"Interesting," Orochimaru remarked as he evaluated the white-haired shinobi.
At first, he assumed the man had simply been sent by Danzo to monitor him. However, it quickly became clear that the shinobi possessed enough skill to serve as an assistant. That realization surprised him.
Orochimaru had long been searching for a capable assistant but had never found a suitable candidate. He once considered taking Kana under his wing, only for Tsunade to claim her as a disciple instead.
Now, encountering someone with genuine talent in experimentation, and a clear interest in the field, naturally pleased him. It only proved how many hidden talents Danzo kept within Root.
Orochimaru even felt a trace of envy.
He understood why Danzo had sent this man, to observe and potentially steal his techniques. Still, such core knowledge was not something that could be easily taken. If he wished, Orochimaru could mislead him with false data.
But he chose not to.
There was something oddly familiar about the white-haired shinobi. Yet no matter how he searched his memory, he could not place him. That only deepened his curiosity.
Orochimaru was confident that, given time, he could turn this Root operative into his own subordinate. When that happened, the man could be used to infiltrate Danzo's network as a double agent.
That alone made keeping him close worthwhile.
Hayashi remained silent. If Orochimaru wanted to train a Root shinobi, then so be it.
As for intelligence leaks, Hayashi did not concern himself with that. Root operatives were already scattered throughout the Konoha encampment. Danzo's influence was everywhere, whether acknowledged or not.
"By the way, Kushina has already been deployed to the battlefield. You knew that, right?" Orochimaru asked.
Hayashi nodded. "Yes, she informed me through her summoned beast."
He still found it somewhat surprising that the Third Hokage had allowed Kushina to enter the battlefield.
"Aren't you worried about her safety?" Orochimaru continued. "She is the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki."
Hayashi shook his head. "That is exactly why I am not worried. She is strong enough to protect herself."
Orochimaru gave a noncommittal hum.
"Then take this. You asked for it."
He pulled out a scroll from his pouch and tossed it over.
Orochimaru had brought only one thousand shinobi to this front, while the remaining two thousand accompanied Tsunade to the Land of Grass. The reason for that allocation was precisely the item now in Hayashi's hand.
Inside the scroll was the One-Tail, Shukaku.
Konoha had not returned Shukaku to Sunagakure. Instead, they planned to deploy it on the battlefield to catch Iwagakure off guard.
"Do you need assistance?" Orochimaru asked.
Hayashi shook his head. "No. Shukaku is not a problem for me."
He had captured it before without the Mangekyō Sharingan. Now, controlling it would be even easier.
"Suit yourself," Orochimaru replied. "Tonight, when Sakumo returns, we will gather. I need to find a place to set up a laboratory first."
With that, he left.
...
Orochimaru's arrival brought renewed energy to the camp. Regardless of numbers, reinforcements always boosted morale and slightly eased Konoha's disadvantage.
Not long after, Hayashi left the encampment and headed alone toward the border near the Land of Rain.
He needed an isolated location to deal with Shukaku properly.
"Summoning Technique."
A puff of smoke appeared, and Dabai materialized.
Hayashi patted its head, prompting Dabai to spit out a scroll.
Inside it was a smaller fragment, a miniature version of Shukaku.
In addition, Dabai also carried chakra remnants from the Three-Tails and Six-Tails. Combined with the Nine-Tails sealed within Kushina, Hayashi had already gathered chakra from four tailed beasts.
It was unfortunate that Dabai could not handle more. Otherwise, creating something far more powerful would already be within reach.
After unsealing the scroll, Hayashi lifted the small Shukaku by its tail. The cat-sized creature looked at him with clear resentment.
It had been captured for years, and freedom still felt out of reach.
"I have a question for you," Hayashi said.
"What is it?" the small Shukaku replied, its tone far less hostile than before after years under Dabai's influence.
"Can you convince your main body to become my summoned beast?"
"…Absolutely not."
"Don't reject it so quickly," Hayashi continued. "There are benefits. It is better than being forced through genjutsu, isn't it?"
He paused briefly before adding, "You would agree either way. You might as well accept it willingly."
The small Shukaku crossed its arms. "Even if you force me, you will never have my loyalty."
Hayashi let out a short laugh. "Loyalty is unnecessary. Control is enough. Even the Nine-Tails has been subdued before."
That struck a nerve.
Shukaku burst into laughter. "Now that you mention it, that arrogant fox being controlled is hilarious."
Hayashi flicked its head lightly. "Do not forget, you are heading down the same path."
The laughter stopped immediately.
Seeing no progress, Hayashi sealed the small Shukaku back into the scroll and pulled out another one.
Forming hand seals, he released a barrier technique. Black markings spread outward, forming a sealed space around him.
He was not taking any chances. A tailed beast escaping here would be troublesome.
"I choose you, Shukaku."
He threw the scroll forward.
With a surge of chakra, the massive form of the One-Tail appeared.
"I'm finally free!" Shukaku's voice rang out with manic excitement.
Then it noticed Hayashi.
Its expression changed instantly, eyes narrowing with caution as it prepared to flee.
Hayashi smiled, his expression relaxed, almost harmless.
The contrast only made Shukaku more alert.
"How have I treated you all these years?" Hayashi asked.
Shukaku recalled their encounters. Every meeting ended the same way, with it being overwhelmed and beaten down.
Hayashi sighed. "Never mind."
Talking was pointless.
Before Shukaku could react, Hayashi's eyes turned crimson. The Mangekyō Sharingan activated instantly.
The moment Shukaku met his gaze, the illusion took hold.
Its final thought before losing control was simple.
"If you wanted to fight, you could have just said so…"
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