Seeing Tatsuya casually flash the pass symbolizing the Hokage's authority, Orochimaru's pupils constricted sharply. After a tense moment, he exhaled deeply, a long, slow breath. "The old man finally did something right for once!" Orochimaru rasped, his voice husky. "It seems he has considerable faith in you, Tatsuya-kun."
Tatsuya smiled slightly. "That's also thanks to your influence, Lord Orochimaru," he replied, hinting that Orochimaru's defection and continued existence likely played a part in Hiruzen's changing approach.
Orochimaru was momentarily speechless, acknowledging the truth in Tatsuya's unspoken implication. His defection had indeed significantly impacted the Third Hokage over the years.
After several seconds of charged silence, Orochimaru took something out from within his robes. "This, however…" he said, holding it out towards Tatsuya, "…the old man probably wouldn't give you, would he?"
Tatsuya's eyes immediately narrowed, fixing on the object in Orochimaru's hand. It was a standard laboratory test tube, containing what looked like a viable cell sample. If Tatsuya wasn't mistaken… those were Hashirama cells. Something Tatsuya himself had coveted for a very long time.
Seeing the flicker of recognition and desire in Tatsuya's eyes, a knowing, meaningful smile spread across Orochimaru's face. "Tatsuya-kun, it seems you've already guessed what this is? Intriguing… How did you learn of its existence, I wonder?"
Tatsuya scoffed lightly. "Lord Orochimaru, while my intelligence network isn't as extensive as yours, I've been involved in quite a few things myself. You shouldn't underestimate me. Besides," he added pointedly, "doesn't the village already have a 'finished product' walking around? I hear that was also some of your… handiwork… back in the day." He was, of course, referring to Yamato.
Orochimaru ignored the slightly sarcastic tone, chuckling softly. "Oh, is that so? Heh heh… That accidental product is, at best, only semi-finished. Danzo tried desperately to conceal his existence back then… Did he truly think I was unaware of his little schemes behind my back?"
"Could it be Lord Orochimaru has already perfected the process since then?" Tatsuya asked noncommittally. Orochimaru might have known about Danzo's general experiments, Tatsuya mused privately, but he might not have known about Yamato specifically surviving with Wood Style. Otherwise, given Orochimaru's ambition and abilities, it's unlikely he would have left a potential Wood Style user completely alone when he defected from Konoha.
Orochimaru shook his head, a look of profound, almost wistful regret crossing his features. "'That Lord's' power," he said, referring to Hashirama Senju, "is simply too immense. Ordinary humans are fundamentally incapable of wielding such power safely." He sighed. "Back then, I exhausted every conceivable method to obtain that power, using countless shinobi and even infants in horrific human experiments… yet I never truly succeeded." He paused. "The only one who could even remotely be considered a success… was Yamato. But his power compared to the First Hokage… the difference is far too vast." He sneered slightly. "As for that arm grafted onto Danzo… I have absolutely no regard for it. That kind of uncontrollable, rampaging power… I would never risk attempting to integrate it myself. If Danzo hadn't desperately wanted to use the Hashirama cells simply to slow his own body's aging, he likely wouldn't have bothered transplanting that volatile arm either."
Looking again at the vial containing the legendary First Hokage's cells, Tatsuya felt a strong, visceral impulse to simply snatch it by force. However, considering Orochimaru's infamous, seemingly endless array of escape techniques and contingency plans, Tatsuya reluctantly dismissed the idea with an internal sigh and shook his head outwardly. "Lord Orochimaru, even if you offered this in trade, I still wouldn't give you the complete version of that technique," he stated firmly, referring back to the Fujinhoin.
Orochimaru's golden eyes stared intently into Tatsuya's. Reading the unwavering resolve in Tatsuya's expression, Orochimaru understood clearly that obtaining the complete Fujinhoin was impossible through negotiation or trade. So it seems, Orochimaru thought, his curiosity piqued further, that technique truly does hold a significant secret beyond its already impressive capabilities.
After pondering for another moment, Orochimaru changed his tactic. "Tatsuya-kun," he offered, holding the vial out again, "I can give this to you freely. However, you must agree to one condition!"
Tatsuya looked genuinely surprised. "Oh? What condition?"
Orochimaru stared intently at Tatsuya, his voice dropping low and serious. "I hope that the next time an opportunity presents itself for my plans… you will not interfere with me again." The implication, relating back to his desire to 'reform' Konoha's leadership, was clear.
Meeting Orochimaru's piercing gaze, Tatsuya considered for only a second before simply replying with two words: "Okay."
Having received the agreement – however potentially ambiguous – Tatsuya didn't stand on ceremony. He reached out and swiftly took the test tube containing the Hashirama cells from Orochimaru's outstretched hand.
Orochimaru watched him, momentarily speechless again. He stared deeply at Tatsuya for several long seconds, then, without another word, his physical form seemed to dissolve into flickering, shadowy flames before vanishing completely from the statue's shoulder. He had left using a variation of the Body Flicker technique or perhaps one of his own unique methods.
Tatsuya remained standing quietly on the First Hokage's massive stone shoulder for a moment, carefully securing the precious vial, before he too vanished in a flicker, leaving the Valley of the End silent once more.
That evening, at the desolate region known as the Mountain Graveyard…
This ownerless land, located on a peninsula in the northern part of the Land of Fire, was a strange landscape, densely packed with bizarre, cave-like structures honeycombing the cliffsides, their rock faces dotted everywhere with small, dark doorways. At the primary entrance to this natural fortress, atop the massive, hunched skeleton of some long-dead colossal beast [the Gedo Statue], sat a lone figure.
It was Obito Uchiha, clad in the signature black Akatsuki cloak adorned with red clouds, gazing silently up at the starry night sky.
Below the skeletal remains, a giant, Venus flytrap-like plant slowly emerged from the earth – the two halves of Zetsu. The plant split open down the middle, revealing White Zetsu and Black Zetsu nestled inside.
Hearing the faint movement below, Obito didn't look down, his masked face still tilted towards the stars. His voice echoed slightly in the cavern entrance, low and deep. "Has the situation been fully investigated?"
Half a month prior, White Zetsu had received the final transmitted thoughts and observations from one of his clones operating within Konoha just before it perished. The news, particularly the details regarding the unexpected Military Police Reform Plan, had immediately put Obito on high alert. The Uchiha clan, so notoriously proud and resistant to outside influence… willingly giving up their traditional authority over the Military Police and accepting reforms seemingly imposed by the village leadership? It was highly suspicious. Added to that, the Zetsu clone itself had been discovered and eliminated by an unknown assailant within Konoha. This series of events made Obito realize the situation in the Leaf Village was far more complex and potentially volatile than he had initially assumed. He had immediately dispatched both White Zetsu and Black Zetsu to investigate the circumstances thoroughly. After half a month of careful reconnaissance, they had finally returned with their findings.
Hearing Obito's question, Black Zetsu spoke first, his voice a dry rasp. "Investigation complete. The Uchiha clan did indeed relinquish partial control over the Military Police. Currently, approximately one-third of the MP's personnel are drawn from other Konoha clans."
"Oh?" Obito sounded surprised. "Were you able to determine the specific reasons behind this unexpected move?"
"The reform plan," Black Zetsu reported, "was jointly proposed by Uchiha Shisui and that Uchiha woman who has risen to prominence these past two years, Uchiha Misuke. Uchiha Fugaku did not oppose the proposal."
Hearing this, a sharp light flashed in Obito's visible Sharingan eye. He murmured softly under his breath, "Uchiha Misuke? Her again!" He remembered hearing that name from the defector Uchiha Hiromi. "Based on the intelligence gathered by the Zetsu clone before its demise," Obito mused aloud, "it seems Uchiha Misuke may have been the mastermind behind the downfall of the Uchiha clan's radical faction."
Obito's mind raced, connecting disparate pieces of information. And the individuals who attacked Yashiro and Hiromi back then… were very likely members of the Divine Court. Is there a connection between Misuke and the Divine Court? Could those two Divine Court members have been working for her? And what about Yakugakure, which the Divine Court also seems connected to? Is there some link between these three factions – Misuke, the Divine Court, and Yakugakure?
After a moment's thought, Obito asked again, his voice flat. "And your clone – who killed it?"
"It was Uchiha Itachi," White Zetsu replied simply. "He seems to have become aware of our existence. For the past several days, he has been secretly searching for our traces within Konoha."
"That one's strength should not be underestimated," Black Zetsu added, his ancient voice devoid of inflection. "Although he hasn't awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan yet, his current abilities already surpass those of the vast majority of the Uchiha clan."
"Itachi?" Obito's tone was strangely thoughtful, almost distant. "Has that boy truly grown to such an extent already?" He fell silent again, lost in contemplation.
After a long while, Obito seemed to return to the present. Black Zetsu asked, "Regarding these changes in Konoha, should we proceed with any actions?"
Obito shook his head. "The organization is not suited for high-profile actions at this time," he stated decisively. "It's better to wait until the Gedo Statue is fully revived before considering our next move."