One week later.
"I heard there's someone in this area with a very fast knife!"
A figure in white led five or six hundred ninjas on a swift march through the icy snow.
Kakuzu next to him rolled his eyes after hearing this.
"Boss! This is the Land of Iron! Everyone here uses a sword. If you want to talk about Mifune, just say so."
"Stop beating around the bush! Anyone who didn't know better would think you were a wandering swordsman!"
Seeing that Kakuzu was so clueless, Orochimaru, as he passed a tree trunk, grabbed a snowflake from a branch and threw it at him in annoyance.
"I'll dock your pay when you get back! You can expect to Zabuza welfare like Zabuza!"
Hearing this, Anko covered her mouth and chuckled. Their shadow was usually very dignified in front of the villagers.
However, I still joke around with them quite often when I'm with them, and it's quite easy to get along with them.
"No, boss! I'll take care of Mifune later. No matter how fast his sword is, it can't be faster than my shuriken, can it?"
"I'm the man who could fight the First Hokage for three hundred rounds and still survive!"
Kakuzu once again brought up one of his few achievements to talk about; this was all he could boast about.
"Since you're so tough, I'll summon the First Hokage and fight you again another day?"
Orochimaru felt it was necessary to teach this argumentative guy a lesson.
As expected, Kakuzu's expression immediately wilted Kakuzu heard that Orochimaru was going to summon the First Hokage to fight him.
"Boss! Are you a sore loser? Playing around is fine, but don't joke about the undead!"
"Get out! You'll be collecting bottles to survive this month!"
Hozuki Mangetsu, Kimimaro, and the others behind him burst into laughter upon hearing this.
This operation was divided into two groups, with Orochimaru himself leading the team to the Land of Iron.
Kisame, Zabuza, Ringo Ameyuri, Guren, and Orochimaru's three Chakra simultaneously head to the Land of Grass.
They are all relatively calm and composed, and with the combat power of Elite Jonin, Kisame and Ringo Ameyuri, the Land of Grass can't cause any major trouble.
They've all been integrated into the clones over there; all we need to do is escort them back.
With a clone watching over Amegakure, nothing bad can happen there.
The most important thing is to prevent the ninjas from Konoha and Iwagakure from causing trouble.
These ninjas are more than capable of handling the attacks from two ninja villages. Even if they received the news, they would probably come to find out what's going on or to test the waters.
Kisame and Zabuza returned yesterday. Things are pretty much as Orochimaru expected; the Hidden Cloud Village don't take them seriously at all.
The outcome was obvious: with the added power of Samehada, Kisame wiped out the nine scouts from Hidden Cloud Village.
This also made Zabuza, who was initially dissatisfied with Kisame's rise to power, Zabuza submit.
It made him sigh, "Is it really that hard to make it in the underworld these days?"
If the seniors don't learn to restrain themselves, it will be difficult for newcomers to get ahead!
Compared to Kisame, all I want to say to him is:
"Before we put on these clothes, we could have communicated as equals, but now, what is your status? What is mine?"
"Want to catch up with me? Sorry, you still need to practice!"
With a few top generals on the front lines, dealing with a subjugated Kusagakure would be a piece of cake.
Even if something unexpected happens, it doesn't matter. The three clones did more than just bring back the Box of Paradise.
In critical moments, messages can also be relayed through Shiro, allowing Orochimaru to quickly reach the battlefield.
If we disregard the Chakra consumption, he could Teleportation to the Land of Grass in half a day, which is why he dares to operate on two fronts simultaneously.
One's perspective is determined by one's position; Orochimaru had to consider all factors.
That afternoon, Orochimaru and his group finally arrived at the village where the Land of Iron was located.
This neutral country, independent of all other nations, practices a warrior system.
The people who usually maintain the safety of the village are samurai, and their attack methods are mostly melee combat, so their combat strength is naturally not very high.
In addition, the Land of Iron is even more closed off than the Amegakure, and the Five Great Nations recognize their neutrality.
They are usually undisturbed and live a comfortable life.
However, if it continues to develop without establishing diplomatic relations with other countries for a long time, it will inevitably decline.
Indeed, the Boruto more than a decade later, has fallen short of expectations.
"There's no such thing as neutrality in this world. If you want to develop, you have to go out and explore! If you don't come out, we'll force you!"
Orochimaru looked at the village shrouded in snow, a vast expanse of white with only a few scattered figures.
"So this is the village where the Land of Iron is located? The houses are quite big!"
Anko, wrapped in a cotton-padded coat, surveyed the size and appearance of the village.
It's even colder here than the Land of Snow, so the houses are all built to be very large, so that they won't be afraid of heavy snow or strong winds.
The ninjas behind him also looked around curiously, while some of the ninjas who had been recruited from the Land of Snow found it all rather unremarkable.
"Proceed according to the original plan!"
With a wave of Orochimaru's hand, hundreds of ninjas scattered and rushed towards the village.
This time, their main target was the samurai of the Land of Snow, Kakuzu was still in charge of finances as always.
Hozuki Mangetsu is in charge of Mifune. Even this genius needs to step on his predecessors to become famous!
As for Anko, Orochimaru glanced at the little girl.
"I will launch a detailed attack!"
When she noticed Orochimaru looking at her in thought, Anko volunteered to step forward.
Orochimaru's lips twitched slightly upon hearing this; the words sounded rather cheesy to him.
Could he be under Genjutsu? Kotoamatsukami? Is he thinking he can catch up to Kisame, Kakuzu, and Hozuki Mangetsu next?
Before Orochimaru could nod, Kotobukiya—no, I mean, Anko— excitedly ran towards the village.
Orochimaru quickly followed, fearing that someone might suddenly jump out and knock her away.
Who are you?
"Enemy attack, enemy attack..."
"Aaaaaah...!"
As a series of explosions rang out, pedestrians near the village were instantly thrown into chaos.
The chaos quickly spread and soon engulfed the entire village.
Dealing with a small village would be an absolute crushing victory, if not effortless!
Upon receiving the news, Mifune and several senior officers rushed to the front lines immediately.
When Mifune saw the village suddenly shrouded in smoke, Mifune also a little stunned. Which ninja village had attacked?
I haven't offended anyone, have I? I've been staying at home for years, so why are people suddenly coming to my door?
"Quickly! Stop them! Ensure the safety of the villagers first; we cannot allow them to continue destroying the village!"
Once he came to his senses, Mifune made the arrangements, and he also sent out the ninja guards around him.
Just as he was pondering what was going on, a cold voice rang in his ear!
"I've heard that Mifune is also a master swordsman! I am but a humble person, though I know a little about the way of the sword!"
A white-haired youth dragged two strange, semi-oval long swords and walked toward Mifune with a playful expression. It was none other than Hozuki Mangetsu!
Upon seeing the newcomer, Mifune narrowed his eyes slightly. He didn't recognize Hozuki Mangetsu, but he did recognize the two swords.
It was none other than Hiramekarei, one of the Seven Ninja Blade of Twin Swords: Hiramekarei, a renowned Kirigakure in the Ninja World!
"Ninjas from Kirigakure?"
However, upon seeing the other person's Forehead Protector, a look of doubt appeared in his eyes!
But this was not the time to think about such things. He slowly drew his long sword from his waist!
"The Land of Iron is peaceful and uncontested, but that doesn't mean we're made of clay!"
No matter who you are or what your motives are, unless I, Mifune, am dead, I will not let you have your way!
The moment the words left his mouth, the two figures clashed in battle!