"Danzō-sama, here are all of Orochimaru's research data!" Sai dropped to one knee as he presented the mission report.
"Mhm. Well done."
Danzō took one of the files and flipped through it, confirming it was exactly what he wanted before nodding in satisfaction.
Indeed, he had already assembled a research team to study Hidan's immortality, and had learned all about the Jashin cult. But the cult's sacrificial method had an extremely low success rate — and he had no intention of worshipping some "evil god."
That left only one option: studying the strange immortal substance in Hidan's body.
The problem was that his team was far inferior to a genius like Orochimaru. If he wanted progress, he needed Orochimaru's years of accumulated research. That was why he'd sent operatives to infiltrate the task force — to steal Orochimaru's data in the chaos.
After all, no one knew more about immortality than Orochimaru. His research was priceless.
"Danzō-sama, what should I do next?"
"Continue staying in Team 7." Danzō's tone was firm. "Keep your eyes on Uchiha Sasuke. The Uchiha clan is an evil clan — we cannot afford to be complacent. One day, I will give you a new mission. Until then, you don't need to report back here."
"Yes, understood." Sai bowed and left.
Once he was gone, Danzō resealed the research data into the scroll and hurried off to check on the progress of the experiments.
Meanwhile, in the Hokage's office, Kakashi was giving Tsunade a detailed report of the mission, along with a written record — including Orochimaru's death, Sasuke's loot, and Sai's suspicious behavior.
Tsunade frowned. "So… what exactly is Danzō after?"
Kakashi shook his head. "Not sure. But I noticed Sai spending a lot of time in the records room. I think he was after some kind of research data."
"Most likely," Tsunade said, beginning to piece it together.
After all, Danzō and Orochimaru had once worked together in secret — Orochimaru researching Mokuton while Danzō provided funding and materials. They were accomplices.
If he was now after Orochimaru's research on immortality, that probably meant his own experiments had hit a wall.
Tsunade scoffed inwardly. Those guys aren't worth worrying about right now.
The next day, Tsunade summoned everyone who had taken part in the operation to hunt Orochimaru. She praised them again and awarded each of them credit for an S-rank mission.
After all, eliminating Orochimaru was a matter of national security. Giving S-rank credit was only fair.
Once the rewards were handed out, she dismissed them, reminding them to pick up their mission pay from logistics.
However, Sasuke, Neji, Natsuki, and TenTen did not leave.
Sasuke and Neji looked at the couple. "Why don't you two go first?"
Natsuki shook his head. "No, you go ahead. You both look like you can't wait to speak up, so I'd feel bad making you wait."
"Alright, then we won't hold back," Sasuke and Neji said. "Tsunade-sama, with two S-rank and six A-rank missions under our belts, we've fulfilled the requirement. We'd like to visit the Senju archives."
Tsunade smiled knowingly. "I figured that's what you'd ask. Fine. Wait outside — I'll take you to the clan compound once I'm finished here."
They left without further comment.
Tsunade then turned to Natsuki and TenTen. "Natsuki, you haven't completed enough S-rank missions for the Senju archives, so I'm guessing this isn't about that. And since TenTen is here too, don't tell me you're here to announce you're getting married?"
TenTen blushed but quickly waved her hands. "No, no! We just want permission to leave the village for some personal business."
Tsunade's curiosity grew. "What kind of personal business? Can you tell me? If it's not convenient, I won't press."
TenTen trusted Tsunade, so she didn't hide much. "We found intel in Orochimaru's base about some special ninja tools. I want Natsuki to help me track them down. You know my fighting style — I get stronger with better tools, so I want to collect the best ones I can."
"I see," Tsunade nodded in understanding. "It's good to see you taking the initiative to grow stronger. I'll approve your request. How long will you need?"
Natsuki already had an estimate. "With Hiraishin no Jutsu (Flying Thunder God Technique), travel time won't be an issue. But finding the items could take time. Please grant us a month."
A month? Tsunade thought it over and decided it was reasonable.
"Very well. You have a month, and if necessary, I'll extend it by half a month as a special favor."
TenTen's eyes lit up. "Thank you, Tsunade-sama!"
Natsuki immediately took her hand, and with a flash of Flying Thunder God, they were gone.
Watching them go, Tsunade couldn't help but feel a pang of envy. Natsuki, with his mastery of Flying Thunder God, was free to travel with his girlfriend. Meanwhile, she was stuck in the office drowning in paperwork.
She remembered him once saying he had no interest in becoming Hokage — because he didn't want a job that left him with no time for his wife and children. Maybe he had a point.
Shaking off the thought, Tsunade left to take Sasuke and Neji to the Senju compound. They had come prepared to stay three days without distraction.
Soon, they were locked inside a sealed chamber. Both immediately set to work searching for what they came for.
Neji stopped in front of the historical scrolls section, pulling out one that detailed the Hyūga clan's history. His eyes lit up — at last, he had found a valuable lead.
Sasuke, meanwhile, found a scroll titled "On the Uchiha and the Sharingan," signed by Senju Tobirama. Opening it, he felt a spark of excitement. "Uchiha… as I thought…"
The Senju archives truly were a treasure trove. They were both glad they had come.
Elsewhere, Natsuki and TenTen appeared in the Land of Rice Fields.
The intel on the Gold and Silver Brothers included a map. Kabuto's best guess was that they had fled to an island chain west of the Land of Lightning after being badly wounded by the Third Raikage. To get there, the Land of Rice Fields was the closest starting point.
The furthest Natsuki had marked with Flying Thunder God was here — from here, they would have to travel the rest of the way.
(End of Chapter)
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