They're promoting the "Konoha threat" theory, and spouting nonsense about the Hidden

Chapter 185 Flowers in Full Bloom, Oil on a Raging Fire

What does death really mean to a person?

Is this the end of one journey, or the beginning of another?

Orochimaru didn't know, and didn't want to know.

From the moment his parents died in battle when he was a child, he understood how fragile life is.

This fragility is beyond human control and does not change due to objective conditions.

Even powerful figures like Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha could not escape the test of life and death.

Even the wise teacher, Hiruzen Sarutobi, has aged under the ravages of time, and his former prowess has faded.

Even someone with a powerful background like Senju Nawaki died from an inconspicuous explosive tag trap.

All of this made him realize the fragility of life, filled him with aversion to death, and strengthened his resolve to do what he was going to do—to conquer death.

Based on this, he decided on the ninjutsu he wanted to develop—the Reanimation Jutsu.

However, developing such ninjutsu, which involves life and death, inevitably requires the use of living experimental subjects.

Since this was his private research, he could not report to the village about using death row inmates for research.

However, before that, he noticed a religion, or rather an organization, called the "Maitreya Cult".

In this organization that glorifies bloodshed, he could easily obtain experimental subjects simply by diligently following one or two followers.

However, he also knew that this couldn't last long. After all, given the organization's growth momentum, it would eventually be noticed by the village and eliminated—unless a high-ranking member of Konoha could protect it, but how could that be possible?

Which high-ranking official in Konoha would allow such a religious organization to exist in the village?

So even though there is no shortage of live material at present, Orochimaru is still taking precautions and constantly looking for ways to provide him with live material.

He had originally planned to use the pretext of helping Shimura Danzo carry out his Wood Release experiment to recruit a few people from him, but now that the daimyo had asked him to oversee the improvement of the Impure World Reincarnation technique, he was truly excited.

No need for excuses anymore, the excuses have come to us.

It wasn't just the live experimental subjects that were being provided; even the experimental funding was being sponsored.

"We really should thank the person who orchestrated all of this..."

-

After Konoha handed over the Impure World Reincarnation technique, which involved castration, to the daimyo of the five great nations, the controversy surrounding this matter eventually subsided.

As far as the four major nations' governments are concerned, their main purpose in coming here is to obtain the Impure World Reincarnation technique to fulfill their daimyo's wish to remain in the world after death. They have no interest in suppressing Konoha.

As for the three major ninja villages of Iwagakure, Kumogakure, and Sunagakure, they were just joining in the fun, hoping to perhaps gain access to this powerful ninjutsu while things were in disarray. After all, each village was currently focused on recuperation, and sending troops now would be completely pointless.

The purpose of the envoys from various countries bringing them along was simply to have them judge from a ninja's perspective whether the ninjutsu traded with Konoha was genuine; there was no other intention.

They are overjoyed to have received a copy of the ninjutsu scroll from the envoys of various daimyo, so why would they cause trouble for no reason?

At most, they'd just be envious of Konoha receiving such a large sum of money.

As for the Fog Concealment, its intentions are even more obvious.

"You're saying that Konoha obtained 50 billion yen from the Five Great Nations in exchange for this ninjutsu? Did they make a profit or a loss?"

Hozuki Shingetsu fiddled with the ninjutsu scroll in his hand that contained the Impure World Reincarnation technique, looking at Ao opposite him with a smile, and asked this question.

Faced with this question, Qing answered without hesitation: "Of course we'll make a profit! Do you think we're fools? What kind of ninjutsu requires 50 billion taels? And that 50 billion taels is just the initial funding; there's always the possibility of more money later."

Konoha's outrageous demands were understood not only by Ao, but by everyone present, including the envoys from various countries.

But what good does it do you if you understand?

You researched and improved this Impure World Reincarnation technique, but you still need other people to put in the effort, don't you?

Moreover, everyone present at the time knew how important this ninjutsu was to the daimyo of various countries. If your interruption causes your daimyo to lose out, do you want to think about what will happen to you when you get back?

Besides, the money ultimately belongs to the big name, and the money saved won't even be in my own hands, so why bother?

The same logic applies to ninjas from ninja villages. You're just here to inspect the goods, so what right do you have to interfere in this matter?

Therefore, despite being extremely jealous and dissatisfied with Konoha's exorbitant demands, everyone present tacitly refrained from raising objections and instead agreed to support Konoha's efforts to improve the Impure World Reincarnation technique for 50 billion ryo.

"Masanobu, do you think this is a good thing or a bad thing for Konoha?"

Faced with Ao's answer, Hozuki Shingetsu smiled without saying a word, then turned to ask Akiba Masanobu beside him, wanting to see if his perspective had improved after being by his side for so many years.

Originally, Akiba Masanobu's attitude was the same as Ao's, but then he thought, if Hozuki Shingetsu supports Ao's view, why bother asking him?

Although he couldn't see the underlying reasons, he knew Hozuki Shingetsu!

So, true to Hozuki Shingetsu's nature, he thought for a moment and replied, "Perhaps it seems like a profit now, but in the long run, it's definitely a loss."

Very well, answering or not answering makes no difference.

Seeing that the two couldn't come up with a solution, Hozuki Shingetsu finally gave the answer.

"Five hundred billion taels? I'm worried that Konoha won't have enough for that!"

"In the recently concluded Second Shinobi World War, three ninja villages took turns fighting but failed to defeat Konoha. Although a truce was eventually reached through our mediation, do you think the three villages of Iwa, Kumo, and Suna can swallow this insult?"

"They couldn't even take down Konoha in a three-on-one fight. This shows how powerful Konoha is right now, and how badly the reputations of the other three ninja villages are tarnished in the ninja world. Under these circumstances, Konoha still managed to obtain 50 billion ryo in development funds right under their noses. If you were the Kage of those three villages, what would you do?"

"I will naturally develop my strength quietly and wait for the next opportunity... So you deliberately spread those messages to the ears of the daimyo of various countries, just to make Konoha the target of everyone's attacks again?"

Recalling Hozuki Shingetsu's previous actions, Akiba Masanobu's thoughts suddenly became clear as he spoke.

Indeed, as a master of intrigue, how could Hozuki Shingetsu possibly only achieve a single purpose in everything he does?

Hozuki Shingetsu's purpose in sending envoys from four countries to Konoha Village this time is twofold.

First, by leveraging the power of the Five Great Nations, they could pressure Konoha to force Orochimaru to develop the Impure World Reincarnation technique. This technique is crucial for him to achieve regular training in Sage Mode, and it's something he absolutely must obtain.

Even if Konoha keeps the method of controlling the Edo Tensei body a secret, Hozuki Shingetsu has already obtained all the ninjutsu from Black Zetsu, so missing that one part won't make a difference at all.

As for the second point, it is to further incite hatred towards Konoha.

Five hundred billion taels!

Which ninja village wouldn't be envious? Besides, they couldn't even defeat Konoha in a three-on-one battle before. How could they possibly hold back when the Third Shinobi World War begins?

As someone who dreams of unifying the land, Hozuki Shingetsu knows that simply focusing on developing his strength is not enough. Kirigakure is destined to go to the battlefield and join the Fourth Shinobi World War.

If that's the case, then what could be more prestigious than destroying Konoha?

not to mention……

"Jiraiya has a clear master-disciple relationship with the Rinnegan! Rounding that up, doesn't that mean Konoha has gathered all three of the ninja world's greatest dojutsu?"

Hozuki Shingetsu didn't believe that if this matter were exposed, Konoha wouldn't be attacked by all sides.

"At that time, why shouldn't I be able to sit on the throne of the four-nation alliance?"

After all, what man could resist the prospect of holding the seals of four prime ministers, leading his troops westward, and besieging the gates with his heroes?

(End of this chapter)