"The host has the following options: ① Go back to Konoha with Jiraiya. Reward: The Six Paths Divine Item Heavenly Marsh Spear!"
② Refuse to try to retain them; reward their Unyielding Will!
There was a moment when Orochimaru really wanted to turn back; the reward was just too tempting!
Is this a legitimate choice? If Orochimaru turns around, he'll become one of the Six Paths Divine Weapons.
Legend has it that this divine artifact was created by the Sage of Six Paths using the Yin-Yang Release.
It looks somewhat similar to the condensation of Truth-Seeking Orb, but there are still differences.
This artifact can be infused with the user's will; the stronger the willpower, the more robust the artifact becomes.
During the Fourth Great Ninja War, Obito used this divine weapon against Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke.
However, this guy has too little willpower, and the artifact performed poorly in his hands.
"Sigh... it seems the system isn't on my side this time?"
Orochimaru reluctantly chose the second option. Since things had come to this point, hesitation would only lead to more trouble.
That makes sense. He's already received a reward for betraying Konoha once, so it's unrealistic to expect a double windfall.
"Congratulations, host, you have obtained: Unyielding Will!"
Unyielding Will: It can resist all negative emotions, both mental and physical! (Note: Scientists should possess unwavering willpower.)
After reviewing the rewards, Orochimaru seemed to think that the rewards weren't a bad deal after all.
"Does negative mental emotions also include resistance to Genjutsu?"
And what about physical injuries and fatigue? Can those be temporarily masked?
The more I think about it, the more excited I get. In the short term, the Truth-Seeking Orb artifact may seem very powerful, but if we compare it to the later stages, the latter is more cost-effective.
While checking the rewards, I headed to the Amegakure. I no longer needed to worry about the Land of Water.
To be honest, if I had been going all out or only wanted to escape, I wouldn't have been able to hold out against Jiraiya for so long.
However, Jiraiya would not give up even if that happened; this stubborn guy wouldn't let it go Fudō action.
Otherwise, they wouldn't have gotten this reward; their perseverance is unbelievable.
Besides, we're companions, it's not good for him to be running around like this. Wouldn't it be better for him to save his energy and write more novels?
Konoha has also lost interest, and most importantly, the Northern Lands is now taking action against the surrounding small countries.
At this point, it is very necessary to investigate the situation of the Akatsuki. If there are any unusual movements there, the main body can make preparations in advance.
From a timeline perspective, it's not much different from the Original Work. At this point, they should be among the earliest to actively join Akatsuki.
Meanwhile, the original body and Kisame, Wuli Suyuan, quickly returned to the Northern Lands.
"The environment is nice, looks like a new ninja village? But why does it seem like there are so few people?"
Wuli Suyuan, looked around the Northern Lands landscape with a hint of curiosity, while Kisame, standing beside her, also looked somewhat surprised.
Orochimaru was used to this behavior; every outsider behaved this way.
Most of the ninjas in the Northern Lands have been dispatched and will not be back for some time.
So the village, which already had few people, became even smaller, and the situation of having more land than people did look rather desolate.
"You're too late. There's been a big operation in the Northern Lands recently, and many ninjas have gone out!"
He led the two to the office building, where ninjas quickly approached.
"Kisame, Wuli Suyuan, you two go and rest for now. Get familiar with the surroundings. We'll give you a proper introduction when the ninjas who went out to ninjas return in a while!"
Orochimaru patted Kisame on the shoulder; he was always very lenient with newcomers.
Kisame remained as ruthless and taciturn as ever, merely nodding slightly with a cold expression.
They've just arrived in a new environment, so let them adjust. But to immediately put them on a 996 schedule is bound to make any worker complain.
"Kisame- senpai, shall I treat you to a meal?"
As they walked, Wuli Suyuan couldn't help but bring up the matter again with Orochimaru.
It seems it's not just a simple dinner invitation; having just arrived in a new environment, he probably has a lot to say to Kisame.
"Consider it a favor for sparing my life?"
Perhaps it was Wuli Suyuan's repeated invitations, or perhaps it was because of a slight sense of guilt for almost killing her, that Kisame surprisingly agreed.
Orochimaru were unknown; rescuing Wuli Suyuan was merely a side effect.
To prevent Kisame's last vestige of humanity from being extinguished, how boring would a ninja who only carries out missions and has no emotions be!
Moreover, it seems that Wuli Suyuan has a bit of a crush on Kisame. If you really kill the shark-faced guy, he'll probably be a widow for life.
Orochimaru, as a good boss, wouldn't be so cold-blooded; he would have to consider the mental and physical health of his subordinates.
"You're back! Did everything go well?"
I had just returned to the office when I saw Pakura and his clone working on documents.
During the few days Orochimaru was away from the village, he used clones to work, and with Pakura's assistance, he was able to keep up with the work.
"Hmm! Things are going fairly smoothly. How's the situation up ahead?"
As he spoke, Orochimaru dispelled his clones and plopped down in his office chair.
Pakura naturally stepped forward to massage his shoulders. Since they broke through the last barrier, their relationship had become even closer.
Previously, Pakura only joined Orochimaru because he wanted to use his strength and influence to take revenge on Sunagakure.
Later, Orochimaru discovered that her abilities were indeed very strong, so he tried to put her in charge of some of the affairs of the Net.
The two are now closer than before, and Orochimaru doesn't mind giving her more responsibilities.
As for rebellion, Orochimaru never had such concerns.
"Things are going very smoothly at Yugakure; the Daimyo are all very cooperative!"
Feeling the gentle pressure on his temples, Orochimaru felt that this was the treatment a Kage should receive.
There aren't many people in the Ninja World like the Third Hokage, who works himself to the bone and schemes all day long; it's unclear what they're after.
"The situation in the Land of Hot Water is as expected; a large number of civilians and ninjas will likely migrate here soon!"
If you save people but lose land, you can gain both; if you save land but lose people, you can lose both!
After the population is relocated, the original Yugakure will no longer be a threat, and not only Yugakure, but all the other ninja villages will be the same.
A tiger without teeth is no better than a cat; without the existence of force, these ninja villages will eventually decline.
Conversely, the Northern Lands, with its abundance of talent and resources, will develop rapidly.
"How are you settling into your work while I've been away for the past couple of days?"
As he spoke, Orochimaru gently grabbed Pakura's soft hand and pulled him close.
"Hey... what's up?"
Pakura fell into his arms without any resistance, smelling the familiar scent of Orochimaru, Pakura cheeks already flushed red.
With his beloved in his arms, feeling Pakura's body gradually warming up, Orochimaru lowered his head and met her alluring eyes full of spring.
The next moment, it bit down without hesitation, easily gaining entry.
Pakura also awkwardly complied with Orochimaru's demands.
After a while, their lips parted, both of them slightly out of breath, while Pakura collapsed limply into Orochimaru's arms.
With Xiang Yu in his arms, he had no intention of letting her go, and gently patted Pakura's head.
The next moment, Pakura's resentful gaze was heard, and he knelt down on the ground very voluntarily. It was from this day that he realized that the word "grasp" was a verb.
As Elite Jonin of Sunagakure, who could very well become the next Chiyo, he was now kneeling before him, puffing away on cigarettes.
His mouth was then filled as Pakura consumed a beauty and health tonic.
All emotions and desires are illusory; the truth of human existence is nothing more than this!