Orochimaru: Kyohiko, You Really Are Heartless!

Kikyo Mountain.

Inside the base, Orochimaru was researching the mysteries of Magnet Release, but after trying it out, he discovered that the Magnet Release used by Sunagakure was indeed different from what they had studied.

Sunagakure is closer to natural magnetism.

Electromagnetism...

How amazing!

Orochimaru's lips curled slightly, and then he began to cast a spell, adding something to the corpse.

certainly.

This thing had to be returned to Sunagakure, so he didn't dare to go too far, only altering the Third Kazekage's internal organs and bodily functions.

After taking it back, Sunagakure was basically unable to create Human Puppet anymore.

Then, he looked at a bottle on the side.

Blood from the Scorch Release technique.

Just as they were about to finish the research, a figure rushed in from outside.

Anbu Ninja.

"Lord Orochimaru, what's the situation at the front lines with Lord Kyohiko?"

"Good."

Orochimaru took it.

It wasn't that he distrusted Kyohiko and deliberately sent him to follow him; rather, he wanted to know what was happening at the front as soon as possible so he could respond accordingly.

After all, those were forty elite members of Konoha; they couldn't be taken lightly.

However.

When Orochimaru opened it, he was stunned.

Did I read that right?

Wrong!

Is there a typo?

He looked at the Anbu Ninja beside him, his gaze filled with scrutiny and silent questioning.

"Lord Orochimaru, it's all true, not a single word of it is made up."

"..."

Orochimaru lowered his head.

The Intelligence Scroll read:

Kyohiko used Deep Forest Emergence, causing heavy casualties among the Sunagakure ninja and eroding their will to fight.

Loss of the will to fight...

What scale of Deep Forest Emergence could have such a terrifying effect?

Orochimaru's mind went blank.

Could this kid really be a reincarnation of the First?

He licked his lips, then thought that Ninjutsu of that scale must have consumed an extraordinary amount of energy.

"Is Kyohiko alright?"

If something happens to Kyohiko, Orochimaru really won't dare to return to Konoha.

"It looks like Chakra, and he had Kakashi create a clone to disguise himself as another child, seemingly trying to lure the Sunagakure ninja."

The Anbu Ninja described the scene at that time.

Orochimaru imagined it for a moment, then couldn't help but chuckle, "This kid..."

Even the people of Sunagakure are now fully aware of Kyohiko's strength.

Kakashi is the son of White Fang.

So, what is his identity as the only extra child?

That's blatant manipulation.

If Sunagakure truly believes it, Kyohiko will likely have Tsunade mislead Yamato, allowing Yamato to go out and confirm the situation, thus keeping the Wood Release a secret for a while longer.

So young, yet full of mischief.

Compared to Kyohiko, Jiraiya, as Teacher, exudes both clarity and foolishness.

To throw such a promising talent to Jiraiya...

That Old Man is truly blind!

Orochimaru sighed inwardly for a moment, then put away the scroll and said with a faint smile, "Don't worry, it seems that Rasa is like a child in front of Kyohiko."

His subordinate pondered for a moment, then nodded in deep agreement.

That's absolutely right!

"However, this kid might end up causing me trouble."

Orochimaru muttered to himself.

but.

The Ōnoki to the north is also restless...

Right now, we really need that kid, but he can't just wander around aimlessly.

Orochimaru rubbed his temples.

"Keep an eye on Pakura; that woman is very valuable."

Are you leaving?

"Um."

After Orochimaru finished speaking, he sealed the Third Kazekage's corpse into a scroll, then left a Shadow Clone before departing from the base.

In the Land of Rivers, Minato Namikaze and Kyohiko, along with Kakashi and a few Chunin who were not good at stealth, reconnaissance, and speed, Chunin to the Land of Fire. On the way, they encountered Orochimaru.

Orochimaru smiled as he looked at Kyohiko and the Shadow Clone beside him that resembled "Yamato".

"Good."

"Lord Orochimaru..."

Everyone bowed to Orochimaru.

Orochimaru nodded slightly.

Then, he looked at Kyohiko: "The body has been disposed of; leave the rest to me."

"I'll leave Pakura to you."

Orochimaru said this, the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.

"Ah?"

Kyohiko was stunned for a moment.

Leave it to him to handle...

"I'm not really interested in Scorch Release."

"Then maximize her interests. In short, you deal with the person you arrested yourself."

Orochimaru said with a smile.

Kyohiko fell into deep thought.

Pakura...

It must be admitted that Pakura's Scorch Release was not very useful during the mecha wars, but it was extremely lethal against beings below the Kage Level.

Even his previous techniques were difficult to use against Pakura; they were basically countered.

If we can recruit this person to Konoha, the reward will definitely be substantial!

No.

There's not even a need to add it; a "secondment" is sufficient.

Kyohiko's eyes lit up, and he said, "Lord Orochimaru, I have an idea."

"Oh?"

Orochimaru looked at him with great interest.

That kid definitely has some ideas!

Kyohiko leaned closer and whispered, "Tell them that Pakura is still alive, and give them conditions. We want to release Pakura and send her back, Fourth Kazekage must be her."

Orochimaru looked at him, pondered for a moment, then smiled slightly, "You want them to fall into internal strife?"

"For example, when you send her back, give her a scroll with some information about the Sasori of the Red Sands Human Puppet, along with some words of advice and concern. Ideally, she wouldn't even know she had such a scroll."

"Kyohiko said in a low voice."

Orochimaru's mind raced, and he already had a plan.

He looked at Kyohiko with a deep gaze.

This move...

That's ruthless!

However, Orochimaru smirked and said, "You want to kidnap her to Konoha?"

"We can't let Sunagakure get it."

Whether she can be persuaded to stay is hard to say, but it will definitely damage her sense of belonging to Sunagakure.

Kyohiko said with a smile.

Orochimaru nodded. "That makes sense."

He looked at Kyohiko and said, "Ōnoki's side is also getting restless. Before news of Sunagakure spreads, you guys go north to provide support. Leave things here to me."

Orochimaru's previous strategy of luring the enemy stemmed from his fear of the Third Kazekage's strength and the possibility of causing even greater casualties.

Now that the Third Kazekage is dead, Rasa...

It's not enough to make him wary.

"Oh, right, Ebizo dead."

Kyohiko provided additional information.

Orochimaru paused for a moment, then sighed, "Ebizo, he was one of the few in Sunagakure who used his brain, I never thought he'd die at your hands."

No!

Think about it carefully...

The Third Kazekage and Ebizo both died at Kyohiko's hands. If we also consider Chiyo, who supposedly died saving Sasori, and the Sunagakure, Pakura the deaths of this generation of Sunagakure's elite all related to Kyohiko?

Orochimaru's gaze was slightly strange.

He patted Kyohiko on the shoulder, gave him no further advice, simply nodded, and then disappeared into the ground.

There's absolutely nothing to worry about with this kid.

I reckon even if everyone in the Shinobi World died, this kid would still be alive and kicking. He's practically a combination of the First and Second Hokage.

Orochimaru couldn't help but sigh--

If Kyohiko had been born ten years earlier, what chance would the Sannin have had?

Who knows, that old Hanzo might die too!

Although he didn't say much, he was still a little unhappy about losing to Hanzo.

At the outpost on the border of the Land of Wind, a sense of silence and sorrow once again enveloped everyone's hearts.

If before, everyone thought the loss was due to the Third Kazekage underestimating his opponent, being careless, and falling into a trap, then now—

Everyone was completely desperate.

Wood Release.

That's the power of the First Hokage!

Konoha has surprisingly regained its Wood Release ninjas.

It must be that child.

Rasa's eyes were sinister as he recalled their positions from that time.

Minato Namikaze, Kyohiko Yoshimine, Kakashi Hatake surrounded a rather inconspicuous, pale-faced child.

He hadn't seen the child before, but the sudden appearance of someone was definitely something to be noticed.

Wood Release might be related to that child.

The reason Konoha restricted them was to prevent information from being transmitted.

He understands the reasoning.

But.

Currently, as a defeated ninja village, he has no other choice.

Furthermore...

Rasa hesitated in his heart--

If only Sunagakure was beaten like a dog by Konoha, wouldn't the other villages turn around and try to take over their territory and requests?

With that thought in mind, he abandoned the idea of secretly sending out the message.

Who cares about the fate of other villages!

I should probably reconsider how I should act as the Fourth Kazekage.

Rasa gazed ahead and sighed softly.

at this time--

"Rasa, the people from Konoha have arrived!"

"Who?"

Orochimaru.

Jingxiong reported in a low voice.

Rasa's spirits lifted, but he was also somewhat worried.

Orochimaru!

Even Ebizo was wary of this guy; now that Ebizo is dead, who can he turn to for help?

Is it Jingxiong?

Rasa glanced at it, a hint of disappointment flashing through his mind.

With him Sunagakure would be doomed.

He took a deep breath and walked outside.

Outside, Orochimaru walked slowly, alone yet exuding an extraordinary aura that made people afraid to look him in the eye.

However.

He took a few steps, but waited in the middle, not moving any closer.

Rasa sighed softly.

He knew he had to go out and greet them.

So he scurried up to him, forcing a smile, and said, "Orochimaru- senpai, has Konoha made a decision?"

"First of all, we haven't even calculated the number of casualties in Konoha yet, but you definitely have to compensate for the losses."

Orochimaru said calmly.

Rasa nodded. "That's only right."

"We will return the body of the Third Kazekage to you. Although he died in the war, Konoha will not dishonor a Kazekage."

Orochimaru said, taking out the Sealing Scroll.

Then, he Hand Seals and released what was sealed inside.

A corpse.

When everyone saw the Third Kazekage, their eyes immediately reddened, filled with anger and resentment, but also with sadness and sobbing.

This is their strongest Kazekage.

Now, he is dead.

Rasa almost burst into tears.

The Third Kazekage was his Teacher, who personally taught him how to learn and use Magnet Release. Now that he saw him again, he was a corpse. How could he not be heartbroken?

But.

He can't cry, at least not now.

Rasa gritted his teeth and said, "Orochimaru- senpai, and the entire Sunagakure, thank you for your magnanimity."

"Good."

Orochimaru glanced at him.

Rasa may be foolish, but he still has some merits.

He smiled.

"The second condition is that Sunagakure will not be allowed to use Human Puppet technology. We will negotiate this with the other ninja villages and draft an agreement together."

"Of course, our Sunagakure also abhors Human Puppet."

Rasa lowered her head, her eyelids drooping to cover her eyes, preventing her emotions from escaping.

The Human Puppet Technique.

Konoha really thought this through carefully; no wonder they didn't agree to return the body immediately.

Orochimaru sneered and raised a few more issues related to the interests of the Land of Rivers, but he didn't push too hard and asked the other party to withdraw the commission in the southern sea as well.

Even if the other side concedes, Konoha will still have to fight Kirigakure for it, which isn't worth it.

Rasa could only nod in agreement to the several conditions presented.

at last...

Orochimaru narrowed his eyes and chuckled, "One last condition: we need Pakura to be the Fourth Kazekage."

"What?"

Rasa looked up, his face filled with astonishment.

Kazekage, Pakura?

"Pakura isn't dead yet?"

He couldn't believe it.

Orochimaru's lips curled into a slight smile, "She was just a guest at my place, how could she possibly die?"

Rasa hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

He didn't die...

But why was she chosen as the Kazekage?

The Fourth Kazekage is not someone Konoha can order around.

Rasa dared not speak.

He remained silent for a long time before asking, "Why did you choose her?"

"She's a tough person, and I admire that kind of person."

Orochimaru grinned.

This is the truth.

If Pakura becomes the Kazekage, he thinks this is the most likely outcome.

As for Rasa...

This person is more sinister and may secretly develop and become stronger, while outwardly appearing submissive, making him even more difficult to deal with than Pakura.

Orochimaru didn't believe a single word Rasa said.

His mind was in turmoil.

At this moment, Rasa knew he had no choice but to give it a try.

"The appointment of the Kazekage is the most important power for the people of Sunagakure. I'm afraid even I can't make that decision."

"It doesn't matter."

Orochimaru smirked. "If you don't agree, you can surrender when you're dead."

Rasa was taken aback, then fell silent.

Pakura's contributions were no less than his; if he died and Pakura returned, Sunagakure would indeed have no other choice.

because...

There is no third person more suitable to be the Kazekage than them.

Orochimaru laughed and said, "How was it?"

I agree.

Rasa's voice was tinged with bitterness.

Orochimaru smiled, turned and left, without taking the corpse with him.

"The compensation will be settled later and sent to your Sunagakure along with Pakura. You can leave now."

Thank you, senior.

Rasa bowed deeply.

Only after Orochimaru left did he look up, his face cold as he stared in the direction Orochimaru had gone.

"Lord Rasa..."

Jingxiong cautiously stepped forward.

Rasa took a deep breath. "Let's prepare to head back to the village."

"Kazekage?"

"We'll talk about it when we get back."

Rasa closed his eyes.

Orochimaru is too ruthless.

He couldn't determine Orochimaru's intentions, nor did he know whether Pakura had defected to Konoha, but regardless, he couldn't allow Pakura to succeed as the Fourth Kazekage.

She will lead the village into the abyss!

But.

What should we do if we can't let her succeed as head of the family?

Rasa walked heavily, step by step, into the house.

She must be killed!

A hint of killing intent flashed in Rasa.

Pakura's opinions and policies have always differed from his own. Regardless of whether Pakura has allied with Konoha or not, her return to the village will be an obstacle for him.

Rasa made up his mind, and his mood and steps became lighter.

At that moment, he noticed a boy practicing Wind Release Ninjutsu diligently by the door. He recalled the boy's name briefly.

Baki

While everyone else was immersed in grief and sorrow, he trained and worked even harder.

Amazing!

Perhaps, he will amount to something.

He walked over and said, "Baki, would you like to learn Wind Release Ninjutsu from me?"

"Oh? Of course!"

Baki paused for a moment, then nodded repeatedly, his tear-streaked face filled with joy.