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After chatting for a while, Orochimaru left, while Shin stayed behind to continue drinking. News of their meeting reached Hiruzen Sarutobi and Minato Namikaze.
In the Hokage's office.
Minato was busy with paperwork while Hiruzen supervised him. But after hearing about Shin and Orochimaru's meeting, Hiruzen couldn't focus anymore.
"Have they been in contact before?" Hiruzen asked with worry.
"Sandaime-sama, there's something I'm not sure I should tell you," Minato said hesitantly.
"What is it? Speak freely, Minato." Hiruzen had a bad feeling about this, judging by Minato's hesitant expression.
"There have been disappearances in the village recently. I was investigating them, and it seems they're connected to Orochimaru-senpai." Minato said seriously.
He had been investigating this before the Hokage selection. If he hadn't become Hokage, he'd still be on the case.
"Is that true, Minato?" Hiruzen asked after a long silence.
He already knew it was likely true. He knew Minato wouldn't make such accusations without reason.
"Yes, though I don't have concrete proof yet." The evidence pointed to Orochimaru, but Minato hadn't been able to confirm it.
"Leave this to me, Minato. If it's truly Orochimaru, I won't tolerate it, even if he's my student." Hiruzen's expression turned serious.
"Thank you, Sandaime-sama." Minato trusted Hiruzen to handle this fairly.
Orochimaru didn't know he was being investigated yet. But secrets rarely stayed hidden.
Once discovered, he'd have two choices: death or defection. Knowing Orochimaru, the choice was obvious.
Shin left the tavern and was immediately approached by a group of masked Shinobi. They looked like Anbu, but their unique chakra signatures revealed they were Root agents.
"Shin-sama, Danzō-sama requests your presence."
Danzō had sent them to invite Shin. He'd specifically ordered them to be respectful.
He was clearly afraid of Shin, having been on the receiving end of Shin's power multiple times. He both hated and feared Shin, but fear was the dominant emotion.
"Danzō invited me?" Shin chuckled.
"Lead the way." Shin decided to humor Danzō. He was curious about Danzō's motives. He'd expected Danzō to avoid him.
The Root Shinobi led the way, and Shin followed them to the Root base. This was Shin's first time here.
"So it's underground, as expected."
Root's base was hidden beneath an abandoned training ground in Konoha. Even Hiruzen Sarutobi might not know its location.
The base wasn't dark; it was well-lit and surprisingly well-decorated. Danzō clearly took pride in his lair.
Shin arrived at the deepest part of the base and finally saw Danzō, whose right eye and arm were bandaged. Sensing Hashirama's cells and the Sharingan's chakra, Shin knew Danzō had undergone the transplant.
The reason Danzō could transplant Hashirama's cells and survive was because of the Sharingan's suppression. The two powers were balanced.
Of course, Danzō also transplanted the Sharingan because he coveted the Uchiha Clan's power, especially the Mangekyō Sharingan.
Although he hated the Uchiha Clan, he still wanted their Sharingan.
"Danzō, Aren't you afraid I'll kill you?" Shin asked, a playful glint in his eyes.
"Do you really think Izanagi can save you from me?"
Danzō's face paled. His secret had been exposed. He had only dared to meet with Shin because of Izanagi—his trump card.
"Uzumaki Shin, I don't want to be your enemy. I want to collaborate with you," Danzō said, regaining his composure.
"Collaborate? You? What makes you think you're worthy?" Shin looked at him with disdain.
Danzō was furious, but he held back his anger. He knew he wasn't a match for Shin.
"I'm listening." Shin wanted to know Danzō's purpose anyway.
"3 billion Ryō—I'll pay you 3 billion Ryō to kill Minato Namikaze."
Danzō said, gritting his teeth. 3 billion Ryō was a huge sum—enough to bankrupt a major clan.
"Kill Minato Namikaze? You want to become Hokage, don't you?"
"Yes." Danzō didn't bother hiding his ambition. Anyone could see he wanted to be Hokage.
"Danzō, you're delusional." Shin scoffed. Did Danzō really think that Minato's death would pave the way for him to become Hokage?
Danzō's personality wasn't suited for the Hokage position. And Hiruzen, who knew Danzō well, would never let him become Hokage.
Even the elders, Koharu and Homura, wouldn't support him.
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