Naruto: Adopted By Tsunade

"I'll distract him. You search carefully," Danzo instructed as he entered Orochimaru's garden.

Ryoma nodded and vanished.

Inside, Danzo saw Orochimaru, appearing frail, waiting for him.

He really is hurt.

"Orochimaru, how did you get injured?" Danzo asked bluntly.

"It's nothing," Orochimaru replied, hiding the truth.

Danzo and his Root could take down Shisui.

He didn't want to hand over the Mangekyō to anyone else.

Even if he couldn't get it now, in his mind, it was already his.

Danzo frowned.

He was curious about Orochimaru's injury, but since Orochimaru wouldn't say, there was nothing he could do—for now, he didn't want to break things off.

Just then, Orochimaru suddenly spoke: "No need for Ryoma to investigate further. I took Tenzō."

"What?" Danzo's face darkened.

"He's just a test subject. Why so stingy?" Orochimaru sneered. "I haven't even confronted you about deceiving me."

"Hand him over," Danzo demanded. "Unless you want to break with me."

"I hate being threatened."

Orochimaru coughed, wiped blood from his mouth, and smiled like a snake. "Danzo, are you sure you want a split?"

Danzo paused.

Orochimaru could always leave Konoha—he didn't care.

But Danzo couldn't afford to lose his shot at Hokage if the Wood Release experiments were exposed.

He hesitated, then decided to compromise.

Yamato had been in Root for ten years—fully studied.

Giving him up wasn't a huge loss.

Just a shame to lose a Wood Release ninja.

"The Fourth is dead, the Third is back, but he won't last long," Orochimaru said, his tone softer. "The Fifth Hokage will be chosen soon."

"What are you getting at?" Danzo was irritated—the Hokage was a sensitive topic.

"Who do you think will be the Fifth Hokage?"

"You want to be Hokage?" Danzo's face changed, then returned to normal. "Impossible. You've lost Hiruzen's trust."

When the Fourth was chosen, Orochimaru and Minato were the top candidates.

Orochimaru was a Sannin with years of achievements and support.

Minato had turned the tide in the Third Ninja War and was known as the Yellow Flash.

Both were evenly matched.

But Hiruzen thought Orochimaru was unsuitable and picked Minato.

"I agree," Orochimaru nodded. "But I still have supporters. I can help you become Hokage."

Danzo was stunned.

Did I hear that right? He doesn't want to kill me—he wants to support me?

"What's the catch?"

"I want Hashirama's body. You must cover it up so no one finds out."

Orochimaru paused. "And you have to give me Tenzō."

"You're insane!" Danzo snapped. "Hashirama's body is too important. Taking cells is one thing, but stealing the body—if we're caught, we're finished."

"I know that," Orochimaru waved dismissively. "Are you in or not?"

Danzo was silent.

He gritted his teeth.

It's just a corpse. We can fake one for the coffin.

No one dares disturb Hashirama's grave anyway.

"Fine. I agree," Danzo said coldly. "But if you betray me, Orochimaru, you'll regret it."

Orochimaru just smiled. "Then take your little bug and leave."

He meant Ryoma.

Though there were no guards, snakes were everywhere.

Anyone entering would be noticed.

"Hmph. You'd better not do anything stupid," Danzo threatened as he left.

Orochimaru licked his lips, excited, already looking forward to meeting Natsume again.

He had so many questions for him.

…

Southwest Konoha.

Uchiha's new territory—larger, but farther away.

Naturally, the proud Uchiha resented it.

But their indecisive clan leader, Fugaku, suppressed all complaints.

Behind the territory's waterfall, Shisui stared at the water, lost in thought.

His battle with Orochimaru lingered in his mind.

To him, the village leaders—Hiruzen, Danzo, Jiraiya, Orochimaru, Tsunade—held the highest status.

They symbolized the Will of Fire.

Why did Orochimaru attack him?

Was it under Hiruzen's orders?

"No… impossible."

Shisui didn't want to think that his faith in the Will of Fire might be shaken.

He also realized something: Orochimaru seemed to be after his Mangekyō.

Did the village leaders already know about his eyes?

Would their attitude toward the Uchiha change?

All these thoughts troubled him.

"Shisui," an ANBU appeared suddenly. "The Hokage wants to see you."

Shisui's heart skipped, but he remained calm. "I'll go now."

With a heavy heart, he entered the Hokage's office.

"Shisui," Hiruzen put down his papers, warmly inviting him to sit.

Shisui relaxed.

Of course, I shouldn't doubt the Hokage.

"I have a mission for you," Hiruzen sighed. "With Minato's death, Kumogakure is attacking. We have to respond."

"I'll complete the mission!" Shisui said instantly.

"I've always trusted you. You have Kagami's blood and his will."

Hiruzen showed a nostalgic look. "Kagami was like a brother to me. Seeing you reminds me of him."

Kagami was a student chosen by the Second Hokage, and a true inheritor of the Will of Fire. Shisui was his descendant.

"Konoha planned a jōnin selection, but things have been too busy."

Hiruzen stood up, patted Shisui's shoulder. "I know you're stronger than a chūnin. I'm giving you jōnin privileges for this mission."

"Thank you, Hokage-sama!"

Shisui was grateful.

Jōnin were core Konoha members—this meant Hiruzen valued him.

"Do well. When you return, I'll let you join the ANBU," Hiruzen smiled.

This was the kind of Uchiha he wanted—talented, and a bridge to the clan.

The Uchiha were a handful lately.

He needed someone trustworthy on the inside.

After this talk, Shisui was sure the attack was Orochimaru's personal act, unrelated to the village.