Orochimaru POV
My eyes opened slowly, pulling me back to consciousness after two days in Konoha's underground chamber that I used as one of my labs. The dim light made the place even darker, and combined with the total silence, it was practically perfect.
Still, that was the only perfect thing at the moment.
I uncrossed my legs and placed my hands on my knees, pushing myself up. I tried to keep my mind impassive, but the recent events from the clash with those brats be it my experiment, or even the Uchiha and the Hatake did nothing to help my patience.
The documents on the nearest table were the first things to hit the floor, scattering near where I stood.
So close..., I thought, furious. Everything was going perfectly to retrieve my best experiment once more, and because of a single slip, it was all lost!
The fight with the girl was something I expected from the start, both because I knew she wouldn't be taken easily and to test the evolution of her abilities firsthand.
She was stronger than I had anticipated and more mentally organized. So much so that she managed to trap me using the Uzumaki clan's jutsu, the Adamantine Sealing Chains.
But the fact that her health was declining slowly gave me back the advantage to capture her for good. My prey was right in front of me..., I mused briefly. Completely defenseless...
What I didn't count on was the two brats getting through all the traps to the combat room so fast... I clenched my jaw, grinding my teeth hard.
And even in the middle of the situation, they quickly formulated a strategy to trick me and succeeded.
How could I not sense that damn Hatake's chakra?!, I questioned myself for a moment amidst the rage washing over me. I may not be a sensor-type ninja, but a brat like him shouldn't be able to hide his chakra so precisely!
That's when something occurred to me.
That damn brat is close to my experiment, I pondered. She is officially classified as a sensor-type kunoichi, and if they trained together, she must have taught him at some point how to sublimely conceal his chakra, so even she couldn't locate him...
It must be because of that that that failed human project could hide his chakra so expertly, I determined, so that not even I could feel him approaching until it was too late.
I forced a slight twitch of my lips.
Even though she could no longer fight, my own experiment made me lose the chance to get her back. Her ability to impart knowledge and assist those around her prepared them to act competently without her presence... She's becoming more and more of a strategist..., I concluded.
– Damn you, Amaya Uzumaki! – I shouted with complete disgust the name that now represented my experiment – And damn those two brats!
From another nearby table, I grabbed the surgical instruments and hurled some away, embedding them in the nearby walls. With my chakra infused in them, small cracks, followed by fractures, formed where the instruments hit.
I heard the heavy metal door of the room open. And without even bothering to see who was entering, I threw the last instruments I had in my hands in their direction.
But none of them hit him.
The dissection blades stuck in the cane of the man before me, which he had raised in front of himself. I forced a weak laugh. Not even this other damnable man is caught off guard..., I complained mentally.
– Judging by your admirable organization... – Danzo commented seriously, though the cynicism in his tone was noticeable – It seems the plan was a failure – He removed the blades from his cane and set it back on the floor.
– Did you come here with good news, or just to add to my problems? – I asked impatiently, with no patience to act with the same level of sarcasm as my associate.
– Just to notify you that my part of the plan is nearly complete – He spoke calmly, showing no discomfort from my earlier tone.
– I assume you'll be going to see Sarutobi-sensei soon – He nodded calmly – I hope your planning to cover our tracks is as precise as this false tranquility of yours – The Shimura brought his gaze to me.
– I know what I'm doing, Orochimaru – He said slowly – Unlike you, I don't like to play with my prey. A single, decisive strike is more guaranteed than a trap that depends on the target's decisions.
The counselor dropped the blades he had taken from his cane, throwing them to the floor. He turned to leave the room but stopped just before doing so.
– One more thing...
And the next instant, he turned quickly, throwing a single one of the blades I had thrown at him back towards me. I caught it, stopping it between my index and middle finger, right in front of my face, then turned my gaze to Danzo.
– Yes? – I questioned him.
– Next time you kill one of my subordinates for your disguises, do it in a way that doesn't make it so obvious he was merely discarded, to make it easier to forge the "appearance of having been eliminated by an enemy" – I felt a sadistic smile form on my features.
– I'll think about whether I'll consider remembering that – I said finally, lowering the blade now in my hand.
Danzo forced a weak grunt and turned again towards the exit, this time definitely leaving the room.
I then turned my eyes towards the left wall of the room where I was, unable to avoid a slight smile.
Amaya Uzumaki..., I thought, observing some copies of documents, as well as photos of the girl from around the village. How much longer will I have to wait to have her under my control again?
Danzo Shimura POV
Two days after learning that my associate's plan had failed, I headed to the Hokage's building to report to Hiruzen about the "terrible" news that now involved the entire investigation of the lab where the Uzumaki girl had been created.
I could have simply sent one of my subordinates to Sarutobi to explain the situation I had created to circumvent any suspicion that might fall on me or my associate, but going personally would give even more value to my act.
The issue of the timing for delivering the false news would also contribute to making my story sound more convincing, especially since those children hadn't returned from the lab yet.
That is, if they're even coming back..., I corrected myself mentally. Orochimaru must have taken the opportunity to play with the girl, and she won't be in her best condition after such a fight. And I doubt the two boys, alone, can find their way out of that lab...
I took a deep breath as I approached the Hokage's office; after all, the chances of the situation I created having more veracity would come from my own person appearing serious at that moment.
I opened the door to the room at once, without even knocking. My former teammate wasn't slow to turn his eyes towards me, clearly confused, as well as annoyed by my sudden entrance.
And he wasn't the only one present there.
Another problematic figure, in my view, seemed to have just returned from his mission. Minato Namikaze..., I thought. Current tutor of the Uzumaki girl. Well, it's good that he's here now... Perhaps his concern for the girl will become advantageous for me...
– Hiruzen, we have a problem that needs immediate attention – I said without beating around the bush and in the most serious, as well as concerned, tone I could muster.
– I hope it's something truly important, Danzo, especially for your intrusion... – Sarutobi said next, putting down the documents he had in his hands.
– Not long ago, some Anbu found one of my subordinates dead on the outskirts of the village – Hiruzen's expression soon took on a surprised look – And although what happened to him is regrettable, that's not the biggest problem – I continued quickly.
– Forgive the intrusion, but what kind of mission was this subordinate of yours performing before he died? – Namikaze asked directly.
– The man found dead was Koji, the Anbu I assigned to accompany the lab investigation team – I looked at the blond – The same team in which your protégée was the leader, along with her former teammates.
– What? – Minato asked, already showing part of his real concern for the girl and the possible situation she was in.
– So the same enemy who attacked your subordinate took his place... – Hiruzen pondered for a moment, and I agreed with his train of thought—after all, I needed him to follow it – But he didn't attack the young team members, since their departure was registered four days ago – I nodded.
– Has there been any contact since then? – Namikaze inquired again, and I quickly denied it, just as Hiruzen did when the blond looked at him.
– Was anything found that could identify the infiltrating enemy or his objective? – Sarutobi asked, and I turned my eyes to him.
– There's no sign of how the enemy reached the village outskirts – I said calmly, but without failing to sound slightly serious – And it's already possible to imagine his objective, given the fact that he didn't simply attack the three youngsters.
– The laboratory – Hiruzen determined in a lower tone, slightly bothered by this fact.
– And possibly Amaya as well – Namikaze completed the train of thought, and Sarutobi agreed.
– Minato – Hiruzen called his attention, and the blond promptly looked at him – I know you just returned from your mission, but I ask that you prepare to leave immediately – Namikaze nodded without even hesitating.
Hiruzen continued to discuss certain points about Minato going to retrieve the brats. The trip to the lab, even for the fastest, would take at least a day, best-case scenario.
By then, those three brats won't even be alive anymore, I thought. That's assuming they survive long enough to leave the lab...
I had to tighten my grip on my cane's support so I wouldn't start smiling with satisfaction. The web had been spun, and everything was unfolding exactly as I had predicted it would.
– Then, with your permission, Sandaime, Danzou-san... – It was only when Namikaze spoke, taking his leave, that I turned my attention back to what was happening in the room.
And then the blond vanished from the room, leaving just Hiruzen and me there again. I didn't hesitate to turn my back on him and also leave the room; after all, my part in resolving the problem was done.
I was about to leave the Hokage building when I stopped in the middle of the deserted corridor. I just glanced sideways at one of the windows there, confirming that one of the Anbu Ne was indeed there. Or should I say, the Shadow Clone of one of them. He entered the area and knelt before me, keeping his head low.
– Has your team already left? – I asked directly, still not turning to face him.
– Yes, Danzou-sama – He replied in his mild tone – We should be about halfway there by now.
– Excellent. Hurry, because a team organized by the Sandaime is about to depart, and Minato Namikaze will be with them – The Anbu nodded – And remember your objectives well – I turned my attention forward – Dismissed – And the next moment, the clone dissolved.
I had previously instructed some of my subordinates to head towards the border of the Land of Fire, because if the brats in the lab managed to get out alive, they would be heading straight to their end.
Orochimaru pointed out to me that, with his defeat, the body of the shinobi from the Hidden Stone Village would have been left at the disposal of the brats. And thanks to Amaya's abilities, they could bring the corpse back to the village for investigation.
So the objectives of the Anbu Ne sent to intercept those children would be: Retrieve the scroll where the body was sealed, capture the girl now that she was weak and vulnerable, and also get rid of her troublesome companions.
And, Amaya, I thought viciously, get ready to finally return to your masters...