Orochimaru summoned the two for the first time after they arrived in the Northern Lands.
Ryuzetsu has resumed her long, waist-length hair; that old, dowdy hat had completely ruined her looks.
Karin hasn't changed much; she's similar to Fu, both of them are a little afraid of Orochimaru.
Although she is Uzumaki Clan, in the Original Work, aside from her extraordinary physique, her combat strength is rather lackluster.
But this doesn't mean she lacks talent. Her use of the Adamantine Chains in a fit of rage during the Fourth Great Ninja War shows that she is a girl with potential.
However, after she joined Orochimaru, she received little attention beyond being studied, let alone proper guidance in her training.
If trained properly, they should be able to hold their own and not embarrass Orochimaru in the future Konoha Chunin Ninja Exams.
"From now on, you should also cultivate together with them!"
Teaching one person is the same as teaching a group; it makes no difference to Orochimaru.
These six people can be considered Orochimaru's most promising juniors.
As for the original Sound Ninja Trio and Sound Four, they were just minor characters, so their talents weren't that high.
It's not too late to give guidance after someone has stood out in the Ninja Academy; resources should be reserved for ninjas with real talent.
"Yes, Lord Gold Kage!"
Ryuzetsu was the first to kneel down and express his gratitude and awe for Orochimaru, who had helped him avenge his family.
Initially, he harbored some resentment towards the violent rule of Kusagakure, but after arriving in the Northern Lands and finding better accommodation, those complicated feelings gradually dissipated.
However, he still maintains a sense of awe towards Orochimaru.
"Don't be shy, they're all your seniors! By the way, how's your mother?"
Orochimaru, on the other hand, really liked Karin's adorable little face.
Although she lacks assertiveness, after seeing so many outstanding and ambitious people around her, Karin and clueless nature is at least pleasing to the eye.
"It's okay to be a little silly when you're young, just don't be silly your whole life!"
Orochimaru didn't hold back and pinched her soft little face.
"Mom... Mom is much better now, thank you!"
Karin also bowed deeply to Orochimaru, her gratitude evident in her expression.
With Orochimaru's early intervention, Karin's mother escaped the fate of being forced into a blood transfusion, and Karin herself was spared the same fate.
"Everyone, come here for a second!"
Orochimaru waved his hand, signaling the group to pause.
Upon hearing the greeting, the group immediately stopped what they were doing and scurried over, curiously taking a closer look at the two of them.
With several exceptionally talented and remarkably gifted seniors guiding them, Karin and Ryuzetsu should be able to integrate into the group quickly.
Both her looks and abilities are excellent. With so many outstanding people around her, the melodramatic story of Karin Sasuke the future is unlikely to continue.
Having deviated from her original tragic fate, her life will likely change.
"Hello! I am Kaguya Kimimaro!"
"Ryuzetsu!"
"Fragrant... Karin..."
With Orochimaru's help, the group of young men quickly got together and started chatting.
Orochimaru spent the entire afternoon personally instructing the youngsters in their training.
It wasn't until evening that the top officials of the Northern Lands gathered together.
"I believe you have all become familiar with your positions by now. I am now officially appointing you!"
As he spoke, Orochimaru scanned the people present, including not only those in white robes, but also researchers, architectural engineers, and so on.
They are all key figures from the Northern Lands, and Orochimaru personally selected them. The next Golden Shadow should be chosen from among them.
Pakura was appointed as the deputy commander of the Net organization;
Kakuzu served as the finance minister of the Northern Lands;
Kisame serves as the captain of the Shadow Guard, responsible for cooperating with the intelligence department of the Net organization;
Hozuki Mangetsu becomes the principal of the Ninja Academy;
Ringo Ameyuri is in charge of issuing ninja missions!
These were all arrangements made by Orochimaru based on their personalities, and they were almost all used to their fullest potential.
The few people who received the message didn't show any unusual expression, because they had been doing these things for a while and doing them very well.
Zabuza was appointed Minister of the Northern Land Security Department.
Mifune was responsible for logistics and personnel management in the Northern Lands;
The Kazahana Dōtō awaits the Deputy Minister of the Research Department ...!
From the head of a department to the arrangement of elite ninjas from the Northern Lands.
"Finally, I also assumed the supreme leadership of the Shadow Guard, the Net, the Research Department, and the Northern Land Hospital."
The Shadow Guard and the Net must be personally controlled, as these two can be considered the most important departments in the Northern Lands.
As for the Northern Land Hospital, a suitable director has not yet been found, so he can only take on the role himself.
"I've finished speaking. Who agrees and who disagrees?"
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone present looked at each other, their faces filled with barely suppressed joy; the answer was obvious.
Suddenly rich and powerful, never again a wage earner.
These men have finally made it through the tough times and now hold considerable power.
Unlike the power structure of Konoha, Orochimaru's first step in developing the economy of the Northern Lands was to delegate authority.
A person's energy is ultimately limited; he can't do everything himself. Even if he could manage, his subordinates would have complaints.
He only needs to grasp the general direction, and let others do the rest.
There's no reason why a boss should be busy all day long while his underlings are idle to the point of being sick.
If you were to bring Konoha's autocratic system here, the constant Kakuzu be unbearable.
"The Northern Lands believes in the supremacy of the strong. If you think you have the strength, you may challenge me, the Shadow!"
Orochimaru leaned back in his office chair, scanning the crowd with a half-smile.
Those whose eyes he swept over all avoided his gaze; everyone present knew more or less about Orochimaru's strength.
Especially Kakuzu and Zabuza, those two stubborn guys, both lowered their heads dejectedly after a brief eye contact with Orochimaru.
"Lord Gold Kage, how could we dare to challenge you! I'm already overjoyed with the huge sums of money flowing in every day!"
Kakuzu the proud and arrogant Kakuzu spoke up in a carefree manner to make a joke, and the others laughed awkwardly upon hearing it.
"With the leadership of the adults, I believe that our Northern Lands will be able to catch up with those great powers in just a few years!"
"Yes, yes, this is life! Ever since I came to the Northern Lands, I've loved it here. Everyone here is so talented and speaks so nicely!"
With each sentence spoken, the slightly tense atmosphere gradually eased.
Which of these unruly people isn't a genius? Which of them doesn't think they're second only to the heavens?
Zabuza dared to assassinate the Fourth Mizukage, which shows how lawless he was before he met Orochimaru.
However, in the Northern Lands, or rather, in front of Orochimaru, they had to lower their proud heads.
Those who refused to be disciplined are now either buried with grass growing three meters high on their graves or barely surviving in research institutes.
"Now let's talk about the various strongholds of the Land of Gold!"