Orochimaru's Friend

Land of Water

Mizukage Building

The Fourth Mizukage, Yagura, and Genji, a prominent figure from Hidden Mist, discussed the situation in Hidden Mist.

The Genji of Kirigakure, from the First Mizukage to the present, has been respected by the Hidden Mist Kirigakure Ninja for nearly fifty years.

Yagura repeatedly harmed the ninja clans of Kirigakure and a large number of ninjas who survived in the Bloody Mist. Although his methods were secretive, these ninja clans and groups were not stupid.

Demands for revenge and increased compensation for the wounded Kirigakure Ninja were causing Karatachi Yagura considerable distress.

Two attacks on Konoha and one flanking attack on Hidden Sand all failed, causing the Fourth Mizukage's reputation to decline.

For the sake of the greater good, Yagura prepared for a true campaign against Konoha to salvage his reputation.

"Genji, the village is almost ready. I'll leave the village to your care during this campaign against Konoha."

"Mizukage, you don't need to worry about the village. I will fully support and cooperate with you."

Genji had a high opinion of Yagura; he was capable, approachable, and managed the Hidden Mist situation in Kirigakure very well after taking Yagura. Even Genji, the former mastermind behind Hidden Mist, had to admire him and began to consider handing over power.

Konoha

Hokage Building

The situation in the Shinobi World is changing rapidly. The Third Raikage of the Land of Lightning died in battle, and the Fourth Raikage succeeded him. His army began to invade the Land of Earth to carry out revenge.

Unperturbed, Ōnoki seized the opportunity presented by the death of the Raikage Land of Lightning the Land of Lightning to launch a fierce attack on Kumogakure) in the Land of Lightning. Iwagakure Ōnoki only launched a fierce attack on Kumogakure, but also sent a detachment to attack the northwest of the Land of Fire.

The Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, truly lived up to his reputation as the "Two-Day Balance," stirring up trouble everywhere in this era of war and chaos in the Shinobi World.

Meanwhile, Konoha received intelligence from Kirigakure in the Land of Water to the east. Kirigakure once again assembled a large army and crossed the sea to attack Konoha. This time, the number of ninjas was larger than ever before, as if they were launching a full-scale attack.

The two previous defeats of Hidden Mist had initially led Konoha to Kirigakure, but this time the number of ninja gathered by Kirigakure was much larger than that of the Iwagakure Ninja forces in the northwest. Sarutobi Hiruzen dared not be careless and urgently mobilized ninja to reinforce the Eastern Stronghold.

The information about Hidden Mist's expedition was also discovered by Kumogakure and Iwagakure. Kumogakure had no intention of interfering in the matter; they only wanted to avenge the Third Raikage retrieve his body.

Iwagakure Ōnoki, however, was not afraid of making things worse. While fighting Kumogakure, he intensified his invasion of Konoha. On the border of the Land of Grass, Konoha and Iwagakure were engulfed in flames of war.

Land of Fire

Eastern Stronghold

The Central Army expanded the tent at the command post and set up a long table, which was now filled with ninjas wearing Konoha vests on both sides.

"Naraku"

"Naraku Jonin"

Naraku- kun

Ten thousand Konoha reinforcements, led by Orochimaru, along with numerous Konoha Jonin and clan leaders, rushed to aid Uchiha Nara and Naraku their greetings.

"This time, the Hidden Mist Kingdom has come with its full strength, and we still need everyone's cooperation."

The sheer size of the reinforcements this time somewhat lessened Naraku's doubts about the Third Hokage.

"I will obey your command."

Many Jonin off the field cooperated very well. Uchiha Nara now in Konoha and is respected by many Konoha Ninja.

Naraku's application for the Mental Therapy Department helped many ninjas and their friends and family, in addition to Uchiha Nara's two expulsions of Hidden Mist from his Eastern Stronghold.

Uchiha Nara had already instructed the Konoha Military Police Force's Propaganda Division far and wide, so that the Konoha ninjas all knew about the Military Police Force's leader, Uchiha Nara, fighting against Hidden Mist at the Eastern Stronghold, and that he had fought against overwhelming odds.

The second invasion by Hidden Mist, although not a full-scale war, saw Hidden Mist retreat after suffering some minor losses. However, it still involved more than 10,000 ninja troops, and Naraku certainly wouldn't miss the opportunity to pat himself on the back.

Many bulletin boards in Konoha featured news reports such as the commander of the Security Department driving away 30,000 with 3,000 men and defeating 10,000 with 800 men.

This kind of publicity had some effect. Uchiha Nara's reliability, his compassion for the village's ninjas, and his past work at the Mental Therapy Department all contributed to raising his reputation.

"Choza Akimichi commands three thousand ninjas on his right, Orochimaru commands three thousand ninjas on his left, and I command six thousand ninjas in the center. Hidden Mist is skilled in Water Style."

After the Hidden Mist landed on the shore, and waited until they had penetrated 200 kilometers in, then use the fireworks of the central army as a signal to launch a full-scale counterattack.

Does anyone have any objections?

Naraku continued to assign tasks using the Hidden Mist.

"Seconded"

"Agree"

A large number of Jonin seconded and supported this.

Orochimaru, one of the three, was constantly on the move between battlefields. The Sannin and the Yellow Flash were practically a fire brigade, dispatched wherever the fire was raging to put it out.

"Orochimaru stays behind. The rest of you, go and prepare according to the plan!"

"Hi!" X50

Jonin hearing the order, the Jonin filed out to report to their superiors. Many Jonin waited outside for Orochimaru, intending to follow Orochimaru to the left.

"Orochimaru- kun, it's been a long time. How have you been?"

Looking at his old friend, Naraku to keep Orochimaru to strengthen their bond.

"Naraku- kun, you have truly made outstanding contributions to Konoha. Many ninjas in the village are praising your name."

Orochimaru stared intently at Naraku, licked his lips, and said softly.

"It's just an empty title. It's nothing compared to the resounding name of the Sannin. The three of you are not like you were back in the Land of Rain. Now, the entire Shinobi World calls you the Legendary Sannin. That's a tremendous honor."

Naraku laughed, saying that after guarding the Eastern Stronghold for so long, apart from Hatake Sakumo under Naraku command, he hadn't seen any other well-known ninjas during the Ninja War.

"According to the legends of Hidden Mist, the Uchiha Nara Lightning Style Jutsu as fierce as Hell Asura, which was beyond human resistance. As for your Lightning Release..."

The great god looked at Uchiha Nara with a curious gaze. Orochimaru's ideal was to master all the techniques in the world.

It is precisely because one needs to learn all Ninjutsu that a long lifespan is required; the forbidden longevity techniques developed by Orochimaru are all centered around this ideal.

"You want to learn?"

Naraku pondered for a moment, then took a scroll from his mouth and tossed it to Orochimaru.

Orochimaru took the scroll, opened it, and quickly became engrossed in it.

"As expected, all ninjas skilled in developing forbidden techniques are also adept at learning."

Seeing Orochimaru's condition, Naraku nodded to himself.

"Lightning Release: Chidori, Chidori Sharp Spear, Chidori Current, Chidori Senbon, Lightning Release: Kirin: Kirin—these are all variations of the form after the attribute changes, right? Not bad."

Orochimaru licked his lips and simply gave a "not bad" assessment of the Chidori series of Ninjutsu.

"These Ninjutsu are indeed powerful, but since Hidden Mist calls you Asura, you must possess more than just these Ninjutsu."

"Yes, the Chidori series of ninjutsu is my specialty, Lightning Release, but what made me famous were other Ninjutsu. This involves the secrets of my Ninjutsu, so I'm afraid I can't tell you directly."

Naraku said calmly.

Every ninja's Ninjutsu is a secret; the unknown is what makes it terrifying. If someone knows all about Ninjutsu's ninjutsu, then defeat is not far off.

"I'm truly flattered that Naraku- kun has gifted me such Ninjutsu Training Manual..."

Orochimaru was very perceptive; he licked his lips and asked softly, giving an expression that said, "What do you want?"

"To be honest, Orochimaru- kun, I've heard that your ideal is to master all the techniques in the world. Heh, seeing you always gives me a sense of kinship. My ideal is also to master all the techniques in the world..."

Naraku said softly, "On the eve of the Hidden Mist's invasion, Naraku still had the mind to discuss Ninjutsu with Orochimaru."

"Hehe, Naraku- kun, the world is full of strange and wonderful Ninjutsu, with many forbidden and secret techniques. Many Ninjutsu are extremely difficult to learn, and some Ninjutsu..."

Even if I were to study, it would take me several years, but human lifespan is finite. What should I do?

Upon hearing Naraku's words and recalling Naraku's earlier demand for Wood Release Cells, Orochimaru understood Naraku's character and thus Orochimaru to entice him with words.

"Yes, that's exactly what's been troubling me. I've heard that the Summoning Beast the Sannin each have their own sacred grounds, some even containing sages capable of using Senjutsu..."

Naraku said softly that Naraku next goal for improvement was to train in Senjutsu Chakra and find a way to share the Living Corpse Reincarnation with Orochimaru.

Orochimaru's Living Corpse Reincarnation allows him to peruse the memories of a soul, not through absorption or fusion, but simply by perusing them; the soul remains the original body.

The Yamanaka Clan excels in sensory perception and soul manipulation techniques, and is an important member of the Konoha Intelligence Division's Analysis Division. The Yamanaka Clan can even probe and examine the souls of the dead.

The Root has recruited many elite Yamanaka Clan, and Orochimaru also holds a prominent position within the Root. Naraku believes that Orochimaru is already familiar with these secret techniques.

Otherwise, he would have lost his way long ago during the Living Corpse Reincarnation. In reality, while Orochimaru's Living Corpse Reincarnation Orochimaru has some flaws, it also has many more advantages, enabling him to realize his ideals.

The corpses of ninjas can be used by the Analysis Division to obtain a great deal of information and Ninjutsu. The Yamanaka Clan's Ninjutsu reserves are among the top in Konoha.

"Let's discuss this in detail after the Battle of Hidden Mist is over and we return to Konoha, Naraku- kun."

Orochimaru spoke softly in a hoarse voice, surprised that the power Orochimaru Naraku interested in was the same as his own.

Although Orochimaru suffered setbacks while training in Senjutsu at Ryūchi Cave, he had other ideas about the use of Natural Energy. Orochimaru, on the other hand, Naraku considerable power and, like Root, was a very good partner.

Orochimaru licked his lips, a hint of joy flashing in his eyes.