Escaping the Mist Ninja starts with backstabbing your teacher.

Chapter 82 The "Thunder" That Cannot Be Left Unchecked

In a dark underground space somewhere in the ninja world, only a few flickering campfires provided illumination.

On a stone platform at the edge of a campfire, Obito, wearing a mask, sat with his hand on his knee and one leg on the ground in a slovenly manner.

The mask only revealed the area for the right eye. He narrowed his eyes slightly and said in a deep voice, "Sunagakure, the One-Tailed Beast has gone berserk. Was it that Kirigakure traitor who did it again?"

Beside him on the rock wall, Black and White Zetsu, cosplaying as pitcher plants, were reporting on the situation in the ninja world, including information about the Sand Village.

In response to Obito's question, Black Zetsu replied, "That's right, it's him. It seems this guy also has some ideas about the Tailed Beasts."

"Of course, it cannot be ruled out that it is simply for the sake of Pakura, the Sunagakure ninja with the Scorching Release technique beside him."

This prompted Obito to scoff, and he continued, "Back in Konoha, he unintentionally helped me once."

"However, his actions could very well affect our plans. Keep a close eye on this guy and don't let him ruin our good deed."

"Also, how is Nagato's mastery of the Rinnegan progressing?"

After Nagato and Konan agreed to cooperate with him, Obito taught Nagato the method of mastering the Rinnegan, which he had obtained from Madara Uchiha.

Otherwise, Nagato, despite possessing the Rinnegan for so long, still couldn't master its power, which is why he was so powerless when facing Danzo and Hanzo.

"He's learning very quickly. He's already made half of the Six Paths of Pain. It shouldn't be long before he can gather the rest."

Obito nodded slightly; Nagato was a key force in the plan.

Without the power of the Rinnegan, he would never have been able to collect all the tailed beasts on his own.

His divine power can only guarantee his own safety; it's a defensive measure. His offensive means lie in the eye he gave to Kakashi.

As for other methods, they are not yet able to reach a scale beyond the initial scale.

"How's the candidate I asked you to find coming along?" Obito asked again. Nagato was collecting the cores of the Tailed Beasts, but capturing them still required auxiliary power.

"We have found two candidates: Sasori, a rogue ninja from Sunagakure, and Kakuzu, a rogue ninja from Takigakure."

"Unfortunately, Izumi Taketori, a rogue ninja from the Mist Village, is strong enough, but he is not suitable to be the candidate. We have never understood his purpose."

"Furthermore, he has the [Scorch Release] ninja, Pakura, by his side, making it difficult for us to control him even if we join the fight."

Obito revealed a cold smile beneath his mask, then said, "Let's keep these two as backup options; we'll leave the decision to Nagato."

"Letting them roam freely outside will actually affect our plans, especially if they are capable of doing so."

Although I don't really want to accept him, it's more dangerous to let him out there.

Moreover, this wasn't the first time the other party had appeared near a tailed beast. He had also questioned the other party's motives during the Konoha incident.

"Back then in Konoha, the enemy targeted Uchiha Shisui and Uchiha Itachi, but they didn't take their eyes. There's something wrong with that."

"Furthermore, you saw them collecting the scattered chakra of the Nine-Tails, so their purpose in Sunagakure is probably the same."

Obito's analysis also made Black Zetsu ponder; the other party's actions were indeed illogical and unpredictable.

"However, it's possible to test the opponent's aptitude, Uchiha Itachi." Obito revealed a cold look and began to operate.

Because of the joint military exercises between Konoha and Sunagakure, the entire ninja world has returned to peace.

Orochimaru returned to Konoha and went to the Hokage's office.

"Teacher, I'm back!"

The third generation looked up at their student and showed a hint of emotion.

"It's good that you're back. What are your thoughts on the Hokage position?"

"Not interested!"

Orochimaru responded coldly. He understood the Third Hokage's thoughts, but he also had no interest in them.

In the past, he believed that as the Third Hokage's disciple, Tsunade and Jiraiya did not have the ability, and he had the responsibility to assume the position of Hokage.

But the Third Hokage didn't choose him back then; he chose Minato instead. He used to care about that, but now he's let it go.

Now he is engrossed in his research. Life is so fragile, only immortality is the true path. What is the Hokage position? Isn't that troublesome enough?

Upon hearing Orochimaru's words, the Third Hokage paused in his actions and couldn't help but bluntly say, "I intend to make you the next Hokage."

However, the response he received was indeed Orochimaru's refusal: "Teacher, I have no intention of becoming Hokage at the moment. If there's nothing else, I'll be going back."

"I've been away for too long, and I still have a lot of things to take care of."

After a long silence, the Third Hokage finally waved his hand slightly, allowing Orochimaru to leave.

He feels that he is drifting further and further away from his students, and he can no longer understand their thoughts.

But if Orochimaru is unwilling to take the position, then there is even less chance of anyone else being willing to take it.

"Wait a moment!"

The Third Hokage stopped Orochimaru, his expression slightly grave.

"You should already know about Tsunade's situation. Neither Danzo nor I have been able to locate her."

"Jiraiya is also investigating outside, and I hope you can pay attention to this matter."

Orochimaru nodded slightly. He did know about this, but unfortunately, he was entangled in various matters and could not extricate himself.

However, he also reassured the Third Hokage, saying, "If the other party isn't stupid, they probably won't do anything irrational to Tsunade."

"After all, the things that Tsunade faces while she is alive are completely different from those that Tsunade faces while she is dead."

"I remember that they came to Konoha targeting the Uchiha clan, and they were even the son of the clan head, Fugaku?"

The third generation gave a soft "hmm," tapped the ash from his cigarette, and said in a deep voice, "That's true, but it still doesn't put my mind at ease."

"Furthermore, the Daimyo of the Land of Fire is also putting pressure on us to rescue people in Konoha as soon as possible."

The Third Hokage was also troubled by this. Tsunade's identity was very special, and Konoha had already sent a special team to investigate her, as had Danzo's side.

"It's good that you know it in your heart. Go!" The Third Hokage slowly took a drag of his cigarette, watched Orochimaru's departing figure, and sighed deeply.

Now that Orochimaru is unwilling to become Hokage, Konoha has no more suitable candidates.

Jiraiya had considered it, but given the other party's carefree attitude, how could he entrust Konoha to him?

As for Tsunade, all traces of battle near Tanabata Street have been investigated, and even the Aburame and Inuzuka clans have been dispatched to investigate.

The conclusion drawn is that both the chakra and the scent originated from the sky, indicating that the other party possesses some means of flight, and is likely some kind of summoning beast.

The trail went cold, but the person who carried out the arrest was identified as Taketori Izumi, the Kirigakure traitor who had gone to Konoha.

Just as Konoha was thinking about Izumi, he, who had already returned from Sunagakure, released Tsunade again.

Tsunade is a good experimental subject, but also a troublesome one. Releasing her is definitely necessary, but as a bargaining chip, she must be exchanged for a good price.

"Unfortunately, Orochimaru probably didn't realize the trick I had on Anko, otherwise he would have contacted me."

"But there's no rush. We can use Tsunade and Shizune for now, and then switch later. However, we need to give them a heads-up beforehand."

Izumikawa sat in the laboratory, stroking his chin and pondering. Tsunade's identity was very special; the longer she stayed in his hands, the hotter she became.

Therefore, if you want to sell at a good price, you must first keep the buyer engaged.

What he wanted to exchange were Hashirama cells, but this was a taboo in Konoha; at least the Third Hokage wouldn't allow it.

But then again, even though the Third Hokage forbade it, some people just wouldn't listen, especially that old guy Danzo, who was obsessed with Wood Release.

By now, Yamato should have appeared. He doesn't know when he will assassinate the Third Hokage, but after this incident, the Third Hokage should know that Danzo moved the First Hokage's body.

However, for now, we should start making the tailed beast puppets first, otherwise it will be quite troublesome to face some of the more powerful tailed beasts later.

The abilities that Shukaku, the One-Tailed Beast, possesses are exactly what he needs right now: Magnet Release, Sealing Techniques, and Wind Release are all very useful.

"Then let's begin!"

Izumikawa unleashed chakra from his palm, using the power of the Sage Clan to begin shaping and creating a Tailed Beast puppet.

With the tailed beast chakra as the core and the Yin-Yang seal as the framework, a complete chakra circulation system is constructed.

Then, it will be inscribed onto the physical skeleton, and the Magnet Release will be used to control the sand grains and chakra to construct a form.

Meanwhile, in Konoha, Orochimaru returned to his laboratory.

Having been away for a long time, he began to process the experiments he had left behind, including the horns of the Eight-Tails, the cells of the First Generation, and various corpses collected from the Root.

Danzo wanted to create a new arm, but Orochimaru's research revealed that the uncontrolled growth of the First Hokage's cells was too potent.

If transplanted into a human body indiscriminately, it will continue to multiply and eventually devour the human body, turning into a lump of flesh.

This lump of flesh, though lacking any consciousness, possesses chakra, making it extremely strange and terrifying.

Research has revealed that only through the continuous absorption of Sharingan and its pupil power can the first generation of cells be suppressed and the body maintained.

Therefore, he is now interested in the relationship between the First Hokage's cells and the Sharingan, and what kind of connection allows them to maintain a balance.

Similarly, there was another study, which was about a cursed seal. He discovered a child who was born with the ability to absorb natural energy.

He extracted this power from the other person's body to study it, trying to see if it could be adapted by fusing it into the human body.

In his pursuit of immortality, he was completely indifferent to experimenting on living subjects, and to the origins of these individuals.

Danzo didn't care how much of Orochimaru's research involved his own agenda; all he needed was for Orochimaru to successfully develop an arm for him to use.

>