Orochimaru's Conspiracy

After bidding farewell to the Hyuga, Qiuyang hummed a little tune, intending to return to the inn where he had been staying with his teacher for the past few days to get some rest.

But just as he neared the gates of Konoha, he suddenly stopped in his tracks, patted his head, and pulled out the property deed to head toward the village's housing registration office.

Why on earth would he go back to an inn? Didn't Jiraiya gift him a house today?

He just needed to go there and pick up the spare key left behind during the registration process.

He quickly located the Konoha housing management office, and perhaps to prevent people from being locked out if they lost their keys at night, there was still someone on duty.

"Hello, I'm here to pick up a key."

The middle-aged Genin on duty at the registration desk was initially unhappy about handling business so late at night, but upon checking, he discovered the house was under the name of Lord Jiraiya.

He immediately became incredibly excited.

"May I ask, are you Lord Jiraiya's disciple, the Black Flash of Konoha, Lord Qiuyang?"

Being addressed as "Lord" by a middle-aged man was something Qiuyang still wasn't used to; in fact, he almost wanted to... laugh.

However, in this world where the strong are respected, if your reputation and strength are greater than others, you are entitled to such honorifics.

To get the key as quickly as possible, Qiuyang had to pretend to be serious and nod.

"Please wait a moment, I will find the key for you right away."

A reputation truly works wonders; in less than three minutes, the man hurriedly placed a somewhat aged key into Qiuyang's hand.

Looking at the man's expectant gaze, hoping for praise, he helplessly continued to feign seriousness:

"Well done, keep it up! The village needs ninjas like you who serve at the grassroots level."

"Yes, Lord Qiuyang."

Qiuyang stifled a laugh, turned around, and paced away. Only after reaching the door and feeling that the burning, worshipful gaze behind him had vanished did he dare to lean against the wall and let out a series of suppressed laughs.

Hahaha...

After venting, he continued humming his tune, slowly following the house number until he found his "home."

Although this house was adjacent to the Konoha perimeter wall, there were many other houses nearby. Lights were on in all of them, and one could see shadows moving and hear the sounds of conversation.

It was full of the warmth of daily life.

Opening the door and stepping inside, Qiuyang found that the furniture and daily necessities were all provided, and even the lighting, water, and electricity were connected.

The house didn't have any so-called "shared area" deductions, so it was much larger than he had imagined. There wasn't a trace of the coldness or musty smell of a place left vacant for a long time; it was ready for immediate move-in.

Qiuyang guessed that Jiraiya must have hired someone to maintain it regularly, which saved him a lot of trouble.

After a quick shower, he lay comfortably on the six-foot bed, pondering how many days he should wait before going to Snake Auntie to collect the promised items.

Hmm... maybe I should wait until Snake Auntie has been beaten up by Jiraiya and Tsunade before going. Only then will she understand how worthwhile this deal is.

In the following days, Qiuyang lived the most leisurely life he had experienced since transmigrating, mainly because he had money and didn't need to think about taking on missions to earn it.

Moreover, perhaps because his strength had reached a certain level, he happened to run into all of the Konoha 12 while out strolling to buy furniture these past few days.

In the dark, it seemed to signify that he had also made a dazzling entrance, existing like a main character in the plot.

Some time later, Jiraiya came to ask if he wanted to join him in searching for Tsunade.

Qiuyang looked at Naruto, who was making faces at him from behind Jiraiya, and refused decisively without a second thought.

Jiraiya didn't force him, simply setting off with Naruto to embark on the journey to find Tsunade.

Qiuyang watched their receding backs, beginning to recall the upcoming plot.

Right, it seems Naruto learns the Rasengan this time, and on the way, they encounter Itachi and Kisame from the Akatsuki, which leads to Second Pillar getting a brutal beating and Naruto almost being captured.

Itachi...

A flicker of light passed through Qiuyang's eyes.

He remembered that time Jiraiya used the Seal Fire Method to seal the Amaterasu flames that Itachi had released inside the esophagus of the Iwagama Toad.

When this so-called "black flame that never extinguishes" first appeared, it was full of mystery and pressure, but who would have known it would perform so poorly later on?

Someone like him, having recovered some of his Mangekyo ocular power, could use a Mangekyo ocular technique like "Frost of Frozen Void" to freeze space and break the Amaterasu flames.

Currently, the best achievement of Amaterasu was merely burning off one of the Raikage's arms and killing a few White Zetsu.

But as the saying goes, any plaster that can draw out pus is a good one; Amaterasu was still quite effective against ninjas below the Kage level.

Hmm, when Jiraiya returns, I must get that scroll used to seal Amaterasu from him and study what exactly those Amaterasu flames are.

Qiuyang pondered, estimating the time and preparing to meet Orochimaru again to obtain the Hashirama Cells for body modification.

On the other side, at the far border of the Land of Fire, in a dim room within one of Snake Auntie's secret bases.

Orochimaru once again woke up in a cold sweat from the nightmare of the Third Hokage ruthlessly sealing his arms.

Finding his arms still powerless, he frantically swung his numb limbs, sweeping the bottles, jars, and candles used for lighting off the table and onto the floor.

A series of clattering noises echoed out. The guard at the door was startled, knowing that Lord Orochimaru must be angry again.

They exchanged glances, and one of them immediately ran toward Laboratory No. 6. Just as he was about to knock on the door, Kabuto, wearing a white lab coat, happened to rush out from inside.

The two of them nearly collided.

"What are you standing here for? If the things in my hands break, Lord Orochimaru won't spare you."

Kabuto carefully shielded the glass test tube in his hand and said coldly. Upon discovering that the person opposite him was one of the guards protecting Lord Orochimaru, he furrowed his brows:

"Is there a situation with Lord Orochimaru?"

"Yes, Lord Kabuto. Just like a few days ago, Lord Orochimaru is smashing things inside."

Hearing this, Kabuto could no longer be bothered to lecture his subordinate for his earlier recklessness. He hurried to the room where Orochimaru was staying and pushed the door open.

"Bang!"

A medicine jar immediately smashed at his feet, scattering pills and glass shards across the floor.

Kabuto pushed up his glasses and walked forward, ignoring it entirely.

Orochimaru, who was venting his frustration by smashing things while mentally cursing the Three Hokages, heard the footsteps and lifted his predatory, snake-like slit pupils.

At this moment, he had already developed a murderous intent. No matter who it was... anyone who dared to enter at this time would be killed to vent his rage.

Upon discovering that it was Kabuto who had entered, Orochimaru's killing intent began to dissipate, and he said with extreme displeasure:

"Sss-heh... it's you, Kabuto. How is it? Has the medicine to treat my arms been researched yet..."

"Lord Orochimaru, I remember telling you that this is an injury at the soul level. The only method that can be attempted at present is..."

"The one that Uchiha brat mentioned, finding Tsunade?"

Kabuto nodded in silence. He had never met the Uchiha brat Orochimaru spoke of, but he had already developed a strong curiosity about him—

To have perfectly predicted that Orochimaru would seek out Tsunade, who was also one of the Sannin, to treat his hands, and to have dared to go alone to make a deal with Lord Orochimaru.

And what he wanted was something like Hashirama Cells.

"Heh... it seems that Uchiha brat really guessed right. Is there any news on Tsunade?"

"The news came back this morning. If we set off now, we can see her by tomorrow, and furthermore..."

Kabuto lowered his head slightly, his lenses glinting with white light as he held up the glass tube in his hand to show Orochimaru:

"According to the method you described, the special Hashirama Cells have just been successfully produced."

"Gaga, well done, Kabuto."

Orochimaru stood up, his long tongue flicking out again:

"Let's go. Come with me to see an old friend I haven't met in many years. By the way, bring this cultured Hashirama Cells along as well."

He could hardly wait to see the expression on that Uchiha brat's face when he injected these cells.

When the Cursed Seal hidden within was released, no matter how powerful his ocular prowess was, he would have to obediently become a vessel for me, Orochimaru.