"Alright, everyone. Now that all the poisoned ninjas have fully recovered, it's time to discuss how to deal with Sunagakure."
At this moment, in a simple office, Orochimaru looked relaxed as he watched the frontline executives sitting in front of him.
The successful resolution of this poisoning incident did bring relief to Orochimaru, who had been anxious. However, he understood that time was of the essence, so after dealing with the poisoned ninjas, he summoned the high-ranking officers at the front to discuss the next battle plan.
After hearing Orochimaru's question, Shikaku Nara, who was serving as a frontline strategist, pondered for a moment and then offered a suggestion.
" Lord Orochimaru, the people of Sunagakure now believe that Konoha is deeply mired in a deadly poison, so they will definitely continue their attack in the near future."
Therefore, I think we can turn the tables and continue to have our ninjas feign poisoning. As soon as the Sunagakure Village launches an attack, we'll pretend that we've received new reinforcements and have them appear on the battlefield, thus catching the Sunagakure off guard.
His suggestion also aligned with Orochimaru's wishes.
After all, they suffered such a great loss at the hands of Sunagakure before, and now that they have the chance, they must repay it.
"Okay, then let's do as you say, Shikaku."
After Orochimaru finished speaking, he turned to the blond-haired Inoichi Yamanaka and said, " Inoichi, pass on the word to the sensory ninjas to keep a close eye on the Sunagakure's movements. Although we previously raided the Sunagakure Sunagakure's rear supply lines, slowing down their advance, the Sunagakure will definitely not let this go. The front lines have been at peace for three days now, which means the Sunagakure's next attack is not far off. Of course, this is also our chance to counterattack. This time, we must make the Sunagakure Village suffer."
Orochimaru has been feeling quite frustrated these past few days. He had just won a huge victory against Rasa in the previous battle.
However, the Sunagakure's potent poison prevented them from expanding their gains and instead put them at a disadvantage.
This infuriated him, who had long been famous, and the resolution of the internal predicament on the front lines provided him with a great opportunity.
This time, the enemy is in the open while he is in the shadows; he will definitely inflict a great loss on Sunagakure.
"Yes, Lord Orochimaru. I will make sure the sensory squads below pay close attention to the Sunagakure's forces." Inoichi Yamanaka replied after hearing Orochimaru's instructions.
"Alright, then let's patiently wait for Sunagakure's arrival."
After arranging the remaining tasks, the high-ranking officials of the battlefield left Orochimaru's office one by one.
Orochimaru was left alone, lost in thought.
Let's rewind to a few hours earlier, inside the medical camp.
Orochimaru asked Kōki, " Kōki- kun, you've successfully developed an antidote for the Sunagakure poison, a truly great achievement. I've already written down your contribution on a scroll and sent it back to the village. Aside from the village's reward, I'm personally very pleased with your efforts, so I can grant you one request. Whether it's Ninjutsu or anything else, whatever I have, I can give it to you."
Orochimaru was very grateful to Kōki for providing the antidote in time, as Kōki had indeed helped him a great deal in the end. So he felt bad not expressing his gratitude.
Besides, he greatly admired Kōki's talent, and this effort was also to ensure a smooth communication with Kōki in the future.
Kōki did indeed have a request of Orochimaru, so upon hearing Orochimaru's words, he did not refuse. " Lord Orochimaru, thank you very much for your generosity. I do need your help with something. However, you may have other important matters to attend to, so I will come to you after your meeting."
Because of what Kōki said, Orochimaru waited for Kōki to arrive in his office after the strategy meeting.
After waiting in the office for more than ten minutes, he heard a knocking sound at the door.
"Come in, Kōki- kun."
At the door, Kōki, who had been knocking, heard Orochimaru's voice and opened the door.
" Lord Orochimaru, is it true that you said you would give me something you have as a reward?"
Although Orochimaru had told him this in person at the medical camp, he still wanted to confirm it again. After all, Orochimaru was so excited before that he might have spoken without thinking, and he might regret it now that he had calmed down.
"Don't worry, Kōki, I never go back on my word. So, tell me, what do you want?"
As if understanding Kōki was thinking, Orochimaru spoke frankly to him, a hint of Kōki rising in his heart. How could Orochimaru, one of the Sannin, go back on his word? Such a small matter wouldn't cost him his credibility.
Kōki could detect a hint of displeasure in Orochimaru's hoarse voice, but he didn't care and said directly, " Lord Orochimaru, I want the research records you have on the Second Hokage's Yin Release techniques."
At this stage, Kōki doesn't have many things about Orochimaru that interest him. The Impure World Reincarnation, which was popularized by Kabuto Yakushi in the original work, is now incomplete, so it wouldn't make any sense for him to obtain it.
He looked down on Orochimaru's unique Orochimaru-style Ninjutsu, and he probably hadn't even developed Orochimaru's immortality technique, the Living Corpse Reincarnation Jutsu.
Therefore, the only thing Orochimaru is slightly interested in right now is the contract scroll from Ryūchi Cave, since it's a place where one can learn Senjutsu.
However, considering that learning Senjutsu is not that important yet, we will put this opportunity on the second generation's Yin Release research records, which were initially considered.
Moreover, this thing isn't important to Orochimaru; even if he gave it away, it wouldn't make a difference.
Kōki's words made Orochi, who was still somewhat dissatisfied, straighten up and say something with a meaningful expression.
" Kōki- kun, to be honest, I initially thought you wanted a powerful Ninjutsu. But I didn't expect you to want the Second Hokage's Yin Release records. Can you tell me why you want this? And I don't remember telling anyone I have this."
Orochimaru was surprised by Kōki's request. He never expected that Kōki would ask for Yin Release research record that would seem useless to most people, instead of a powerful Ninjutsu.
Moreover, the fact that he possessed this record was not something everyone could know, yet Kōki was able to accurately state that he had it, which made him even more puzzled.
Kōki had anticipated Orochimaru's question. "It's like this," he replied, "I believe Lord Orochimaru is aware that I possess Wood Release. I wish to improve my use of Wood Release by studying Yin Release."
"As for why I knew that Lord Orochimaru had this record, it's actually related to the Lord Hokage."
"When I was studying under the Lord Hokage, he remarked on Lord Orochimaru talent and his passion for studying the essence of Ninjutsu. Therefore, the Lord Hokage passed on a great deal of information about the nature and understanding of Ninjutsu to Lord Orochimaru. That's why I know that the Yin Release technique is recorded on Lord Orochimaru."
This explanation was Kōki had thought of before coming to Orochimaru; he wouldn't reveal his true purpose to Orochimaru. Furthermore, he was confident that Orochimaru wouldn't go to Hiruzen Sarutobi to inquire about a Second Hokage's Yin Release record.