The key issue was that even if Orochimaru stayed in Konoha and collaborated with the Third Generation, he would barely benefit—just be used. Compared with Ren Takashi's offer, there was no contest.
Even though Orochimaru was confident in his scientific aptitude, he knew that without Ren Takashi's help, he couldn't master the core principles of electrical and chakra-based technology in a short time.
It was a colossal undertaking, one that would burn his life away.
More importantly, these research projects were just a tool for him to finance his true pursuit—immortality.
He had no intention of wasting his life on home appliance manufacturing. Even if he did succeed in developing tech with the Third Generation, he would never capture the market as quickly as Ren Takashi, who was already working with multiple powerful clans.
There was no competition.
Back at the Hokage's office...
"Household appliances? Thermal power?" Sarutobi Hiruzen and Danzo frowned. That was... unexpected.
Among those projects, only mechanical research might be relevant for military use—something Danzo could weaponize.
Still, the rest just looked like money-making ventures.
But even that was enough to raise their interest.
"So... there's really nothing else?" Sarutobi asked cautiously.
"Nothing at all," Orochimaru replied smoothly, lips curling into a smile. "At most, there'll be appliances that use chakra instead of electricity."
Which was technically true.
He didn't mention the truly revolutionary projects—like chakra storage batteries, chakra purification, or chakra-as-a-commodity. Letting them find out now would only lead to endless pestering.
And when the truth eventually came out? Well, he'd deal with that when the time came.
"Then... I guess we'll back off from the research institute itself," Sarutobi said after some hesitation. "But can you at least give us a copy of the research reports? We just want to stay informed. It's all for Konoha."
The mask of benevolence was back.
But Orochimaru wasn't fooled. His teacher was just trying to get the technology without paying the price.
He sneered inwardly and replied with a blank face, "I'm afraid not. I've signed confidentiality agreements with Lord Mito and the others. And besides—this is part of my personal stake in the institute. You want me to hand over valuable intel for free?"
"Sensei, don't push it."
"Khh..." Sarutobi's face darkened. He had no retort.
He wanted to guilt-trip Orochimaru, to remind him of the bond between master and student.
But Orochimaru no longer respected that bond.
"Orochimaru, how can you be so selfish? Don't you realize how important this is for Konoha?" Danzo finally snapped, slamming his cane into the floor. "Do I need to relieve you of your position at Root? Cancel your projects?"
"Hah?"
Orochimaru scoffed and looked at Danzo like he was an idiot.
"Danzo, let's not pretend. The Hokage appointed me to Root to watch you, not the other way around."
"You think I enjoy crawling around your little shadow nest?"
"As for our research collaboration—you begged me to help you. Not the other way around."
"Don't confuse who's using whom."
Danzo's face flushed red, but he had no comeback. Orochimaru was speaking the truth.
In a desperate move, he growled, "What about funding? You still need it. What if I cut you off?"
But Orochimaru only smiled coldly.
"You think I'm still dependent on your pitiful scraps? I'm building a research empire with Uchiha Ren Takashi. Once our tech rolls out, the factory dividends alone will fund all my experiments. You? You're obsolete."
"If this is all you came to say, then you've wasted my time."
Without another word, Orochimaru turned and left.
Sarutobi and Danzo stood there in stunned silence.
"Hiruzen," Danzo hissed after a long pause, "Look at what your students have become. Tsunade turned her back. Now Orochimaru. What next? Jiraiya?"
He didn't know Jiraiya had already been secretly submitting serialized work to a Uchiha-owned publishing house.
And when that fact inevitably came out, Sarutobi's face would be worth a painting.
Sarutobi sighed deeply.
"They've grown up, Danzo. They have their own thoughts. What can I do?"
"Maybe we were wrong to approach Orochimaru. He's probably already being watched by Mito-sama."
"Let's give up on trying to infiltrate the research institute. It's better to negotiate with Lady Mito directly to invest in the manufacturing companies downstream. If we can secure some shares there, we won't walk away empty-handed."
It was all about the money now.
Even the steel company gave the Hokage monthly profit margins. This new venture? He had to get in.
"What? You want me to go see Mito?" Danzo blanched. "Have you lost your mind? I'm the one who took the fall for you over the Senju massacre!"
"She'll kill me."
"If you're going, go alone. I'm not walking into that death trap!"
Sarutobi blinked. He had forgotten that.
"Fine," he said with a hint of mockery. "Then don't expect me to fight for your share of the profits."
"What the hell!?" Danzo growled. "You greedy bastard, you want to cut me out again?"
"You gave me 3% from the steel company, now you want to pull the same trick again?"
"You already get 3%. What more do you want?" Sarutobi snapped. "I have the entire village to consider—not just you and Root. Koharu, Homura, my clan—"
"And you? You leech funds off every damn department!"
"Don't push it, Danzo. You want more? Come with me to Mito and ask her yourself."
"...I'll pass."
Danzo gritted his teeth.
"Fine! Keep your three percent! I've got more important things to do!"
He stormed out, furious.
As Sarutobi watched him go, he shook his head and sighed.
"Ungrateful bastard. Always wants more. When I no longer need him, Root will be the first thing I shut down."
Meanwhile, Orochimaru had returned to the research institute construction site.
"You're back," Ren Takashi greeted him with a smile. "Let me guess—the Third Hokage tried to get access through you?"
"You saw that coming," Orochimaru chuckled.
"He even wanted me to hand over research data."
"I told him to go dream."
"You don't need to worry, Ren-kun. I'm not selling out our shared interests. Not to those two."
He looked over the plans, eyes filled with a deeper ambition.
If his path to immortality through biology ever failed, then maybe... maybe the future of chakra technology, chakra lifeforms, and pure chakra immortality would be his next road.
After all, tailed beasts were the closest thing to eternal existence already.