Dawn.
The morning dew awakens.
The relentless pursuit of the Sasori of the Red Sand arrives as expected.
"Magnet Release: Iron Sand Triangular Prism!"
The Sasori of the Red Sand manipulates the puppet of the Third Kazekage, using Magnet Release to transform iron sand into gigantic triangular prisms, almost causing the entire cave to collapse!
"Kabuto!"
Orochimaru swiftly orders Yakushi Kabuto to open the sealing scroll!
As Yakushi Kabuto raises his finger, a coffin emerges from the sealing scroll. The moment the coffin opens, the reanimated Third Kazekage breaks free from Orochimaru's control and launches an attack on Yakushi Kabuto and Orochimaru!
"..."
Yakushi Kabuto immediately realizes there's a problem!
Ignoring everything else, Kabuto drags Orochimaru away from the attack of the reanimated Third Kazekage and, carrying Orochimaru on his back, they escape in disarray!
Fortunately.
The reanimated Third Kazekage does not pursue them.
Because this uncontrollable reanimated Third Kazekage, upon seeing the Sasori of the Red Sand who turned his body into a puppet, decides to take this opportunity to clean house.
"To turn my body into such a ghastly appearance…"
The Third Kazekage watches the Sasori of the Red Sand, gathering iron sand around him: "Although I do not wish to return to the world of the living in such a ghastly form, this is a rare opportunity. It seems I can still eliminate a dangerous rogue ninja for the village…"
"Perhaps…"
The voice of the Sasori of the Red Sand remains hoarse and calm, merely glancing at the departing Yakushi Kabuto and Orochimaru, as he raises his hand wielding the Scarlet Flow Gourd.
"Our strategy is effective."
Orochimaru, carried on Kabuto's back, smiles as if everything is under control: "As long as I do not dispel the Edo Tensei, without trying to control the Third Kazekage, he will definitely take the opportunity of returning to the living world to try to eliminate Sasori, that bastard…"
Orochimaru never believed that the reanimated Third Kazekage would obey commands, merely releasing the Third Kazekage to use his hatred for Sasori as an opportunity to escape from the pursuit of the Sasori of the Red Sand.
"Yes…"
Kabuto can only quietly agree.
Could Orochimaru be a bit more reliable?
Yesterday, Orochimaru claimed he was going to take Uchiha Itachi's Mangekyō Sharingan, only to be caught in Itachi's Tsukuyomi genjutsu, unable to move, and was then thrown off a cliff by the Sasori of the Red Sand, which led to being expelled from the Akatsuki organization;
Last night, he claimed that his Edo Tensei could stop the Sasori of the Red Sand from pursuing them, but the reanimated Kazekage almost casually killed them!
If it weren't for Kabuto being there…
Orochimaru doesn't know how many times he would have died!
Just as Kabuto worries that the battle between the Sasori of the Red Sand and the reanimated Third Kazekage might take too much time, the Sasori of the Red Sand has already dealt with his former superior.
"Magnet Release: Iron Sand World Method!"
The Sasori of the Red Sand uses the Iron Sand World Method for cover, stealthily throwing several Yin-Yang Release black rods, pinning the reanimated Third Kazekage to the ground, immobilizing him!
As the Asura Path, the Sasori of the Red Sand had long received the Yin-Yang Release granted to him by Akihara Kagura, the Yin-Yang Release black rods precisely capable of blocking the flow of chakra.
Even reanimated beings are no exception.
"This is…"
The Third Kazekage watched in disbelief as the black rod was embedded in his body.
"Just a small trick."
The Sasori of the Red Sand looked at the Third Kazekage, advising his former superior, "It's time to return to the underworld, to avoid being manipulated by others again..."
"You..."
The Third Kazekage wanted to curse a few words, but ultimately, he had no choice but to dispel the Edo Tensei himself, allowing his soul to return to the pure land of the underworld.
After the Kazekage's soul disappeared, the body from the Edo Tensei crumbled into a pile of scraps, revealing the form of an offering inside—a ninja of unknown name, long dead.
"Hmph..."
The Sasori of the Red Sand picked up the black rod from the ground and once again followed after Kabuto and Orochimaru, trailing behind them.
Everything was as Kabuto had rehearsed.
Due to Kabuto's treatment, Orochimaru's injuries were slow to heal, yet he could feel his condition improving. However, this did not resolve the threat posed by the Sasori of the Red Sand.
"It will heal in some time..."
Kabuto treated Orochimaru's wounds with great care, even finding the reason for Orochimaru's severe injury: "Perhaps it's because Lord Orochimaru has been reincarnated before, and his soul is a bit weak, which makes the healing of his injuries a bit slower..."
"Thank you, Kabuto."
Orochimaru looked at Kabuto with a grim face. He was not angry about his injuries not healing, but because he could not escape the Sasori of the Red Sand's pursuit.
"Kabuto, try to catch a sacrifice."
Orochimaru took out a scroll again: "I have some collections here, I will teach you the Edo Tensei technique, learn it quickly to revive a new strong being..."
"Yes."
Kabuto quickly nodded.
However, Orochimaru never expected that Kabuto's aptitude for learning the Edo Tensei technique was rather poor. He needed step-by-step guidance, even not understanding the principle of how the Edo Tensei communicates with the underworld to summon the souls of the deceased.
Kabuto's aptitude for learning this forbidden technique was poor...
But it increased Orochimaru's trust in him.
Of course.
Kabuto still had his strengths.
Kabuto's medical ninjutsu was superb and his medical skills were highly advanced.
No matter how dangerous the situation, Kabuto remained loyal to Orochimaru, never thinking of abandoning him. Even to save Orochimaru, he was hit by a poison needle from the Sasori of the Red Sand, nearly dying from the poison.
Fortunately, Orochimaru was very knowledgeable about poisons. Kabuto was smart enough in detoxifying, and under Orochimaru's guidance, he successfully formulated a detoxifying medicine.
"If you died, I couldn't escape Sasori's pursuit."
Orochimaru lay behind a rock, watching Kabuto take the antidote, and then he finally relaxed: "Next time, don't rush to save me, I won't die from the Sasori's poison..."
Kabuto shook his head, not caring about his own life and death: "If something happened to Lord Orochimaru, both the Dean and Me would sooner or later be forced to death by Kagura."
"Hmm hmm hmm... Don't worry, we won't die."
Orochimaru looked at Kabuto, smiling sinisterly, making his promise: "As long as we can escape this calamity, I will find a way to further perfect the Edo Tensei technique, and not let Kagura, that kid, run wild any longer..."
"Yes."
Kabuto bowed his head.
Orochimaru took out a scroll, continuing his teaching: "Let's continue learning the Edo Tensei technique! In this period, you must master the Edo Tensei technique as soon as possible..."
Three months passed...
Orochimaru's injuries were almost healed.
It seemed that Kabuto still hadn't learned the Edo Tensei technique.
One day at noon.
When the sun was scorching hot.
Kabuto sneaked out to fetch water and took the opportunity to meet with Sasori of the Red Sand.
"Orochimaru's injuries are healing quickly."
"What should we do?"
Upon hearing Kabuto's words, Sasori immediately frowned, "I'm not good at genjutsu. Even if I managed to injure Orochimaru, his Orochi-style substitution technique can immediately heal the injuries."
"There's no need anymore."
Kabuto shook his head and continued, "I have already learned the Edo Tensei that Orochimaru taught me. Based on my understanding of Kagura, I should also be able to teach him this forbidden jutsu."
During this time, Kabuto had already mastered this forbidden jutsu.
Kabuto's purpose was only to help Kagura acquire Orochimaru's Edo Tensei, so he tried his best to learn all the details of the technique.
To avoid future problems due to his own misinterpretation, which could prevent Kagura from learning this technique. However, Kabuto already understood the details of the Edo Tensei clearly enough, and combined with Kagura's exceptional talent, he should be able to learn it.
"The goal has been achieved."
Kabuto looked at Sasori and continued, "Now let Orochimaru go. I will accompany him to continue refining this technique. Mr. Sasori, you have worked hard during this time..."
"It's alright, just a small matter."
Sasori shook his head and continued, "Then I'll fight him again tomorrow, slowly following behind him and making a show of pursuing him."
"Will that cause you to fail your mission with the Akatsuki?"
Kabuto was very understanding. He didn't know the relationship between Sasori and Kagura, but Sasori seemed to respect him greatly, possibly out of consideration for Kagura.
Of course.
Kabuto would also show corresponding respect, not wishing his own discourtesy to lessen Sasori's favorable impression of Kagura.
"Don't worry."
Sasori never worried about the Akatsuki: "The leader of the Akatsuki trusts me a lot. He also understands Orochimaru's deceit and cunning and won't blame me for it, but will direct his hatred towards Orochimaru."
"..."
Kabuto nodded strangely.
"Actually, this is a good thing."
Sasori's voice, though tired, came from beneath his Red Sand: "Having to act alongside you while worrying about accidentally killing you and Orochimaru, now that Orochimaru's injuries have healed, I can make a move without having to hold back anymore..."
"..."
Kabuto's eyes twitched.
Such blunt honesty can be quite hurtful.
Two days later.
When Orochimaru's injuries had healed, he gave up on continuing to teach Kabuto the Edo Tensei: "Kabuto, it seems you're not quite suited for learning this forbidden jutsu. You'll have to learn it on your own in the future. I have taught you everything I can."
"I'm sorry, Lord Orochimaru."
Kabuto, adjusting his glasses, looked somewhat regretful and ashamed: "It's because my talents are not keen enough, but I will do my best to learn."
"It's okay."
Orochimaru didn't mind, chuckling lightly, "Don't be discouraged, Kabuto. Everyone has their own talents. Yours are not in this area but in medicine and scientific techniques. Besides, this technique still needs our continuous improvement."
"Yes."
Kabuto lowered his head as if resigned.
"However..."
"Now is the time to deal with that bastard Sasori."
Orochimaru recalled the disgrace he felt when his ring was snatched away by Sasori of the Red Sand and he was thrown down the mountain cliff's stone steps. A fierce look suddenly flashed across his face: "The humiliation that bastard inflicted on me, I'll return it to him all at once this time!"
"Yes."
A flicker of worry passed through Kabuto's eyes.
This concern was not for Sasori's safety, but rather fear that Orochimaru might encounter some problem again, as the promises made by Orochimaru seemed never to have been fulfilled...
Sure enough.
A great battle ensued between Orochimaru and Sasori.
As one of the Legendary Sannin, Orochimaru's combat power was indeed formidable. He fought Sasori to a standstill, even slightly overpowering him!
"It's just because I was injured..."
Orochimaru raised his finger lightly, chuckling lowly as he looked at Sasori, numerous snakes entwining around the puppets controlled by Sasori: "If we were to fight for real, you're still far from my level... Show your true form, Sasori, I know this Hiruko puppet is just your disguise."
"It's not time yet."
Sasori's Hiruko shook its head, slowly opening its mouth.
A bizarre launch tube appeared in the mouth of Hiruko, and rockets shot out from the tube, almost instantly clearing the snakes from the ground!
This was Sasori's new technique!
Sasori had secretly been researching his abilities as a Asura Puppet, and with just a little bit of new technology he developed, he managed to force Orochimaru to flee in disarray again!
"..."
Kabuto watched this scene and fell into silence for a long time.
Orochimaru, dragging Kabuto along, quickly fled. This time, Sasori seemed to have sensed Orochimaru's recovery of strength and did not pursue further.
"This guy's puppetry skills have improved again!"
After successfully escaping with Kabuto, Orochimaru couldn't help but feel a bit gloomy: "No wonder this bastard was so arrogant back at the Akatsuki's base..."
"..."
Kabuto hesitated, then nodded.
Orochimaru looked at Kabuto and ordered: "Kabuto, you go back to Konoha first, continue to stay by Kagura's side, and keep spying on Kagura and Konoha's information for me. Report back to me immediately if anything happens..."
"Okay."
Kabuto nodded swiftly, giving a reason: "I've been away from Konoha for so long, I'm also worried about the condition of the Dean."
Kabuto worried that what Kagura wanted wasn't the Edo Tensei technique and began to worry about Orochimaru's whereabouts again: "Lord Orochimaru, it seems unlikely that the Akatsuki organization will give up on trying to kill you, right?"
"I'll go to the Land of Rice Fields."
Orochimaru's mouth twitched into a smile, saying: "The people from the Akatsuki can't kill me. I'll find an opportunity to talk with the Akatsuki, I guess they also wouldn't want the ninja world to know about Akatsuki's information, right?"
Orochimaru looked at Kabuto, after this chase and battle with Sasori, Orochimaru's fondness for Kabuto greatly increased, reassuring him with a sinister smile: "Kabuto, don't worry, when I perfect the Edo Tensei technique, I'll go back to Konoha, and solve the threat that Kagura poses to you guys..."
"Right."
Orochimaru brought up an old ally, chuckling: "If you have a chance, help me contact Danzo. That guy may have lost his power, but based on what I know about Danzo, he definitely won't just give up like that. He won't be content with losing power, he surely has some other plan..."
"Um..."
Kabuto nodded calmly, his expression unwavering.
Could it be that Danzo really had some other plan up his sleeve?
~~~
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