Chapter 258: Orochimaru: "Anyway, I'm Not the One Left Disabled and Blind"

For someone with a bad reputation, becoming Hokage is almost impossible.

As long as we ruin Sakumo Hatake's reputation, the mission is basically accomplished.

"We need an opportunity, an opportunity to ruin Sakumo Hatake. His reputation is too high, his prestige too strong.

I'm sure you both don't want to see Sakumo Hatake become the Fourth Hokage, right?"

Sakumo Hatake may not be part of the inner circle of power, but with the Daimyo's support, he already has enough influence to affect the Hokage selection.

"We will cooperate with you."

After hearing Danzo's plan, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado considered for a moment before agreeing.

Ruin Sakumo Hatake's reputation? That's not a big deal, it's not like they're killing him.

This could be a worthwhile collaboration.

"Then I look forward to a successful partnership."

With his goal achieved, a gleam of excitement flashed in Danzo's eyes.

The position of Hokage is mine, and no one can take it from me!!!

In the dimly lit underground laboratory, Orochimaru was busy. The room was filled with advanced research equipment, and several glass containers housed Orochimaru's experimental subjects.

Hearing the sound of a cane approaching from behind, Orochimaru didn't even turn around as he asked:

"Did the old man summon you today?"

"I thought you only cared about your research."

Danzo, leaning on his cane, slowly walked into the room.

"No, I care about other things besides research. By the way, I need some tools and experimental materials. Please prepare them as soon as possible, or my research will come to a halt. I believe you don't want to see that happen, do you?"

Staring at the specimen on the operating table, Orochimaru's eyes glowed with madness.

How perfect, truly perfect.

Even after all these years, these cells were still active, still dividing, just like cancer cells.

Hearing Orochimaru complain again about the lack of tools and materials, Danzo's good mood vanished instantly.

He had already spent significant effort setting up this underground lab, providing all the latest equipment, almost draining his personal resources.

Many of the supplies even came from the support of the Shimura clan.

And now Orochimaru wanted even more advanced equipment. Danzo was in a difficult position.

"Orochimaru, I think you should restrain yourself. Tsunade is currently in control of the logistics department, and without Sarutobi's approval, I can't just take whatever you need from there."

At Danzo's words, Orochimaru paused, turned his head slightly, and smiled:

"That's your problem. I'm only responsible for the research. Everything else has nothing to do with me.

If you're not afraid of delaying your progress, then I don't mind."

After all, you're the one trying to restore your body, Danzo, not me.

If you're okay with slowing down, then just make do with what you have.

I'm in no hurry.

"..."

Successfully outmaneuvered by Orochimaru, Danzo remained silent for a moment.

"I'll figure something out, but I want to see some real progress from you.

Also, your promising student has been very active at sea lately. The Mist Village is sending representatives to Konoha for negotiations because the Seven Ninja Swordsmen had their weapons stolen."

"I'm quite pleased."

Orochimaru smiled but had no intention of continuing the conversation with Danzo. He returned to his work, treating Danzo as though he were invisible.

"Hmph!"

After standing there for a while, realizing Orochimaru was ignoring him, Danzo could only grunt in dissatisfaction before leaving the lab.

As Orochimaru gazed at the specimen on the table, he chuckled softly.

"What a perfect existence. If Tsunade saw this, she'd go mad with rage."

The news of the Mist Village's upcoming negotiations with Konoha was relayed to Takuya by the Intelligence Division under Tsunade's orders.

After taking the scroll delivered by a ninja hawk and letting it fly away, Takuya opened it, and both Nawaki and Minato leaned in.

"The Mist Village wants to negotiate with Konoha to get back Samehada?"

Nawaki exclaimed, looking at Takuya.

He was curious about what Takuya thought of this.

After all, Samehada was Takuya's spoils of war. If the Mist Village managed to reclaim it through negotiations, Takuya would be at a loss.

At most, the village would award Takuya some merit, but Takuya didn't care about that.

"Haha!"

Takuya couldn't help but laugh as he handed the scroll to Minato and said:

"The Mist Village is quite clever. They know they can't simply take it back by force, and they don't want to escalate the situation too much.

So, they chose to retrieve the weapon through diplomatic negotiations between the villages."

"A smart move."

"But what about Samehada…?" Minato hesitated to finish his question.

Takuya scoffed:

"Samehada is my spoils of war, not the village's property. Even if Konoha negotiates with the Mist Village, it's still up to me whether to give it back or not.

And since Tsunade is in charge of the negotiations, there's no way the Mist Village is getting Samehada back."

Even if I don't use it, I'll keep it just to spite them.

What can they do about it?

Fight me if they dare.

The Mist Village played a smart game, but they didn't realize the spoils belong to Takuya personally, not to Konoha.

It doesn't matter if Tsunade is in charge of the negotiations—Takuya wouldn't hand it over, regardless of the village's decision.

Let them deal with it however they want. There's no way I will hand over what's mine.

"If they can't get Samehada back through negotiations, the Mist Village will probably be furious. The Seven Ninja Swordsmen will be reduced to the Six Ninja Swordsmen," Nawaki joked, already renaming them.

"Hahaha…"

Minato burst out laughing.

Takuya joined in too.

In the future, when the Seven Ninja Swordsmen went on missions and encountered ninjas from other villages, the enemy would gasp in shock:

"What? The enemies are the Six Ninja Swordsmen?"

Seven Ninja Swordsmen: "…"

"Run! The Six Ninja Swordsmen are coming!"

Seven Ninja Swordsmen: MMP!!

If the Mist Village couldn't get Samehada back through negotiations, they would surely resort to other methods.

But by then, Takuya's mission would be over, and he'd be back in Konoha.

He didn't believe the Mist Village would dare to come to Konoha to cause trouble and steal the weapon back.

In the dark underground space, Black Zetsu slithered in.

"Master Madara, the Third Mizukage's emotions are becoming increasingly unstable and erratic."

"He's just a useless pawn."

Sitting on a stone chair, Uchiha Madara, with his white hair, aged face, and wrinkled skin like dried bark, showed no concern for the Third Mizukage.

Black Zetsu grinned:

"However, if the Third Mizukage continues to lose control, it could become a problem."

"No matter. A pawn is still just a pawn."

Uchiha Madara lifted his head to look at Black Zetsu.

"Have you found a suitable target yet?"

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Next Bonus: 3000 Power Stones ╰ (´꒳`) ╯

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(P)(S): If you're interested, you can read up to chapter 320+ at patreon.com/ Emik01. ಥ‿ಥ

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