Edo Tensei

Several days passed slowly.

That morning, on the seaside cliff at the edge of the deserted island, Shuichi took a deep breath as the sun rose. The faint smell of the sea was almost gone, a result of the body's olfactory adaptation.

Feeling refreshed, he swiftly raised his hands to complete the Hand Seals.

Si-Wei-Shen-Hai-Wu-Yin, Fire Release·Hao Fireball Technique!

A massive amount of Nature Transformation chakra was spewed from his mouth, and a giant fireball, tens of meters high, fell onto the sea like a miniature sun. The bottom of the fireball vaporized instantly upon contact with the Seawater, hissing and releasing plumes of steam.

Before the first move was even finished, the chakra within Shuichi continued to erupt like endless waves, from Sheep-Noon-Snake-Dragon-Rat-Ox-Tiger, Fire Release: Fire Dragon Bullet.

Before him danced hemispherical, boiling flames, from which multiple fire dragons shot forth like supersonic cars.

The fiery dragon head roared as it crashed into the sea. After penetrating a short distance, it was not extinguished but instead stubbornly continued forward until it was quickly swallowed up when no more chakra could follow.

Once the sea calmed down, countless small fish and shrimp floated to the surface, their charred remains a pitiful sight.

"I never expected Lord Shuichi's Fire Release skills to be so astonishing. It truly broadens my horizons." A clear, melodious female voice came from behind. Mei Terumi approached with a hint of surprise. "According to the information circulating in the Shinobi World, you have never used Fire Release Ninjutsu before."

"You flatter me, Mizukage. This was just a warm-up this morning, a little exercise to loosen up my body," Shuichi calmly replied. "I recently finished training in Fire Release: Nature Transformation. Compared to other elements, it's not my forte, so I rarely use it in actual combat."

Considering the difficulty of reaching higher levels, Shuichi felt that improving all five attributes might be helpful, so he would practice by burning tree leaves whenever he had free time over the years.

Although he was telling the truth, Mei Terumi was still speechless.

A casual, unorthodox Fire Release, which he's least skilled at, is actually more powerful than when he uses it himself? Can't we just have a normal conversation...?

"It's truly an incredible stroke of luck that Konoha could produce such a peerless genius as you." Mei Terumi squinted and probed, "Having mastered unparalleled power, given the greedy ambitions of humankind, one would always want to obtain more, wouldn't one?"

I wonder if Lord Purple Aurora also has this thought in his heart?

Shuichi replied nonchalantly, "You're overthinking it. I've always been an absolute pacifist. Killing isn't a pleasant thing; otherwise, Kirigakure would have been able to leave a few days ago."

"And then... um?"

Shuichi's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately used Summoning Jutsu to summon Kotaro, taking the Scroll from its mouth and examining it carefully.

Mei Terumi waited patiently nearby, unaware that Konoha's final reply had arrived.

After a long silence, Shuichi smiled and said, "Congratulations, Mizukage! The village leadership has agreed to your conditions. From today onwards, our two countries will become allies."

I just hope Kirigakure won't treat contracts like toilet paper, tearing them up at will, like Sunagakure did. I look forward to deeper exchanges in the future.

Mei Terumi took the contract from him, quickly scanned it, and prepared to sign it after confirming that everything was correct.

After hesitating for a long time, she still decided against revealing the news that the Fourth Mizukage was being controlled by unknown individuals.

Although the superb method of controlling the Jinchuriki most likely came from the deeply rooted Konoha, after all, Uchiha Madara had a history of using the Sharingan to control the Nine-Tails.

As Shuichi said, the level of trust between the two countries is not high at the moment, Kirigakure is going to be rebuilt from ruins. Let's ask about these things when we have the chance in the future...

On the shore of the small island, representatives from the two villages signed, exchanged contracts, and shook hands.

Kirigakure even arranged for a large ship to specially transport Shuichi's squad back to the Land of Fire.

The mission had an unexpected outcome; originally intended to investigate Molten Water, it ultimately turned into a clandestine alliance between Konoha and Kirigakure.

Thinking about it carefully, it makes sense. If Kirigakure wants to become an open village, the Land of Fire is the best place to make contact.

The Northern Land of Lightning is fierce and warlike, while the Far West Land of Wind is resource-poor, and their war has only recently ended; they have no other choice.

At the crossroads of multiple countries, in a remote area where plains and mountains meet, the vast area is devoid of any human habitation.

Until a dark figure came running quickly from afar, skillfully weaving through the hidden grass on the ground, and soon disappeared into a crevice in the hillside.

When a black hole several meters in diameter appeared before him, he jumped in without hesitation, clearly not the first time he had done this.

The hole was more than ten meters deep, but he landed smoothly with a whoosh and then walked straight forward.

The dim Oil Lamp along the passage were all lit, and a faint stench of decay filled the air, which, surprisingly, smelled strangely familiar to the ninjas skilled in scientific research and medicine.

Entering the deepest room, the space was unexpectedly spacious. He lifted his black robe to reveal silver hair and a pair of glasses reflecting the candlelight. He was not surprised to see two coffins standing in front of him.

"Have you finished adjusting it, Lord Orochimaru?" Kabuto asked curiously, then couldn't help but sigh, "These are the First Hokage who pacified the chaotic world and founded Konoha, and the Second Hokage after him? They're actually under your control after their deaths..."

Orochimaru smiled faintly, formed several hand seals, and the two Edo Tensei Body quickly returned to the coffin, sank into the ground, and disappeared.

"Don't underestimate the God of Shinobi, Kabuto. Even though I keep strengthening my control, I still feel that he hasn't reached his peak... or perhaps I'm just afraid to do so; it's hard to imagine just how powerful he was back then!"

Once the situation calmed down, Orochimaru turned and asked, "How's the intelligence gathering going?"

"Um... this is quite a lot of information, and rather astonishing. You should see it for yourself." Kabuto rummaged in his pocket and handed over two Scroll. "The Akatsuki Organization, to which Sasori belongs, has gathered many powerful missing-nin from various countries, and in recent years has frequently participated in wars as mercenaries."

"Their leader even possesses the legendary Rinnegan. I never expected the Sage of Sage of Six Paths' creation eye to appear. I wonder what their true purpose is."

Orochimaru quickly finished reading the Scroll, his snake-shaped vertical pupils slightly contracting. Then, he licked his lips excitedly, "Looks like we can find a way to contact them. Something this interesting is definitely worth studying... the Rinnegan... hehehe..."

Kabuto asked, slightly taken aback, "I don't remember Konoha listing you as missing-nin, right? If we take the initiative to contact you, they might become suspicious."

"I understand..." Orochimaru smiled wickedly, "That's why I've been planning a big operation lately. With your expertise as an intelligence expert, making the other side 'accidentally' obtain uncertain information shouldn't be a problem, right?"

"You've made me really look forward to it." Dou adjusted his glasses. "Although it might be a little troublesome, I'll do my best to complete it."