Naruto: The Ninja World's Life Buyer

Chapter 200 The Perfect Container, The Forgotten Power of the Vortex

The day.

The leaves trembled again.

Because Tsunade announced that she would stay in Konoha indefinitely and serve as "Konoha Advisor" and "Chief Medical Advisor of Takaya Trading Company".

This news brought joy to all the civilian ninjas.

Tsunade has finally recovered to her former status as one of the Legendary Sannin. The legendary medical expert has remained.

For ninjas fighting on the battlefield, this meant a guaranteed survival rate.

As for those at the top—

The Hokage's office.

Upon receiving this news, Hiruzen Sarutobi's pipe trembled slightly.

"Tsunade—stayed behind?"

He looked out the window; it was in the direction of the Kikyō Pavilion.

"Sousuke—what exactly do you want?"

He sensed it.

A new force is forming.

The financial resources of the Takaya Trading Company, the military strength of the Uchiha clan, and now Tsunade's prestige and medical system.

This force is enough to influence the election of the Hokage.

"It seems Orochimaru's chances of winning have increased."

Hiruzen muttered to himself.

He was still hesitant about whether to support Jiraiya or re-evaluate other candidates.

But now, the situation is forcing him to re-evaluate Orochimaru.

Underground base.

Orochimaru was reviewing the data when he heard the message Tsunade left behind, and a playful smile appeared on his face.

"Hehehe————"

"Sousuke-kun, you've really given me a wonderful gift."

"Should I let Tsunade, that woman, keep me in check?"

"That's a really interesting idea."

Orochimaru was not angry.

On the contrary, he was very satisfied.

This means that the biggest obstacle on his path to becoming Hokage—the lack of support from the higher-ups—has been resolved by Sousuke in this way.

"In that case, I should show some sincerity."

Orochimaru took out a scroll.

"Analysis of the physical data of that red-haired brat (Nagato)."

"It's time to hand it over to Sosuke-kun."

Just then, he sensed a familiar presence approaching.

"Sousuke-kun, you're quick. I was just looking for you."

Orochimaru took off his gloves and turned around.

"That woman Tsunade—you actually managed to keep her here. And in that way, no less."

"I was surprised too."

Sosuke walked to the lab bench and looked at the tissue slices floating inside.

"I originally thought she would refuse. But it seems that her disappointment with Konoha and her desire for change overwhelmed her instinct to run away."

"Hehehe————"

Orochimaru let out a low chuckle.

"She's an emotional woman. You gave her an outlet—her hatred for the corrupt upper echelons."

"Now, the iron triangle has been formed."

Orochimaru looked at Sousuke.

"Money, healthcare, military force. Our influence within Konoha has surpassed that of that old man."

"What are your plans next? Will you force him to abdicate?"

"No, that would look too bad and would cause a backlash."

Zongsuke's eyes were calm.

"We need to follow legal procedures."

"The appointment of the Hokage requires a vote of confidence from the Jonin, and also the designation of the Daimyo."

Sousuke took out a letter. It was a secret letter from Fujiwara no Ōzō, the Finance Minister of the Land of Fire.

"I've already smoothed things over with Daming Prefecture."

"Although the front lines have stabilized recently, military spending is a bottomless pit. The daimyo is getting very impatient with Lord Hiruzen's cautious strategy."

"He wants results. A strong leader who can quickly end the war and restore the prestige of the Land of Fire."

Sosuke's lips curled into a cold smile.

"At next month's Daimyo Prefecture's routine appropriation meeting, Fujiwara no Taizo will represent the Daimyo and raise serious questions about Konoha's use of military funds."

"The Daimyo Association will stop allocating funds."

"Political pressure plus economic pressure —"

"Hiruzen Sarutobi is a decent man. When the daimyo expressed his dissatisfaction and stopped funding him, he chose to abdicate on his own."

"For the future of the village."

"Hehehe—what a show!" Orochimaru laughed. "Well then, to celebrate the imminent success of our plan—"

Orochimaru turned and walked towards a safe. The safe opened. Orochimaru took out a black scroll.

"This is what you've always wanted."

Sosuke took the scroll.

"This is?"

"Analysis of Nagato's physical data."

Orochimaru's eyes were filled with fanaticism.

"Although it was just remote observation and simple sampling, the conclusions are already quite remarkable."

Sosuke opened the scroll.

A dense array of data came into view.

Cell viability: S+

Chakra level: S+ (comparable to a tailed beast)

[Rejection reaction: None]

[Fitness: Perfect]

"Absolutely—shocking."

Orochimaru's tone carried a rare hint of awe.

"We all went astray before."

"We always thought that Hashirama cells were highly toxic and uncontrollable. But Nagato's data tells me that's not the case—"

"When the Thousand Hands Serum entered his body, it did not cause rejection like it does in ordinary people, nor did it trigger uncontrollable mental corruption like it did in Misa Hayama and Masaru Hyuga."

"Even Misa Hayama and Masaru Hyuga needed to rely on Gentle Fist to suppress the mental erosion of Hashirama cells, but Nagato, with just his own strength, perfectly controlled the Hashirama cells. Do you know why?"

"The physique of the Uzumaki clan?" Sosuke's heart skipped a beat.

"That's right."

Orochimaru's eyes were burning.

"According to what you said before, the Uzumaki clan are descendants of Ashura, the second son of the Sage of Six Paths. Although they did not inherit Wood Release, they inherited the purest Sage Body—that is, an incredibly vast amount of life force and chakra."

"Now, based on the observation results, we can know that although the bloodline of the Uzumaki clan is not as domineering as that of the Senju clan, it has extremely strong inclusiveness and stability."

"It is precisely this constitution that makes it the perfect vessel."

"It can accommodate both the ultimate eye power (Rinnegan) and the ultimate physical body (Hashirama cells)."

"Nagato's current body can be described as perfect."

"Rinnegan, Uzumaki physique, Hashirama cells—his current life form is already infinitely close to that of the legendary Sage of Six Paths!"

Sosuke's pupils contracted sharply.

A flash of lightning struck his mind.

He was constantly troubled by his inability to fuse with Hashirama's cells and break through the limits of mortals.

He kept his eyes on the Senju and Uchiha clans, but overlooked the Uzumaki clan, which had already been destroyed and seemed to only be good at sealing techniques.

"I see----"

Sousuke muttered to himself.

"The physique of the Uzumaki clan is the only universal vessel."

"The power of the vortex combined with the power of the Thousand Hands is the perfect Yang Release. Only the perfect Yang Release can be perfectly integrated with the ultimate Yin Release, the Rinnegan, allowing divine power to descend upon a mortal body."

No wonder Madara Uchiha chose Nagato, who had the bloodline of the Uzumaki clan!

"if----"

Sosuke looked at his hands.

"If only I could also acquire the physical characteristics of the Uzumaki clan—"

"Does this mean I can also fuse with Hashirama's cells? Or even—unlock even greater power?"

Once this idea takes hold, it can never be stopped.

Kushina.

He immediately thought of Kushina.

She is not only the Jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails, she herself is a huge treasure trove!

Sosuke closed the scroll, his eyes becoming deep and unfathomable.

"Thank you, Lord Orochimaru. This gift is far too generous."

"Heh, it's just a mutually beneficial arrangement."

Orochimaru waved his hand.

"When you have the latest experimental data, just don't forget to give me a copy as well."

"must."

Sosuke packed up the scroll and was about to leave.

Suddenly, he remembered something.

"By the way, Lord Orochimaru."

"Is there anything else?"

"I want to ask you for a snake."

"Oh?"

Orochimaru was taken aback.

"What do you want the snake for? To conduct experiments?"

"It's a gift."

Sosuke smiled somewhat helplessly.

"My daughter, Xiyan, heard that your disciple, Hongdou, keeps a snake as a pet, and she is very envious. She has been behaving well lately, so I promised to give her a spirit beast."

'

'

Orochimaru was speechless.

He turned and walked deeper into the laboratory.

"Come with me."

He led Sosuke to a huge snake pit.

It was inhabited by thousands upon thousands of snakes.

Orochimaru whistled.

A small snake, about the thickness of a wrist, pure white, with eyes like rubies, swam out from the swarm of snakes.

It climbed up Orochimaru's arm and affectionately rubbed against his cheek.

"This is 'white essence'."

Orochimaru stroked the little white snake.

"It is one of the direct descendants of the White Snake Sage of Ryuchi Cave. Although it has not yet grown up, it is extremely intelligent, with an IQ equivalent to that of a ten-year-old child. Moreover—it is very sensitive to natural energy and can sense danger in its surroundings."

"It's not poisonous. But its scales are extremely hard and can stop swords."

"Most importantly, it is very clean, it doesn't eat carcasses, it only drinks clean water and eats fresh bird eggs."

Orochimaru handed the white snake to Sousuke.

"Take it."

Sosuke took the white snake. It felt cool to the touch, and its scales were as smooth as jade.

The little white snake flicked its tongue, curiously examining Sosuke's prosthetic eye. It seemed to sense the presence of one of its own kind.

"Thanks."

Sosuke expressed his sincere gratitude.

This is a direct descendant of the White Snake Sage; in the entire ninja world, there are few summoning beasts of a higher rank.

I don't know how Orochimaru got his hands on it —

"Alright, let's go."

Orochimaru waved his hand and turned back to continue fiddling with his experimental equipment.

"I'm going to get busy too."

"In order to welcome the arrival of a new era."

Sosuke put the white snake in his arms and left the dark underground base.

Outside, the sun is shining brightly.

This trip was very rewarding.

"The physique of the Uzumaki clan —"

"Kushina————"

Sosuke's steps became lighter.

Back to the Kikyo Pavilion.

"dad!"

Yugao was practicing her sword in the courtyard when she saw Sosuke return and immediately ran over.

"Look! I learned a new trick today!"

"great."

Sosuke crouched down and gave a mysterious smile.

"Close your eyes and reach out your hand."

Xiyan obediently did as instructed.

Sosuke gently placed the small white snake in her palm.

Wow! It's so refreshing!

Xi Yan opened her eyes and saw the exquisite little snake, as white as jade, and cried out in surprise.

"So beautiful!"

The little white snake crawled up Xi Yan's arm to her shoulder and nuzzled her face affectionately.

"It's called white silk."

Sousuke said with a smile.

"It's your companion now. Take good care of it."

"Yes! Thank you, Dad!"

Xi Yan happily twirled around in the yard.

Kaori stood in the corridor, watching this scene, and shook her head helplessly.

"Boss, you spoil her too much."

"We only have this one child, so it's okay to spoil him a little."

Sosuke walked over to Kaori and put his arm around her waist.

"Moreover, it's always good to have more people protecting her."

"Kaori".

"Um?"

"Make preparations. Tonight, I would like to invite Lady Kushina to our home for dinner."

"Lady Kushina?" Kaori asked, somewhat surprised. "Yes."