When Sasori arrived at Orochimaru's Northern Stronghold, he immediately sensed significant changes from the previous visit. The entire base, usually bustling with activity, now appeared eerily empty—devoid of a single living soul.
Stepping into the Tailed Beast Laboratory, he found Orochimaru alone, meticulously studying and cultivating various tailed beast cells one by one. Among them, Eight-Tails and Nine-Tails were nearing completion, their massive chakra almost visibly pulsating. Others remained in embryonic stages.
Without looking up, Orochimaru asked coolly upon sensing the intrusion, "Did you secure the Four-Tails' cell? Just place it inside the fourth experiment chamber."
Sasori didn't respond much. He pulled out the tailed beast container and tossed it into the chamber. A red simian-like phantom emerged within. Orochimaru approached, activated the prepared materials, and poured them inside. The unique chakra of the Four-Tails began to stir, forming an embryo accompanied by rhythmic pulses.
"No wonder Big Brother Kurotsuchi values you so highly—it seems his eyes are as sharp as ever." Even as much as Sasori despised Orochimaru, he couldn't deny the man's brilliance. There was probably no other person on Earth capable of conducting such experiments.
Orochimaru's expression remained calm. As he continued his work, he casually tossed a scroll toward Sasori while replying, "I've compiled all the required materials for this experiment into this scroll. Considering Zero Organization's current resources, gathering these rare ingredients shouldn't be difficult."
Glancing through it briefly, Sasori nodded and asked, "No problem. What happened here? And where is Big Brother Kurotsuchi?"
"Hehe... A rising young eagle dropped by recently. Freed all test subjects and took someone away—remarkably sharp eyesight indeed. As for your Big Brother Kurotsuchi..." Orochimaru spoke in a mysteriously restrained tone, his eyes narrowing inwardly, "He's currently... entangled with a woman. He won't be free anytime soon."
"What? How could that be? Who in this world is strong enough to trap him?" Sasori's voice brimmed with disbelief.
Orochimaru countered, "Maybe not by strength—but what about emotions?"
Sasori quickly regained his composure and pressed gravely, "Where is he?"
"You're thinking of going after him? My suggestion is to give it up. If he doesn't go willingly, who could possibly hold him back against his will?" Orochimaru continued indifferently, "Besides, this experiment is crucial to his plan. Why don't you stay and help me instead? Only Three-Tails and Five-Tails are left now."
Shaking his head, Sasori replied, "I don't trust you. Dagan, step forward."
A transparent figure materialized before kneeling respectfully beside Sasori and said, "Your servant is here."
"Coordinate with Orochimaru. Fulfill every demand for his research, whatever the cost."
Dagan promptly responded, "Understood, my lord. Leave it to me."
Orochimaru sighed quietly, then said, "Kiri."
Without hesitation, Sasori turned and left once he received the address.
In Kiri, Terumi Mei stood atop the Raised Platform within the Mizukage's office, issuing a series of newly debated policies co-developed with Anya. Alongside these decrees came generous allocations of funds. Instantly, news spread across Mist ninja ranks—change was coming to the village; the reform had officially commenced.
Returning to her office, Mei slumped into her chair like a deflated balloon, grumbling to Anya beside her, "This time, I've spent nearly all of our village's reserve funds. For now, I'm definitely going to be the poorest Kage among all the other Kages."
"Rest assured," Anya assured. "My letter has already been sent. The funds will arrive shortly."
Terumi Mei asked curiously, "You still haven't told me where you got all this money from."
Anya mysteriously uttered two words, "Inheritance."
"Hmph, I know you're lying. I don't believe you," Terumi Mei replied with mild irritation. "Fine, don't tell me if you don't want to."
Anya was about to speak when hurried footsteps interrupted from outside. A young man wearing glasses and carrying twin swords pushed open the office door, announcing, "Trouble! Mizukage-sama, someone has attacked the village, and many guards have already been injured."
"Who would dare do such a thing?" Terumi Mei instinctively looked toward Anya.
Anya's expression shifted slightly as he had already sensed who the intruder was. His heart suddenly alarmed, he thought, *Sasori arrived so fast — practically as soon as I sent the letter.*
Though Sasori's strength did not concern Anya, this large commotion must have been a test to see if he was truly here. He activated the Spirit Transformation Technique and immediately made his way to where Sasori was.
Afterward, Anya turned to Terumi Mei and asked, "Who's that guy? What's his deal?"
"This is my guard, Chojuro," Terumi Mei introduced. "He's quite a prodigy."
Chojuro blushed and scratched his head, looking embarrassed as he apologized, "Mizukage-sama, I'm sorry. I was too hasty. I should have knocked first."
"Chojuro, draw the sword on your back," Anya said, stepping forward. In an instant, his imposing aura closed the distance between him and Chojuro.
Instinctively stepping back, Chojuro placed his hand on the hilt behind him, glancing toward Terumi Mei for guidance.
Without another word, Anya extended one hand, directing an invisible blade toward Chojuro.
"Clang..."
A sharp ringing sound sliced through the air, creating a sonic boom. A flash of cold steel cut through the air at blinding speed, slicing straight toward Chojuro's throat like a bolt of lightning.
A deadly aura enveloped him completely, and Chojuro trembled with fear. Roaring, he shouted, "Hiramekarei, Release!" as the blade expanded dramatically, blocking all potential points of attack before him. At the same time, a chakra-infused blade surged forward, sweeping toward Anya.
Anya's eyes burned with intensity as the Supreme Blade unleashed six simultaneous blade auras. One after another, the blades descended like a torrential downpour. Midair, the two blade forces met. The Supreme Blade began to fragment, multiplying as countless blades joined the battle. Ultimately, over a thousand blades spectacularly appeared, their palpable killing intent draining life from the surroundings. The blade aura hadn't even reached Chojuro yet, but the chilling aura alone was enough to terrify anyone, causing his skin to prickle with dread. As the chilling blade aura closed in, Chojuro looked utterly defeated and terrified.
Terumi Mei chimed in, "Oub, enough. Don't scare the kid."
Anya dissipated her killing intent, casually waved her hand, and the blades that had just filled the entire office vanished all at once. The tension in the room faded, as if the fight from just moments ago had never even happened. Only Chojuro, breathing hard and drenched in sweat, was proof it hadn't all been a dream.
Anya remarked offhandedly, "Just tested your bodyguard. His strength is too weak; he's even worse than the last wielder of the twin blades Hiramekarei I've seen."
Terumi Mei came to his defense: "Cut him some slack — he's still young. He'll definitely improve with time."
Anya wouldn't let up: "Back when I was his age, I'd have cut him down in two or three moves."
Noticing the situation, Terumi Mei turned to Chojuro and said, "You may leave now."
"Yes." Chojuro walked out with a defeated expression and empty eyes.
After shutting the office door, Terumi Mei approached Anya and asked deliberately, "Are you still holding a grudge over almost being killed by the Seven Swords of the Bloody Mist back then? Is that why you wanted to put one of their users in their place today?"
Anya denied uncomfortably, "No way."
"Hahaha..." Terumi Mei suddenly laughed happily, tugging on Anya's face, "I hadn't expected to see this side of you — looks cute on you."
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