White Snake's Power (parts one and two)

Qingyu looked down at Mei Terumi from her high vantage point.

"Of course, you can refuse."

"But----"

"You just said that no one would know if those three people died here."

Qingyu said slowly.

"If I were to kill you right now and say you were a spy sent by Kirigakure, do you think anyone would suspect anything?"

Mei Terumi's breath hitched.

She certainly understood what Qingyu meant.

This is a battlefield; the death of a female ninja from the Kirigakure near the Konoha Camp is plausible no matter how you explain it.

As he spoke, Qingyu Hand Seals.

Spirit Transformation Technique!

"You----!"

Mei Terumi tried to dodge, but found that she could no longer move.

A surge of spiritual energy flowed into her mind.

"Your body is now under my control."

Qingyu's voice resounded directly in Mei Terumi's Mindscape.

Mei Terumi discovers that Qingyu has appeared in her Mindscape.

And just their mere presence was enough to suffocate her.

"I can't move at all!"

Mei Terumi was horrified to discover that she truly had no control over her body.

Qingyu controlled her body, took off her Ninja Tool Pouch, and threw it onto herself, Qingyu had suddenly sat up in front of her.

"My Spirit Body leave a small portion of its spiritual energy with you, which means I can sense your location at any time and attack you with this spiritual energy at any time."

"But if you betray me, or tell anyone what happened today, this spiritual energy will be activated."

"At that point, at best they'll suffer a mental breakdown, at worst—"

Qingyu smiled slightly.

"You----"

Mei Terumi gritted her teeth.

"Qingyu, you bastard!"

"I'm an idiot."

Qingyu readily admitted it.

"But don't worry, as long as you don't have any ulterior motives, this seed will never sprout."

"And I won't treat you unfairly."

Qingyu said.

"Haven't you always wanted to become the Mizukage and reform Kirigakure?"

Mei Terumi was stunned.

How did Qingyu know?

"I can help you."

Qingyu spoke with a seductive tone.

"The Kirigakure will soon be in chaos. With your talent and reputation, as long as you take the right position and eliminate a few troublemakers, becoming the New Generation Mizukage is not impossible."

"The next Mizukage is Karatachi Yagura, right? But you're probably also wondering if there's something wrong with him."

Qingyu said calmly.

He returned to his body and used [Malice Perception] to sense his surroundings.

There are no White Zetsu in this area.

"!"

Mei Terumi was shocked once again.

How did Qingyu find out?

Currently, Karatachi Yagura is indeed the most popular choice, and Mei Terumi Karatachi Yagura feels that there's something off about him.

Her mind raced with thoughts.

I can agree to that.

Mei Terumi hesitated for a moment before speaking.

Clearly, Qingyu possesses information that Qingyu herself is unaware of.

Moreover, if she didn't obey Qingyu, she might not see the sun rise tomorrow.

"A smart choice."

Qingyu put away the Ninja Tool Pouch that he had just tossed onto his person.

Mei Terumi's brows furrowed unconsciously.

Mei Terumi, however, dared not speak out in anger and said nothing.

That's all for today. You can go back now, and I'll contact you again later.

Qingyu's figure suddenly disappeared.

Mei Terumi leaned against the tree trunk to stand up, watching Qingyu's figure disappear into the gray-white sea mist.

"Asshole----"

She muttered a curse under her breath.

When Qingyu returned to the agreed location, Kakashi and Hyuga Ginka were still patrolling in the opposite direction.

Upon seeing Qingyu appear, the two of them breathed a sigh of relief.

"How's the situation?"

Kakashi asked.

"A few Kirigakure mice have been dealt with."

Qingyu spoke.

"No survivors were left?"

Kakashi asked.

"I kept two, but they were useless; I couldn't get anything out of them."

Qingyu made up a reason on the spot.

Hyuga Ginka scanned her surroundings with her Byakugan, and only after confirming that no enemies were approaching did she emerge from behind the tree.

"Let's continue patrolling. It's getting dark, and we haven't finished the route we planned."

"Good."

Kakashi replied.

The three men regrouped and began patrolling the other side of the coastline.

Based on the Ninjutsu Mei Terumi used, this can be considered a new application of "Spirit Transformation Technique" by Qingyu.

It was Qingyu who was inspired by the fact that Minato Namikaze Kushina were able to leave Chakra in Naruto's body.

The Chakra left behind by Minato Namikaze could stay with Naruto for over ten years.

So Qingyu had a sudden inspiration and left behind a portion of his spiritual energy in his Spirit Body form.

It probably only lasts a few years, but that's enough.

Qingyu pondered to herself.

While not as perfect as Minato Namikaze's work, it was good enough.

As long as Mei Terumi doesn't completely betray Qingyu, this seed truly won't activate.

But once she reveals Qingyu's situation, the mental backlash will immediately erupt.

Qingyu knew that Mei Terumi was a smart person; she wouldn't gamble with her own life.

And the location of the Mizukage ----

Qingyu narrowed her eyes.

In the original story, it was Mei Terumi who noticed something was wrong with Karatachi Yagura.

Qingyu is simply going with the flow now.

If he could promote a Mizukage who favors him to the position, the pressure on Konoha would be much less in the future.

Of course, these long-term matters are not urgent right now.

As night fell, the three men ended their patrol and returned to their East Coast Camp.

Qingyu reported the patrol situation to Nara Shikaku.

However, he made no mention of the actual situation in his report.

They were just using the same excuse they gave to Kakashi and Hyuga Ginka.

"It's good that you're alright."

Nara Shikaku, his expression relaxing somewhat.

"You've just come back from the front lines and have been on missions again. Get some rest tonight; other teams will take over for the next few days."

"Good."

Qingyu did not refuse.

He does need some time to process what he's learned today.

On the other side.

In a dense forest shrouded in night.

Opposite him was Orochimaru.

Orochimaru, your time is running out.

Shimura Danzō's voice was hoarse.

"Tsunade's faction has become excessively prestigious, Minato Namikaze is becoming increasingly active on the front lines. If this continues, the position of Hokage will be completely out of your reach."

Orochimaru leaned against a tree trunk.

"Heh heh, Danzo, why the rush? The war isn't over yet; who knows what will happen next?"

"You still have the nerve to make sarcastic remarks."

Shimura Danzō snorted coldly.

"Your experiments are now without Root funding; the funding has dried up, and it's hard to find subjects, right?"

Orochimaru's golden vertical pupils narrowed slightly.

"Danzo is very well-informed."

"Enough with the nonsense. I can still mobilize the resources of the Shimura Clan, but you must deliver even more impressive results."

Shimura Danzō.

What constitutes "hard"?

Orochimaru gave a half-smile.

"At least kill one more high-ranking enemy officer, or even turn the tide of battle."

Shimura Danzō slowly.

"I don't care what method you use, whether it's a direct confrontation or—"

He paused for a moment.

"Use what's in those bottles and jars of yours."

Orochimaru did not answer immediately.

He looked up at the moonlight above, fragmented by the shadows of the trees.

After a long pause, he finally said, "I understand, Danzo."

"In war, some people always have to die so that their contributions can be shown."

Orochimaru held a leaf between his fingers and casually crushed it.

"If there's nothing else, I'll be going now."

Shimura Danzō glanced at him but said nothing.

Orochimaru turned around and disappeared into the darkness in a few steps.

After leaving Shimura Danzō, Orochimaru did not return to his own Camp Tent.

He walked to a secluded mountain stream and took out a small scroll.

"Tell Qingyu to come see me."

Orochimaru spoke to the person in the shadows behind him.

"Yes."

A figure shrouded in a black cloak vanished silently.

Orochimaru stood alone by the stream, the moonlight shining on his face.

He was also going to Qingyu's place anyway.

A few days later.

Qingyu had just finished his cultivation when he sensed someone approaching.

He raised his head without making a sound.

A ninja wearing a black hood and whose face was obscured by shadows landed silently a few meters in front of Qingyu.

"Lord Qingyu."

The ninja knelt on one knee.

"Lord Orochimaru wishes to see you."

Qingyu glanced at him.

"Now?"

"Now."

"Okay, lead the way."

Qingyu stood up and casually brushed the dust off her trousers.

The ninja said nothing more and turned to head out of the camp.

Qingyu followed behind at a leisurely pace.

The two figures rose and fell in the night, leaving the camp far behind.

About fifteen minutes later, the black-hooded ninja stopped below a cliff overlooking the sea and then retreated into the shadows as if he had never been there.

Qingyu walked a few steps forward on her own.

Ahead was a natural rock crevice.

Drilling into the crevice, a spacious stone chamber, carved out by human hands, suddenly opened up inside.

Several burning candlesticks were stuck in the cave wall, their Kakkō flickering slightly in the damp air.

Orochimaru stood in front of a wooden table in the stone chamber.

He was wearing a gray-white lab coat, and his long black hair was casually draped behind his head.

"Qingyu."

Orochimaru turned around.

"Long time no see, you seem to have gotten even stronger."

"Teachers too."

Qingyu stepped forward, her expression unchanged.

"Orochimaru- sensei probably didn't just call me to catch up."

Orochimaru laughed upon hearing this.

"Yes, I want to show you something."

What is that?

"Come with me."

Orochimaru turned and walked towards a hidden door deep inside the stone chamber.

Qingyu didn't hesitate and followed.

Behind the hidden door is a stone staircase leading downwards.

Eventually, they arrived at a larger underground space.

This space is divided into several areas.

On one side was a long table filled with glassware and scrolls, and on the other side were several rows of waist-high culture tanks filled with tissue samples of various dark colors.

On the central platform, several pieces of grayish-white flesh floated in transparent jars separated by Chakra barriers.

The surface of those chunks of meat was covered with fine lines, looking like tree roots.

"This is----"

Qingyu took two steps closer, Three-Tomoe Sharingan appeared.

"Something very interesting."

Orochimaru stood behind him, his tone filled with excitement.

"This is a mysterious cell, from a very powerful ninja."

"An extremely powerful ninja?"

"Yeah, he's so strong that even I can't imagine his true potential."

Orochimaru spoke slowly.

"His cells possess extremely strong vitality and adaptability, and can even fuse with the host's flesh and blood, modifying the host's body structure."

"I conducted several control experiments using ordinary ninjas, and even the slightest transplantation significantly increased the host's Chakra recovery speed."

"If the recipient already has strong Chakra, these cells can almost double their regenerative abilities."

"However, these cells are highly corrosive and difficult to control."

Orochimaru spoke eloquently.

Qingyu seemed lost in thought.

He felt these were "Hashirama Cells".

"Where did Orochimaru- sensei get it?"

Qingyu feigned surprise.

"Taken from a corpse exhumed from an unknown battlefield."

Orochimaru said, half-jokingly and half-asleeply.

"It took me a long time to identify the owner of these cells."

"That must be very dangerous."

"Ping Ran."

Orochimaru nodded.

"Out of a hundred test subjects, it would be good if even one survived."

"But you're different."

He turned his head, his golden vertical pupils fixed on Qingyu.

"You have the Senju Clan bloodline and possess the Sharingan. It's as if your body has achieved a wondrous balance; this constitution is practically the perfect vessel for these cells."

"Moreover, after my subsequent research is successful, your eyes might also undergo a new change."

Upon hearing this, Qingyu understood.

Orochimaru was clearly unsure of his attitude, which is why he made these things public first.

He talked about the benefits of cells, but also about the dangers.

But he didn't mention the source of these things, nor did he mention how many living people he experimented on.

This is a probe and an invitation.

"So, Qingyu- kun, are you interested in studying these things with your teacher?"

Orochimaru reached out his hand.

Qingyu raised her head, glanced at him, and then looked at the culture tanks.

After a moment, he nodded.

"Can."

Orochimaru smiled slightly. As long as Qingyu didn't show any rejection at first, Orochimaru thought that he would eventually follow the same path as him.

"Very good."

He withdrew his hand, turned around and walked to the long table next to him, pulled open a small sealed wooden box, and took out a test tube containing white liquid.

"This is for you."

"Is this Joe?"

Qingyu took the test tube and glanced at it in the candlelight.

The white liquid flowed slowly in the tube, appearing somewhat viscous, like milk.

"The White Snake's retrieving object."

Orochimaru said.

"White Snake?"

"That's right."

Orochimaru nodded.

The White Snake is a very rare type of snake with extremely strong vitality; even a severed tail can grow back after shedding its skin.

Orochimaru walked to the culture tank and gently tapped the glass surface with his finger.

"This ability to absorb energy can replenish a ninja's Chakra reserves and regenerative abilities. If you can fully absorb it, your physical vitality..."

It will be much higher than it is now.

Qingyu raised an eyebrow.

He suddenly understood why Orochimaru was so obsessed with the White Snake.

Because Orochimaru was "Ki," he ultimately transformed "Ki" into the White Phosphorus Serpent.

Not only can it spit out its own body from its mouth, but it can also regenerate through molting.

In his early days, Orochimaru inevitably relied on the strength of these White Snake.

Thank you, teacher.

Qingyu carefully put the test tube away.

"Is there any more?"

Qingyu started to take advantage of others.

Let's grab the benefits first, since Orochimaru will defect not long after the war ends.