"Orochimaru really is ruthless," Daniel thought to himself with a wry smile. The mention of using nuclear weapons had caught him off guard, though it wasn't a suggestion he had ever considered. While he did possess some small-scale nuclear devices purchased from the underground black market in the Marvel world for self-defense during his weaker days, the opportunity to use them had never arisen—and likely never would.
Daniel couldn't help but imagine the chaos that would unfold if nuclear weapons existed in the ninja world. The ninja were already unrestrained and wild, many of them powerful and unhinged. If they had access to something as devastating as nuclear weapons, the results would be catastrophic.
"You know the destructive power of nukes, but you should also understand their limitations," Daniel explained to Orochimaru. "That's not something an individual can wield; it's something only a nation could control. I don't possess anything like that."
"I find that hard to believe," Orochimaru smirked, his eyes narrowing in amusement. "You're not a high-ranking figure in your world?"
Daniel chuckled. "Not even close. Where I come from, people like me are a dime a dozen. My current strength is merely average. Some things you have to experience to truly understand, just like how I find it hard to fully comprehend the mindset of ninjas like you."
"And even if I did have nuclear weapons," Daniel continued, "I wouldn't use them. The fallout from such an attack would draw out some beings you wouldn't want to mess with."
"Who could stop you?" Orochimaru asked, his curiosity piqued.
"The three Great Sages from the Summoning Lands. You've heard of them, right? The Great Toad Sage of Mount Myoboku, for example, was the teacher of the Sage of Six Paths."
The ripple effect of using a weapon as devastating as a nuke would be too severe, and there was no telling how the Great Sages would react. Though they rarely interfered, something of that magnitude would likely draw them out.
"Interesting," Orochimaru muttered, clearly intrigued by this revelation.
"And let's not forget the Sage of Six Paths himself. That old man isn't completely dead yet. He might just spring back to life at the right moment," Daniel added with a sly grin. The fact that the Sage could lend his powers to Naruto and Sasuke, and that souls from the afterlife could be summoned into the living world, made it clear that the realms of life and death weren't as separate as one might think.
"That's quite the revelation," Orochimaru mused, deep in thought.
"Don't worry too much about it," Daniel said reassuringly. "As long as you're not trying to destroy the world, they're unlikely to interfere. The Great Sage only intervened when Kaguya's God Tree caused irreversible damage to the planet, and the Sage of Six Paths only returned when Kaguya herself was about to be unsealed."
Changing the subject, Daniel asked, "How's your progress with the Reaper Death Seal research?"
"Why are you suddenly interested in that?" Orochimaru asked, his eyes narrowing suspiciously.
"Just wondering how it would play out if we summoned the First and Second Hokage, along with the Third and Fourth, using Edo Tensei and made them fight Konoha," Daniel replied with a mischievous grin.
Orochimaru chuckled darkly. "I imagine they'd team up and take you down first."
"Which is why I've prepared a worthy opponent for them. How about reviving Uchiha Madara?" Daniel proposed.
"You found Madara's body?" Orochimaru asked, surprised. He had long been interested in using Edo Tensei to revive Madara, just as he had once sought the remains of Sakumo Hatake (Kakashi's father), only to come up empty-handed. The bodies of significant figures were often hidden in secret locations, making them difficult to obtain.
Daniel nodded. "I came across it by chance. Reviving him is easy, but controlling him is another matter. He likely knows how to break the Edo Tensei."
While a basic version of the Edo Tensei could revive anyone, it significantly weakened the revived ninja. Powerful individuals like Madara needed a more robust version of the jutsu, but the more powerful they were, the harder they were to control.
"You didn't come here just to discuss Edo Tensei, did you?" Orochimaru asked after a moment of contemplation.
"No," Daniel admitted. "I'm here to ask for the materials you've gathered over the years—the ninja remains you've been collecting. Akatsuki needs to bolster its forces, and we can use Edo Tensei to do just that."
Over the years, Orochimaru had exhumed countless ninja graves, gathering remains for his experiments. Some of these remains belonged to powerful ninjas like the Second Tsuchikage, the Second Mizukage, and the Third Raikage, while others were lesser-known shinobi. All of them could be used for Edo Tensei.
"Take what you need," Orochimaru said after a brief pause, agreeing without hesitation.
"By the way, do you have any of Uzumaki Kushina's DNA?" Daniel asked, shifting the conversation.
"Why are you interested in her?" Orochimaru asked curiously.
"I've been thinking about the Reaper Death Seal recently. Since it's connected to the Uzumaki clan's sealing techniques, I thought Kushina's knowledge might help speed up the research. If we can summon her with Edo Tensei, we could gain valuable insight."
Kushina's soul wasn't sealed in Naruto like Minato's, but it was most likely in the afterlife. Nonetheless, her expertise in sealing techniques would be invaluable.
"I don't have her DNA, but Konoha likely does. I'll find a way to acquire it," Orochimaru promised.
"Thanks, I appreciate it."
After obtaining the materials he needed from Orochimaru, Daniel left the lab with a new plan in motion.
"I could also revive Shisui Uchiha using his DNA if I had his eyes," Daniel mused. However, both of Shisui's Mangekyō Sharingan were currently out of reach—one with Itachi, and the other with Danzo.
"This isn't about playing with souls. It's about showing them the dawn of a new era," Daniel said to himself, a determined look in his eyes. If it weren't for the fact that he had ten thousand White Zetsu at his disposal, using Edo Tensei would have been far more challenging.
---
Back at Akatsuki's base, Sasuke confronted Daniel, having pieced together that the creation of the Nation of Akatsuki was his doing.
"It was you who made this happen," Sasuke said, his voice firm.
"That's right," Daniel admitted. "I've saved a spot for you in Akatsuki. Once you've settled things with Itachi, you can join."
Daniel knew that bringing Sasuke to Akatsuki now wouldn't make sense, especially since Sasuke was fixated on confronting his brother. However, the time would come soon enough.
"Karen, I'll need your help with something," Daniel turned to the red-haired sensor ninja.
"No problem," Karen replied without hesitation.
Her sensory abilities would be crucial in setting up the protective barrier around Akatsuki's base. With her, and the added security of the barrier, they'd be able to safeguard their headquarters effectively.
"I'm coming too," Suigetsu chimed in eagerly after hearing about Karen's role.
"Fine, your job will be to protect her," Daniel replied.
"I don't need her protection!" Karen scoffed.
Despite their frequent bickering, Karen and Suigetsu had become close friends since arriving at the base. Though Suigetsu was a bit taller, Karen often teased him about being younger, which sparked many of their arguments.
"Now then," Daniel turned to face two other figures. "I'll leave the next move to you two. You've seen the state of things. Whether you side with Akatsuki or continue to follow your daimyo, make your choice."
Zabuza and Haku stood silently, absorbing Daniel's words. Daniel knew there was a chance that Kirigakure, led by Mei Terumi, might oppose Akatsuki. It was time for Zabuza and Haku to return to their village and make their decision.
Mei Terumi had suffered great losses due to the actions of the Water Daimyo, particularly with the systematic extermination of the bloodline limit clans. While Zabuza and Haku had their own loyalties, Daniel hoped to sway Mei to Akatsuki's side.
"Think carefully," Daniel added. "Will you fight for a system that treats ninjas as disposable tools? Or will you stand with us, in a world where ninjas are not mere weapons?"
Even if he couldn't fully convert Mei to Akatsuki's cause, delaying her actions could be just as effective. If Kirigakure hesitated, Akatsuki would have one less enemy to worry about.
"And what about Gaara?" Daniel wondered aloud. Gaara was another potential ally, especially compared to the more hardened Kage like Tsunade, Onoki, and Raikage A.
Standing atop Akatsuki's steel tower, Daniel gazed out over the bustling streets below, the industrial city below them humming with life.
"No wonder Nagato and Konan like watching from up here. The view really is something," Daniel remarked as he stood alongside Nagato.
"Five Great Nations have issued a total trade embargo against us. Merchants are too afraid to approach,"
Konan reported, joining them moments later.
Daniel had anticipated this. Economic blockades were a classic strategy in modern warfare. If this had been the old Amegakure, such measures would have spelled disaster.
"And what about Kakuzu?" Daniel asked. He wasn't concerned about the embargo; he had prepared for this eventuality.
"Kakuzu is thrilled," Konan replied with a faint smile. "The products from Akatsuki are selling like hotcakes everywhere."
Despite the trade embargo, Akatsuki's goods were still flooding the market. It was simple—where there was profit to be made, some merchants would always find a way, especially when Kakuzu's threats were more immediate and deadly than any distant daimyo's displeasure.
Daniel had introduced a variety of new products, many of which the ninja world had never seen before. Among the most popular were bicycles and other everyday items that quickly gained traction.
"The Five Great Nations have begun mobilizing. And according to our intel, the Land of Iron is also gathering its forces, marching under the banner of destroying Akatsuki," Konan continued, her tone growing more serious.
"The Land of Iron? The samurai?" Daniel raised an eyebrow, surprised that the Land of Iron was getting involved.
"It seems they're hoping to use this opportunity to restore the prestige of the samurai, reminding the daimyos of their value," Konan explained, providing some context on the political dynamics at play.
The samurai had fallen into obscurity since the rise of the ninja villages, but they still clung to their honor and traditions. Many of them were seeking a resurgence of their relevance in this conflict.
"Interesting," Daniel muttered, a cold smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
Unlike ninjas, samurai held their honor and pride above all else. It was no wonder they had rallied to oppose Akatsuki, which sought to dismantle the very system that upheld the daimyo's rule.
"And it's not just the Land of Iron. The Five Great Temples—Fire Temple, Wind Temple, and the others—have also begun mobilizing under orders from the daimyo," Konan added.
"Fire Temple, huh? That means the Twelve Guardian Ninja will be involved. Especially Chiriku, the strongest among them," Daniel remarked. Chiriku had once fought both Kakuzu and Hidan and was considered a formidable opponent. The other temples were likely home to powerful monks and ninjas as well.
"And many of the shinobi clans that serve the Five Great Nations have begun mobilizing," Konan continued. The influence of the daimyo wasn't limited to just the ninja villages. Numerous smaller shinobi clans, eager to curry favor or maintain their standing, had answered the call to arms.
"This just keeps getting better. Nagato, you don't mind getting your hands dirty, do you?" Daniel asked, his eyes gleaming with excitement.
"Who's the target? The Fire Daimyo?" Nagato asked calmly.
"Not yet," Daniel replied. "Since the Land of Iron has decided to jump in first, it seems they'll be the ones to make an example of."
Nagato nodded, understanding the tactical significance. The Land of Iron had stepped up as the first to challenge Akatsuki. Daniel intended to make sure they regretted it.
"I'll handle it," Nagato said, ready to leave.
"Wait a second. Don't be in such a rush," Daniel cautioned. "This is the perfect opportunity for a full-scale battle. Let's have the whole of Akatsuki fight together."
Nagato frowned slightly. "A group effort? Why bother? I can handle it alone."
"You don't understand," Daniel explained. "Akatsuki is no longer just a band of rogue ninjas. We're a nation now. You can't keep fighting alone. We need to learn how to fight as a cohesive unit."
Nagato remained unconvinced. "I don't need anyone's help."
Daniel shook his head. "This isn't about needing help. It's about setting an example and showing the world what Akatsuki can do together."
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