A Disgusting Place

Orochimaru nodded in deep agreement and did not question anything further.

Having risen step by step from humble beginnings, Orochimaru understood better than anyone that this world was full of unknowns.

What had existed in ancient times?

Who knew?

Perhaps there really had been cultivators as tall as the heavens.

Orochimaru grew increasingly interested in Uchiha Feiyun's mysteries and asked with a smile, "Spiritual Power?"

"So that's the secret behind your Immortal Body?"

"That's right. More or less."

Fei Yun was not surprised that Orochimaru knew about his Immortal Body. After all, Konoha had already obtained that intelligence.

It would not have been difficult for Orochimaru to get his hands on such information.

Orochimaru's golden pupils gleamed with longing. Even if he could not obtain Uchiha Feiyun's body, this was still a direction worth researching, wasn't it?

His path toward eternity had gained another interesting subject.

With a research direction and a ready-made example right before him, how far away could success possibly be with Orochimaru's abilities?

Thinking of Fei Yun's composure throughout the battle, as well as how many secrets he had told him, Orochimaru was certain that the boy had wanted to cooperate with him from the very beginning.

Orochimaru unconsciously licked his lips.

"Then how did cultivators with such powerful and perfect Spiritual Power become extinct?"

Fei Yun spread his hands. "Nothing stays prosperous forever. At its peak, decline begins."

Orochimaru narrowed his eyes slightly.

"What do you mean?"

Seeing that Orochimaru would not let it go, Fei Yun racked his brains and continued making things up.

"For example, if you and I became eternal rulers, standing above all living beings, would we end the age of ninja?"

Fei Yun stared directly into Orochimaru's golden pupils.

"Considering our disappointment with the Shinobi World and our disgust for fragile lives, wouldn't we?"

Orochimaru revealed a thoughtful expression. After a moment, he nodded.

"It is entirely possible. Ninjutsu and ninja bring nothing but death and pain to this world."

The two left the battlefield because the sounds of their battle had already drawn the attention of nearby ninja. Someone had gone to investigate.

On the way to Orochimaru's base, Fei Yun explained the condition of his body and his Spiritual Power to Orochimaru in detail.

After all, Fei Yun still hoped to find a breakthrough through Orochimaru. Whether he became immortal was not important. He only wanted enough power.

After listening to Fei Yun's explanation, Orochimaru pondered for a moment before saying, "To be honest, I envy your condition. Your future achievements may surpass mine, and you may reach eternity before I do."

"Based on the strength of your body and Spiritual Power, my analysis is that you should be able to perfectly withstand Hashirama cells."

Hearing that, Fei Yun showed interest. Walking alongside Orochimaru, he repeated the words, "Hashirama cells."

Although Fei Yun knew Hashirama cells were incredibly powerful, he did not know much about their principles or the extent of their risks.

Orochimaru nodded, revealing a fanatical expression.

"Hashirama cells are the greatest treasure of the Shinobi World. The power within their vitality even surpasses that of the Sage of Six Paths, the ancestor of ninja."

"In other words, in many respects, the power of Hashirama cells is even more precious than the Sage of Six Paths' power."

Hearing Orochimaru's words, Fei Yun also showed a longing expression.

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Orochimaru, to transplant Hashirama cells into me."

Orochimaru gave a sinister chuckle. "Fei Yun, I have cultivated quite a few Hashirama cells, but they are my most precious possessions. Why should I give them to you?"

Fei Yun scratched his head awkwardly and smiled. "I'm providing you with research on immortality through Spiritual Power. Isn't that amount of research data enough?"

Orochimaru shook his head. "That is your path. No matter how I research it, it will ultimately benefit you first. At most, we can be considered mutually benefiting."

As expected, they were all crafty old foxes. Obtaining power would not be so easy.

Fei Yun could not help sighing. "The ancients truly did not deceive me. There is no such thing as a free lunch. That saying is absolutely right. So what do I need to do for you to help transplant Hashirama cells into me?"

Orochimaru said nothing and continued leading the way ahead. Fei Yun could not see his expression.

After quite some time, Orochimaru slowly said, "That depends on how our relationship develops. I need to understand what kind of person you are first."

Hearing that, Fei Yun's heart skipped a beat, and goosebumps rose all over his body.

"Uh, no way, Orochimaru. We're both men. There's no need for that!"

Orochimaru froze slightly, then turned to look at Fei Yun. Knowing that the boy had misunderstood again, he gave an evil smile. "I can be a woman too."

Fei Yun wanted nothing more than to slap himself. His mouth was truly asking for trouble. Why did he have to bring up such a hair-raising topic?

By the time they reached Fei Yun's settlement, they had traveled for most of the day and finally arrived at a somewhat desolate village.

Fei Yun followed Orochimaru through the gate, where the words "Shadow Village" were written.

"I thought this was your base. I didn't expect you had already established a village in the Land of Rice Fields."

Fei Yun looked at the small, somewhat crude village before him and spoke.

"This is a village founded by a group of companions with a common goal?"

Fei Yun was puzzled.

"A common goal?"

The breeze lifted Orochimaru's long hair. "Yes. The Land of Rice Fields has long suffered under Konoha's oppression, and there are many here who hate the Land of Fire."

"That's something I hadn't heard before."

Fei Yun grew interested and continued asking, "You seem to hate Konoha too. Why?"

"Because Hiruzen Sarutobi did not choose you as the Fourth Hokage."

Orochimaru's expression remained calm, but killing intent flickered in his eyes.

"The position of Fourth Hokage was originally supposed to be mine. My achievements, along with White Fang of Konoha's, surpassed Minato Namikaze's tenfold."

Fei Yun nodded.

He had looked through relevant records and knew of their glorious deeds, especially White Fang of Konoha, Sakumo Hatake. Aside from the founding First Hokage and his brother, his achievements could be called unparalleled throughout history.

White Fang of Konoha had repeatedly defeated Sand Village's elite forces from the Land of Wind, crushed the invasions and threats of the major nations, and made Hanzo, who had started the Second Shinobi World War, afraid to advance.

Kakashi's father had countless achievements. In the end, there was no higher rank to grant him and no greater praise to give, so he could only be awarded half a Hokage's robe.

Although one of the Legendary Sannin, Orochimaru, could not compare to White Fang of Konoha, his achievements were also countless. The number of high-level missions he completed alone was several times higher than Minato Namikaze's, and a ninja's achievements were measured by the number of high-level missions completed.

Yet in the end, White Fang of Konoha somehow failed a mission, was somehow smeared, and was driven to death by public condemnation. From beginning to end, Konoha never spoke a single word for him. It was difficult to imagine the Land of Fire abandoning a powerhouse of such national-level strength.

How could a mission that White Fang of Konoha could not complete have existed at that time, unless it had been deliberately arranged?

Someone had set up an impossible mission to deal with him, such as assassinating a certain Kage or stealing the treasury of a major nation.

Considering Konoha's attitude of allowing White Fang of Konoha to die, Fei Yun strongly suspected that everything had been a scheme to kill that hero who protected the village.

And Orochimaru had devoted the first half of his life to Konoha, risking his life countless times, only to be assigned to the notorious Root under Danzō when public support for him to become the Fourth Hokage was at its highest.

This caused Orochimaru's reputation to worsen and worsen until he was ultimately passed over.

Disheartened after losing the chance to become the Fourth Hokage, he began researching human experiments with Danzo.

But what happened in the end? When the human experimentation was exposed, Orochimaru became a notorious traitor, while Danzō suffered no consequences at all and was merely verbally reprimanded by the Third Hokage.

Orochimaru stood at the entrance to Shadow Village and spoke calmly. "Do you know?"

"To put Minato in power, they even built him up as a savior, a hero who single-handedly ended the Shinobi World War."

"Although I admit Minato is excellent, those titles make me want to laugh whenever I think of them."

Fei Yun nodded. "Hmph, I want to laugh too. A savior who died to a single Tailed Beast? Hahaha."

Orochimaru gave Fei Yun a grateful look and continued, "Do you know why they liked Minato and wanted to push him into the position of Hokage?"

Fei Yun stroked his chin and pondered briefly. "Probably because Minato had a gentler personality and was easier to control."

Orochimaru showed a trace of surprise. "I never expected someone so young to understand things so clearly. I truly like you more and more, Fei Yun."

"Uh, please don't like me."

As though he had found a kindred spirit, Orochimaru continued, "Actually, losing the position of Fourth Hokage was not the main reason I hate Konoha and the Third Hokage. Do you know why, Fei Yun?"

Fei Yun was somewhat speechless. He wanted to say that he did not want to know, but seeing Orochimaru getting emotional, he could not bring himself to ruin the mood and could only remain silent.

Orochimaru ignored that and continued, "It was because I discovered that Konoha is truly boring. Everything about Konoha is boring. Whether it is the Hokage or the ninja, this so-called Will of Fire is nothing more than endless slaughter and death."

"I can no longer remember how many companions around me have died, nor can I remember how many ninja from other countries I have killed. Too many. Far too many."

Fei Yun chuckled. "Orochimaru, is it really okay for you to criticize the Hokage like this?"

"The Third Hokage spared your life back then!"

A mocking curve formed at Orochimaru's lips. "He cares too much about his perfect image. If he killed me, would he not have to bear the infamy of killing his own disciple?"

"And do you think he could really kill me?"

"How ironic."

"His three beloved disciples have stayed away from Konoha for years and are unwilling even to see him. Especially Tsunade—her contempt for the Third Hokage is no less than mine."

Fei Yun's eyes lit up. "Oh, right. Can Tsunade be brought over to our side?"

"Her younger brother, her lover, even her entire clan died during that period."

Orochimaru shook his head. "Tsunade's will cannot be shaken by us. Although she hates Konoha's old fossils, she still deeply loves Konoha in her heart."

"As for Jiraiya, hahaha, he's an idiot."

Fei Yun's mouth twitched. "I wasn't asking about Jiraiya. I was even thinking of killing him if I got the chance."

Thin mist shrouded the valley, and the morning light sliced through the lingering darkness like a blade. Orochimaru stood on the stone steps at the village's center, his pale fingertips brushing over the mud plaster that had yet to dry.

This newly risen village was like a newborn serpent that had just shed its skin, naked and fragile as it curled within the shadows of the mountains.

This was their place of rebirth. Laborers carried experimental equipment smuggled in from various countries, while steel chains creaked against wooden frames.

Defected medical ninja knelt in damp cellars, using chakra to weld the glass seams of cultivation tanks.

Refugees drawn here by some unknown force.

Others were drawing barriers onto blank scrolls.

They did not even notice the spell ink dripping onto their sleeves.

"Lord Orochimaru, you've returned!"

Yakushi Kabuto emerged from the shadows, his glasses reflecting a cold gleam.

"Is this the Fei Yun from the broadcast?"

Fei Yun extended a hand in greeting.

"More or less. Hello."

Kabuto froze slightly. "How do you know me?"

"We've never met, have we?"

"We've never met, but don't you know me too?"

Just then, the sound of iron chains scraping came from outside the village.