Liao Wu Blocked the Way Back

Jiraiya had Minato help him sit up. He said, "Madara Uchiha can't be taken head-on. Sage Fukasaku said that above the Three Tomoe Sharingan is the Mangekyō Sharingan, right?"

Jiraiya looked at the Third Hokage.

At this point, they couldn't keep hiding everything.

The Third Hokage slowly nodded. "That's right. Above the Three Tomoe Sharingan is the Mangekyō Sharingan. Legend says it's the strongest heavenly eye that sees through the three realms—the Uchiha Clan's 'God's Eye.'"

"The Second Hokage once told us to keep a strict watch on the Uchiha and be wary of any Uchiha who awakens the Mangekyō Sharingan."

Jiraiya nodded. "But the Madara Uchiha we fought didn't have a Mangekyō Sharingan. His eye sockets were empty."

The Third Hokage was shocked. "What? No Mangekyō? How is that possible?"

How could someone without a Mangekyō wipe out the Sannin? That was impossible!

Jiraiya's Sage Mode was no Child's Play.

Who in the Ninja World could still be a match for Sage Jiraiya? Even the Third Raikage would have to steer clear of his edge!

Jiraiya slowly revealed the truth. "Because Madara Uchiha has Wood Style!"

"What?!"

"How could such a ninjutsu exist in the Ninja World?"

Orochimaru dragged his battered body through the forest, fleeing in disgrace. He wasn't dead!

Yes, Orochimaru was a tough old bird. How could someone like him be killed so easily?

Even though the Wood Golem Arhat was on par with a complete Susanoo, Orochimaru still managed to survive—though his condition was poor, with one arm severed.

He now had to find a Medical Ninja as quickly as possible to treat his wounds.

Jiraiya was dead, Tsunade had been captured alive, and Orochimaru's pride had been shattered by a single punch from the Wood Golem Arhat.

What good was immortality? In Front Of Wood Style and the Sharingan, it was nothing but Earthen Chickens and Tile Dogs.

Now, Orochimaru's mind was consumed by Wood Style and the Sharingan. He had fully become a believer in Bloodline Theory.

Only the bloodlines of the Senju and Uchiha could let him reach the peak. Only Wood Style and the Sharingan were the Ultimate Mystery of ninjutsu.

In the Original Work, Orochimaru only saw the light after being taught a lesson by Itachi.

Now, Orochimaru was awed by Madara's power, awakening early and understanding it even more thoroughly.

Bloodline. Only bloodline was everything.

He could only curse his Parents for not being Uchiha or Senju!

When Orochimaru got back, he'd have a good talk with his father at the Spirit Tablet.

Dad, why didn't you marry an Uchiha or a Senju Wife back then?

Innate factors were No Choice, so Orochimaru would change his fate through effort. So what if he lacked Uchiha or Senju blood?

The Uchiha people and Senju people were right in the village. If he couldn't get them honestly, he'd steal. If he couldn't steal, he'd take by force. He would have them.

The answer Madara Uchiha had given was right there. Orochimaru just had to copy it.

Escaping the Forest, Orochimaru glanced back toward Madara's Base.

"Just wait, Madara Uchiha. I'll come back for revenge."

Orochimaru still had feelings for the village. He still wanted to become Hokage. And before he died, Jiraiya had entrusted him with a task.

Protect the village.

Orochimaru thought of Impure World Reincarnation.

The only one who could deal with Madara Uchiha was the First Hokage—Hashirama Senju!

That was the answer!

So Orochimaru just needed to find a way to revive Hashirama Senju.

And Impure World Reincarnation was the key to bringing him back.

"Heh heh! Only I can save the Leaf Village. Only I am fit to be Hokage. Teacher, I'll prove that I was right."

Leaving the forest, he came to a wooden bridge. Just as Orochimaru was about to cross, an unexpected figure blocked the way.

"Orochimaru, trying to cut and run?"

Liao Wu held the Flame Uchiha Gunbai in his left hand and the Moon Ring Sickle in his right, clad in a set of white heavy Ninja Armor.

Right now, Liao Wu's Whole Body was decked out in top-tier gear.

Orochimaru froze. This scene felt familiar!

Right, not long ago, Orochimaru had blocked Liao Wu at Shen Wubi Bridge. Now the tables had turned.

What a twist of fate!

Orochimaru assessed his own condition. In his current state, even a Chunin could Killed him.

Moreover, what about Ryobu, who wielded the Uchiha Divine Artifact and Madara's Death God Scythe?

But Orochimaru was far too proud; even so, he wouldn't beg for mercy like Ryobu.

"Good Good Good, Ryobu. I never thought I'd end up in your hands one day!"

"Yeah!"

Ryobu sighed with emotion: "Truly, three months on the river's east, three months on the west—don't bully a youth for not gearing up!"

Ryobu didn't believe Orochimaru would be killed so easily by Madara. Someone like Orochimaru was the type to live on as a lingering scourge for a thousand years.

"Enough talk, Orochimaru. I won't take your life. Hand over Ryūchi Cave's Summoning Scroll, let me sign it, and I'll let you go."

Orochimaru suddenly understood: "Ryūchi Cave's Summoning Scroll! Ryobu, so that's your game. What, the Uchiha Clan's Ninja Cat isn't good enough for you?"

Not just not good enough—it was downright unsatisfactory.

Every one of Ryobu's ninja cats was a Scrap Cat. He'd raised a bunch of Ancestors—little skill, big attitudes.

If he didn't cater to them, they'd hiss. Ryobu had long wanted to switch to a different Summoning Beast.

Actually, it wasn't just about the Summoning Beast's compatibility. Ryobu's main goal was Sage Mode.

Ryobu felt that Madara's Curse Mark was still inside him, and the only way to deal with it was through Sage Mode.

After all, in the Original Work, Six Paths Obito could absorb any ninjutsu except Sage Mode.

That proved Sage Mode far surpassed ordinary ninjutsu.

Ryobu wanted to learn Sage Mode to break free from Madara's control.

But the Ninja World had only three Sage Mode lineages: Mount Myōboku, Shikkotsu Forest, and Ryūchi Cave.

Ryobu was an Evil Cultivator, called a Demon Hunter in the Ninja World. Righteous factions like Mount Myōboku and Shikkotsu Forest would never accept a rogue ninja like him.

Only Ryūchi Cave took all comers, so Ryobu set his sights on Ryūchi Cave's Summoning Scroll.

He planned to use the scroll to establish a connection with Ryūchi Cave, then find a way to go there and undergo the White Snake Sage's trial.

Orochimaru let out a cold laugh: "Ryobu, from the looks of it, you're not all that loyal to Madara Uchiha. How about we Join Forces?"

"Just let me return to the Leaf Village as Hokage, and I'll clear your rogue ninja status. Then you can come back and be the captain of the Uchiha Police Force."

"Pfft!"

Ryobu sneered dismissively: "Orochimaru, you really think that Village Leader gig is a treasure? Madara Uchiha's Resurrected—being Hokage is the most stressful job right now."

"Orochimaru, less chatter. Hand over the Summoning Scroll, or I'll poke you in the ass!"

"..."

Orochimaru looked grim. Being threatened by a Guy with no ninja dignity like Ryobu was the most humiliating thing.

But Orochimaru had no other choice. He still wanted to live.

Yet he didn't trust Ryobu: "Ryobu, how can I believe you? You've got no credibility."

Ryobu swore on the spot: "Orochimaru, if I trick you, may my whole family—no, my whole clan—die out."

"Pfft!"

Orochimaru spat at Ryobu.

"Orochimaru, you're muddled. Even if I kill you, the Summoning Scroll is mine."

Ryobu swung his scythe and charged forward.

"Wait, wait—"

In the end, Orochimaru caved. He quickly spat out Ryūchi Cave's Summoning Scroll from his mouth.

Ryobu found it disgusting, so he split off a Spore Clone to wipe it clean and take it.

Ryobu unrolled Orochimaru's Summoning Scroll and saw a list of names inside.

At the very end were two names: one was "Orochimaru," and the other was Orochimaru's Disciple—"Anko Mitarashi."

Ryobu bit his finger and signed his name, "Uchiha Ryobu," after "Anko Mitarashi."

The four steps of the Summoning Technique: first, write your name on the contract scroll; second, press your blood over the name.

When performing the technique, bite the signed finger, convert Chakra into Space Teleportation Magic Circle energy, and form the five hand seals: "Boar - Dog - Bird - Monkey - Ram."

After doing it all, Ryobu activated the Summoning Technique.

"Summoning Technique!"

Ryobu felt it—his connection to Ryūchi Cave.

With a poof, a brown snake from Ryūchi Cave appeared, its head As Large As a house.

The Giant Brown Snake saw Ryobu and lowered its head to him.

Ryobu was thrilled—it worked. He had signed a Summoning Contract with Ryūchi Cave.

Orochimaru said, "Alright, now will you let me go?"

Ryobu nodded, then rolled up the Summoning Scroll and tossed it back to Orochimaru.

"Orochimaru, we can still cooperate in the future. You're not loyal to the Leaf Village, and I'm not loyal to Madara Old Demon either."

"I think we can put on an act. You feed me Leaf Village's intelligence, and I'll feed you Madara's intelligence."

"When the two sides eventually clash, you give me some battle merits, and I'll give you some too. How about we farm the Genius Youth title together?"

Orochimaru took the scroll, swallowed it into his stomach, and nodded. "Fine, we'll cooperate."

Orochimaru turned and stepped past Liao Wu, ready to leave.

Liao Wu suddenly grabbed his shoulder from behind. "You and I hit it off like old friends, yet you're about to leave. Since we're parting ways, my friend, let me see you off."

Hearing this, even Orochimaru, with over thirty years as a Ninja, was instantly terrified, his face losing all color.

Not good. Liao Wu, this bastard, is about to Backstab someone again!

Chimera Devouring Demonic Art! Suck for me!