The pursuit of Orochimaru has failed; this was not unexpected for Danzo.

As a collaborator with Orochimaru, he knows better than Hiruzen, the Hokage, about Orochimaru's abilities and strength. He's like an immortal serpent; if pushed too hard, he might just bite back.

From this point of view, even while maintaining a collaborative relationship with Orochimaru, Danzo remains somewhat wary.

The intelligence coming from Kakashi mostly aligns with his suspicions.

Even though Anbu deployed two captains, they couldn't detain one of the Sannin.

Those two might be excellent Jonin from Konoha, but together their strength barely matches that of Orochimaru. If they could successfully capture him, it would earn Danzo's admiration.

"But, it's really strange."

Inside a room in the Anbu headquarters, Aburame Ryuma stood there, speaking in a puzzled tone.

"What's strange?"

"Why did Orochimaru conduct human experiments with villagers and ninjas? He could have just informed us and gotten countless humans from the Root, without risking himself."

Having worked with Orochimaru before, Aburame Ryuma knows his cautious nature and would never leave such a significant flaw.

Unless he did it on purpose.

Like a child's poorly executed prank.

But this prank was far too large-scale. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

Even the Third Hokage couldn't completely cover it up, only minimize the impact afterwards.

However, Orochimaru had already defected; even minimizing the impact could not recover the losses.

This handling method, akin to controlling the village narrative like the large-scale defection five years ago, could not stop the cruel fact of Konoha's decreasing power, just concealed it with a veneer of shame.

"That's exactly why this incident is a significant blow to Hiruzen."

Danzo didn't directly answer Aburame Ryuma's question but instead made this statement, sighing lightly.

Orochimaru's defection was equally unexpected for him.

The manner of defection, intentionally visible to everyone.

If it were a normal defection, it wouldn't impact Hiruzen so severely. Instead, due to this prank-style defection, it's truly fatal for Hiruzen.

Because Orochimaru's negation isn't only towards the village but towards everything taught by Hiruzen, his mentor.

Compared to Orochimaru's defection, the negation it brought is a direct sword in Hiruzen's heart.

This betrayal is just as severe as patricide.

Aburame Ryuma nodded, half understanding.

He then remembered something and said to Danzo, "Though Orochimaru defected, what we need has already been sent in advance. It's being stored in the lab now. When do you plan to proceed with the transplant, Danzo-sama?"

An ambition glimmered in Danzo's eyes, suppressing his excitement and saying, "There's no rush. With the items secured, we can transplant anytime. How's Uchiha Itachi?"

"He's officially enrolled. How far he can grow depends on his own disposition. But will such a person really join the Root?"

Aburame Ryuma doubted this.

"Of course. His will is darker than any Uchiha clansman. He perfectly fits into the Root. He's practically the opposite of Kagami back then."

Danzo gave such an evaluation.

"Since Danzo-sama says so, I'll look forward to it a bit."

Aburame Ryuma never questions Danzo's ability to judge people.

Especially those who harbor deep darkness in their eyes, attracted by Danzo's darkness, and eventually join the Root.

His deputy is just like that, as are all ninjas in the Root.

Attracted by Danzo's darkness, they willingly dedicate everything to him and the village.

"Connect with him after he graduates from the Ninja School. Meanwhile, there are two matters to handle first."

"Two matters?"

Aburame Ryuma knew one of them, the battle with the Hidden Cloud, now in its heated phase, causing the Root to mobilize.

This demands sending a large number of personnel to the frontline to assist the Konoha Squad in fighting the Hidden Cloud.

Just like on the previous battlefields of the Land of Grass and the Land of Rain, the Root will sacrifice without regard to life or loss to ensure Konoha's victory.

Whatever despicable and cruel methods used don't matter; what's important is securing every victory for Konoha, which is the true aim of the Root.

This is the Root's reason for existence.

Therefore, disputes with the Third Hokage can appropriately be set aside.

As for the other matter Danzo mentioned, Aburame Ryuma didn't know.

Perhaps it's something Danzo decided at the time.

What could it be?

"Orochimaru's defection can be leveraged for impacting Hiruzen. I also want to give Hiruzen a chance to redeem everything, hoping he acts decisively this time and doesn't disappoint me."

Danzo stood from his chair, walked towards the window, and sighed softly.

"So what should be done?"

"Spread the news in the village that Uzumaki Naruto is the Nine-tailed Demon Fox."

Danzo, with his back to Aburame Ryuma, coldly issued this order.

"..."

Aburame Ryuma felt a shock wave through his body, nodded lightly.

"Yes."

He knows how the life of the son of the Fourth Hokage will be affected after this news spreads.

And the only way out is to reveal his other identity—the Son of the Fourth Hokage—to transform from a despised Jinchuriki into a 'hero' who guards the village, beloved by the villagers.