Kabuto shrugged his shoulders.
"This is based on Danzo's method of taming Uchiha Itachi, I'm just borrowing it for now. However, I'm glad you can observe Uchiha Sasuke for me. I won't hold Ooyama Jun's matter against you. After all, your talents exceed his, just don't let it happen again."
Orochimaru's snake-like eyes examined Kabuto, revealing a smile of appreciation on his face.
"Yes, Lord Orochimaru."
Kabuto knew that for the moment, he was safe from Orochimaru's reckoning.
Orochimaru nodded with satisfaction, formed seals with his hands, and disappeared from the rooftop in a light haze.
"Just a shadow clone has such terrifying presence... Lord Orochimaru truly lives up to his name..."
Kabuto sighed, glanced at the peacefully sleeping Uchiha Sasuke in the bedroom opposite, his figure flickered and then vanished.
◎
The next morning.
"I didn't expect not just the Root and Anbu, but now even Orochimaru has gotten involved. The situation is becoming increasingly complicated."
In the hospital room, Asami Shinsui, recuperating from injuries, wore a white lab coat, standing by the window, gazing outside.
"It has nothing to do with Orochimaru; it's just that Yakushi Kabuto acted on his own. He seems interested in Mount Myoboku's Immortal Technique."
Kakashi stood not far away, leaning against the wall, replying.
"Yakushi Kabuto? Yakushi Nonou's foster son?"
Asami Shinsui seemed to remember something.
"Do you know him?"
Kakashi looked at Asami Shinsui in surprise.
"Back in the first class of medical ninja training at the Ninja School, one day, an older transfer student joined us, Yakushi Nonou. Because she joined halfway, I paid a little attention. But then within weeks, she suddenly transferred out. Later, I kept hearing of her working in other departments and then becoming the director of an orphanage... After that, I rarely heard any news about her."
Asami Shinsui recalled these old memories.
"She was one of Danzo's subordinates."
Kakashi replied.
He had read some files in the Root and knew some of its past secrets.
Among them was information recorded on 'Yakushi Nonou', though the records weren't clear, with obvious signs of tampering.
At the end of the file, there was the notation 'Deceased'.
It could be imagined that Yakushi Nonou had died during a mission for the Root.
Exactly when, the file does not record in detail. Nor is there any record of what mission led to her death.
She was indeed quite a secretive member of the Root.
"I know she didn't join the Konoha Hospital system later; this was Danzo's arrangement for her. After all, the underground forces of the Root are very powerful, making it difficult to uncover their secrets."
The Root harbors many secrets unknown to outsiders; even Kakashi does not fully understand the Root.
Only two people truly know all the secrets of the Root.
One is the founder, Danzo.
The other is Danzo's deputy, Aburame Ryuma.
Neither Danzo nor Aburame Ryuma is easy to deal with.
Danzo needs no further explanation, while Kakashi hasn't seen Aburame Ryuma in action, but being assigned such an important role by Danzo means it's not just about loyalty but also strength.
To act as Danzo's deputy without absolute strength, it's hard to stand firm in the Root.
And Ryuma being the Deputy Commander of the Root stands without objection from other members, indicating his strength and influence are acknowledged.
"Then, is there a possibility to recruit him? Such lost and struggling lambs are the most suitable to join our side."
Asami Shinsui said with a smile, referring to Yakushi Kabuto.
The fact that Orochimaru values him suggests there's nothing wrong with his abilities.
It's just that due to espionage tasks, he deliberately keeps a low profile in Konoha to avoid drawing attention.
Kakashi pondered for a moment, then gently shook his head in response: "Not yet. Yakushi Kabuto fears Orochimaru too much; right now, hasty contact might lead to him betraying us."
Unlike himself, who consciously distances from various powers, Yakushi Kabuto is clearly in self-denial.
Such people, though feasible to attract, are not suitable for recruitment right now due to instability.
Instability means accidents are likely, and an accident could cause a lapse in their work, putting them under scrutiny from above.
In Kakashi's view, Yakushi Kabuto is such a person at the moment.
Even if it's confirmed he's a recruitable person, now is not the time; a suitable opportunity needs to be awaited.
"That is unfortunate then..."
Asami Shinsui remarked regretfully.
Since Kakashi said so, she could only temporarily shelve the idea.
"How is your injury?"
Kakashi asked, inquiring about Asami Shinsui's wounds.
"I'm already fine. To make my recovery seem more realistic, I'll resume normal work in a couple of days."
Asami Shinsui's expression remained calm.
She didn't take Ooyama Jun's sneak attack seriously at all.
Even if more people like him come, handling them wouldn't be a problem.
If it weren't for the Anbu stationed nearby, she would have chosen to directly capture Ooyama Jun, interrogate him for intelligence, and then deal with him secretly last night.
Now that the hospital is under complete surveillance by the Anbu, many of her actions would be restricted, especially needing to hide her true strength.