The sea area of Land of Water.
A small boat is slowly sailing on the sea shrouded in thick fog.
Orochimaru stood at the bow of the ship, facing the slightly fishy sea breeze, his narrow, golden snake eyes seemingly lost in thought. Kabuto Yakushi behind Orochimaru and stopped.
"Has the letter been sent?"
"Yes, this time we used Sasori of the Red Sands's information channel. I'm afraid that after this, my identity will be completely exposed to Sasori of the Red Sands."
"Just an identity." Orochimaru didn't care about that at all, and instead asked, "How's the situation in Kirigakure? I heard their Bloody Mist policy has ended."
Kabuto Yakushi adjusted his glasses, instantly recalling information about Kirigakure, and said with great expertise:
"Led by Ao, the Byakugan ninja of the Kirigakure, and Boil Release Mei Terumi, the Kekkei Genjutsu of Boil Release, the younger generation of Kirigakure ninja launched the Kirigakure Revolution, killed the Fourth Mizukage, Karatachi Yagura, and ended the Bloody Mist policy. Mei Terumi may soon succeed as the Fifth Mizukage."
Orochimaru gave Kabuto Yakushi an approving look. Putting everything else aside, his intelligence-gathering ability was outstanding, which was why he always kept Kabuto Yakushi by his side. However, he wouldn't hesitate to use him when necessary, such as in the battle against Uchiha Itachi...
However, this reform by the Kirigakure should be taken seriously; perhaps Konoha could emulate it...
Orochimaru immediately made a decision and instructed Kabuto Yakushi:
"Prepare several high-ranking officials from the Land of Water; we can't afford to miss the Fifth Mizukage's inauguration ceremony."
Despite his surprise—infiltrating Kirigakure under a false identity on the very day of the Fifth Mizukage was an extremely dangerous act— Kabuto Yakushi still fulfilled his duty as a subordinate, respectfully replying:
"Yes, Lord Orochimaru."
While Orochimaru and Kabuto Yakushi were talking, the battle ahead of the small boat entered its final stage. The aftershocks of the battle caused the small boat to rock violently. Anyone who was sailing for the first time would definitely be seasick. Fortunately, Orochimaru, Tsunade, and the others were not first-timers in the Land of Water.
However, last time they Land of Water as representatives of the victorious nation to sign a peace treaty and receive war reparations.
Although their purpose was different this time, the Land of Water was still unwelcoming to them. They had only been in the waters of the Land of Water for a short time when they were given a 'warm welcome' by the Kirigakure's Anbu.
Before long, the surging waves gradually subsided, Naoki Senju stepped on the sea surface, carrying two half-dead Kirigakure Anbu to the small boat.
"He couldn't stop, he's down to his last breath, we need to hurry."
Orochimaru nodded excitedly, then turned and walked towards the bottom of the cabin. Kabuto Yakushi respectfully bowed to Naoki Senju before dragging two half-dead Kirigakure Anbu along with Orochimaru to the bottom of the cabin.
As Tsunade walked by, she pretended not to see Orochimaru, who was about to conduct human experiments. Some things, you get used to after seeing them a lot. Anyway, it wasn't like they were using Konoha ninjas for experiments.
After walking to the bow of the ship and gazing at the sea view for a while, Tsunade slowly said, " Uchiha Itachi of the Akatsuki, you deliberately let him go, didn't you?"
Tsunade could guess this, Naoki Senju was not surprised at all. Even Orochimaru was aware of this, but wisely chose not to point it out.
Because he wasn't confident he could defeat Tsunade, who had overcome her hemophobia, and Naoki Senju, who was skilled in Wood Release, silence was the best option when his strength was insufficient.
Without the slightest denial, Naoki Senju nodded frankly in acknowledgment and said:
"Because Uchiha Itachi wasn't a true Konoha missing-nin; he simply had to leave Konoha, and joining Akatsuki was just a convenient step. Besides, his strength was enough to make him a valuable asset to Sister Tsunade in the future."
Upon hearing Tsunade, Tsunade did not show any joy. Instead, she pondered deeply, and finally asked with some concern:
" Uchiha Itachi's Uchiha Clan must have been orchestrated by Konoha High Command. Could this be the reason why Uchiha Itachi harbored hatred towards Konoha?"
Others might hate and seek revenge on Konoha, but Uchiha Itachi would never... Naoki Senju thought to himself, but he didn't say it aloud, because only he, who knew the plot, could be completely certain of this. Everyone else would question Uchiha Itachi's loyalty to Konoha.
" Sister Tsunade, you don't need to worry about that. As the future Fifth Hokage, you only need to focus on whether the 'sword' is sharp enough. If Uchiha Itachi harbors thoughts of revenge against Konoha, someone will naturally break this 'sword'."
Naoki Senju's words revealed his usual ruthlessness and heavy killing intent, but they reassured Tsunade quite a bit, because it meant that Naoki Senju had not been affected by the Uchiha's Genjutsu and was still the same Naoki Senju as before.
"It's good that you think that way, but it's too early to talk about a Fifth Hokage. Kirigakure has produced a Fifth Mizukage, and I heard she's a rare beauty. Why don't you go meet her?" Tsunade winked mischievously at Naoki.
The Fifth Mizukage, and a beauty at that; it seems Mei Terumi's Kirigakure Revolution has succeeded. I should go and meet her, but... Naoki Senju keenly sensed a dangerous aura.
So he firmly refused, saying, "No need. Our current identities are rather sensitive; the chances of being exposed if we enter Kirigakure are too high."
"What if we could get in perfectly hidden?" Tsunade persisted in tempting Naoki.
"That won't be necessary. With Sister Tsunade, the most beautiful woman in the Shinobi World, by my side, why would I look at anyone else?" Naoki Senju diligently massaged Tsunade's shoulders to relieve her fatigue.
Although it was a bit cheesy, Tsunade nodded in satisfaction; this time, Naoki had barely passed the test.
A quarter of an hour later, Orochimaru and Kabuto Yakushi returned to the deck. The two Naoki Senju that Senju Naoki had brought back were Anbu Kirigakure behind them. Although their expressions were somewhat dazed, their movements were almost as agile as those of an ordinary person.
" The Cursed Seal and Sealing Jutsu have been completed, but because the Cursed Seal is not yet perfect, the Kirigakure Anbu will soon notice their abnormality," Kabuto Yakushi explained dutifully.
Orochimaru was much more excited, because the Cursed Seal and Sealing Jutsu he used to control these two Anbu could also be used on powerful individuals Impure World Reincarnation technique. When he controlled the Third Kazekage in battle in the future, he would definitely be able to unleash even greater power.
"What are you doing controlling the Kirigakure Anbu?" Tsunade asked, somewhat puzzled.
If it's just for the information in their minds, then there's no need for all that. Less important information can be obtained through interrogation; there's no need for such a complicated process. As for more important information, the Kirigakure will definitely have Cursed Seal protecting it, making it impossible to obtain through any means.
However, if it's for something or information about Kirigakure, this level of control is clearly insufficient, because it's too easy to be discovered.
Orochimaru stuck out his long, scarlet tongue, seemingly drooling.
"The succession ceremony for the Fifth Mizukage of Kirigakure will be held soon. At that time, Kirigakure, making it the best time to infiltrate the Kirigakure."
Tsunade's scrutinizing gaze immediately shifted to Naoki. Caught in the Naoki, Naoki could only raise his hands to show his innocence and that he hadn't arranged this at all.