There is actually a fifth way to achieve immortality...
Kaguya Otsutsuki's body is a truly perfect, immortal body. The Ōtsutsuki Clan, in a sense, are a god-like clan standing at the pinnacle of the Shinobi World, possessing immense power and an immune system to all Ninjutsu, granting them an immortal and ageless body.
Sato Hideaka did not tell Orochimaru the truth about the world because Orochimaru is a terrifying scientist. When the truth is exposed to Orochimaru, he, being prepared, might find a way to obtain the power of the Otsutsuki Clan, which is a destabilizing factor!
From the moment I came into this world, through all that I've experienced, and even after gaining immense power...
Sato Hideaka has his own ideas and ambitions.
After the battle at the Valley of Hell in the Land of Rivers, Sunagakure began to consolidate its forces, shifting from an offensive posture to a defensive one. Seemingly wary of the Lava Giant in Sato Hideaka's territory, Rasa's strategy became more cautious, and in the following five days, the two sides did not engage in a single large-scale battle.
This put Konoha in a passive position, because Konoha also couldn't afford to drag out this war.
Konoha, fighting on a single front, showed no fear of Sunagakure. However, Iwagakure began its operation. After a stalemate on Konoha's Western Front, they crossed the flat Land of Grass and launched a probing attack on Sarutobi Asuma's 6,000-strong ninja force in northwestern Konoha. This probing attack resulted in losses on both sides, and Kumogakure seemed eager to try its luck as well...
The latest intelligence indicates that Kirigakure is rushing to build a large number of ships and is continuously transporting troops to the ruins of the " Land of Whirlpools." The " Land of Whirlpools " is one of the closest islands to the Land of Fire in the ocean. It is possible to invade the Land of Fire at any time by simply crossing the ocean. However, due to various restrictive reasons, Kirigakure's actions will definitely not be as swift as Kumogakure's six-land campaign.
Even so, Konoha's western front needs a decisive battle to quickly end the predicament of its dispersed forces.
Inside the camp in Konoha, the Land of Rivers, was the entire elite fighting force of the Western Front Force.
"I have received the latest intelligence. The Sunagakure has refrained from engaging in battle for the time being because the Fourth Kazekage has dispatched Chiyo and some Sunagakure, preparing to join forces with Hanzo the Salamander of the Salamander from the Land of Rain. If they successfully unite... our entire western border of Konoha will be completely turned into a battlefield."
Orochimaru took out a pointer-like object and moved it across the large map in the center of the camp, following the paths of the Land of Rain and the Land of Rivers. When he arrived back at the Land of Grass, the elite leaders in the camp were horrified to discover that if the Sunagakure's conspiracy succeeded, all the western countries would fall into battle.
If the alliance succeeds, the Iwagakure will invade Konoha along the Land of Grass, the Sunagakure will invade Konoha along the Land of Rivers, and Hanzo the Salamander, known as a demigod, will invade Konoha from the Land of Rain. At this time, the western border of the Land of Fire will be completely engulfed in war.
"This... this is impossible. No, it won't do. We absolutely cannot allow Sunagakure and Amegakure to form an alliance. If they do, our western border will be completely overrun by the battlefield. At that time Kumogakure and Kirigakure will definitely not remain inactive... In that case, our country will be fighting against five countries at the same time."
"If we get caught up in fighting multiple countries simultaneously on multiple fronts, our forces will likely be even more dispersed, and we'll be short of troops on every front. In that case, we'll definitely be defeated one by one by the ninja forces of the five countries. The Land of Rain must form an alliance with us; this is a necessary condition... Otherwise, the consequences will be truly terrifying."
"It's ironic that we have to send people to negotiate an alliance with the Land of Rain. It's just a small country sandwiched between three major powers, yet it can influence the course of the war between the Five Great Nations... The Land of Rain has every right to be proud of that."
Inside the camp, Konoha's elites shared their opinions, all advocating for an alliance with the Land of Rain. The Land of Fire, being in a position to do so, felt compelled to do so, as Konoha had become the target of widespread criticism, making the Land of Rain's perspective particularly important.
After gathering the opinions of those around him, Orochimaru turned his gaze to Tsunade, who had remained silent, and said calmly, " Tsunade, what are your thoughts...? What kind of plan do we need to make to deal with the current crisis?"
"The alliance with the Land of Rain is a must. If the Third Hokage were here, he would probably share this view. Time waits for no one, we must make a decision quickly." Tsunade Senju looked at the map with a solemn gaze, clenching her fist with a hint of determination.
Orochimaru nodded and said, "Yes, Teacher Sarutobi always tries to resolve disputes through peace and alliances. I'm sure he'll use the same method here... Hanzo the Salamander has lost much of his ambition over the years. His only ambition is a peaceful and tranquil Land of Rain... Even if the Land of Rain were to wage war against the Land of Fire, it wouldn't have the strength to snatch a piece of the pie from the four great nations of Wind, Earth, Lightning, and Water!"
Tsunade Senju crossed her arms, her chest bulging high from the pressure, and frowned as she looked around. "So, who do we need to send now? On the battlefield right now, I'm afraid only you and I are qualified to negotiate with Hanzo the Salamander... Orochimaru."
" The Western Front Force still need my command. I'll leave the negotiations to you, Tsunade."
Orochimaru nodded and looked at his friend solemnly.
Tsunade Senju, the granddaughter of the First Hokage, the student of the Third Konoha Sannin, and the princess of the Land of Fire, is definitely a heavyweight figure to go to negotiate with, and her sincerity is also full. Even Orochimaru himself is not as suitable to go to negotiate with Hanzo the Salamander.
Tsunade Senju nodded; at the moment, she was the only one suitable to go and negotiate.
Standing beside Tsunade Senju, Sato Hideaka suddenly said, " Lord Orochimaru, let me go with my teacher. If Chiyo of Sunagakure makes a move, I can be considered half a fighting force by her side, which will tilt the balance of victory in some way."
Upon hearing that Sato Hideaka would be fighting Chiyo, the elite ninjas present showed no disdain. They knew, to varying degrees, why the Sunagakure were avoiding battle: they had single-handedly coerced an entire village's fighting force into refusing to engage...
Such a record can be considered a legend.
"That's fine too. Perhaps putting a little pressure on Hanzo the Salamander will make him more willing to cooperate with Konoha. Who knows?" Orochimaru glanced at Sato Hideaka and said meaningfully.
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With time running out, and after everyone learned that Sunagakure was preparing to cooperate with Hanzo the Salamander from Amegakure, Orochimaru and the elite ninjas of Konoha determined that the best course of action was to form an alliance. After analyzing the conditions under which they could compromise and their bottom line in this negotiation, the negotiating team began to reorganize.
The Land of Rivers borders the Land of Rain. The rivers in the valleys of the Land of Rivers originate not only from the southwest monsoon but also from the Land of Rain, where it rains year-round. Only the fresh water from the source can create the continuous southward-flowing rivers of the Land of Rivers...
Tsunade Senju organized the thirty-person team and they advanced along the valley of the Land of Rivers towards the city.
This team includes many elite ninjas, including the new generation of Konoha's elite clans, Hyuga Ningbo from the Hyuga Clan and Uchiha Kaoru from the Uchiha Clan. Their participation adds a layer of significance to this negotiation.
It's not surprising that members of the Hyuga Clan have joined this mission.
The Hyuga Clan is known for its keen observation skills, and they often include members as scouts for the Hyuga Clan of even moderate importance. However, the addition of Uchiha Kaoru, the strongest Uchiha Clan's new generation, alongside the Hyuga Clan, signifies more than just reconnaissance; it represents not only sincerity but also a form of deterrence.
Sincerity means that the entire Konoha, including its direct descendants and powerful clans, agrees with this Konoha. Deterrence means that Hidden Konoha Village is currently united and determined. Joining the united Hidden Leaf Village is better than joining the four great nations, each with their own ulterior motives. This is more conducive to the stability of the Land of Rain itself.
Of course, all of this is just Sato Hideaka's own speculation. (To be continued.)