Orochimaru: You're in charge-get it done!

Kikyo Mountain was eerily quiet, with only the occasional sound of corpses being moved. A strange odor permeated the air, and occasionally, Wind Release Ninjutsu would disperse the accumulating poisonous gas.

Along the way, corpses were being collected everywhere.

"Hong, he's beyond saving."

"I, I know..."

Kurenai Yuhi dejectedly released her grip.

She understood more and more why Tsunade had been trying to increase the number of Medical Ninja and why she had asked her to think about that problem.

There are still too few Medical Ninja!

Let's go.

Kyohiko couldn't muster any enthusiasm, but compared to the hopeless wounded soldiers before him, discussing a grand strategy with Orochimaru was the key.

certainly.

Some of them could still be saved, and they were willing to lend a helping hand.

On their way back, they arrived at Kikyo City at dawn. At the gate, a ninja dressed as a member of the Aburame Clan stood waiting.

Upon seeing them, he immediately took a step forward.

"Kyohiko Jonin, Lord Orochimaru requests your presence. The other three, please come with me; I will arrange accommodations for you."

"Good."

Kyohiko looked at Minato, indicating that they didn't need to worry.

Then, guided by the insect from the Aburame Clan, he headed towards the Kikyo City.

On Kikyo Mountain, Orochimaru stood atop the mountain, only turning around when he heard footsteps behind him.

His eyes revealed excitement.

"Kyohiko, I've wanted to see you alone for a long time, but I've only had the opportunity today."

"Very early?"

Kyohiko sensed something.

Orochimaru bluntly stated, " In Tanzaku Town, there was a group of people who attacked you. They are from the Root, and they have an indirect connection to me."

"So, I have to thank you for bringing Tsunade back."

Kyohiko smiled.

He felt at the time that the group of people had come out of nowhere, but he never expected that they were actually sent by Orochimaru and Danzo.

Orochimaru's lips curled into a slight smile.

"I like this about you. No matter what happens, you can stay calm, unlike Jiraiya, who starts making a fuss over the smallest thing."

"You probably didn't just want to say that, did you?"

Kyohiko remained calm.

"Of course. Kyohiko, may I ask how you mastered Wood Release?"

Orochimaru licked his lips with his tongue.

"Based on my speculation, it's partly due to the activation and development of my personal bloodline, and partly related to the development of my own attributes."

Facing Orochimaru, Kyohiko naturally wouldn't tell the truth, so he made up two reasons on the spot.

Orochimaru pondered for a moment, then said, "Bloodline, Wood Release..."

He explained, "Back then, I didn't know Yamato still alive. After your rise to power, I suspected you had inherited the power of the Senju Clan and wanted to conduct an experiment."

Orochimaru said, looking at Kyohiko.

Did Tsunade mention Hashirama Senju's cells to you?

"Related experiments were mentioned."

Kyohiko answered.

Orochimaru recounted some of the procedures involved in the experiment.

He believed that Kyohiko would be interested.

They are the same kind of people!

"Shouldn't we have proven that Hashirama Cells are harmful to humans by conducting experiments on animals? Besides, you must have already conducted experiments on ninjas before, so why are you doing experiments on infants?"

Kyohiko disagreed, "Furthermore, the truly powerful element isn't Wood Release, but rather the First Hokage, like me..."

He Hand Seals, causing trees to grow. "Increasing Chakra might only make me slightly stronger than I am now; Yamato won't be much different."

"The First Hokage Cells can't grant me immortality, so whether or not I participate in the experiment is irrelevant."

Orochimaru sneered, "But some people... ha! They want it more than I do. Otherwise, where do you think my materials come from?"

He scoffed, "If the experiment is discovered, it'll just mean I'm expelled from Konoha. Tsunade doesn't return, would the Old Man really go after Danzo?"

Orochimaru slightly composed himself at this point.

He looked at Kyohiko, his tone gradually calming down.

Are you interested in First Hokage Cells?

Not interested at the moment.

Kyohiko shook his head.

Orochimaru smiled and didn't delve further into the topic, "Then, let's talk about this war. Was it your idea to go around to the back?"

He knows Minato Namikaze.

As Jiraiya's disciple, this child doesn't have that kind of thinking; he's more likely to fight his way through and solve the problems at the front lines first.

"Right."

Kyohiko needs this credit.

Only in this way could he discuss strategy with Orochimaru and increase his influence over the strategy.

He then recounted their infiltration into the rear and the ensuing battle.

Orochimaru listened quietly.

"I understand what you mean, but I don't think we should sacrifice so many Chunin. These people are our backbone; we can't let them die in vain."

Kyohiko answered.

Orochimaru said, "War always results in death. Or do you have a better solution? If so, I can do as you say."

"Decapitation Mission."

Kyohiko said, "We'll find the Third Kazekage, and together we'll kill him!"

"He's the strongest Kazekage..."

Despite this, Orochimaru's face showed a hint of eagerness.

Without Minato Namikaze and Kyohiko, he certainly wouldn't have chosen the decapitation option, but the two are quite strong, and their Flying Thunder God, Water Style, and even Wood Release could provide some assistance.

The key point is...

Have you mastered Sage Mode?

"It's still a little short."

Kyohiko answered.

His biggest problem right now is that he can't control the wood-transformation process while in Wood Release mode.

Orochimaru was deep in thought.

He was unfamiliar with Sage Mode; the earliest Senjutsu Chakra he knew of was Kurokawa's "Sage Body."

If he possessed such power, and with his connection to Minato Namikaze...

"There's one question left."

Orochimaru said, "The Magnet Release Kekkei Genkai allows them to fight in the air, which is very disadvantageous for us. The Third Kazekage is not Rasa."

"You're right."

A bright smile appeared on Kyohiko's face. "So, I have an idea that I need your help with."

"Oh?"

"Their Magnet Release can be learned and cultivated, so there's no reason why we can't develop and cultivate it as well. Even if we don't achieve the same level of ability as them, as long as we can achieve similar capabilities or influence Iron Sand, we can use it at crucial moments to turn the tide of battle."

Kyohiko said.

Orochimaru unconsciously licked the corner of his mouth.

This is a manifestation of his excitement.

Magnet Release.

Indeed, if one could master Magnet Release—

Even a rudimentary Magnet Release ability, if it can affect the Third Kazekage's Ninjutsu release, can turn the tide of battle at crucial moments and even instill fear in the Sunagakure.

because...

This is their proud and glorious Kekkei Genkai.

Orochimaru couldn't contain his excitement. "Kyohiko has an idea for Magnet Release?"

"A little bit. Although it can't be used in actual combat, it's no problem against the Third Kazekage."

Kyohiko nodded.

The Third Kazekage's Magnet Release directly uses Chakra to create magnetic Iron Sand Iron Sand, which is then used in combat.

He cannot create magnets using Chakra.

but.

The principle of generating magnetism from electricity already existed in his previous life. He even experimented with it on his way here, creating an electric current using Lightning Style Chakra and then using that electricity to generate magnetism through a coil.

Feasible!

However, the strength of the magnetic force depends on the amount of Chakra, and it is not very stable.

He took out the materials he was going to use for the experiment.

A steel wire Ninja Tools, a Kunai.

Then, the Lightning Style Chakra created an electric current, which flowed in from one side and returned to the body from the other, forming a reflux.

Orochimaru crouched down, staring at the coiled wire and Kunai.

Do you have any smaller pieces of metal?

"No, but..."

Orochimaru took out a Shuriken and then crushed it into several pieces with his bare hands.

The broken Shuriken immediately had some fragments absorbed by the Kunai. His eyes lit up and he looked up at Kyohiko.

Then, he moved some of the metal pieces even closer together.

Snap!

The iron sheet was also attracted to it.

Orochimaru's lips curled into a smile, unable to hide his excitement. "Kyohiko, you're a true genius!"

"I discovered this by accident. It's the opposite of the principle of power generation. If we had enough electricity, we should be able to do it too."

Kyohiko said.

As he stopped channeling Chakra, the wire lost its magnetism, and the iron powder, iron filings, and iron pieces fell to the ground.

Orochimaru took the wire and Kunai and began to handle them himself.

After trying it myself...

Feasible!

"That's amazing!"

He couldn't hide his excitement, like a child who had just received a new toy, constantly trying it out.

Replicable!

Orochimaru already had a picture in his mind.

"If we pre-plant a sufficient number of steel wire loops on the battlefield where needed, could we amplify the magnetic force to the extent we require?"

"This requires further verification, and that's where I need your help."

Kyohiko answered.

Orochimaru laughed, "Of course, I'm interested in the mysteries of all Ninjutsu!"

Then he chuckled.

With this technique, defeating Sunagakure will be easy!

Orochimaru looked at Kyohiko: "I will begin the experiment immediately. During this time, the area around Kikyo Mountain will be managed by you and Minato."

The next second, he threw down a token and vanished from the spot.

What command, what plan?

If we could create this thing and use it properly, it could directly kill the Third Kazekage.

In ninja battles, intelligence is crucial!

and.

Winning hearts and minds is the best strategy; conquering cities is the next best!

Compared to directly killing the Sunagakure, destroying their confidence in their own Kekkei Genkai is clearly more important.

As Hokage, one should prioritize the well-being of the people.

[Your improved battle strategy will greatly reduce our own losses, preserve more manpower for Konoha, and effectively deter Sunagakure.]

[Reward: Increased Strength Enhancement Technique]

An effective decapitation tactic is definitely better than Orochimaru's strategy of luring the enemy into a trap, and can reduce more deaths and losses.

Rewards are to be expected.

Kyohiko wasn't too surprised, but what surprised him was that the improvement had fallen on his Strength Enhancement Technique.

Master-level Strength of a Hundred.

Building upon his mastery of Strength of a Hundred, he has enhanced his control over Chakra, enabling him to rapidly extract, gather, and unleash it from any part of his body. Furthermore, if he slows down...

Another qualitative change.

Kyohiko sensed the changes and headed towards Kikyo City.

Upon arriving at Kikyo City, he tried using several spells.

Undoubtedly, his Chakra control has been further enhanced.

More precise control.

Even with a larger amount of Chakra, he can still control it with ease.

etc?

Kyohiko suddenly thought of something-

Previously, he couldn't control the Wood Release Sage Mode Chakra; will he be able to now?

Upon arriving outside Minato and the others' residence, he quickly created Shadow Clone.

The Shadow Clone attempts the experiment while the main body observes from the side.

Two minutes, three minutes...

Four minutes passed.

Kyohiko sensed that Natural Energy had filled his clone.

The next moment, strange patterns appeared on the forehead of his Shadow Clone, and then some different changes also appeared on the rest of its body.

Unlike Hashirama Senju.

His state is more like Special Sage Mode derived from the methods of Mount Myoboku.

Kyohiko continued to observe.

After waiting for several minutes, he finally confirmed that his Shadow Clone was able to control the power of Sage Mode and would not become woody due to excessive Senjutsu Chakra.

Cancel Shadow Clone.

The next instant, Senjutsu Chakra surged into his body.

Sage Mode!

Kyohiko opened his eyes, and similar patterns appeared on his face.

He could feel that the earth and trees seemed more welcoming.

If this state were to progress further, it wouldn't be impossible to directly activate Sage Mode.

"If I were to receive First Hokage Cells transplant..."

The idea of transplanting cells came to Kyohiko's mind.

Hashirama Cells would definitely make his physique closer to Hashirama Senju's, but without the Sharingan, could his own physique suppress them?

Unknown.

This is precisely what Orochimaru wanted to research.

Kyohiko shook his head, manipulated the Chakra within his body, dispelled the power of nature, and exited Sage Mode.

"Kyohiko, were you testing Sage Mode just now?"

"Yes, it seems to have been successful so far."

Kyohiko nodded.

Minato Namikaze nodded at first, then suddenly looked up at him in surprise and asked, "Which Sage Mode?"

"Of course it's Wood Release. Even if I were in Sage Mode in my normal state, I wouldn't be much stronger than you."

Kyohiko said.

Minato Namikaze was originally worried about Kyohiko's safety, so he kept a close eye on the surrounding situation.

Seeing that Kyohiko had returned and immediately devoted himself to cultivation, he felt great admiration for him.

but.

Sage Mode...

This is Sage Mode under Wood Release.

Nearly the power of the First!

Minato Namikaze remained silent for a long while, then finally nodded. "It's good."

Having strong teammates means being able to play a greater role in war.

but...

Thinking about Kyohiko's rapid progress, he couldn't help but feel a strong sense of urgency.

If this continues, I'll be surpassed.

No!

I need to work harder myself.

Minato Namikaze originally didn't want to work on Sage Mode, but Kyohiko's encouragement spurred him to learn more abilities.

Go back and keep practicing hard!

He secretly hardened his resolve.

Then, Minato collected his thoughts and asked, "What did Lord Orochimaru say?"

"I talked to him, and he approved of my plan. He asked the two of us to be in charge of command and coordination during this period, as he had important things to do."

Kyohiko answered.

Important things?

Minato Namikaze didn't believe Orochimaru had any other plans. Based on Kyohiko's answer, it was more likely that Kyohiko had some ideas that Orochimaru needed to help with.

Orochimaru...

Some kind of Ninjutsu?

Ninjutsu specifically designed for Sunagakure).

It's either Magnet Release or Puppet Technique, it can't be Scorch Release, can it?

Minato Namikaze secretly speculated, but in the end, he didn't ask Kyohiko what it was. Instead, he discussed how to schedule and manage it.

However.

This was a first for Kyohiko as well. He could offer some advice, but he wasn't really capable of doing it himself.

The two exchanged a glance, both somewhat at a loss.

Chapter Two estimates are close to zero, or even slightly higher, but there will be...