Chapter 161

The Uchiha clan might have been pleased with Orochimaru, but not everyone shared their sentiments.

In a hidden lab on the outskirts of Konoha, tension simmered.

"Sixty potions? Sixty pairs of Sharingan? Orochimaru, don't you think this is a bit… excessive?"

Danzo, leaning on his cane, looked displeased, his suspicious eyes fixed on Orochimaru, who was nonchalantly swirling a test tube. This whole thing felt off. Since when had Orochimaru started making big decisions on his own? And why was he being so generous with the Uchiha? Danzo couldn't help but question the true motives behind this.

"There's nothing inappropriate about it," Orochimaru replied dismissively, barely sparing Danzo a glance. "If more Uchiha awaken their Sharingan, doesn't that increase your chances of acquiring one?"

Danzo's face hardened. "That's not what I'm asking. What I want to know is why you decided all this on your own."

Danzo was well aware of Orochimaru's talent, he had been gifted in research since he was a child. But this time, he had reported the technology directly to the Third Hokage without consulting Danzo, and that was something Danzo couldn't tolerate.

Because, to Danzo, this choice suggested Orochimaru valued the Hokage's opinion more than his.

Orochimaru chuckled softly, unbothered by Danzo's hostility. "If I had asked for your permission, would you have allowed it? Obviously not, correct?"

"So what's in it for you?" Danzo's tone turned icy, his eyes narrowing. "And don't say it's just about money."

"Of course not." Orochimaru's expression didn't change. "To be honest, my interest lies in the Uchiha's genetic material."

"The Uchiha's genes? Are you saying you made a private arrangement with them?"

"Yes. My recent research revolves around the soul, and I need large quantities of spiritually-imbued genes for reference. I knew you wouldn't agree, nor could you help me obtain them, so I took matters into my own hands."

Orochimaru gave his explanation as casually as if he were discussing the weather, picking up another test tube and examining it with apparent indifference. He knew full well that Danzo couldn't easily acquire Uchiha genes on his own, which justified his decision to act independently.

And he was confident that Danzo wouldn't sever their alliance over something so trivial; Danzo needed his expertise too much for that.

"The soul, you say?"

Sure enough, Danzo merely furrowed his brows, his suspicions momentarily softened. He remembered the promise he'd made to Orochimaru about finding a way to extend life… perhaps even achieve resurrection.

"Fine. I didn't think it through," Danzo conceded. "But next time, inform me before making decisions like this. I can be flexible."

"Rest assured, it won't happen again."

"Good. Now get back to your experiments; I'll take my leave." Danzo turned to go, but paused at the door. "And Orochimaru, don't worry. I haven't forgotten my promise to you."

With that, he left, the sound of his cane tapping against the floor fading into the distance.

Watching him go, Orochimaru's lips twisted into a subtle smile.

"Haha, Danzo really is something. He didn't even need me to explain fully; he already pieced it together. Not an ordinary man indeed."

Shaking his head, Orochimaru dismissed the matter and turned his gaze toward a set of red eyes stored nearby. Alone in the lab, he felt free to use these eyes to aid him in his experiments…

---

Late that night, after finishing up in the lab, Orochimaru returned home. He barely had time to settle in before Tsunade slipped through the door, having snuck over from the Senju clan compound.

"You're back late tonight," she grumbled, hands on her hips, clearly unimpressed.

Orochimaru smiled faintly. He didn't have much to occupy him lately, but he'd still been keeping himself busy, coming home late every day, and Tsunade was starting to feel a bit neglected.

"I've made some new discoveries recently, so my hands have been full," he replied casually, glancing over at her. "By the way, sneaking over here every night, hasn't Nawaki caught on yet?"

"Of course he has," Tsunade said with a smirk. "He actually suggested I just move in with you. But I can't leave him on his own, and if I asked you to move to the compound, it'd… complicate things, so I'll just put in the extra effort."

"Complicate things? What do you mean?"

Orochimaru raised an eyebrow, genuinely puzzled.

"What do you think, you idiot?" Tsunade flushed, looking a bit embarrassed. "Are you pretending to be clueless?"

Orochimaru's smirk widened as he realized her meaning. Gently, he tipped her chin up. "You've got plenty of rooms over there, don't you? Just… try to keep your voice down, and we'd be fine."

"Y-You…! Saying something so shameless… You've definitely been spending too much time around Jiraiya! When did you start talking like him?"

"As I said, people change," Orochimaru replied with a smirk, lying back and letting out a satisfied sigh. This was his favorite time of day—after a long, busy day, finally able to relax and close his eyes.

He had recently fused new eye abilities, and his mental strength hadn't fully stabilized yet. This often left him drowsy, and tonight was no exception.

But just as he was drifting off, he felt Tsunade's warm body press up against his.

"Orochimaru."

"Mmm?"

"It feels like the war is going to start up again soon…"

"Isn't that inevitable?"

"I hate war."

Orochimaru was silent for a moment. Finally, he said softly, "I hate it too. But… hmm? You mentioning the war reminds me, I almost forgot something."

"What is it?"

"Eh, it can wait. Let's just sleep for now. We can't do anything about it tonight."

"Then hold me while we sleep."

"I won't sleep well if I hold you."

"Then don't sleep well," Tsunade said stubbornly, grabbing his arm and placing it under her head. She had no intention of letting him go.

Well, it was going to be another sleepless night.

In that moment, Tsunade, one of the legendary Sannin, was just a woman seeking warmth in her lover's arms. She let him take the lead, responding to his every touch and kiss.

And yes… she was still a bit loud.

---

As days passed, the tensions of the Second Great Ninja War began to mount. However, this time, the Sand and Rock villages weren't launching full-scale attacks. Instead, they adopted guerrilla tactics, striking Konoha's defenses sporadically.

In response, Konoha had already deployed its vanguard units to the front lines, and the atmosphere in the village grew tense once more.

But Orochimaru wasn't particularly bothered. While others prepared for battle, he busied himself in Konoha's research lab, focused on his latest project.

"Orochimaru-sensei, what… what is that?" a young assistant asked, looking at the scroll on the table with wide eyes.

"It's a Scientific Ninjutsu Scroll," Orochimaru replied, a glint of excitement in his eyes.