If Danzo Shimura had known the true effects of Shimura herbal tea, he would never have claimed it was simply his family's secret recipe. Perhaps it would have been wiser to find someone else to take the blame.
He couldn't even imagine how the nobles of the Land of Fire would perceive him now!
Danzo Shimura… the future Hokage…? he thought bitterly.
He envisioned the conversation:
"Fourth Hokage Danzo Shimura? Isn't that the guy who sells… aphrodisiacs?!"
Bang!
Danzo slammed his hand down on the table, his left eye glaring fiercely at Hiruzen Sarutobi. If he had been a member of the Uchiha Clan, the intensity of his emotions might have awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan.
He had once believed in his chances of becoming Hokage. Now, those chances seemed all but gone. The thought that his eventual ascent might tarnish the Hokage's seat filled him with frustration and disbelief.
This is all Hiruzen Sarutobi's fault! he seethed internally.
"Hiruzen," he barked, his voice trembling with rage, "have your actions with Shimura herbal tea brought you profit? Has the Shimura Clan's dissatisfaction lessened? Have your efforts benefited the Village?"
Hiruzen folded his hands on the desk, his expression serious and calm, as if weighing Danzo's very soul. "Danzo, your efforts have indeed united the major clans in Konoha. The Uchiha Clan has become more integrated into the Village's great family. Your merits are undeniable, and your contributions to Konoha are real."
Hiruzen spoke the truth. He intended to sell Shimura herbal tea in Konoha. The market might not be as lucrative as selling to the nobles, but it would still bring benefits. Even with fewer buyers, more children would be born in Konoha, potentially increasing the number of future ninja and steadily strengthening the Village's overall power.
"Danzo," Hiruzen continued, "I think you should sell Shimura herbal tea here in the Village."
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!" Danzo barked, rejecting the notion immediately. Shimura herbal tea in the Village? Do you take me for a fool? What about my reputation?
Hiruzen's gaze softened, his voice firm yet gentle. "Danzo, think of the nobles—they need the tea. But there are also those within the Village who would benefit from it. Its effects are undeniable. Even if only a few partake, the increase in newborns would strengthen Konoha's future. Do you not see this?"
Hiruzen paused, drawing deeply on his pipe. Smoke spiraled around him as he turned to Danzo, pointing the pipe with deliberate precision. "Danzo, you are not simply selling tea—you are contributing to the Village's future."
For the first time, Danzo faltered. Hiruzen's words carried weight, logic, and an undeniable truth. Yet something about it still felt… wrong.
To contribute to the Village, should I, Danzo Shimura, sell Shimura herbal tea? And does it truly have… that effect?
Hiruzen sighed, as though giving up on persuading him further. "Danzo, if you refuse, so be it. I will find another way to sell Shimura herbal tea in Konoha."
Danzo's chest swelled with pride. No other option. Hiruzen has left me no choice.
"I… I will sell Shimura herbal tea in the Village," Danzo said at last. He rose, slamming the door behind him. "But remember this, Hiruzen: whatever I do is for Konoha!"
Hiruzen exhaled slowly, smoke curling from his pipe. Danzo… your contributions to the Village will be remembered.
---
Back in Konoha, Orochimaru returned home after receiving his reward from the Hokage Mission Hall. On his bed lay the notebook where he meticulously recorded his observations from Whirlpool Hidden Village.
The sheer size of Whirlpool Hidden Village… he mused. It would be incredible if the Flying Thunder God Technique could transport the entire village.
He thumbed through the pages, studying the water sources, the flow of streets, and the natural whirlpools that defined the area. Whirlpool Country was no floating island nor a small outpost like Turtle Island in Kumogakure. Moving it elsewhere would be nearly impossible. He shook his head at the thought.
Tough!
A sudden ring from the doorbell interrupted his musings. Orochimaru closed the notebook and opened the door, revealing Hyuga Mio standing there, smiling warmly.
"There you are. I've been waiting for a long time," she said.
Using the Flying Thunder God Technique, Orochimaru transported Mio to his Laboratory.
The slow progress of Caged Bird Curse Mark research suddenly accelerated with Mio's arrival.
"How are you feeling now, Mio?" Orochimaru asked, sipping from a thermos filled with original Shimura herbal tea—no added ingredients.
"My eyes… my field of vision…" Mio whispered. The veins around her eyes had swollen slightly. After activating her Byakugan, she realized her field of vision had expanded from 359° to a complete 360°. The one-degree blind spot extending backward from her first thoracic vertebra had vanished.
Orochimaru approached, pointing at the spot. "Do you notice the improvement?"
Mio grasped his hand, her pale blue eyes alight with barely contained excitement. "What… what did you do to me?"
"The Caged Bird Curse Mark connects the occipital lobe to the cerebellum, controlling life and death. It occupies part of the optic nerve, which creates the one-percent visual blind spot for Byakugan users in the Branch Family," Orochimaru explained.
He removed his hand from hers, took another sip of tea, and continued. "I've been developing a new Curse Mark inspired by the Caged Bird Curse Mark. Your improved vision is a byproduct of this research. It's still early, but the results are promising."
Orochimaru's hand motioned toward the overflowing tea, which formed a mirror before Mio.
"The Caged Bird Curse Mark… is gone," Mio whispered, eyes wide with wonder. The mark that had scarred her forehead since age three had disappeared, leaving her smooth skin unmarred.
"He didn't leave… or… didn't show up… hmm? Why are you crying?" Orochimaru asked, noticing her tears.
"Wait until the Curse Mark is fully removed before you cry," he said, patting her shoulder gently.
Mio wiped her tears and gazed at her reflection. Hope shone brightly in her eyes—hope that she was no longer a caged bird.
"There's no need to thank me. We each take what we need," Orochimaru said calmly, his faint smile serene and cold. "You want freedom, I want data. It's a fair exchange."
"Still," he added, "you might consider keeping the Curse Mark. Based on prior experiments, the Main Family may soon lose control over you without it."
He touched her forehead, and the Caged Bird Curse Mark reappeared.
"Then it will serve as protection, shielding you from those who would exploit the Byakugan or target the Branch Family."
"I'll think about it," Mio nodded. She understood her own strength now, and the strategic value of retaining the Curse Mark.
Orochimaru retrieved memories from a Shadow Clone left at home, recalling Tsunade's punches as he did.
"What is it?" Mio asked, noting his expression.
"Time to return to Konoha," he replied, picking up the thermos and the forehead protector, jabbing a finger through it to collect it.
"Thank you," Mio whispered, placing the protector on her forehead, sealing the Curse Mark in place.
---
Chapter 68: Everything I, Danzo Shimura, Do Is for Konoha
Shimura herbal tea was about to launch in Konoha. The marketing strategy mimicked that of White Snake Brand skincare shops. Flyers had already been distributed throughout the city, reaching even Root's Ninja without fail.
The border patrol ninjas examined the pamphlets carefully. Their eyes lingered on the final claim, the one everyone was curious about, and many couldn't look away. Even elite shinobi were wary. No one wanted to risk being "unprepared" in their own homes.
The benefits extended beyond these… nourishing the body, strengthening the spirit, enhancing stamina, ideal for border-patrolling ninjas.
Meanwhile, many married men in Konoha secretly studied the flyers, carefully hiding them from their wives. Expressions changed rapidly from contempt to concern, then to careful concealment.
In the Uchiha Military Police Captain's office, Uchiha Hikaji held the brochure. "Shimura herbal tea… does it really have that effect?"
The Shimura Clan had never been particularly notable for ninjutsu, yet their population remained surprisingly large. Perhaps this was why Lord Danzo was so confident in its success.
A flash of understanding crossed Hikaji's mind. This tea explained the Shimura Clan's numbers. Compared to clans like Sarutobi, who relied on Fire Release and summoning techniques but had smaller populations, the Shimura Clan thrived.
Even Aburame Shisuke raised an eyebrow. If the tea hadn't been branded "Shimura herbal tea" by Lord Danzo, he might have dismissed it. Yet the recipe came from the head of the Shimura Clan, and among nobles, it was called "Midnight Divine Tea."
Midnight… the word alone sparked curiosity. For married men, the implications were clear.
The Shimura Clan members were astonished, realizing that Danzo had been keeping such a powerful recipe secret. Their image of him shifted—this fierce, stoic leader had revealed a tea that could influence life itself. His image became even grander in their hearts.
Even the Sarutobi Clan was intrigued. Most people had no expectation that Shimura herbal tea would be this effective, yet everyone was eager to try it.
Orochimaru, sitting in the park, noticed a flyer on the ground. Squinting, he read aloud:
"Shi… Shimura herbal tea?!"
He rubbed his eyes, scanning the list of effects, his expression twisting into disbelief. The slogan at the bottom made him nearly choke with laughter:
"Assistant Hokage Danzo Shimura's family secret recipe… a century-old artisan spirit. We all drink Shimura herbal tea!"
He imagined Danzo sipping the tea with a grin, giving a thumbs-up, a faceless woman draped over his shoulder.
Orochimaru clutched his stomach, laughing uncontrollably. How did Hiruzen convince him to go along with this? How… abstract has Danzo become?
Suppressing his laughter, Orochimaru used the Body Vibration Technique and disappeared, aware of curious eyes around him.
"Was that Orochimaru just now?" someone whispered.
"What was he laughing at so hard?"
"Ah! I forgot to ask for his autograph! He was so happy, he'd definitely volunteer to sign!"
Regret rippled through the crowd. Many longed for Orochimaru's signature, and this rare opportunity had been wasted.
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