Warlock Invasion of Naruto.

Orochimaru said coldly, his face grim.

“But Orochimaru-sensei, you are Dad’s teacher, you are not a bad person,” Shion insisted.

Orochimaru: "..."

Seeing that reasoning wouldn't work, Orochimaru turned around and said, "If you're hungry, hurry up and leave."

"But I can't walk anymore," Shion said softly, squatting down on the grass and looking up at Orochimaru.

Orochimaru frowned and said, "You need to understand that no one in this world will pamper you except your parents and relatives. I'm not Bai Yu, your tricks won't work on me. If you don't get up, I'll release snakes to bite you."

"Hmph." Shion pouted and refused to look at Orochimaru.

'Spiritual communication!'

To teach Shion a lesson, Orochimaru bit his finger and used a summoning technique to summon a giant, yellowish-brown python that was over ten meters long. He then ordered the python to intimidate Shion.

However, to Orochimaru's complete surprise, the summoning beast, which was usually obedient to orders, lowered its body and came to Shion's side, rubbing its head against Shion's body in a somewhat ingratiating manner, appearing very cautious.

Orochimaru was taken aback.

Shion: "Mr. Orochimaru, the snakes in Ryuchi Cave won't hurt me, that's what my father said."

As she spoke, Ziyuan patted the python's head.

Orochimaru followed Shion's gaze, his temple twitching slightly, his expression a little embarrassed. He then quickly sent the summoning beast back to Shikkotsu Forest.

"If you don't leave, I'll just leave you here." Orochimaru snorted coldly and turned to leave.

Ziyuan squatted on the grass, looking aggrieved, and cried out, "Daddy is a big liar, and Uncle is no good at all."

The title "Mr. Orochimaru" has been downgraded to "Uncle".

Orochimaru walked quickly, and when he could no longer see Shion's figure, a hint of helplessness flashed in his eyes.

"Why would I argue with a child? Is it because a weakened soul has such a big impact on emotions?"

Orochimaru returned the way he came and found Shion still in the same place.

"You'll have to walk by yourself next time." Orochimaru squatted down in front of Shion with his back to her, his voice much gentler than he had expected.

"Yes!" Ziyuan said happily, "I knew Dad wouldn't lie to me."

Orochimaru remained silent, carrying Shion on his back as they headed towards Mizuki Castle.

After a hearty meal, Shion said she was sleepy, so Orochimaru could only arrange for her to rest at an inn in the city and soak in the hot spring below his inn.

After emerging from the women's bath, Orochimaru wrapped himself in a towel, dressed, and returned to the room next to Shion's. There, he put his human skin mask back on and returned to his original appearance.

Then, Orochimaru opened his mouth wide and vomited out a storage scroll from his stomach.

He took out paper and pen and began to write something. After he finished writing, he carefully sealed it away, then had the messenger snake swallow it and send it out.

After doing all this, Orochimaru's eyes shifted.

Perhaps he can find a way to obtain the power of Bai Yu's bloodline from Zi Yuan, but without being controlled by Bai Yu.

......

The country of ghosts.

The Shrine of the Witches.

After several expansions, this place now covers an area comparable to that of Daming Prefecture in a major country.

The entire shrine was heavily guarded, with sentries every five or ten steps, but this was only enough to deal with ordinary people and ninjas.

For a Kage-level powerhouse, such defenses are simply insufficient.

When Bai Yu arrived here, he encountered no obstacles along the way, because those who were loyal to the priestess knew Bai Yu's status in the Land of Demons.

Soon, Bai Yu arrived at the central hall of the palace.

"Lord Bai Yu!"

The Snow Country ninjas guarding the main hall all knelt on one knee. The enemy had captured Princess Shion right under their noses. They were all filled with remorse and awaited Bai Yu's punishment.

"Get up," Bai Yu said calmly, without blaming these people.

He now wields considerable power, controlling the Uzumaki clan, the Land of Demons, the Land of Stone, the Land of Birds, the Land of Bears, and the Land of Snow. Especially after the Third Shinobi World War, military conflicts between the various countries gradually decreased, and economic warfare resumed.

In terms of economic strength, especially after the development of the 'Serpent Spirit' Pharmaceutical Group, the power controlled by Bai Yu is no less than that of the five major powers.

With the Uzumaki clan's victory over Kirigakure, they can extend their reach to the island nation of the Sea Kingdom on the southeast coast. The Serpent Spirit Group will soon become a top-tier conglomerate spanning multiple countries, with a steady stream of funds flowing in. Bai Yu will then be able to attract more countries to join the Uzumaki clan's warships.

Unfortunately, although he had the armed forces of the Uzumaki clan, the Snow Village, and the Star Village, his foundation was insufficient. He had enough top-tier ninjas, but lacked high-level power at the Jonin level.

After all, Bai Yu can't handle everything himself.

The incident in the Land of Demons also exposed a problem: Kakuzu and Sasori are not weak, but after all, they were not trained by him. They are not as cautious as him and were easily distracted by someone else's diversionary tactic.

There are other countries as well, especially the Land of Snow, which cannot be lost, but the combat power of Jonin level cannot be cultivated in a short period of time.

Kage-level ninjas are not as common as cabbages; they're everywhere.

Even geniuses like Haku and Kimimaro need time to develop.

Shion, Taiichi, and Mitsuko will also need seven or eight years to grow up.

If we could win over powerful ninja clans like the Hyuga and Uchiha at a time like this, there wouldn't be any problem protecting the Land of Whirlpools alliance.

"White Feather."

Upon seeing Bai Yu enter the main hall, Miroku, dressed as a shrine maiden, came to greet him. She did not appear to be crying and fearful as Bai Yu had imagined; instead, she seemed very calm and composed.

"Okay, let's sit down and talk." Bai Yu nodded and took the seat of honor.

"Shion's priestess power has not returned to me, so she should still be safe. I have now issued a bounty in the ninja world. If I can find Shion and return her to the Land of Demons unharmed, I will receive a reward of 100 million ryo and shares in the Snake Spirit Group."

Miroku told Bai Yu about the countermeasures he had taken.

The reason why the Snake Spirit Group was able to develop so rapidly in just a few years is that, in addition to Bai Yu's technical and power support, the most crucial factor is the adoption of a shareholding system.

The daimyo or leaders of countries such as the Land of Stone, the Land of Birds, the Land of Bears, and the Land of Snow all own shares and receive dividends every year. They are members of the Land of Whirlpools Alliance. Countries like the Land of Rice Fields, although not members of the alliance, also acquire shares by investing funds. Furthermore, the medical scrolls and medicines of the Serpent Spirit Group circulate freely in the Land of Rice Fields.

However, at present, Snake Spirit Group only cooperates with major countries in trade, but does not support major countries to invest in it.

Perhaps this is the reason why Ziyuan had this incident.

Bai Yu had already learned about this matter from the information that Miroku had given him, so he was quite satisfied with Miroku's response. He nodded and said, "I didn't expect Iwagakure to be so bold. I've already sent people to warn them. It seems that they not only want the shares of Serpent Spirit Company, but more importantly, the formula."

"Three days have passed since I posted the bounty. The person who kidnapped Ziyuan must be trying to make us wait longer before making more demands."

Maitreya said in a deep voice that although Ziyuan was not in danger at the moment, she was actually very worried about her daughter. However, after experiencing so much, she was no longer the weak girl she used to be.

"I won't let them have their way." Bai Yu's face turned cold as he stood up and said, "Mile, you continue to wait here for news. I'm going to find Ziyuan."

He could only sense that Shion was roughly located in the north, which was obviously near the Land of Earth. So he decided to search for it himself first, and then teach the Land of Earth a lesson.

The reason he came here first was because he was afraid that the enemy would capture Shion and then attack Miroku.

"Yes, be careful." Miroku nodded. Her priestess power had basically been passed down to Shion. If she left the palace, she would be no different from an ordinary person.

Bai Yu left the main hall and encountered Kakuzu and Sasori coming towards him at the gate.

Bai Yu remained silent, merely glancing at the two of them expressionlessly.

Scorpion felt his heart clench suddenly, and a bone-chilling cold filled his heart. He had hardly ever felt this way since he turned himself into a human puppet.

Why is Yagami Shiraha here?

Kakuzu bowed respectfully to Shiraha and lowered his head, while simultaneously grabbing Sasori's neck.

This time it was indeed their oversight.

After Bai Yu left, Sasori finally breathed a sigh of relief: "Kakuzu, you're not going to tell me he's the leader of the organization, are you?"

"Hmm." Kakuzu nodded, his eyes shifting slightly. This mistake was a huge blow to his reputation as someone who was paid to do a job. He didn't know how long it would take him to earn back the 100 million taels bounty. Most importantly, he was afraid of Bai Yu.

"He's the 'Dragon King'?!" Scorpion asked, his face filled with surprise and uncertainty.

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[Chapter 179. The Surprising Turn of Events at the Banquet (Chapter 178)]

The events in the Land of Demons have attracted the attention of many forces because the priestess Miroku offered a bounty of 100 million ryo for her mission. Some bounty hunters have also begun to search for Shion's whereabouts like looking for a needle in a haystack.

At this moment, everyone realized that the Snake Spirit Group, which had risen like a comet in recent years, was actually controlled by a priestess from the Kingdom of Demons.

It should be noted that the Land of Demons used to be a neutral country, without even a daimyo. The country was controlled by a priestess who possessed mysterious powers.

Of course, many people believe that shrine maidens are just charlatans and have no mysterious powers whatsoever.

But the leader of such a weak and neutral country actually controlled the 'Serpent Spirit' Group.

The group's medical ninjutsu scrolls and special medical elixirs are strategic resources for various countries.

The Snake Spirit Group's rapid expansion could not have been achieved by the Demon Kingdom alone; there must be someone behind the priestess Miroku.

In an instant, all factions sent spies to infiltrate the Land of Demons, hoping to uncover the secrets of the Serpent Spirit Group and the priestess Miroku.

Meanwhile, in Konoha, Danzo also noticed the Land of Demons. However, after experiencing Kushina's Tailed Beast Ball attack, the failure of the Akatsuki's destruction plan, and the loss of control by Kinkaku and Ginkaku, Root suffered heavy losses. He didn't have many people he could use, and the remaining elites were not enough to even monitor the Uchiha clan, let alone send them out.

Especially with the recent mission from Kumogakure to Konoha, the higher-ups are paying close attention, leaving Danzo unable to attend to everything.

On the evening of December 27th, it was Hinata Hyuga's third birthday, the eldest daughter of the powerful Hyuga clan in Konoha. Many ninja clans and officials who were on good terms with the Hyuga clan came to celebrate. A three-year-old girl's birthday may not be as important as one might imagine, but it was very necessary to show one's face on this special day and deepen the relationship with the Hyuga clan leader and the Hyuga clan.

The Hyuga clan is a ninja clan that has been passed down since the early Warring States period. With a history of several hundred years, they are powerful and have a profound heritage.

During the late Warring States period, a time of fierce competition among powerful clans, they were a prestigious family second only to the Uchiha and Senju clans.

After finalizing the new terms of the alliance, the Jonin of the Cloud Village delegation, along with the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi and Konoha's high-ranking officials, attended Hinata Hyuga's birthday banquet, showing great respect to the Hyuga clan.

It had snowed heavily just two days ago, and the weather was freezing cold, but it did not dampen the enthusiasm of the guests attending the banquet. The Hyuga main residence was bustling with activity. People from different ninja clans and countries seemed to have forgotten the unpleasantness of the past, and everyone had a smile on their face.

As Hiashi Hyuga entered the arena leading a little girl, the crowd quickly fell silent.

Hinata Hyuga was dressed in a white kimono, looking like a delicate porcelain doll.

However, she seemed a little timid in the eyes of the crowd.

"Mom! I know that girl! I took her home when she got lost last time!"

At that moment, a little boy's voice came from the middle and back rows of the banquet hall, which was very noticeable in the quiet environment.