Preparing to Take Action

"I saw through Konoha's higher-ups a long time ago. They need these strong people when there's war, but when there's peace, these strong people become threats to their power. These higher-ups have all been corrupted by power. If they stay in Konoha, they will only continue to degenerate, and perhaps the title of the strongest of the Five Great Villages will be lost!" Tianqi shook his head incessantly as he looked out the window.

"Without fresh blood, Konoha's decline is inevitable!" Orochimaru paused, looked at Tianqi hesitantly, and then said, "I heard your Sasuke Uchiha, is in the village. What do you think...?"

Tianqi glanced back at Orochimaru, and knowing what Orochimaru meant, he burst out laughing.

"Hahaha... no need to pretend you've only heard about it. You've been eyeing Sasuke for a while now, so what, are you craving Sasuke's Kekkei Genkai?"

"Hehe, a little bit..." Orochimaru was a little embarrassed when he realized he'd been seen through. It was really not very polite to say he was interested in someone else's grandson in front of them.

"No need to pretend. I could tell a long time ago that you were still resentful after being defeated by Itachi. If you want Sasuke, just say so. I didn't say I wouldn't give him to you!"

"Oh, are you sure you're not joking? That's your grandson, you shouldn't be talking about that." Tianqi's straightforwardness left Orochimaru wondering what he meant. Did he really mean it was his son, or was he implying that he wasn't sure he could handle him?

"Do I look like I'm joking? Take it if you want it. I believe Sasuke can change with you, and of course, Sasuke can change you too. I have no doubt about that!"

"Brother Tianqi, you'd better think this through. If I take Sasuke away, I'll kill him. You..."

"His lack of life only means he deserved to go this far; it was all destined. My opinion of you, Sasuke, has never changed. I believe you don't understand now, but you will in the future!"

"I hope so. Since you've said that, I wouldn't be Orochimaru if I didn't do something. You can be the Kazekage for me for a few days while I go plant some good stuff for Sasuke!" With that, Orochimaru handed the Kazekage's robes to Tianqi.

After Tianqi took the Kazekage's clothes and put them on, a slight smile appeared on his lips. "Orochimaru, you want what Sasuke, but Sasuke doesn't want what you have either. Let me see how you two fight."

Before the Chunin Ninja Exams even began, Orochimaru personally went to play around with the exams.

That night, Baki, an elite Jonin the Sand Village, also arrived at Tianqi's place to report on the situation.

"Lord Kazekage, the thousand-man squad has successfully reached the designated location. Due to the large number of Konoha spies, the main force is stuck 500 kilometers away!"

"Very good. Have Temari and Kankuro keep a close eye on Gaara these next few days, and don't let him cause any trouble ahead of time!"

"Yes, Lord Kazekage, but while our people have arrived, we haven't seen the Sound Ninja yet. What do you think...?"

"You don't need to worry about Baki. I've contacted the Sound Ninja, and they've arrived at their designated location. They'll join us in the operation when the time comes. Just focus on your own tasks and make sure the Konoha people don't notice you, understand?"

"Yes, Lord Kazekage!"

After Baki left, Tianqi also sighed softly.

"Being a Kage feels really good. With a wave of my hand, I can decide the lives of tens of thousands of ninjas. It feels great to be standing at such a high position!"

"Tianqi, if you like, you can continue to impersonate the Kazekage and control the Sand Ninja indefinitely!" Sakon said slowly.

"Heh, stop talking nonsense. Leave this kind of troublesome position to someone else. If I wanted a position in Konoha, I would have taken it long ago!"

The Chunin Exams began the next day, and Orochimaru was having a great time, even revealing his true identity in the process.

"You're really something. At this crucial moment, you've exposed your identity in Konoha. Konoha is already on alert. Aren't you afraid things might change?" Tianqi asked Orochimaru with a relaxed expression as he looked at him returning.

"What's there to be afraid of? We'll start planning the day after tomorrow. Even if Konoha finds out I'm back, they won't be able to trace me to the Kazekage. Besides, I've already placed the Cursed Seal of Heaven on Sasuke. I've done what I needed to do. Now I just need to focus on dealing with the Third Hokage!"

"Your teacher isn't that simple. Are you sure you can really handle him?" Although he knew Orochimaru had a backup plan, Tianqi still asked, handing the Kazekage Robe to Orochimaru as he spoke.

Orochimaru, while putting on his Kazekage robes, said calmly, "If it were the former Hero of Shinobi, it would naturally be troublesome, but he's old now and his strength has declined. Besides, he has no chance of winning against me now!"

"You and your apprentice are both at the Kage Level. I'm curious, what gives you such great confidence?"

"Hehe, there's no point in hiding it now. Brother Tianqi, as a senior member of Konoha, you should have heard of the Impure World Impure World Reincarnation of the Second Hokage Senju Tobirama, right?"

Upon hearing this, Tianqi also wore an expression of "I knew it." It seemed that Orochimaru had ultimately placed all his bets on this technique, and nothing had changed.

"Yes, I know, it's a spell that can resurrect the dead!"

"That's right, it's this spell that can resurrect the dead. You don't know, the first time I saw this spell, I had a strange feeling, as if it was made for me. That inexplicable sense of familiarity made me choose it!"

Upon hearing this, Tianqi's eyes narrowed slightly. The last time he challenged the Five Great Nations, Orochimaru used the Impure World Reincarnation. It seems that although his memories were extracted, some feelings still remain. Although he doesn't remember them, he is still attracted to this technique. This is interesting.

"After reading the Forbidden Scroll, I secretly memorized this technique and have been working hard to perfect it over the years. Now the technique is almost perfected, and with the intelligence and materials of several Kage, and the help of several Kage, I really can't think of any reason to fail. With this lineup, I believe that no one can be my match!" As he spoke, Orochimaru glanced at Tianqi.

To be honest, he preferred Tianqi's perfect body to Sasuke's. Tianqi was still as young as ever after all these years, and his strength was still as great as ever. If he were confident, he would really want to take over Tianqi's body. Unfortunately, he still didn't have enough confidence to take down Tianqi. Every time he had such a thought, an aura of death would appear. His sixth sense told him that even if he challenged the entire Shinobi World, he must never attack Tianqi. This sixth sense born on the battlefield would not lie.

"Hehe, you seem quite confident, but don't be too confident. As a Shadow, who doesn't hold back a few tricks? Don't let yourself be caught off guard and end up making a fool of yourself!" After saying that, Tianqi put on his mask, put his hands behind his back, and walked out.