"Nawaki?!"
Orochimaru's pupils dilated as he stared at the figure in the building called the Division Three Team Building.
He had short brown hair and two strikingly red cheeks.
This... wasn't this Nawaki?
As Tsunade's classmate and Nawaki's teacher, he thought he would never recognize Nawaki's appearance.
B...
Wasn't Nawaki already dead?
Right before his eyes, he witnessed Nawaki falling into traps set by enemies and being blown up to death by countless explosive tags!
B...
Who is the person in front of him?
Is it really Nawaki?
He then remembered that Tsunade had heard Nawaki's voice before, and even wanted to come to the Whirlpool Country, and then he realized that Tsunade had indeed heard it correctly!
Nawaki is truly here!
Suddenly he was shocked.
He remembered the Rukongai that the woman next to him had introduced before.
Before meeting Nawaki, Orochimaru felt that Nemu must be fooling him.
But…
Orochimaru's heart sank, could it be the residence of souls...
This is actually true!
In other words, the inhabitants we saw earlier were also souls?!
Could it be that people from the ninja world would come to Rukongai in the Whirlpool Country and become souls after death?
Orochimaru took a deep breath and asked, "Vice Captain Kurotsuchi Nemu, the boy over there, do you know his name?"
Kurotsuchi Nemu turned and said hesitantly, "Should be, Senju... Nawaki?"
Truly!
Orochimaru was shocked.
His whole body suddenly trembled with excitement.
Nawaki wasn't dead yet!
No, Nawaki was dead, but had started a new life in the Whirlpool Country as a ghost!
But what excited him the most was that he seemed to have glimpsed the secret of the Whirlpool Kingdom!
Although Nawaki is now a ghost, it is clear that he has become a member of the third team.
In other words, the souls here are qualified to become Shinigami!
So, could all the Shinigami in the Uzumaki Country actually consist of the dead?
The Whirlpool Kingdom gives new life to the dead and gives them new power, allowing them to fight for the Whirlpool Kingdom!
In this way, it makes sense if the Whirlpool Country suddenly rises again after being destroyed!
Because they're not really dead!
Orochimaru stared deeply at Nawaki, who was talking with his sword, then followed Nirvana's footsteps.
He didn't rashly speak to Nawaki.
After all, this is the territory of the Whirlpool Country, and he wouldn't do anything extraordinary without the owner's permission.
Moreover, he also came to discuss the Nine-Tailed Jinchūriki as Konoha's envoy this time.
Don't do unnecessary things, don't ruin Konoha's big event.
But the discovery of the Whirlpool Kingdom still made his heart beat fast.
He even thought, since people become ghosts after death and come to the Whirlpool Kingdom, should he try to commit suicide when he returns to Konoha?
He was very curious about the difference between himself after becoming a soul and now.
And maybe you could enroll in the Spiritual Arts Academy, learn that Muji Ninjutsu, and get one of those magical swords.
But anyway, he just thought about it.
What puzzled him was why Nawaki didn't return to Konoha even though he wasn't dead in the true sense?
Didn't even come to see Tsunade again?
He buried this doubt in his heart.
Because Nawaki is leading a good life here, there's no need to worry about these things.
But if he tells Tsunade about Nawaki after returning to Konoha, I'm afraid Tsunade will go crazy and come to the Whirlpool Country.
But that's not his concern.
Soon, under the leadership of Kurotsuchi Nemu.
They arrived at the technologically advanced gate.
Nemu introduced: "This is the Technology Development Bureau, where Shinigami skills are developed, souls and voids are researched, and some inventive props are developed."
Orochimaru's eyes lit up, isn't this the Konoha Research Institute?
Since witnessing Nawaki's death, Orochimaru decided to start researching technology to prolong life.
Souls were the direction of research he was thinking about.
But hindered by the war in the Rain Country, he hadn't taken action yet.
He didn't expect the Whirlpool Country to be researching souls one step ahead of him.
Moreover, it's the Uzumaki clan that allows souls to stay in the Uzumaki Country and allows those souls to become Shinigami.
Surely their research on souls would be deeper!
Maybe there are already relevant research results!
Unfortunately, he would never see research results like this.
Nemu suddenly said, "Want to come in and take a look?"
Orochimaru opened his eyes slightly and fell silent.
Could such an important place be visited by outsiders like him?
He immediately doubted the purpose of the Whirlpool Country.
But his thirst for knowledge still made him unable to resist.
"May I?"
Nemu's expression didn't change, and she said calmly, "Please come in."
The door opened, and Orochimaru suddenly became enlightened.
Researchers in white coats walked inside.
The entire Technology Development Bureau had a scientific fiction atmosphere that didn't fit with the ninja world.
There were even many devices Orochimaru had never seen before.
Nemu casually led him around.
Of course, some important places weren't shown to Orochimaru.
But Orochimaru's eyes were still wide open, and he was delighted to see them.
Even though he didn't understand most of them.
But there were a few things he knew.
For example, in a certain laboratory, there was research on cloning life.
This research made him clench his fists with excitement.
There is also a device that can explore the ninja world through a screen.
The picture in it shows the battle between those monsters called Hollows and Cloud Shinobi in the Kingdom of Thunder.
When Orochimaru came out of the Technology Development Bureau, he felt completely lost.
The Whirlpool Country seems to be living in two different worlds from the rest of the ninja world.
Even Konoha, which is the number one ninja village in the ninja world, can't keep up with the shooting.
Even everything here was deeply attracting him.
Especially the mystery of the soul!
Orochimaru took a deep breath to calm down his frantic heart.
He is still from Konoha, and he is also a disciple trained by Teacher Sarutobi himself. He cannot let down Teacher Sarutobi's cultivation of him.
It's almost time to walk around Seireitei.
Nirvana finally brought Orochimaru to the high-rise building he had looked up at when he first entered.
Division 13 Headquarters Building!
Kurotsuchi Nemu said: "Let's go, come with me to see Lord Soul King."
Orochimaru's heart sank, a little nervous.
Is this mysterious Soul King of the Whirlpool Country finally going to reveal his true face?
Entering the headquarters building, a chilling atmosphere instantly enveloped him.
On one side of the hall, powerful figures stood quietly, each one giving him a feeling of hair standing on end.
It seemed as if he would die if he acted rashly.
According to Konoha's intelligence, Orochimaru quickly understood that these should be the captains of the Whirlpool Country.
-==...
Only four of them showed up...
Doesn't the Whirlpool Country have thirteen divisions?
Have all the other captains gone on missions?
Orochimaru guessed in his mind, and then looked up at the position of the Aries.
With just one glance, Orochimaru's pupils shrank.
The eye-catching red hair instantly allowed him to confirm the identity of the person in front of him.
The Soul King of the Whirlpool Country is indeed of the Uzumaki clan!
All of Konoha's previous guesses were confirmed!
While Orochimaru was shocked in his heart, he said respectfully on the surface: "Orochimaru, the envoy from Konoha, has met the Soul King!"
Uzumaki Chihiro said calmly: "Orochimaru, what do you think of our Whirlpool Country?"
Orochimaru was shocked and didn't understand the purpose of the Soul King's question, but he still said respectfully:
"The Whirlpool Country has prosperous buildings, beautiful environment, and many special places. It is a very magical country!"
Uzumaki Chihiro chuckled and said: "Are you interested in working in our Whirlpool Country? The Technology Development Bureau of our Whirlpool Country still lacks a director."
Orochimaru's heart skipped a beat!
Poaching!
But his heart suddenly moved!
There are souls everywhere in the Whirlpool Country, and they can even serve as the director of the Technology Development Bureau!
He took a deep breath and declined this extremely tempting invitation.
"Sorry, Lord Soul King, I am still a ninja of Konoha.
Oh, that means we can just wait, right?
Uzumaki Chihiro chuckled in his heart, it was really interesting.
Inviting Orochimaru to the Land of Whirlpool, Uzumaki Chihiro also thought carefully.
And he's not afraid of Orochimaru becoming a 25-year-old.
As long as he dares to agree, he needs to pass the Shinigami job transfer scroll to become Shinigami.
If Ichi changes his job and becomes Shinigami, then he will no longer have any bad thoughts towards him.
This is the power that the Soul King has over Shinigami under the system settings.
Just a thought can easily control the life and death of Shinigami!
Since Orochimaru declined his invitation, Uzumaki Chihiro did not continue the topic.
The reaction has planted a seed in Orochimaru's heart, and even led him to look at the Technology Development Bureau's research projects on souls and life.
He couldn't believe that Orochimaru was not moved by this.
One day, Orochimaru will come to your doorstep.
"In that case, let's tell you what Konoha sent you to do."
Orochimaru breathed a sigh of relief. He was really afraid that if he refused the invitation, the Soul King would become angry and ask these captains to beat him to death.
Orochimaru said: "This visit to the Whirlpool Country is for Uzumaki Kushina."
He said seriously: "Uzumaki Kushina is of great significance to me, Konoha. We, Konoha, are willing to pay any price to keep Uzumaki Kushina. I hope that Lord Soul King will fulfill her wish!"
Uzumaki Chihiro plays with taste: "At any cost?"
Orochimaru said seriously: "Any price!"
"Then give Konoha to us, the Whirlpool Country."
"Uh... I'm afraid this won't work."
Orochimaru was embarrassed, he said any price, just to make it sound nice, how dare this Soul King really want it!
Uzumaki Chihiro chuckled and said: "Didn't you say there is any price?"
Orochimaru broke into a cold sweat and could only bite the bullet and said: "This is really not possible..."
Uzumaki Chihiro said without interest: "Since Konoha is not sincere, let's forget it and see the guests off.
"etc!"
Orochimaru wanted to say something more, but was looked at indifferently by several captains.
Then he wisely shut his mouth.
Just when Orochimaru was about to step out of the headquarters door, Uzumaki Chihiro said:
"I only give Konoha three days. If I can't see Kushina in the Whirlpool Country after three days, then I, the Whirlpool Country, will have to go and get it myself."
"At that time, don't blame me, the Whirlpool Country, for being ruthless..."
Orochimaru's heart tightened. Even after leaving the headquarters, the Spirit King's voice still echoed in his ears.
This time, I'm afraid it's going to happen for real
Got it!
At the same time, he also understood that Konoha would never hand over Uzumaki Kushina!
There must be a battle between the Whirlpool Country and Konoha!
After leaving the land of Whirlpool Country, Orochimaru felt a little lost.
Especially the souls of Rukongai showed his desire to study immediately.
DJI…
In the evening, Orochimaru returned to Konoha.
The Hokage office held an emergency high-level meeting again.
Sarutobi Hiruzen said with a gloomy face: "You mean, the Whirlpool Country refused?"
Orochimaru nodded.
Shimura Danzō snorted coldly and said: "You actually want to exchange Konoha for Uzumaki Kushina [It's really a lion's mouth. I think he has no intention of negotiating in the Whirlpool Country!"
Mad, he didn't even get Konoha, but the Whirlpool Country actually dared to covet his Konoha?!
Shimura Danzō continued: "Stop having any illusions about peace talks, Sarutobi!"
"well"
USE...
Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed, he also wanted to be tougher!
But now Konoha's conditions don't allow him to get hard!
He pondered for a moment and asked, "Is that Soul King really a member of the Uzumaki clan?"
Orochimaru said: "That bright red hair, and it is from the Whirlpool Country. I think there is no other possibility besides the Uzumaki clan, right?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked uncertain. Since the spiritual king in power was from the Uzumaki clan, there might be some room for success if Mito-sama was asked to come forward.
Although the relationship between the Whirlpool Country and Konoha has broken down, as an Uzumaki clan, we have to give Mito-sama face, right?
Of course, sleepy leaves also have to be prepared with both hands.
He said: "Koharu, how is the barrier team's research on the sealing of time and space ninjutsu going?"
Utatane Koharu said: "Some results have been achieved, but there are no ninjas in Konoha who have mastered the time and space ninjutsu, so it is not clear whether the barrier is really useful."
"Anyway, regardless of whether it's feasible or not, let's arrange it for Konoha first."
If the Whirlpool Country unreasonably opens a hole in Konoha, it can barely be regarded as a means of restraint.
Sarutobi Hiruzen thought for a while and continued to ask: "Orochimaru, did you find anything when you went to the Whirlpool Country this time?"
Since the conflict with the Whirlpool Country is inevitable, try to understand the situation of the Whirlpool Country so that you can make corresponding strategies.
It's a place I really want to stay.
Orochimaru subconsciously thought of these words.
But obviously, this sentence cannot be said.
He recalled carefully and said: "The buildings in the Whirlpool Country are very majestic, and the population is very large."
Although he knew that those souls were souls, those souls were also obviously productive, so they were no different from normal people.
Regarding the souls, Orochimaru didn't say anything.
Aside from my own selfishness, it's also because I would never believe such an outrageous thing unless I saw it with my own eyes!
Even he originally just listened to it as a story.
In fact, relying solely on the fact that people after death will go to Rukongai in a soul state, Orochimaru understood that the Whirlpool Country was already in an unbeatable position.
Once conflict arises between Konoha and the Whirlpool Country, war will escalate.
After death, people go to the Whirlpool Country one by one, and the beaten people increase.
On the other hand, the population of Konoha is decreasing, so how can they still fight?
Of course, Orochimaru didn't know that Rukongai only has a 50% chance of attracting souls.
But even if he knew, it would still be outrageous.
It's like having an endless supply of troops!
Able to provide troops to the Whirlpool Kingdom anytime!
But he also didn't tell Sarutobi-sensei about this.
Even if you tell them, believe it or not, will Konoha and the Whirlpool Country stop fighting?
Because they will all be defeated, telling them this will only add to their troubles.
Moreover, if you die, you can come back to Rukongai. Master Sarutobi is no longer young. If you accidentally die, you can go to the Whirlpool Country to rest.
Of course, it's impossible for him to say such words.
After hearing this, I'm sure Sarutobi Hiruzen will clean up his house.
He deliberately suggested that we hand over Uzumaki Kushina.
Work hard to improve the sealing techniques acquired from the Whirlpool Country, and that should be enough to use someone else as a Jinchūriki.
But he knew that this proposal was most likely not going to be accepted by them.
If you've never seen it with your own eyes, you'll never know the horror of the Whirlpool Country!!