The great snake disappeared in a puff of smoke.
Hyuga Satsu appeared in front of Orochimaru.
Orochimaru sized him up and took out a test tube.
"This is a weakened version of the cells. There will still be rejection, but it won't kill you."
"I understand."
Hyuga Satsu picked up the test tube and injected it directly into his body. A few seconds later, he showed a pained expression.
"It's still a bit lacking."
Orochimaru watched his reaction coldly, then reached out and tapped his arm.
Stimulated by Chakra, Hyuga Satsu finally couldn't bear the pain and let out a cry.
Small branches sprouted from his right arm at the elbow.
In a moment, they wound around his entire arm, making him look like an abnormal tree person.
"You only have three days, or it will deteriorate completely."
Orochimaru waved his hand and said no more. He helped to this extent entirely because of Haruki.
Although it surprised him that Haruki could make the Hyuga clan members cooperate so well.
"Th... Thank you, Lord Orochimaru."
Hyuga Satsu's forehead was covered in sweat. He deeply felt that these branches seemed to have life and were burrowing into his body, which was both painful and terrifying.
But there was no fear on his face.
Hyuga Satsu knew what he was doing.
There was no coercion at all.
This was a sacrifice for a brighter future.
Orochimaru fell silent for a moment, then casually formed a Hand Seal and disappeared from the laboratory.
Outside the door, two hefty guys were wantonly destroying things because of the small steamed buns made by Haruki.
Half an hour later.
In an office of Root.
"Tell me what this is?"
Tanzo Shimura's eyes were cold and filled with hidden anger.
In front of him was the newly issued [i]Konoha Daily[/i].
In the most prominent place, there were three lines of headlines, each more shocking than the last.
The Most Heinous Criminal in Konoha's History Escaped!
A Mass Breakout from Konoha's Maximum - Security Prison!
Please Pay Attention to Your Safety When Traveling, Fellow Konoha Villagers!
If that was all, it would be fine. But Tanzo Shimura saw a very inconspicuous passage in the article.
[The cause of the riot here seems to be that someone was conducting human experiments on prisoners deep in Konoha's maximum - security prison.]
"Sir, sorry. We were delayed because we had to transfer the researchers, but we really don't know how the [i]Konoha Daily[/i] got the news."
A Root Ninja wearing an animal - faced mask knelt on one knee in front of Tanzo Shimura, his voice trembling slightly.
"How did they know?"
Tanzo Shimura sneered. The New Konoha Bookstore had hired a large number of people as so - called journalists.
Normally, it didn't seem like much, just some gossip, discount ads, or trivial anecdotes.
But now he realized that these journalists had almost penetrated the whole of Konoha.
He sighed inwardly. This bookstore was too smart.
The real identities of these so - called journalists were all Konoha villagers.
He couldn't take any action against them.
"There is still room to mitigate this matter."
Tanzo Shimura calmed down. After all, he had experienced many ups and downs.
The issue with the 'Konoha Daily' is just a minor one, but the news needs to be removed to prevent those with ulterior motives from noticing the problem. Takeshi, take a few people with you and go to the New Konoha Bookstore to tell the boss to stop distributing today's newspapers.
"Yes!"
"Tatsuma Aburame, you go to Konoha's maximum-security prison to clean up and make sure to destroy all the traces. As for the rest of you, inform the Anbu and help me catch the prisoners back together. Such a big thing definitely can't be hidden from the Hokage. I'll go there in person."
After Tanzo Shimura gave his instructions, he thought for a moment. Making sure there were no omissions, he heaved a sigh of relief.
Hiruzen Sarutobi had already acquiesced to his doing some excessive things.
Although the Wood Release experiment had been stopped, Hiruzen didn't know it was related to Wood Release now. He could just find a replacement at random.
Moreover, he had used criminals who were beyond redemption.
It was just making use of waste, so it wasn't a big deal.
Immediately afterwards, he frowned slightly. After cooperating with Orochimaru, he had found some infants, but he hadn't had time to conduct the experiments yet. There should be no major problem.
Tanzo Shimura put away his thoughts and rushed towards the Hokage Building.
On the other side, at the New Konoha Bookstore, the atmosphere was a bit solemn.
Tomomi Koki glanced at the newly-placed chrysanthemums in the corner. A nearly imperceptible fragrance was slowly wafting.
It was something with an added ingredient.
"Root Ninjas are coming soon. You should go about your work as usual, but there's one requirement. No matter how the Root treats you, you mustn't fight back, even if it means sacrificing your lives."
The voice was heavy and firm.
There was an unshakable belief in the speaker's eyes.
Tomomi Koki looked around. The people in front of him were all his most trusted subordinates.
Once the order was given, they wouldn't hesitate.
"Understood!"
"Just act as you normally do."
A few minutes later, a Root Ninja named Takeshi rushed into the bookstore with three subordinates.
"Sir, what would you like to buy?"
Tomomi Koki first showed a natural look of surprise, seemingly shocked by the arrival of the Root Ninjas, but then he showed a warm smile.
"Are you the boss?"
Takeshi looked at him, his voice devoid of any emotion. "By the order of Lord Tanzo Shimura, you are to stop distributing today's newspapers."
"Ah?" Tomomi Koki asked in surprise. "I wonder what Lord Tanzo means. Our New Konoha Bookstore has always been run by outstanding villagers in Konoha and has never violated any rules."
"You're not willing?"
Takeshi's expression behind the mask turned cold. An unnamed anger welled up in his heart.
This lowly bookstore owner with almost no combat skills dared to oppose Lord Tanzo. He really deserved to die!
"It's not that I'm not willing, sir. There has to be a reason, right?"
"Reason?"
Takeshi directly slapped him. The huge force, along with Tomomi Koki's non-resistance, sent his body flying. He crashed into the bookshelf, and a series of cracking sounds rang out.
"This is the reason!"
"Your Root is being too overbearing!"
"What a weakling's wail!" Takeshi snorted. "Smash this store up!"
The three ninjas behind him immediately started to act.
The employees of the New Konoha Bookstore just glared angrily but didn't dare to say a word.
Takeshi laughed smugly.
The haze of being taught a lesson by Tanzo Shimura just now immediately vanished.
But he was slightly dazed, always feeling that he had forgotten something very important.
Naturally, the villagers outside the bookstore noticed such a commotion.
However, seeing the masks and clothing of Takeshi and the others, they could only watch from a distance.
Someone in the crowd whispered, "Why are the people from Root smashing up a bookstore?"
"Is it because of today's newspapers?"
"But what does the prison break at Konoha's maximum - security prison have to do with Root?"
"Maybe it's the human experiments mentioned in the newspapers."
"..."
The onlookers immediately fell silent.
A moment later, Tomomi Koki, with blood oozing from the corner of his mouth, a swollen and red face, and covered in dust, slowly walked out.
He usually got along well with his neighbors.
His desolate appearance now made many people indignant.
A good man was treated like this just for saying a half - true statement.
Out of a sense of injustice, someone shouted, "Manager Koki, go to Konoha Hospital to get your injuries checked!"
Tomomi Koki managed to force a smile and bowed to everyone:
"Thank you all for your concern, but my New Konoha Bookstore has suffered such a disaster for no reason. I'm not convinced! I'm going to lodge an appeal to the Hokage - sama!
I believe that the Hokage - sama will never wrong any good person, nor will he let any bad person go!
If you all have time, please come with me to witness this!
I believe that Good Triumphs over Evil!"
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