From the night of genocide, marching towards the strongest.

Uchiha Sasuke offered no further explanation.

He simply waved his hand casually.

Bang!

With a soft sound and a wisp of smoke, a huge snake covered in pale scales suddenly appeared in the center of the hall. It coiled up, its eyes dim, as if it were just a beautiful specimen.

At the same time, Sasuke's originally clear black and white eyes were suddenly filled with a deep purple light, and the ripples of the Rinnegan slowly flowed.

And deep within those eyes, a strange, serpentine shadow seemed to flash by.

"Rise again..."

Sasuke paused, ultimately not finishing that shameful line.

"You've slept for so long, it's time to get up, Orochimaru."

As soon as he finished speaking, the snake shadow deep within his Rinnegan suddenly shot out, transforming into a beam of light that was difficult for ordinary people to look at directly, and went straight into the body of the white-scaled snake on the ground!

Buzz

A dazzling golden light suddenly burst forth from the giant snake's body, completely engulfing it.

Under the breathless gaze of the crowd, the enormous serpentine body began to twist, shrink, and transform within the golden light...

The light gradually faded.

A pale-skinned, slender human figure slowly straightened up from the dissipating halo.

…………

I've started a new book called "Naruto: Starting with Creating a Genius Persona," and I welcome everyone to read it.

This book will gradually become truly "complete" during the new book update period, filling in the plot holes of parallel worlds and the Fourth Shinobi World War.

Chapter 362 In this Sound Village, who is in charge, you or me?

Sasuke watched the scene before him with great interest.

This white-scaled serpent's body is Orochimaru's true form after he abandoned his human form. When he made a three-year agreement with Kabuto Yakushi, there was indeed a clause that "Orochi's body can be delivered after the term expires."

However, Kabuto did not mention this item on the night he left, and the body remained in Sasuke's possession.

Kabuto's silent surrender made Sasuke fully understand that the other party had turned Orochimaru's obsession (to take over Sasuke's body) into his own goal, to the point that even Orochimaru's own will could not be changed.

This made him shake his head inwardly once again, deeply feeling that there were indeed many biased thought processes in this world, although he also knew that he probably didn't have much of a right to judge others.

Reviving Orochimaru was not originally part of Sasuke's plan. Devouring Orochimaru's soul and absorbing his knowledge and power was intended to be a complete exploitation and eventual end.

However, after returning from the underworld, experiencing death and rebirth, resolving all his inner conflicts, and awakening the Rinnegan, his perception has entered a completely new level. In a deeper introspection, he sensed a trace of "disharmony".

His soul was like a mirror, polished ever clearer, yet deep within it remained a discordant "black spot."

Those were the traces left from that perilous battle of souls three years ago. Although he crushed and devoured Orochimaru's soul and obtained everything, the remnants of this forced fusion could not ultimately be completely made his own, like an indelible stain on a mirror.

With Sasuke's current level of soul and eye power after awakening the Rinnegan and Rinne Sharingan, he is fully capable of completely crushing, purifying, and absorbing this last bit of residue, leaving no trace.

But in the end, he changed his mind.

Firstly, he considered the unity of the Sound Village, since he was the lord of the village and had some affection for his hardworking subordinates.

Secondly, Orochimaru's astonishing scientific research talent, profound understanding of forbidden techniques, and planning ability are indeed irreplaceable resources, and it would be a pity to destroy them completely.

More importantly, Sasuke is now unafraid of any potential backlash or conspiracy. The absolute power difference grants him absolute control.

He even thought with a hint of amusement that having a "Snake Aunt" like the young Sasuke in the parallel universe—someone who was pragmatic, capable, and obedient—to serve him would be a good choice.

Although Sasuke may not need it, the world will need Orochimaru's talent.

Although he did not agree to become the guardian of the ninja world as promised by the Sage of Six Paths, he had been trying to leave more options and assistance for the ninja world ever since he emerged from the giant pit.

Especially after he realized that his true identity was not as simple as he had previously thought.

At this moment, the golden light slowly receded.

Under the varied gazes of the crowd, especially in Kimimaro's eyes, which were filled with extreme tension and hope, the light completely faded, and that familiar yet pale figure clearly emerged.

Orochimaru straightened up, his golden snake eyes slowly sweeping across the surroundings, taking in the main hall of the Sound Village, his former subordinates, and the white-haired boy sitting in the upper seat.

His memory remains stuck three years ago, when he was pierced by Sasuke's Fire Gagu Blade and his soul was devoured.

However, during the resurrection process, a massive flow of information was directly injected into Sasuke's consciousness in the form of memory fragments—the key events that had occurred in the ninja world and the Sound Village over the past three years since he was "killed".

In just a moment of hesitation and digestion, Orochimaru understood his own situation and the absolute power represented by the "resurrected one" before him, a power that was now vastly different from what it used to be.

He was an extremely rational and shrewd person. Assessing the situation, judging the relative strengths and weaknesses, and making the choice that best served his survival and interests was almost instinctive for him.

Then, under Kimimaro's tense gaze, Orochimaru's hoarse yet calm voice rang out:

"Kimimaro, step back."

"You must not be rude to Sasuke-kun."

"Yes, Lord Orochimaru!"

Kimimaro didn't hesitate for almost a second. He instantly retracted the bone blade in his hand, knelt down on one knee, turned towards Sasuke, and bowed his head deeply: "Lord Sasuke, I was impolite and presumptuous just now. Please punish me."

Sasuke simply waved his hand casually, signaling him to step aside, and did not pursue the matter.

His gaze returned to Orochimaru, a half-smile playing on his lips, clearly mocking him: "Orochimaru, I've been the lord of Otogakure for three years now, and you can just dismiss someone with a single word."

"Who's the master of this Sound Village, you or me?"

"Sasuke-kun is joking." Orochimaru smiled and said, "You are naturally the master of Otogakure."

He paused briefly, his tone tinged with a complex emotion that bordered on wistfulness: "But... I really didn't expect that Sasuke would be willing to revive me; this was beyond my expectations."

“I’ve always admired your talent, Orochimaru.” Sasuke leaned back in his chair, speaking frankly and without pretense: “I did then, and I still do now. Three years ago, I wasn’t entirely confident that I could fully control that talent, and the dangerous ambition hidden beneath it. So back then, only one of us could survive.”

In other words, do you now have absolute confidence in controlling me?

Orochimaru understood.

Sasuke's words were straightforward, but he didn't feel offended. Apart from the fact that the two sides were now worlds apart in strength, his complete "death" and his current "resurrection" had indeed subtly changed his perspective on many things.

Some of the obsessions and fanaticisms of the past, after a period of nihilistic silence, seem to have lost their overwhelming appeal.

He was more interested in the "present" and the "future," the realm that Sasuke had reached but which he had never seen, and the new possibilities contained therein.

"I see." Orochimaru slowly uttered these words, a look on his face that was somewhere between understanding and inquiry: "Then, I wonder, Sasuke-kun, what role should I play now?"

"Well..."

Upon hearing this, Sasuke pondered for a moment, then stood up from his seat and casually beckoned to Orochimaru.

"Come with me first."

The laboratory was bathed in a cool, constant light, which illuminated the intricately drawn Impure World Reincarnation incantation on the central floor.

A pure white, wooden humanoid body lay quietly at the center of the formation; it was a White Zetsu clone that Sasuke had created directly using the power of Yin-Yang Release.

Orochimaru swiftly formed the familiar hand seals, channeling chakra into them. The black runes spread out as if they were alive, tightly connecting the offering with the technique.

However, the anticipated scene of dust possessing the body and the soul returning to its place did not occur.

The spell only flickered faintly a few times before quickly dimming and extinguishing like a candle in the wind, completely losing its vitality.

The White Zetsu clone in the formation remained unchanged, lying quietly as if it were just a piece of lifeless wood.

Orochimaru's brows furrowed deeply, his golden snake eyes filled with scrutiny and incomprehension.

Given his skill level, it's impossible for this technique to fail at such a low level.

"The soul did not respond to the call, as if it was completely isolated by higher priority authority. This is not right."

"Just as I expected." Sasuke showed no surprise upon seeing this, only shaking his head with a slightly helpless expression.

In fact, after returning from the Sacred Pit, Sasuke foresaw that the Akatsuki organization or that mysterious Otsutsuki enemy might use the Impure World Reincarnation technique to summon powerful figures from past generations.

In order to gain the upper hand, he had already secretly tried to summon the spirits of those who had left a great name in the history of the ninja world.

Without exception, all of them failed.

In this ninja world, only the true builder and manager of the Yomi Pure Land—the Sage of Six Paths—possesses the power and motivation to so systematically and absolutely block the entire Pure Land from responding to the Impure World Reincarnation.

It now appears that this "manager's" restrictions are not only aimed at Sasuke personally, but also at his subordinate forces, or perhaps even the entire Allied Shinobi Forces, who have been placed on the forbidden summons list.

"Sasuke-kun, do you know what's going on?" Orochimaru looked at him. This failure of a technique beyond his comprehension was clearly related to a higher level of power rules.

“It’s nothing,” Sasuke replied casually, a cold smile playing on his lips. “He’s just a petty and stubborn old man who’s locked himself in his own little world and is causing a bit of trouble.”

He didn't explain further who this "old man" was, but Orochimaru's eyes flickered slightly. Combining Sasuke's previously revealed Rinnegan, the means by which he revived himself, and his current unfathomable level, he already had a vague but astonishing guess in his mind.

The Sage of Six Paths?

He stopped asking questions and instead focused his gaze on the center of the failed spell, lost in thought.

At that moment, Sasuke's voice rang out again, breaking the silence.

"Orochimaru, you will lead the team to Konoha next." His instructions were clear and direct: "In the name of Otogakure, officially join the soon-to-be-formed Allied Shinobi Forces."

He paused, a deeper meaning creeping into his voice: "At the same time, remember to remind them—to be prepared to face those historically renowned ninja heroes. To be prepared to be enemies of the spirits of their ancestors."

"Oh?" Orochimaru smiled knowingly, his hoarse voice trailing off, "Sasuke-kun has certainly given me a tough problem. After all, my teacher, the Third Hokage, died at my hands. I doubt Konoha will welcome someone like me easily."

He spoke of the difficult problem, but his expression showed no sign of distress; instead, he seemed more concerned about another issue.

problem?

Your problems go beyond just the affairs of Konoha.

Or rather, you have more than just a few undeserved accusations against you.

Sasuke glanced at Orochimaru with amusement.

Orochimaru, unaware of Sasuke's thoughts, licked his lips and asked with interest, "Sasuke-kun, can you tell me... what exactly is that old man planning to do?"

Although it wasn't explicitly stated, both of them knew perfectly well that "old man" referred to the Sage of Six Paths.

The player's side is strictly limited in summoning an army of reanimated creatures, while the enemy's side may not be subject to this restriction.

This seemingly "biased" rule puzzled even someone as shrewd as Orochimaru.

Sasuke met Orochimaru's probing gaze directly and slowly gave his answer.

"Because this is a trial, a collective trial for the entire ninja world."