Byakuya unexpectedly ran into Orochimaru deep within the underground Root base.
Orochimaru stared at Byakuya's mask with vertical, snake-like pupils, his voice rasping as he chuckled. "Interesting mask. Are you the new recruit?"
"Yes."
"Oh? Lord Danzo didn't place a Cursed Seal on you? Even more interesting."
Byakuya stepped closer to Orochimaru. "You must be Lord Orochimaru."
"Kid, I don't like your mask."
"And I don't care for the cold, snake-like aura you give off, my Lord."
Orochimaru sniffed the air, then suddenly laughed. "You have the lingering scent of a snake on you. Were you attacked by one?"
Byakuya paused briefly, an idea sparking in his mind. He kept his tone calm. "I was attacked by a giant black snake in the Land of Rivers. Does Lord Orochimaru happen to know where it came from?"
"How should I know? You didn't kill it?"
"That snake was incredibly strong. I was no match for it."
Orochimaru's eyes flickered with interest. "Why don't you take me to see it? I'll pay you for your trouble."
"Let me think about what price I would ask of you, my Lord."
"Heh. Cunning little brat. Since Lord Danzo seems to value you, I won't kill you."
Byakuya had originally intended to try and fish for information about Ryuchi Cave from Orochimaru. But on second thought, he wasn't sure if Orochimaru had even started looking for the location of the cave at this point in the timeline.
Years later, Kabuto Yakushi would use Orochimaru's intel to find Ryuchi Cave and learn Sage Mode.
This was a rare opportunity. Who knew when he'd see Orochimaru again?
"Lord Orochimaru, I've heard that most powerful snakes in the world come from Ryuchi Cave?"
"Ryuchi Cave?" Orochimaru's eyes narrowed instantly. "Where did you hear that name?"
"Don't worry about where I heard it, my Lord."
Orochimaru's voice dropped an octave. "My summon, Manda, comes from Ryuchi Cave. Since you brought it up on purpose, you must be interested in the Sage Jutsu of Ryuchi Cave."
"To be honest, Lord Orochimaru, I have always been interested in power."
"Haha! Interesting, very interesting. Why don't we go grab a drink?"
Byakuya refused directly. "Sorry, I have things to do. Excuse me."
Orochimaru's vertical pupils locked onto him. "Kid, you really are amusing. I've memorized your scent. By the way, out of respect for Lord Danzo, let me give you a piece of advice: Unless you're a lucky fool like Jiraiya, stay away from Sage Jutsu. It will kill you."
Byakuya waved his hand and walked away.
Orochimaru stood there for a moment, deep in thought. He pushed down his questions, walked to Danzo's door, and knocked.
"It's me, Orochimaru."
"Orochimaru. Come in. Nono is here as well."
He pushed the door open.
Danzo pointed to a nearby chair. "Sit. No need to stand."
"There was a kid outside wearing an 'Shuten-doji ' mask..."
"Him." Danzo nodded. "What did you two talk about?"
Orochimaru recounted their conversation.
"Ryuchi Cave Sage Jutsu."
Danzo thought to himself, So that's why the boy mentioned the giant snake attack in the Land of Rivers. He had designs on Ryuchi Cave's Sage Jutsu and wanted to use his future merits and Root's intelligence network to find its location. Where did Byakuya hear about all this? Tobirama's Water Style, Ryuchi Cave...
"He has a death wish," Danzo judged. "People from the Leaf have tried to learn Sage Jutsu at the Three Great Sage Regions before. Aside from Jiraiya, none survived. Over time, people stopped trying."
"That kid seems to have earned your trust, Lord Danzo," Orochimaru noted.
"He is just a tool. A temporarily important one."
"I see."
"Just like you. Tools that must be cultivated for the sake of the Leaf."
"Heh. You really don't bother hiding your intentions, do you?"
Orochimaru didn't mind.
His relationship with Danzo was purely transactional. They used each other.
"Speak. Why have you returned from the front lines? As Hiruzen's student, he values you highly."
Orochimaru gave a raspy laugh. "Hiruzen-sensei sees me no differently than you do—as a useful tool. Since I know I am a tool, I have to do something extraordinary to prove my caliber."
"And you came to show me this caliber?" Danzo asked indifferently.
Ignoring Nono's presence, Orochimaru pulled a glass jar from his robe. Inside, floating in preservative fluid, was a pair of three-tomoe Sharingan.
He spoke lightly, "I gouged these from the eyes of an Uchiha who died on the battlefield. If you want more Sharingan, Lord Danzo, you'll have to find a way to get them from within the village."
Danzo picked up the jar and examined the eyes closely. After a moment, he said coldly, "The Uchiha truly are a wicked clan. The chakra radiating from these eyes is... unsettling."
"Harvesting that Uchiha's eyes drew the attention of Fugaku Uchiha, the clan head, who was also on the battlefield. I'm afraid such a good opportunity won't come again."
"Mm. I will think of something. It is a pity these are merely three-tomoe Sharingan, and not the legendary Mangekyo Sharingan."
" The Mangekyo exists only in legends. Just like that 'Shuten-doji ' mask the kid was wearing."
Orochimaru stood up. "Well then, you've seen the caliber I have to offer. Now, what about my reward?"
Nono Yakushi interjected at the right moment. "The secret laboratory you requested has been built, Lord Danzo. All the advanced equipment is ready as well."
"Take me to see it."
A flash of excitement crossed Orochimaru's pale face.
"No need to rush," Danzo said. "You just returned from the battlefield. Get some rest."
"You..."
"I said, get some rest!" Danzo repeated impatiently.
Orochimaru sat back down. "My research into Hashirama cells, building on the foundation laid by the Second Hokage, has yielded fruitful results. I thought you would be impatient to see them. I didn't expect you to be so composed."
"Orochimaru, I am very satisfied with your caliber."
"Thank you for your cultivation."
"But it is not enough." Danzo glanced at Nono. "Leave us."
"Yes, sir."
She left the room quickly, leaving the two men alone.
The corners of Orochimaru's mouth slowly curled up, his expression becoming increasingly excited. "Has the day finally come?"
"The war is chaotic; intelligence is a mess of truth and lies. You can use this rare opportunity to establish a foothold in the Land of Rice Fields as soon as possible. The beginning is always the hardest part, but once you are established, the rest will be easy. We will support each other. Many difficult problems will cease to be problems."
Orochimaru asked, "The Land of Rice Fields is a small nation with insufficient resources. Will you provide the supplies I desperately need?"
"That is why I said the caliber you showed me isn't enough," Danzo replied.
"That matter you discussed with me before—I can do it! An arm made from Hashirama cells can indeed support the power of multiple Sharingan!"
"Then go ahead and do it. Don't worry about the Sharingan. We will have them sooner or later."
"Are you planning to..."
Danzo sneered. "A wicked clan deserves to be exterminated, don't you agree?"
"But we are at war. Hiruzen-sensei won't agree to infighting."
"When did I say we would exterminate the wicked clan now?"
Orochimaru chuckled low in his throat. "You truly are a brilliant politician, full of patience."