"I didn't expect that your random act of mercy back then could be useful now."
In the forest, Orochimaru put away the scroll that sealed the Gyuki tentacle, a strange look on his face.
"If you only attribute it to luck, that's not quite right." The Genie glanced at Orochimaru and smiled, "I treat my crops well, and they trust me in return. Isn't that normal?"
The so-called ruler cherishing the people and kingly demeanor are actually the same principle. The key is whether you have the vision and confidence to regard the entire ninja world as your own.
Like the Third Tsuchikage Onoki, he just saw that the seedlings of Kumogakure were growing a little better, so he didn't hesitate to hurt himself to destroy them, because he didn't have enough vision and confidence.
From the perspective of a Tsuchikage, this is naturally correct, but if you only stick to the Tsuchikage's perspective, it is a bit too narrow.
The Fourth Raikage is the same, also limited by being a village leader, so he naturally can't understand why 'Orochimaru' would let him go.
Orochimaru didn't see through these two leaders because of this. Vision needs confidence to support it. Talking about vision without confidence is ridiculous.
Even the current him can only expand the nursery to Konoha at most. Iwagakure Village and Kumogakure are beyond his reach. Therefore, he will still promote this war to reduce their threat to his own nursery.
Only the Genie has the confidence to regard the entire ninja world as a field of crops.
Orochimaru glanced at the Genie and couldn't help but lick his lips.
Although he doesn't say it, he actually admires the Genie's attitude.
And what's worth anticipating is that he will have the opportunity to do this in the future.
…
Dark clouds passed, the bright moon appeared, and the night was no longer as dim as before. The stars twinkled, and the sky became even deeper.
When Orochimaru and his group returned to the battlefield, the battle was over.
On the pitted and scarred ground, Tsunade sat cross-legged in a lazy and casual manner. Beside her was a torn and tattered corpse. Its face was unrecognizable, but you could tell at a glance that it was Kakuzu, the S-rank missing-nin from Takigakure Village.
Orochimaru glanced at the corpse and said with a smile, "This is really beyond my expectations. In that state, you could still kill him?"
Tsunade looked up at Orochimaru, her face tired, and didn't reply.
Beside her, Tagorihime smiled and said, "That ninja isn't dead. One of the mask monsters from before escaped using Earth Release."
Orochimaru asked in confusion, "You didn't have time to stop him?"
'Sage Art: Inorganic Reincarnation' is not even comparable to Earth Release in terms of controlling the earth. It's like a grandfather compared to a child. Logically speaking, it shouldn't have failed.
Tagorihime giggled, "I only promised you to protect Tsunade, but I didn't promise you to help you stop the enemy."
Her tone was teasing, and what she said was faultless, but in reality, the real reason was not like that.
After the Slug Sage appeared, it directly ignored the powerful power of the wind and fire ninjutsu, and rushed Tsunade straight to Kakuzu.
Tsunade, with a burst of anger and the assistance of the Slug Sage, blew up two mask monsters in a row.
Tagorihime, seeing that the situation was decided, focused on admiring the night scenery of the forest.
Although it was badly damaged by the battle, there wasn't even such a ruined scene in Ryuuchi Cave.
Tagorihime actually sensed when Kakuzu escaped, but Tsunade had the Slug Sage assisting her. How could this existence, which was on the same level as the White Snake Sage, let the enemy escape?
But to her surprise, the Slug Sage didn't take action.
Why?
It took her a few seconds to think about this question. When she came back to her senses, the enemy had already escaped beyond her reach.
Tagorihime neither figured out the Slug Sage's intention, nor could she capture Kakuzu to sell Orochimaru a favor. Now she can only pretend to be willful, so Orochimaru doesn't think she's incompetent.
After all, willfulness can be tolerated, but incompetence can never be forgiven.
"I see."
After hearing Tagorihime's excuse, Orochimaru nodded slightly, not taking it to heart.
After all, this is a snake princess who has lived a comfortable life in Ryuuchi Cave for hundreds of years. It's unrealistic to expect her to be as alert as an ordinary ninja.
Besides, so what if Kakuzu ran away? His life and death are not important to Orochimaru.
This old guy doesn't seem like the type to carry his savings with him.
Orochimaru turned his gaze to the Slug Sage's huge body, his eyes flickering slightly.
The three major Sage Lands each have their own ecology. Mount Myōboku has plants, insects, and toads. Ryuuchi Cave has snakes and moss. The Shikkotsu Forest only has slugs—a slug that can turn into tens of thousands, but when gathered together, it's only one.
Compared to the White Snake Sage, this one is truly a one-person clan.
According to the Genie's speculation, even if she doesn't surpass the White Snake Sage, she is at least on the same level.
Orochimaru is not greedy for the Slug Sage's fighting power, which is ultimately just an external thing, but he is very interested in the medical effects that Shikkotsu Forest Senjutsu can provide.
Perhaps, it will be very compatible with the recovery power brought by his physical transformation.
Orochimaru licked his lips. Just as he was about to say hello, a gentle female voice sounded in his mind.
"Orochimaru-sama, since you're here, I'll leave little Tsunade to you."
The same respectful address as before had a different meaning in Orochimaru's ears now. He bowed slightly, not daring to slack off.
"Please rest assured, it's my honor."
"That's good."
Noticing the change in Orochimaru's attitude, the Slug Sage didn't give him a chance to continue speaking, and directly turned into white smoke and disappeared.
Orochimaru raised his eyebrows. He immediately understood that this Sage might not be as easy to talk to as she appeared on the surface. He had White Snake type Senjutsu Chakra, and she had a reason to reject it.
However, he was just saying hello. He hadn't fully learned Ryuuchi Cave Senjutsu yet, so he wasn't in a hurry.
Seeing the Slug Sage leave, Tagorihime didn't plan to stay long either. She handed the Kazekage puppet's Chakra core to Orochimaru and said with a light smile, "Don't forget to invite me to visit Konoha later."
Orochimaru nodded slightly. After Tagorihime released the Summoning Technique, he played with the metal ball in his hand and instructed the Shisui team, "Collect the remains of the Third Kazekage's puppet."
This rescue trip, besides Kato Shizune, also had the puppet core that could accommodate the Chakra spirit body of a Kage-level powerhouse, which was a very valuable gain.
With them, research on the 'Spiritual Transformation Technique' will definitely go to the next level.
After putting these things into the scroll, Orochimaru pondered for a moment and split off a shadow clone, heading towards the direction of the Grass Country.
He ordered the ninjas present, "The plan for this trip has changed. Before returning to the village, go to a base on the border of the Land of Fire."
"Yes!"
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