Danzo Shimura knew very well that he and Aomizu Hirakawa were not walking the same path.
Not now, and not in the future.
At this moment in time, he was still far from becoming the Danzo who would one day possess Kotoamatsukami. Without that absolute trump card in his hands, many of his actions were inevitably restricted. Under the current circumstances—when it was inconvenient for him to move personally—his only option was to seek help from Orochimaru.
But Orochimaru was no fool.
Although he was obsessed with forbidden experiments and the pursuit of knowledge, that did not mean he was ignorant of the political undercurrents within Konoha, nor blind to the broader situation of the ninja world.
Danzo asking him to deal with Hirakawa Qingshui?
The malice behind that request was obvious.
If Orochimaru truly took action against a fellow Konoha ninja—especially someone of Aomizu's status—there would be no room left for ambiguity. The consequences would force him to defect from the village immediately.
That was not a price Orochimaru was willing to pay.
So he refused without hesitation.
"I won't take action against a comrade of the village."
His calm words instantly darkened Danzo's expression.
Black lines crept across his face as he stared at Orochimaru. For a moment, he couldn't help but think bitterly—how could someone as morally bankrupt as Orochimaru have the audacity to speak of comradeship?
Yet even so, Danzo knew better than anyone that his request had crossed a line.
If Orochimaru truly defected from Konoha at this stage, the losses would far outweigh the benefits. The Wood Release experiments were still incomplete, and the value Orochimaru held could not be easily replaced.
With a cold snort, Danzo changed the subject.
He began questioning Orochimaru about the progress of the experiments instead.
"Those ordinary people you brought," Orochimaru said indifferently, "couldn't withstand the power of Hashirama's cells at all. They're all dead. I need better experimental materials."
The words landed heavily.
Not only had the results failed to meet his expectations, but the casualties had been absolute.
Danzo's expression grew even uglier.
"Orochimaru," he said coldly, "I need results."
"Then you should hurry up and prepare better experimental materials," Orochimaru replied without emotion. "Send them over as soon as possible."
Danzo's eyes narrowed.
"Recently, Hiruzen seems to have noticed something," he said. "The next batch will be delayed."
Orochimaru gave a faint, noncommittal smile.
After delivering those words, Danzo turned and left without another glance.
After returning to the Root headquarters, Danzo sat in silence for a moment, his fingers lightly tapping against the armrest.
Then he spoke.
"Aburame Ryoma."
"Yes," came the immediate reply from the shadows.
"Go and summon Yakushi Nono."
Ryoma paused slightly. "She was dispatched by you to a mission in the Land of Lightning."
Danzo's voice remained calm and unwavering.
"Her mission is canceled. Have her return immediately. I have a new assignment for her."
During the Chunin Exams, Danzo had not personally stepped onto the battlefield—but that did not mean he had done nothing.
To determine whether Kumogakure was preparing any hidden moves, he had dispatched Yakushi Nono to infiltrate the Land of Lightning and gather intelligence.
Although her temperament—too soft, too emotional—made Danzo deeply dissatisfied, he could not deny her competence.
Within Root, Yakushi Nono was without question the most outstanding intelligence operative.
She was known as the "Walking Miko," a title earned through countless missions and flawless information gathering.
Now that Kumogakure had officially signed a peace treaty with Konoha, there would be no major action in the short term.
Recalling Nono would not affect the overall situation.
After all, there were still other spies embedded deep within enemy territory.
At the top floor of Pingchuan Film and Television Company, Aomizu Hirakawa returned to the apartment he had specially prepared for himself.
It was a quiet place—designed purely for rest.
In the past, he had lacked the means to live comfortably and could only afford a modest house far from the city center. But now, with his growing influence and resources, convenience naturally became a priority.
As soon as he stepped inside, a wave of information surged into his mind.
His shadow clone had dispelled itself.
"As expected… it's about the orphanage."
Aomizu sighed softly.
He had known this day would come.
The moment he decided to openly sponsor the Konoha Orphanage, conflict with Danzo—the so-called "Darkness of the Ninja World"—became inevitable.
Given Danzo's position and authority, dealing with him would never be easy.
But that was never a reason to abandon the orphanage.
"When poor, cultivate oneself. When prosperous, benefit the world."
Aomizu had never considered himself a saint who sought to save everyone.
But he had his own bottom line.
Without the orphanage, he might have died in some forgotten corner of the ninja world long ago.
He could not stand by and watch as the orphanage continued to suffer under Danzo's manipulation and exploitation.
Since confrontation was unavoidable, Aomizu had already begun thinking about how to deal with Danzo.
He understood Danzo's nature better than most.
And because of that, one conclusion was clear.
Danzo must eventually be dealt with.
However, not now.
At this stage, openly opposing him would bring more harm than benefit. Danzo was still the Hokage's assistant, wielding immense authority within Konoha. More importantly, Hiruzen Sarutobi—soft-hearted and sentimental—continued to tolerate him.
Aomizu was not foolish enough to put himself at a disadvantage just to remove a man like Danzo prematurely.
In truth, if Aomizu truly wanted Danzo dead, he could accomplish it with his current abilities.
But to him, killing Danzo was not worth the price it would cost.
So patience was required.
For now, Danzo did not dare to act openly against him.
Time was on Aomizu's side.
"Danzo," he murmured quietly, "cherish what little time you have left."
Several days passed in the blink of an eye.
Having received the order, Yakushi Nono returned to Root.
She knelt on one knee before Danzo, her posture respectful and disciplined.
"Lord Danzo."
Danzo studied her silently for a moment before speaking.
"Nono," he said slowly, "I know you have always wished to leave Root and return to the orphanage."
Her breath caught.
Yakushi Nono had been recruited from the orphanage at a young age. She possessed exceptional talent in both intelligence gathering and medical ninjutsu.
"Yes," she replied carefully.
"In recognition of your outstanding contributions," Danzo continued, "I am willing to grant you that wish."
Nono's eyes widened.
"You… you mean it?"
For the first time in a long while, genuine excitement broke through her composure.
Danzo snorted coldly.
This—this weakness—was precisely what displeased him.
Unlike other Root operatives, Yakushi Nono could not completely suppress her emotions. She could not become a perfectly obedient tool.
In Danzo's worldview, ninjas were weapons. Emotions were unnecessary defects.
If not for her extraordinary usefulness, he would never have tolerated her this long.
She would have been erased long ago.
Realizing she had overreacted, Nono quickly lowered her head.
"My apologies."
"It's fine," Danzo said flatly. "I understand."
Then he continued.
"You only need to complete one final mission. After that, you may leave Root."
Nono's heart pounded.
"What mission?"
"I want you to return to the orphanage," Danzo said, "and establish a close relationship with Hirakawa Qingshui."
Nono stiffened.
Both she and Aomizu had grown up in the orphanage. She knew him, though they had never been close. She was younger and had been taken into Root early, leaving little opportunity for interaction.
Though she did not fully understand Danzo's intentions, the chance to escape Root was too precious to refuse.
Besides… refusal was never truly an option.
"Yes," she said firmly. "I will complete the mission."
"Good," Danzo replied. "You may leave Root immediately. Once the task is done, your records will be erased."
"Thank you," Nono said, her voice filled with gratitude.
As she departed, Danzo narrowed his eyes.
Of course, he never intended to truly grant her freedom.
Yakushi Nono knew too many of Root's secrets.
His true objective was simple—to use her against Aomizu.
Aomizu was an orphan, with no family to exploit.
His friends?
Minato was Jiraiya's disciple.
Kushina was the future Nine-Tails Jinchūriki.
Danzo was not foolish enough to target them.
As for Uchiha Mikoto—she was already an elite jōnin of the Uchiha clan.
Danzo might despise the Uchiha, but he never underestimated them.
That left only one option.
Yakushi Nono.
She would become Aomizu's weakness.
And when the time was right, Danzo would deal with them both in one stroke.
After all—
Danzo Shimura never allowed loose ends to remain.
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