After the distribution of benefits was concluded, Hiruzen Sarutobi called Danzo Shimura to the Hokage Office.
"Hiruzen, you're worried about when the new soldier pill is announced..."
After all, they were old friends who had cooperated for many years. Danzo Shimura guessed why Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted to see him.
"Exactly. Once the new soldier pill is announced, the spies hidden in Konoha probably won't be able to sit still."
Hiruzen Sarutobi lit the tobacco in his pipe, took a deep puff, and slowly exhaled smoke. "Danzo, you can't be unaware of the importance of Orochimaru's research results to Konoha. I really want peace to continue, but that's impossible. The Various Ninja Villages of various countries will not allow Konoha's strength to grow unchecked."
News of the soldier pill spreading throughout the Ninja World was only a matter of time. Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted to use this opportunity to eliminate the spies hidden in the Village.
"Does Root need to assist Anbu? I understand."
Danzo Shimura understood the seriousness of the situation. While Konoha sent spies to various Various Ninja Villages to gather intelligence, had not other Various Ninja Villages also sent spies to Konoha?
Konoha was not a monolithic entity either; countless rogue Ninja and traitors were secretly executed.
Once the Akimichi Clan announced the new soldier pill, it would undoubtedly cause a huge stir and spread throughout the entire Ninja World in a short time.
"So, what about the safety of Orochimaru, who improved the soldier pill formula?"
Danzo Shimura had no objection to eliminating spies, but Orochimaru, who improved the soldier pill formula, was very important to the Village.
"I will order Anbu to protect her in secret."
Hiruzen Sarutobi had considered this issue, and ordering Anbu to protect Orochimaru in secret was the safest option.
"I suggest we protectively hide Orochimaru."
Danzo Shimura's view differed from Hiruzen Sarutobi's. What if someone kidnapped Orochimaru? Given Orochimaru's talent, once it became known to other Various Ninja Villages, who knows how many people would want to recruit her for their own use.
"Danzo, are you sure Orochimaru would agree?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Danzo Shimura. From his understanding of Orochimaru, she was not someone who would be manipulated.
"This is an emergency. For her safety, she will agree."
Danzo Shimura said decisively, "Why not hide her in Root's base? Give her more Ninjutsu scrolls, and I believe she will be very willing."
(Orochimaru: Lord Danzo, you're a good judge of character.)
"Danzo, you go talk to Lady Mito. If you can convince Lady Mito, I'll agree to your proposal."
Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't want to argue with Danzo Shimura about this matter and directly brought out Uzumaki Mito, a great Buddha who could suppress Danzo Shimura and prevent him from acting up.
"..."
Danzo Shimura was speechless. He had no confidence in convincing Uzumaki Mito. Moreover, Tsunade, who was the granddaughter of the First Hokage and Uzumaki Mito, was also Hiruzen Sarutobi's disciple and had a very close relationship with Orochimaru.
The Akimichi Clan announced the new soldier pill, emphasizing that its effects were twice that of ordinary soldier pills and its side effects were only one-fifth. They stated that the person who improved the soldier pill formula was Orochimaru, and the person who funded Orochimaru was Danzo Shimura.
The new soldier pill caused a sensation in Konoha upon its appearance!
What is a soldier pill?
It's an indispensable medicine and emergency ration for Ninja on missions, a life-saving pill in critical moments!
The spies hidden in Konoha began to act, transmitting intelligence through various means.
Within a few days, Anbu and Root Ninja caught many spies.
At the Akimichi Clan's compound, Orochimaru observed how the Akimichi Clan made soldier pills in their workshop. She spent a few days improving the soldier pill's manufacturing process, increasing the utilization rate of medicinal ingredients, reducing waste, and effectively lowering costs.
After the Akimichi Clan members learned what Orochimaru had done for their clan, their eyes were filled with friendliness towards her. To protect her safety, they called upon people from the Nara Clan and Yamanaka Clan for help, to prevent Orochimaru from being kidnapped from the Akimichi Clan's compound... that would be equivalent to having the Akimichi Clan's face rubbed in the dirt.
The Nara Clan and Yamanaka Clan also had a very friendly attitude towards Orochimaru. If their previous favorability was ordinary and not particularly familiar, it had now directly soared to friendly.
Indeed, some people chose to infiltrate the Akimichi Clan's compound in the dead of night, intending to abduct Orochimaru under the cover of darkness. As soon as he landed, he was controlled by the Shadow Imitation Jutsu.
"What? I've been exposed!"
The person in the black robe was greatly alarmed, and cold sweat instantly poured down his face.
"Double Human Bullet Tank!"
Two Human Bullet Tank attacks, one from the left and one from the right, crashed into his body. Without even a scream, the person who tried to abduct Orochimaru fell unconscious.
In front of the crystal ball, Hiruzen Sarutobi, wearing pajamas and holding a pipe, watched everything happening in the Akimichi Clan compound. A smile appeared on his face, and his anticipation for Orochimaru's future growth grew stronger.
Beside him, Biwako Sarutobi looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi with a hint of resentment in her eyes, as if some need of hers had not been met.
---
When Orochimaru left the Akimichi Clan, just walking out of the Akimichi Clan compound, she was stuffed with a large pile of various snacks by the warm and hospitable Akimichi Clan members, as if they were afraid she wouldn't have enough to eat. They also gave her many discount coupons and vouchers for barbecue restaurants.
The Akimichi Clan's way of showing goodwill seemed to be by sharing their snacks.
Orochimaru stood in front of the Akimichi Clan compound's gate with a dazed expression, clutching a thick stack of barbecue restaurant discount coupons and vouchers. A cloth bag, much taller than her, was on her back, and the snacks she was holding kept falling. She slowly turned her head to look at the family crest on the gate, which resembled the character for "eat," then looked down at the snacks at her feet, and finally at the somewhat heavy cloth bag on her back.
You guys wouldn't want me to have the same physique as you, would you?
A hint of horror flashed in Orochimaru's eyes; she believed she had discovered the Akimichi Clan's true intention.
What a headache... Orochimaru looked at the snacks on the ground. They were gifts from others, so it wouldn't be good to just leave them there. Yet, she couldn't call out the Anbu who were secretly protecting her to help.
"Shadow Clone Technique!"
Orochimaru put down the snacks and cloth bag in her arms, formed hand signs, and two Shadow Clones appeared beside her.
"I'll leave it to you two."
Orochimaru said to the Shadow Clones as she picked up the cloth bag.
"Mhm."
"Leave it to us."
The two Shadow Clones nodded, picked up the snacks from the ground, and followed behind Orochimaru.
On the way home, Orochimaru and her two Shadow Clones attracted intense attention from passersby, even startling the Uchiha Military Police Force.
When the Uchiha Military Police Force arrived and saw the astonishingly large cloth bag on Orochimaru's back, the captain of the four-person squad stepped forward and asked, "I am Uchiha En, captain of the Uchiha Military Police Force Sixth Squad. May I ask, what is this...?"
"Greetings, members of the Uchiha Military Police Force. I am Orochimaru. These snacks were given to me by the Akimichi Clan."
Orochimaru held the cloth bag with both hands and looked up at the Uchiha Military Police Force members. Thinking of something, with two 'bangs,' the Shadow Clones vanished into smoke, and the snacks scattered across the ground.
"Ah..."
Orochimaru looked at the scattered snacks on the ground and turned to the Police Department members for help, saying, "I heard that the Police Department members are all good people who are very willing to help fellow villagers. Can you help me?"
G-good people?!
The four of them exchanged glances. In the Village, they were always the ones who were feared and ostracized for maintaining public order. When had they ever been praised as good people?
This was the first time such a thing had happened, and to be praised by such a cute girl, their mood suddenly brightened.
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 40 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
Here's the link:
[patreon.com/Greyhounds]
Thank you so much for your support!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"