revealing pale, bone-like protrusions on his head and arm.
*Schlick.*
But before he could strike, a blade pierced straight through his back.
"Wha—?!"
Danzō staggered, turning to see the monkey-masked "Tatsu" standing behind him. "You..."
"See? Pathetic." Orochimaru crossed his arms, smirking. "Even your prized bodyguard has been mine all along. And you never even noticed."
"Tatsu, you traitorous worm!" Danzō raised a trembling hand, fingers forming a seal. "If I die, you die with me!"
Clearly, he was attempting some forbidden technique.
Yet... nothing happened.
Ten seconds passed.
Twenty.
"Apologies, Lord Danzō." Tatsu's voice was flat, devoid of remorse. "Your Reverse Four Symbols technique was disabled last night."
Danzō frantically tore open his robe—only to find the inscribed markings of the sealing jutsu gone.
'How?!'
'When had—?!'
"Any last words, Lord Danzō?" Orochimaru asked pleasantly.
"May you both rot in the deepest hell!" Danzō spat.
"Such graceless final words." Orochimaru sighed, turning away. "A loser should accept defeat with dignity. Then I might have respected you. Kill him, Tatsu."
"As you command." Tatsu raised his blade.
*Slice.*
Blood sprayed—
But it wasn't Danzō who fell.
Orochimaru collapsed to his knees, eyes wide with shock as Yakushi Kabuto stood before him, glasses glinting.
"Good evening, Lord Orochimaru. Forgive my abrupt arrival."
"Kabuto?!" Orochimaru's voice was raw with fury. "You dare betray me?!"
"Now, now, no need for haste." Kabuto adjusted his glasses, smiling. "This blade inhibits rapid regeneration. Struggling will only make you bleed faster."
Orochimaru glanced at the wound—still gushing. His disbelief deepened. "You planned all this?! Why?!"
"Yakushi Kabuto hasn't betrayed you. Please, don't blame him."
A gentle voice cut through the tension.
A white-clad youth stepped into view, smiling warmly.
"Lord Orochimaru."
"Hayashi Yuto?!"
"Yuto, you—?!"
Danzō and Orochimaru spoke in unison, their faces identical masks of shock.
"Good evening, Lord Danzō, Lord Orochimaru." Yuto bowed politely. Tatsu and Kabuto moved wordlessly behind him.
Now unmasked, Tatsu's true face made Danzō stiffen. "You're—!"
"Oh? Caught already?" Yuto chuckled. "The one guarding you all this time was always "Tatsu", Lord Danzō."
"Impossible!" Danzō's breath hitched.
"The sky has no color." Yuto's glasses flashed, his smile serene. "It never deceived you. You deceived yourself."
"You snake! You've played the entire village for fools!" Danzō's face flushed with rage.
"What a funny joke, Lord Danzō." Yuto's voice turned mocking. "Did I ever ask for your trust? You ordered the deaths of Yamanaka Fū and Aburame Torune yourself."
"You—!" Danzō choked, fury boiling in his chest.
"Your goal was the serum too, wasn't it?" Orochimaru hissed.
"Sharp as ever, Lord Orochimaru." Yuto applauded.
"Tch." Orochimaru clenched his teeth.
'If I were truly sharp, would I have fallen for this brat's schemes?!'
Damn it all!
"The Super-Ninja Project fascinated me," Yuto mused. "But as a mere academy student, I lacked... resources." His smile widened. "Thanks to you both, my dream is now within reach."
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