Impure World Reincarnation

Honestly, Guo Wang was quite curious about this technique that could summon the dead back from the underworld.

At least in the Dao Realm, whether such a technique existed or not, no one—not even the Demon Lord known for Underworld Reincarnation—would dare drag departed souls back into reality.

As Cultivators, they were filled with reverence for reincarnation.

In this world, the boundary between life and death did not seem particularly strict.

"Oh, that technique hasn't been perfected yet. The failure rate is very high."

Guo Wang knew about every one of Orochimaru's research projects. But he had never shown the slightest interest in Impure World Reincarnation before. Now that it had been brought up unexpectedly, the pale youth could not help raising an eyebrow.

"That's fine. We can just try a few more times. We only need to prepare a few more sacrifices."

"You should have said so earlier. I wasted quite a lot just now."

As he spoke, Orochimaru's dark golden vertical pupils turned toward the corpse covered by Aburame Torune's black swarm of insects. He shook his head regretfully.

"Go make the preparations. Tomorrow, I'll send the sacrifices to your laboratory."

At Konoha High-Security Prison, no one would care if several heinous criminals were "executed" ahead of schedule.

"May I ask why you want to reincarnate that man?"

"I want to know the forbidden technique that only he possessed."

Orochimaru smiled and vanished into the ground. He was becoming increasingly satisfied with his current life.

"Gui, take my writ and make a trip to the prison."

The only woman in Root accepted the order and disappeared from the base. After the black torrent of insects devoured every trace, it flew back into Aburame Torune's sleeves. He adjusted his sunglasses and stepped before Guo Wang.

"There is something I need you to handle."

"Please give your orders, Lord Danzo."

As a ninja of the Aburame Clan, his infiltration abilities were second to none.

"Select some Root shinobi, bring Kinoe, and head to the eastern front. I have a contact in Kirigakure. Tell him what I want."

Guo Wang took out a blank scroll, picked up a brush, and wrote an encrypted letter on the spot. That person in the Land of Water now held a high position and might not be willing to reconnect with this line. But he was greedy, and if the benefits were sufficient, it was not impossible.

Besides, they needed more intelligence on that village which had always concealed itself within the mist.

"Yes. I will cooperate with 'Orochimaru.'"

As the chief lackey, he knew the main purpose of this trip to the Land of Water front.

"Before that, you may rest for two days, then make preparations for my wedding."

"Ah..."

Clearly, Aburame Torune was a little dumbfounded. He had truly never expected his boss, always so cold and self-disciplined, to develop genuine feelings for a spy.

"My lord, she is the Wandering Miko."

To a spy, every emotion was a disguise for the sake of the mission. She definitely did not have even the slightest feeling for Guo Wang. As a fiercely loyal subordinate, Aburame Torune did not want his wise and mighty boss to be bewitched by a vixen in his later years and ruin his lifelong reputation.

"Torune, those in Root do not need emotions. As its leader, I have always led by example. After I marry Nonō, I will hand this organization over to you. I hope you will have the courage to bear all the darkness of this village."

To become Hokage, one needed to step out of the darkness. Guo Wang had already planned out the next ten years. While practicing Sage Jutsu, he would seize more authority in the village's public sphere.

Root, as an organization, had both advantages and disadvantages. He could control it from the shadows, but he could not remain its public leader.

Orochimaru would be a good choice, but the youth would never be willing to serve as a puppet.

"My lord, although I am honored, I still feel it will be difficult for you and her to have any feelings between you."

What do I need her feelings for? I only need her as a Cauldron for dual cultivation.

Of course, Guo Wang would never say the truth. Nearly all techniques and cultivation methods from the Dao Realm had become useless under this world's rules. Only the Dragon-Tiger Technique, which regulated life essence, worked as long as the body was alive.

At this stage, he still needed Danzo's body as a cover, but its aged life energy needed to be replenished properly.

"You may leave."

Since he was an obedient subordinate, Aburame Torune transformed into an insect shadow and vanished from the Root base.

Konoha.

It was now half joy, half sorrow.

The joy came from winning the war. The sorrow came from the many more shinobi whose names had been carved onto the Memorial Stone.

But overall, joy outweighed sorrow. After all, Konoha was the victor and had gained many resources. Under Sarutobi Hiruzen's personal visits, the families of the fallen shinobi had also kindled an even fiercer Will of Fire.

Yet beneath the light, darkness had always been stirring.

The agreement with Iwagakure had been pushed through solely by Sarutobi Hiruzen as leader.

The facts proved it had been a huge mistake. Even as Hokage, he could not bear responsibility for it alone.

"I will step down after this Shinobi World War truly comes to an end."

At the Jonin Council the next day, Sarutobi Hiruzen sat at the head of the table. Guo Wang and the other two Elders sat on either side as he announced his decision to Konoha's leadership.

"Please reconsider it carefully."

Mitokado Homura was the first to smooth things over. The other Jonin wore varying expressions, but realization flashed through many of their eyes. Clearly, they had already heard rumors, and the Third Hokage was indeed getting old. Konoha now needed fresh blood.

"Let's decide on the candidates first. We're all old. Sooner or later, we have to retire."

Guo Wang's casual remark set the tone for Sarutobi's resignation.

After the war ended, it would be time for the Fourth Hokage to take office.

"Then I nominate Jonin Namikaze Minato."

"I nominate Orochimaru."

"Jiraiya!"

"Lady Tsunade!"

"Shikaku Nara."

"I nominate Uchiha Fugaku!"

The instant that candidate's name was spoken, the entire Hokage Building fell silent for a moment. Then Guo Wang vetoed it outright.

You've got to be kidding. Nominating an Uchiha in front of me? Don't you know Danzo's role is to destroy that clan?

That night, Guo Wang sat up in bed, immediately waking Yakushi Nonō. As a spy, she had never slept deeply.

"Get some proper rest. Tomorrow, the Orphanage's relief funds will be issued. The children will worry when they see how tired you look."

After soothing the woman whose vitality he had harvested, he threw on simple casual clothes and used the Body Flicker Technique to arrive at Orochimaru's experimental base.

A complex and obscure Summoning Jutsu formula had already been carved into the floor, though there was a semicircular gap along its edge.

"I have a feeling that this time, it will definitely succeed."

Dark circles hung beneath the pale youth's eyes, but his vertical pupils burned with fanaticism.

He smashed a half-filled glass test tube in his hand into the gap in the formula.

"Summoning Jutsu: Impure World Reincarnation!"