"Kagura told me…"
"He has settled his grudges with Lord Orochimaru and believes that these matters should no longer be kept from you, which is why I have told you all the truths of the past today."
After Kabuto finished speaking, he seemed to truly believe it.
"…"
Can this really be settled so easily?
Orochimaru's chest was boiling with rage.
When Kagura told Orochimaru part of the truth, Orochimaru wished he could engage in a fight to the death with Kagura right then, but had to retreat due to his insufficient strength.
At that time...
Orochimaru was barely able to maintain his composure and grace.
Even after Kagura later willingly undertook to fund all expenses for his experiments, Orochimaru decided to suppress his anger for the time being. Now, he was faced with this blow!
How could he easily write it off!
Who could simply erase such deep-seated hatred born of being manipulated!
Whenever he tried to calm his mind and slowly release his anger, Kagura always managed to bring up new stories, sparking fresh hatred in his heart!
During these days, Orochimaru felt something was off while moving with Kabuto—why did it seem like Kabuto was untroubled?
Kagura didn't seem like a generous person.
Judging by Kagura's behavior during the Chunin Exams, he must have known about Kabuto's manipulations behind the scenes. Not only did he generously let Kabuto go, but he even allowed Kabuto to use the Edo Tensei to revive Dan Kato, a strong Jonin?
Could it be because Kabuto was an orphanage kid?
That seems unlikely.
While Kagura wholeheartedly saved Kabuto, Kabuto harbored thoughts of betrayal. Given Kagura's petty nature, he would definitely make Kabuto experience the pain of this world.
In Orochimaru's heart, doubts lingered, but he still remembered how Kabuto had risked everything to save him in the past. He was still helping Kabuto find reasons, and Kabuto was indeed a qualified assistant and a talented medical ninja...
Then...
Kabuto bluntly revealed the truth!
That bastard!
He even suggested Kagura kill him back then!
That bastard!
Orochimaru's injuries could have healed in a month, but Kabuto, that bastard, forcibly treated him for three months, paralyzing him for three months!
At the time, Orochimaru thought Kabuto had tried his best!
"Kabuto."
Orochimaru, looking at Kabuto standing at the door, felt his anger rising rapidly, almost bursting into an ironic laugh: "Should I thank Kagura-kun for not following your suggestion to kill me, but instead sending you to play with my life? Should I thank you for only paralyzing me for three months instead of leaving me bedridden for life..."
Kabuto bowed humbly and continued: "I really did think that way, but over the years of working for Lord Orochimaru, I realized Kagura was right."
"Lord Orochimaru's value is unique in the ninja world, perhaps the future will never see another scientist like Orochimaru again..."
This was Kabuto's sincere thought.
Although Orochimaru continued to pose a threat to them, his value was indeed enormous, just the vast knowledge in Orochimaru's mind and his unbounded ideas were far beyond what others in the ninja world could achieve.
"As for your illness..."
A look of apology flashed across Kabuto's face, sincerely apologizing: "My medical skills are limited, afraid that Lord Orochimaru might see through the flaws, I dared only delay it for three months..."
"…"
Orochimaru took a deep breath.
Kagura and Kabuto, these two who came from the Konoha Orphanage, really made him feel both love and hate. These two didn't fear scientific technology like others in the ninja world, instead, they held great respect for it.
But...
Wasn't this going a bit too far?
If he continued to cooperate with them, unable to vent his hatred, he'd almost wish to devour them; if he gave up on cooperating with them, his heart wouldn't quite accept it, neither from a standpoint of interest nor emotion.
"You and Sasori..."
Orochimaru started to speak but then paused, sitting back down on the tatami mat, commanding in a deep voice: "Tell me everything as it is! What else did Kagura do to me, it's best you tell me everything, to avoid future misunderstandings..."
"…"
Kabuto hesitated for a moment.
First of all, the matter of Kagura planning to remove the people Orochimaru trusts and sending spies to his side again was definitely not something he could reveal...
"Initially, it was I who drove Lord Orochimaru into a desperate situation because only then would Orochimaru trust me more..."
"I understand."
Orochimaru nodded, no longer caring about that.
Since Orochimaru had already thrown out his trust in Kabuto, he didn't need to be overly concerned about these matters, just cursing in his heart for a while would suffice.
"Anything else?"
Kabuto furrowed his brow, thinking for a moment, then continued: "Back then, when I was poisoned by Sasori, he had already given me the antidote in advance, even though Lord Orochimaru also guided me to prepare the antidote in time..."
"No wonder you dared to block the poisoned needles for me..."
"That's the genius of Lord Orochimaru."
Kabuto shook his head, taking the opportunity to praise Orochimaru: "Even though I already knew the antidote, I might not have been able to quickly analyze all the materials, but Orochimaru, without an antidote, guided me to prepare one."
"…"
Orochimaru really didn't feel happy.
Even with Kabuto praising him, Orochimaru just couldn't feel happy.
"As for the rest..."
After Kabuto pretended to think for a while, he shook his head again: "There's probably nothing else."
This bit of information...
Should be enough to account for something to Orochimaru.
If nothing was mentioned, Orochimaru would definitely suspect Kabuto of hiding something. As long as something a bit excessive was disclosed, Orochimaru probably wouldn't be so suspicious.
"The information about the Konoha Village you gave me..."
Orochimaru's gaze was still stern.
"That's true."
Kabuto bowed his head, continuing: "All the information I gave to Lord Orochimaru is true, Kagura didn't mind Lord Orochimaru knowing these details."
"…"
Orochimaru felt a sigh of relief.
At least Kabuto had done some work for him.
"But..."
Kabuto looked at Orochimaru, bringing up the real business: "Kagura plans to keep me by Lord Orochimaru's side, to assist Lord Orochimaru in continuing experiments, to ensure Lord Orochimaru doesn't share your achievements, and to avoid betraying your alliance."
"You?"
Orochimaru's lips curved into a smile.
"Yes."
Kabuto nodded, very sincerely continuing: "Although my strength isn't strong, escaping from Lord Orochimaru shouldn't be a problem. The reanimated Dan Kato can report the events to Kagura if I encounter trouble..."
Of course.
But these things there was no need to tell Orochimaru.
"…"
Orochimaru snorted coldly, no longer speaking.
"Let's go find Tsunade."
Orochimaru didn't say anything more, coldly saying: "Once Tsunade finds out you've become a rogue ninja, when she returns to the Konoha, will she really not suspect Kagura?"
"No, she won't."
Kabuto shook his head, unconcerned, continuing: "Because I'll be manipulating Dan Kato from behind the scenes to help Lord Orochimaru, without showing myself..."
"…"
These two bastards thought of everything quite thoroughly!
But...
Even if Tsunade becomes suspicious, it wouldn't matter.
Once the other Hokage get permission for resurrection, appearing directly in the Konoha, Kagura will immediately use these Hokage's influence to take control of the Konoha's politics, regardless of what Tsunade wants to do, she won't be able to bypass Kagura.
"Lord Orochimaru."
Kabuto looked at Orochimaru, proactively reminding him: "According to our plan, Lord Orochimaru might have to fight Lord Jiraiya and Tsunade at the same time. Will you really not be in danger at the critical moment?"
"Hmph..."
Orochimaru stood up, a cold smile hanging on his lips: "No one understands Tsunade better than me. Even though I might have to fight both of them at the same time, if I don't hold back, I might not even need to use Dan Kato..."
On the other side.
Tsunade and Shizune had just left the gambling den, when they heard a hoarse, familiar voice: "Tsunade, lost everything again?"
"Damn!"
Tsunade cursed, turning her head, and even voluntarily lifted her money bag: "This time I actually won big!"
"Orochimaru?"
Shizune saw the person talking, somewhat panicked, immediately stepping in front of Tsunade, coldly saying: "Haven't you just recently caused a riot in Konoha, killing the Third Hokage..."
"Don't worry."
Orochimaru laughed lightly, waving his hand: "I'm not here to kill you, Tsunade, I'm here to discuss a condition... Let me borrow your slug."
Tsunade furrowed her brow.
"I've mastered a special jutsu..."
Orochimaru grinned, continuing: "This jutsu needs the power of the Slug Sage to be even more powerful..."
"What jutsu?"
"A jutsu you've dreamed of."
Orochimaru's smile suddenly became intriguing, interestingly saying: "This jutsu, can let you meet the people you most want to see..."
"!!!"
Tsunade involuntarily widened her eyes.
Orochimaru spread his hands, continuing: "Just by borrowing the Slug Sage, they can appear exactly as they were in life..."
This was Orochimaru's sincere thought.
This was also something Orochimaru learned from Kagura when he performed the Edo Tensei.
Among the three great Sages of the ninja world, only the Slug Sage is most likely to be utilized, it might also be the strongest in terms of vitality.
Kagura could use mere snakes as a sacrifice to bring the First Hokage's strength nearly to its peak, Orochimaru believed using the Slug Sage as a sacrifice would definitely allow the reanimated to possess their power from life.
"…"
Tsunade narrowed her eyes.
Orochimaru's revival of the First and Second Hokages was no secret, this guy might really be able to revive the two people most important to her...
Over the years...
Tsunade has lived in pain and confusion, not knowing what to do.
Now, having the chance to meet the two most important people to her again, Tsunade's heart was somewhat swayed.
"Tsunade..."
"Don't you want to see them?"
"Don't you want to see those two?"
Orochimaru, extremely familiar with Tsunade's past, even witnessed those two people die in front of Tsunade, Tsunade's near-collapse emotion.
"Lady Tsunade!"
"What are you using the slug for?"
Tsunade looked at Orochimaru, as if already moved, just coldly inquired about his purpose.
"The slug's vitality is very strong."
Orochimaru didn't disguise his purpose, lightly laughing: "As long as the slug can be used as a sacrifice, the dead can be revived by me, then regain their terrifying power from life, only then is there a chance to defeat Kagura..."
"…"
Tsunade wanted to speak to refuse.
Because the slug had been her companion for most of her life, saving her life countless times, she absolutely wouldn't want to betray the slug.
Despite...
Tsunade really wanted to see those two people.
"Tsunade, you can think about it slowly."
Orochimaru interrupted Tsunade's thoughts of refusal, laughing using his own example: "After all, Manda has already become a sacrifice, we are humans, there's no need to lament these summoning beasts' lives..."
Although it wasn't he who made Manda into sacrifices, but when Orochimaru saw Manda become sacrifices, he didn't actively stop it, even wanting to see the experimental results.
After speaking.
Orochimaru instantly left the place.
"Lady Tsunade!"
Shizune watched the silent Tsunade, repeatedly persuading: "That's the dangerous Orochimaru, who harmed the village, moreover, he wants to make Lord Slug a sacrifice, you absolutely can't agree to him..."
"I know."
Tsunade furrowed her brow.
"That guy even sacrificed Manda..."
Another familiar voice appeared in their ears.
Jiraiya was sitting on a wall, watching Tsunade and Shizune below, his voice heavy as he continued: "Even Manda didn't reach the effect he wanted, that guy might want to use the slug to revive the First Hokage at his peak..."
"Jiraiya..."
Tsunade's brow furrowed even more.
Jiraiya looked at Tsunade, smiling as he greeted: "We really haven't seen each other for many years, Tsunade?"
Tsunade unhappily turned her head to the side.
"Win that much?"
Jiraiya leaped down from the wall, glanced at the money Tsunade and Shizune could barely hold, lightly laughing as he continued: "Considering treating me to a lavish dinner? Just in time to comfort me, and a little guy who has been training very hard..."
That evening.
In a restaurant.
Tsunade and Shizune met the hard-training little guy.
Jiraiya patted Uzumaki Naruto's head, seriously saying: "Tsunade, the two Hokage advisors told me to let me take you back to succeed as the Fifth Hokage..."
"Isn't there a more suitable candidate in the village?"
Tsunade, indifferent to the position of Hokage, laughed loudly: "The ninja world actually has quite a few people calling a certain guy in the village the new Ninja God..."
"Kagura?"
Jiraiya sighed, shaking his head: "The old man before his death and the two Hokage advisors didn't agree with him succeeding as Hokage, they all think Kagura's personality is too extreme, too influenced by Danzo..."
"I'm not interested in that sort of thing..."
Tsunade scoffed dismissively, casually picking up a bottle of sake, directly lifting it to drink it all, her face showing a hint of flush: "I'm more interested in Orochimaru mastering the art of reviving the dead..."
"Don't trust him."
Jiraiya immediately warned Tsunade in a stern voice: "Once Orochimaru uses the slug to revive the First Hokage at his peak, you should know what he will do with the First Hokage, right?"
"The First Hokage sacrificed himself to protect the peace of the village, once he is manipulated to do things harmful to the ninja world, harmful to the Konoha, the First Hokage's soul will not rest in peace, moreover, you're a descendant of the First Hokage..."
"Shut up, annoying!"
Tsunade impatiently raised her head to glance at Jiraiya, mockingly said: "I won't let him use the slug, you don't need to worry about my affairs..."
"As for the so-called Fifth Hokage, I'm also not interested, the Hokage's village is perhaps to solve the dangers encountered by the village, but it seems like all the previous Hokages have sacrificed for this goal, and the turmoil in the Konoha has never calmed down..."
"The First was like that..."
"The Second was also like that..."
"The Fourth was the same..."
"The old man was no different, clearly already aged, still had to show off his strength, and sure enough, he died..."
Tsunade said this, lightly laughing: "They all sacrificed themselves in the position of Hokage, there were also quite a few who died on the road trying to become Hokage to protect the Konoha, they didn't achieve what they wanted to do..."
"Only idiots would want to do that..."
"What did you say!"
Uzumaki Naruto suddenly became angry, disbelievingly staring at the woman who disparaged the previous Hokages, leaping onto the dining table wanting to fight!
"…"
Jiraiya quickly grabbed Uzumaki Naruto's clothes, watching the little guy still dancing, hurriedly trying to take him down from the dining table.
"Let me go!"
Naruto stood on the dining table, his face full of anger, looking at Tsunade: "Unforgivable, how dare you mock the previous Hokages, I'm going to beat you up!"
"Kid, dare to talk to me like this..."
Tsunade looked at Naruto, who was defending the previous Hokages, lightly laughed: "Then come outside with me, let me see what this little guy can say so arrogantly here..."
"…"
Naruto stubbornly clenched his fists.
As a result, this little guy was immediately defeated by Tsunade with just a finger.
Naruto still stubbornly refused to admit defeat, still wanting to use his unmastered Rasengan, again being directly slapped flying by Tsunade!
"Rasengan, huh..."
Tsunade glanced at Jiraiya, unabashedly mocking: "Only you and the Fourth learned this jutsu, this little guy is also learning this jutsu?"
"Actually, another disciple has also learned it."
Jiraiya adjusted his forehead, voluntarily saying: "That guy has even mastered the nature transformation that Minato didn't..."
"That little guy called Kagura?"
Tsunade waved her hand, offhandedly saying: "Since he's already surpassed the Fourth, then just let him become Hokage..."
"I think so too."
Jiraiya seemed quite helpless, sighing: "In terms of strength, Kagura might have already surpassed all previous Hokages..."
"But his personality is too dangerous, I think you'll understand why that guy isn't allowed to become Hokage by the two advisors after you return to the village..."
Jiraiya looked at Tsunade, proactively saying: "If the village still doesn't have a Fifth Hokage, that guy Kagura will immediately start wars with the Mist and Sand Villages, maybe even start a new Great Ninja War..."
"Great Ninja War!!!"
Shizune was startled.
"…"
Even Tsunade felt somewhat uneasy.
As someone who experienced two Great Ninja Wars firsthand, Tsunade was very aware of how cruel a Great Ninja War was, her brother and lover both died in the Great Ninja Wars...
"Actually, Kagura has also fantasized about peace in the ninja world..."
Jiraiya remembered that headache-inducing disciple: "But that guy's idea of peace in the ninja world is to clean out all people in the ninja world..."
"Jiraiya..."
Tsunade's brow furrowed into a frown, seemingly hearing something difficult to understand: "Your disciple, how does he sound even more dangerous than Orochimaru?"
"Only a new Hokage can prevent the outbreak of war."
Jiraiya took the opportunity to persuade Tsunade, squinting his eyes, staring at Tsunade's expression: "Tsunade, you're the only suitable candidate now... Only the Fifth Hokage can order the Hokage's advisors to stop all war activities."
~~~
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