Although the recent rumors had grown increasingly outrageous, Orochimaru chose to ignore them since they weren't causing Hinowa any significant distress.
As long as it didn't negatively affect the pregnant woman, Orochimaru didn't mind—in fact, he was quite pleased with the situation.
Of course, while some were in good spirits, others weren't feeling quite as cheerful...
...
Konoha, underground Root base.
Because Orochimaru had been completely absorbed in his research on maternal health lately, he hadn't paid any attention to his previous experiments, causing all the projects he was working on for Root to come to a standstill.
This displeased Danzo greatly.
Countless times now, whenever he sent his subordinates to inquire, Orochimaru would respond with: "Almost there," "Just a few more days," "Haste makes waste," "Results are imminent"...
You've been away from Root for nearly half a year now, haven't you?
How long exactly is this "imminent" supposed to be?
"Haste makes waste," so instead you went and got yourself a tender 19-year-old girl?
Watching yet another Root ninja return empty-handed, Danzo's face darkened ominously.
It seemed Orochimaru truly had no intention of continuing to work with him!
Why on earth did you have to go and fall in love when you had nothing better to do?
Wasn't conducting experiments and research satisfying enough?
The Sharingan, Wood Release, Bloodline Limits, Impure World Reincarnation...
Aren't all of these far more enticing than women?
And you even went and created this whole "Hinowa love story" nonsense.
You've truly fallen, Orochimaru!
Danzo couldn't help but feel deeply disappointed.
This Orochimaru, in whom he had placed such high hopes, had allowed himself to be blinded by such mundane, worldly distractions!
"Uncle Danzo, why are you so agitated?"
Otae, who had come to deliver a bento and comfort her uncle, asked with thoughtful concern.
Looking at this considerate girl whom he treated as his own daughter, Danzo sighed heavily.
"Otae, you're still too young to understand. Your uncle has been let down by someone this time. When you grow up, you must keep your eyes open, understand?"
"Uncle, Otae isn't a three-year-old anymore. So your troubles are Otae's troubles too—Otae wants to share your burdens!"
Seeing the determination on Otae's little face, Danzo felt a warmth in his heart.
Such an understanding child was truly rare!
Of course, Danzo didn't actually share his troubles with Otae.
In his eyes, she was still just a child, and all he wanted was for Otae and Shinpachi to live healthy, happy lives free from want.
Still, Danzo decided to tease his little niece a bit."Otae, what if your uncle is a bad person? Would you still help share his burdens?"
"Of course! Even if you were a wicked, villainous scoundrel who committed every crime imaginable, Otae would never abandon you! Because we're family! And family should support each other and stand united!"
Though the first part of her statement made Danzo slightly uncomfortable, the resounding conviction in the latter half inexplicably moistened the old man's eyes.
"Good! Good! Very good!"
"Uncle, why are you crying?"
"No, these are tears of joy."
Looking at Otae before him, Danzo also made up his mind.
His intermittent memory loss might be incurable, and the successor... perhaps it was time to decide!
"Otae, listen to your uncle..." Danzo sighed lightly, his gaze turning melancholic as he looked up at the ceiling.
"The position of the Fourth Hokage... was originally meant to be mine."
"What?!" Otae covered her mouth in shock, then immediately thought of something.
"Could it be that the Fourth Hokage used some underhanded means to snatch the village leadership from you?!"
Danzo shook his head slightly, his expression complicated.
"No, not him. He was just a puppet pushed forward by Hiruzen. The one who truly framed me... was the Third Hokage!"
"So it was the Third Hokage!"
"Otae, remember this—this village, this country, and this Shinobi World must be changed by the Shimura clan! Only we Shimura have the vision for it!"
"Yes!"
Seeing the determination in Otae's eyes, Danzo inwardly praised her.
For someone so young to be so sensible—even if he himself failed in the future, Otae might still have a chance!
As he thought this, Danzo recalled his teacher, the Second Hokage, and a wave of emotion surged in his heart.
Teacher, this must be the legacy you always spoke of.
Your foolish disciple only realizes it now!
"Starting tomorrow, I will assign someone to guide your training. It will be harsh. Are you prepared?"
Danzo deliberately kept his expression cold as he asked.
"To reclaim everything that rightfully belongs to the Shimura clan, Otae is not afraid of hardship!"
Otae clenched her fists, her voice resolute.
Though inwardly nodding in satisfaction at her response, Danzo remained expressionless, merely giving a faint nod.
Then, Danzo reached for the exquisitely crafted but ominously dark-smelling tamagoyaki beside him.
One bite, two bites—the more he ate, the more addicted he became.
Three bites, four bites—wait, who are you again?
...
Meanwhile, the Root Ninjas, who were applying "appropriate stimulation" to Danzo's brain to help restore his memory, panicked when they noticed Otae—who had somehow returned unnoticed, standing silently with her head lowered.
"Young Mistress! We were just helping Danzo-sama recover his memory!" someone blurted out in defense.
"That's right! I heard mild brain stimulation aids memory recovery!"
"Exactly! I read that in a book too!"
"Honest, honest! We really meant no harm—just helping Danzo-sama!"
Listening to their flustered excuses, Otae simply uttered one quiet word.
"Move."
Though young, the sheer pressure emanating from her small frame made the Root Ninjas instinctively step aside.
"You all... need to know when to stop..."
With that, Otae, head still lowered, stepped forward to where Danzo lay as if bombed, took a deep breath, and exhaled slowly.
She slid her right foot back, clenched her right fist, and pulled it to her side.
"Such weak stimulation won't do anything for memory recovery! At least put some effort into it!"
BOOM!!!
"At least this much!"
With a straight punch that sent Danzo's head crashing into the floor, Otae roared.
"DANZO-SAMAAA!!" ×n
"ORA! ORA! ORA! See that?! This is how it's done! Your so-called 'stimulation' was completely useless!"
Watching Otae straddling Danzo while relentlessly pounding his face with punch after punch, all the Root Ninjas present dared not speak.
"DIEEE—!!"
Wasn't this supposed to help Danzo-sama recover his memories?!
What's with this sudden "die" shout?!
Every Root Ninja present simultaneously thought this complaint in their hearts.
"Oh... Otae, what just happened to me?"
Seeing Danzo stagger to his feet and ask this question, all the Root Ninjas present fell into a long, long silence.
What the... Did that actually work?!
"Uncle!" Otae tearfully threw herself into Danzo's arms, "When you lost your memory just now, I was so scared!"
"Is that so? I actually..."
Danzo sighed deeply before patting Otae's head, "This uncle really must thank Otae for bringing back my memories."
Root Ninjas: No, she nearly killed you just now!
Watching Otae's endless tears, Danzo's expression gradually softened.
In critical moments, it's family you can rely on—only family can restore lost memories!