chapter 20: Opportunity

Seeing Yamato back to normal, Orochimaru immediately approached him to perform an examination. During this time, Yamato showed no extraneous reactions, almost like a puppet, allowing Orochimaru to manipulate him.

After a long time, Orochimaru finally stopped his actions and looked at Baishi. "Do you remember what I said yesterday?"

Hearing this, Baishi remained silent, but inwardly he mentally complained, "You said so much yesterday; who knows which part I should remember?"

Seeming to guess that Baishi wouldn't speak, Orochimaru continued to speak to himself, "As I mentioned, your cells can serve as a medium for others to fuse with excellent bloodlines, but their inherent corrosiveness is an issue.

Today, I experimented with a new neutralizing agent on Number 17. Although it didn't completely resolve the problem, it did have some effect."

Upon hearing this, Baishi instantly recalled the earlier process where he controlled his own cells to devour Hashirama's cells.

Indeed, compared to the Hashirama cells, his own cells seemed to be less corrosive to Yamato.

Initially, Baishi thought this was the result of his control.

Now that he reflected on it, it appeared that Yamato's body had maintained some balance for quite a while before he intervened.

'This must be the effect of that so-called neutralizing agent; otherwise, his body would have gone out of control long ago.'

A flicker of realization crossed Baishi's eyes.

Seeing this, Orochimaru proposed again, "So, what do you think? Would you like to join my plan?"

This time, Baishi didn't remain silent but instead coldly replied, "This is something you should discuss with Lord Danzo."

At this, Orochimaru paused for a moment, scrutinizing him closely. After a brief silence, he only chuckled softly and returned to his tasks.

And so, time passed day by day.

······

Half a month later.

In Orochimaru's laboratory.

Looking at Yamato, whose chakra had surged significantly, Baishi shook his head inwardly.

Orochimaru's operations did indeed enhance Yamato's potential; the activity of the fused Hashirama cells had increased from 60% to 85%, but it had also severely damaged his body.

He estimated that Yamato's lifespan had shortened by at least five years.

Originally, after fusing with the Hashirama cells and inheriting Wood Release, Yamato's physique should have looked sturdy, at least not emaciated.

But now, looking at Yamato's gaunt appearance, he bore little resemblance to his former self.

Although he would eventually recover, the foundational losses could not be remedied.

"Alright, you can leave now."

Just then, Orochimaru spoke up.

The man seemed to have gained a lot from the past half month, diligently jotting down calculations and not even glancing at them one last time.

Of course, Baishi didn't care about that. He stepped forward and directed his path towards the exit.

As for Yamato, he had already used Body Flicker Technique to leave the instant Orochimaru spoke.

However, just as Baishi was about to walk out the door, Orochimaru's voice rang out from behind him again: "If you don't want to stay with Danzo, you can come find me, Number 17."

At this, Baishi's footsteps faltered momentarily, and then in an instant, he used Body Flicker Technique to disappear.

'Damn! At a time like this, he still wants to recruit me. The ninja world's number one human trafficker really is something!'

······

After leaving Orochimaru's laboratory, Baishi quickly caught up to Yamato, and together they returned to the Root base.

Root Headquarters.

Inside an office, Baishi handed over a file bag, succinctly stating, "Lord Danzo, this is a record of my actions for the past half month, as well as Orochimaru's experimental report."

At these words, Danzo took the file bag.

However, upon opening it, he didn't immediately read the experimental report but first began with the action record.

Seeing this, Baishi's eyes twitched, silently praying that Orochimaru hadn't disclosed all details to Danzo; otherwise, his action record would undoubtedly reveal his secrets.

After quite some time, as Danzo made no reaction, Baishi finally let out a slight sigh of relief.

At the same time, he mentally noted: "Sure enough, while Orochimaru has joined Root, he doesn't always follow Danzo's orders. Their relationship is more of a collaboration than a superior-subordinate one."

In that case, it was unlikely that Orochimaru would divulge everything to Danzo, especially since the latter still wanted to bring him under control.

Of course, Orochimaru's patience was not infinite, and if he didn't show his intentions within a certain timeframe, he would certainly take other measures.

By then, things might not end well.

However, Baishi precisely needed this time gap. He had already decided that he would seize any opportunity to escape soon.

'Sigh! Plans really can't keep up with changes!'

Previously, he intended to wait until he was older and stronger before making his move, but now the situation wouldn't allow it.

The fact that Orochimaru had discovered his secret of not being brainwashed meant that once a second person knew of this secret, it was no longer a secret.

Baishi couldn't imagine what Danzo would do if he discovered this secret, but undoubtedly, his outcome would not be good.

Therefore, he had to escape as quickly as possible.

As Baishi was lost in his thoughts, Danzo finished reading his action report and without saying much, simply stated, "You may leave now, Number 36!"

"Yes, Lord Danzo!"

Baishi responded, maintaining his facade as a tool, brushing past Yamato as he left the room.

Pulling the door shut behind him, Baishi didn't risk eavesdropping on their conversation. After all, he had made no alterations to the recorded information while Yamato was present, so he wasn't afraid of being exposed.

As for what the two would discuss, that was none of his concern. His priority was to prepare and act swiftly.

······

Baishi had thought he would have to wait some time longer to find an opportunity to slip away.

Unexpectedly, merely a week later, the opportunity arrived.

On this day.

The skies above Konoha were overcast, with strong winds whipping up, creating a portentous atmosphere.

Meanwhile, Root Headquarters was set ablaze with activity due to a particular piece of news—the Third Kazekage had gone missing, and Sunagakure was scouring the world for him.

Upon receiving this intelligence, Danzo immediately summoned everyone and issued the latest orders.

Most of the Root personnel were dispatched to the Land of Wind to gather the newest information, while he himself headed to the Hokage Tower for a meeting with Sarutobi Hiruzen.

As for Baishi, he was unsurprisingly left at the headquarters.

Why was it unsurprising?

The reason was simple—regardless of the fact that missions involving gathering intelligence in other countries were prone to identity exposure, even straightforward assassination tasks had never allowed him to leave the Land of Fire.

As for mingling before Sarutobi Hiruzen, that was even less likely, so the selection for the protection detail didn't include him.

Thus, he had no choice but to remain at headquarters.

At the same time, with no one in charge at Root Headquarters and defenses being inadequate,

What could be a better time to make his escape than now?

The answer was none—this was the perfect opportunity.

Nevertheless, Baishi still didn't act immediately.

The reason was simple: Danzo had yet to leave, and many Root ninjas who had received orders hadn't set out yet, so he needed to wait a little longer.

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