Purging the Land of Rain

Orochimaru's base in Konoha's Forest of Death.

Orochimaru looked at the message delivered by a summoning snake, and even with his composure, the skin on his face twitched a few times.

[Teacher Orochimaru, I have already established the Sound Village in the Land of Fields. I have received the approval of the Land of Fields' Daimyo and his support of one hundred million Ryo annually.]

[The lower-level ninja of the village have arranged for Tayuya to search for children with ninja talent in the Land of Fields. The Land of Fields' Daimyo will also send people to assist in this matter.]

[However, cultivating top-tier combat power cannot be done in a short time, and the lack of ninjutsu reserves is detrimental to the village's development.]

[Regarding the ninjutsu reserves, I believe you can ask Lord Danzo for them. After all, for certain reasons, Lord Danzo is currently willing to grant us any request. Opportunity knocks but once.]

[Also, the Kirigakure seems a bit off. If you have time, Lord Orochimaru, you could search for some kekkei genkai geniuses. Of course, there's no need to rush this. Based on my estimates, the Sound Village needs a few more years of silent development before it can be revealed to the world. Currently, there isn't an urgent need for high-end combat power.]

[I will also travel the ninja world searching for strong individuals and recruiting them.]

Putting away the scroll, Orochimaru closed his eyes and began to think.

Half an hour later, Orochimaru slowly opened his eyes and spoke to the shadows in the corner.

[I wish to see Lord Danzo. You may return and inform him.]

[Has Lord Orochimaru made up his mind?]

A ninja wearing a cat-like mask, who had been standing in the corner, took a step forward involuntarily upon hearing Orochimaru's words and looked at him.

[Hmph!]

A shuriken shot from Orochimaru's hand, hitting the root ninja directly in the throat.

[Danzo's methods of managing his subordinates are still lacking! I'll clean up for him as well!]

[I'll also help him improve the Tongue-Cutting-Root-Destruction Jutsu, just leave a backdoor!]

[Heh heh!]

Looking at the silent laboratory after the death of the root ninja, Orochimaru chuckled to himself.

Although Orochimaru had taken Haku as his disciple, he had witnessed his disciple Nawaki being framed and dying before his eyes. Furthermore, the Third Hokage had allowed him to be framed by others, causing him to lose his chance to become Hokage. These events had begun to affect his sanity.

He had not yet begun human experimentation on Konoha ninja due to Danzo's instigation, nor had he become the Orochimaru who disregarded life in his past life.

Moreover, Konoha still had many talented individuals, and its high-level combat power was also abundant.

The Sannin, Konoha White Fang, the Uchiha clan, the Hyuga clan, and others still supported Konoha. Konoha currently possessed the strength to contend against four great ninja villages.

Although Orochimaru was known as the "Cold Lord," he loved his village at heart.

If Konoha could remain strong, his time bomb would not detonate.

However, if Konoha began to decline, he would carry out the Konoha Collapse Plan, just as he remembered in Haku's memories.

BANG!

Looking at the table shattered by Danzo, none of the surrounding root ninja dared to make a sound.

[Hm?]

[What? Are you dissatisfied?]

Looking at his subordinates around him, Danzo narrowed his eyes.

[Ohmura, go and inform Orochimaru that we will meet in the Forest of Death in two days.]

THUMP!

[Lord Danzo, I don't want to die yet. Can you not send me?]

Upon hearing Ohmura's words, the one eye Danzo exposed became even colder.

[Go. It'll be fine! Take this with you, Orochimaru won't kill you directly!]

Saying that, he threw a scroll.

After Ohmura reluctantly left the base, Danzo looked at his remaining subordinates with even greater displeasure.

[Ultimately, not everyone can understand me. My Root is the support of Konoha. Without Root, Konoha cannot stand.]

[These guys should not possess their own will. Having their own ideas makes them unsuitable for dedicating themselves wholeheartedly to the village.]

[Orochimaru! Do not disappoint me.]

[Lord Orochimaru! My Lord Danzo has arranged to meet you in the Forest of Death the day after tomorrow!]

Ohmura said as he handed the scroll in his hand to Orochimaru.

Seeing the root ninja appear before him, Orochimaru knew that Danzo could sense the life and death of his subordinates through ninjutsu.

In front of Ohmura, Orochimaru slowly opened the scroll.

[My Lord! I will return to report to Lord Danzo now!]

Seeing that his mission was completed, Ohmura decided to leave this base that gave him a bad feeling.

[Wait! Don't rush off. You can help me with a few things here!]

[Don't worry! Lord Danzo instructed me not to kill you directly.]

Hearing Orochimaru's words, before Ohmura could breathe a sigh of relief, he heard Orochimaru continue to mutter.

[Danzo actually wants me to help him improve the Tongue-Cutting-Root-Destruction Jutsu and eradicate the self-awareness of these root ninja!]

[And he's sent me an experimental subject!]