Start with a Zanpakuto and build the strongest Mist Village.

When you become curious about a person or a thing, you will subconsciously pursue it until you fall into the trap it has set and can't extricate yourself.

Night returned to the chaotic city of Chitang and found a somewhat nervous and fearful Sarah.

The once warm and pleasant city of Chitang was transformed into a frozen wasteland in an instant. Countless tourists, and even local residents, fled in panic, causing the Loulan Queen to feel uneasy.

Fortunately.

The Loulan Queen, who had seen through everything, understood that even if something truly happened, she could only rely on Ye. Therefore, as chaos began to rise, she calmly reassured her Loulan people and silently awaited Ye's return.

“Well done, that’s how a queen should act.”

Ye praised, "If Sara had shown this attitude earlier, the ancient Loulan Kingdom would not be in this state."

"Let's go, it's time to return to the Land of Water."

"Ah."

Sarah nodded and beckoned the Loulan survivors to continue their journey.

But soon, both Ye and Sarah noticed that there were two figures hanging far behind their convoy.

"This……"

"Don't worry about him, he's just a bored person with nothing better to do and full of curiosity." Ye waved his hand and said nonchalantly, while taking out a scroll.

"We are about to enter the land of water. Regarding you, and the resettlement plan for the Loulan people, there are currently two options."

"The first thing is to integrate into Kirigakure and become a member of this big family. Many of the descendants of Loulan have the potential to become ninjas. Whether you become a ninja or do something else in the future, that's all fine."

"Secondly, I will send you to the Water City, where the daimyo will grant you household registration in the Land of Water, and at the same time..."

"I choose the first one!"

Sarah did not hesitate at all.

The Hidden Mist Village holds an extremely special position in the current ninja world.

Since Kirigakure's crushing defeat of Konoha in the Third Shinobi World War and the signing of an alliance treaty with Konoha, Kirigakure's status in the shinobi world has become extremely prominent.

In addition, Sara also learned about the changes in Mist Village along the way.

The horrifying Blood Mist policy of the past has disappeared, replaced by a completely reformed Mist Shadow.

Joining such a village is an incredible stroke of luck for the Loulan survivors. What is there to hesitate about?

"Alright, then you can come straight back to the village with me."

Seeing that Sara had made a decision, Ye said nothing more. After arriving at the port of the Land of Soup, he chartered a ship and embarked on a journey home with the remnants of Loulan.

But behind it, a small boat followed closely...

……

The Land of Wind, within the Hidden Sand Village.

This village, standing in the desert, has been desolate for many years. The scarcity of resources has led them to wage war several times in their struggle for a better living environment.

Unfortunately, the Sand Village gained very little from each war, except for the loss of its own elite troops.

After the Fourth Kazekage took office and implemented the Blood Sand Policy, not only did the living environment remain unchanged, but the lives of the people in the entire village became even more arduous.

But all the Sand Villages believed that this was just the darkness before dawn, and that they, like the Hidden Mist Village, would be reborn from the ashes and emerge from their cocoons like butterflies!

On the top of the Fengying Building.

As always, Obito Uchiha wore his vortex mask, looking down at the smiling Sunagakure leaders who welcomed Hozuki Mangetsu back to the village.

A faint wriggling sound came from underground. Obito withdrew his gaze and focused on the half-black, half-white Zetsu that had emerged.

"Konoha has completely denied any involvement in the theft of the Dragon Vein. Minato Namikaze even offered to assist Sunagakure in searching for the Dragon Vein," Black Zetsu said in a deep voice.

Obito Uchiha remained unmoved and sneered, "What thief would admit to being a thief?"

Black Zetsu's unique and hoarse voice rang out: "However, he agreed to Minazuki Yoru's proposal and was willing to support various infrastructure projects in the Land of Water, the Land of Fire, and the Land of Wind, including the super cross-sea bridge and the East-to-West water diversion project. The specific share of these projects can be discussed in detail."

Obito sneered, completely unsurprised.

Geographical location dictates that cooperation between the Land of Water and the Land of Wind inevitably involves the Land of Fire. Minato Namikaze's agreement was clearly not out of kindness, nor was it because he saw the Land of Wind as too impoverished and wanted to offer assistance.

As a top-level engineering project between two major powers, Konoha could reap countless profits simply by getting involved. Most importantly, it could also monitor the various connections between the two powers in real time, thus seizing the opportunity to act.

The world is a bustling place, everyone is driven by profit!

"Tell Minato Namikaze that having the Land of Fire join us is another boost to our project with the Land of Water, but the specific share needs to be discussed carefully."

Obito spoke in a cold voice: "In the name of the Fourth Kazekage, I propose that, for the sake of friendly cooperation among the three countries, I sincerely invite the Fourth Mizukage and the Fourth Hokage to discuss cooperation projects in detail."

"Let's set the location in the Land of Iron."

The Land of Iron?

So formal?

Black Zetsu stared at Obito in surprise. Was this really a plan to vigorously develop the Land of Wind?

"Where's the time?"

"Considering the political affairs of everyone involved, as well as the specific discussions on the project, the time is set for three months from now."

Three months later.

Black Zetsu suddenly realized.

The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki was already pregnant six months ago, and three months later, she was basically due to give birth.

Obito is trying to take advantage of the Three Kage Summit to deal with the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki!

Black Zetsu was a little excited.

Although there is still no news of the five tailed beasts, including the three-tailed, four-tailed, etc., it would be ideal to take down the Nine-Tails, the most powerful of the tailed beasts, first.

"By the way, there's been some trouble with Nagato."

As if he had thought of something, Zetsu suddenly said, "With Kakuzu's departure, there is another vacancy in the Akatsuki's membership. Nagato wants us to find some suitable targets to recruit into the Akatsuki."

"Xiao?"

Obito pondered in a deep voice.

The Akatsuki's membership has always been a major problem. Due to Nagato's high standards for members and the Akatsuki's current unique situation, those who can join the organization are all powerful rogue ninja who have defected from various ninja villages.

Normally, such a person would be easy to find at this special time after the Third Shinobi World War, but unfortunately, there's a guy like Kakuzu in the organization.

One by one, the pre-selected members of the organization were sent to the underground exchange by Kakuzu and exchanged for sacks and sacks of banknotes.

The key point is that Kakuzu is also very sensible. When he exchanges money, he will split it 30/70, keeping the smaller 30% for himself and handing over the remaining 70% to the organization as organizational funds.

Such a sensible approach left Nagato speechless, and he could only continue searching for members.

Not long ago, both Kakuzu and Sasori met with setbacks. Although Sasori successfully returned to the Akatsuki organization through Obito's efforts, Kakuzu could never return.

The vacancies need to be filled, but deciding who to fill them is indeed a problem.

"Do you have a suitable target?"

“It’s a bit difficult. Currently, Nagato only has two candidates.” Black Zetsu said in a deep voice, “One is Hiruko, an A-rank rogue ninja from Konoha. Nagato had contact with him when he was collecting Six Paths Puppets and discovered that he had mastered a special research fusion ninjutsu called ‘Oni-Gera.’”

"This technique can fuse with bloodline limits to a certain extent, which can greatly increase one's combat power, so Nagato has taken notice of it."

A-rank rogue ninja?

The technique of Oni-Garara, which combines bloodline limits?

Obito scoffed at him.

Bloodline limits are incredibly violent and powerful. To fuse with a bloodline, ordinary methods are simply not possible. How could an A-rank rogue ninja possess such a level of skill?

Obito didn't care about Hiruko at all: "And the second one?"

"It's Orochimaru."

Black Zetsu said in a low voice.

Orochimaru...

Obito remained silent, lost in thought.

Orochimaru is indeed a good choice.

Whether in terms of status or ability, Orochimaru, as one of the Legendary Sannin, the commander-in-chief of the Konoha front-line army, a disciple of the Third Hokage, and a former candidate for the Fourth Hokage, has already stood at the pinnacle of the ninja world.

Most importantly, Orochimaru is also a top scientist and expert in human experimentation!

If we could recruit this guy into the Akatsuki organization, it would definitely play a significant role in the organization's future development.

Putting everything else aside, Nagato's body, which had been reduced to a skeleton due to the pressure of the Gedo Mazo, and his ruined legs, would have a chance to be repaired and healed if Orochimaru could help him.

What? You're asking why we didn't let White Zetsu make a move?

Because of Mizukiyo's interference, Nagato had long harbored resentment towards Obito and White Zetsu. Although the two sides have started cooperating at this stage, the probability of White Zetsu touching Nagato's physical body is basically zero.

“Orochimaru is indeed a good choice,” Obito suddenly asked. “Do you know where he is right now?”

"The Land of Fields".

White Zetsu, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke up: "He has many experimental bases all over the ninja world. He used to run around to various laboratories, but he returned to the Land of Rice Fields some time ago. It seems that he has the idea of ​​establishing a ninja village."

"Establish a ninja village?"

Obito was somewhat taken aback, then let out a sneer: "That guy probably lost the election for the Fourth Hokage and is planning to start his own village outside to heal his wounded heart, right? The leader of the ninja village in the Land of Rice Fields? The Village Chief?"

“Uh, it seems he wants to call his ninja village ‘Sound Village,’ so calling him ‘Sound Shadow’ would be more appropriate,” White Zetsu said in a low voice.

"Hehe, alright, then let's go meet this 'Sound and Shadow'."

The dimly lit laboratory was filled with petri dishes and experimental instruments.

In addition, the laboratory contained various nutrient chambers emitting a ghostly green light, swollen chunks of flesh soaking inside, and a series of indescribable substances.

Even so, the entire laboratory did not look messy at all; on the contrary, it had a special sense of tidiness.

Orochimaru, dressed in a white lab coat, intently observed the changes on the culture dish and the fusion ratio of various cells. While studying, Orochimaru also picked up a scroll and carefully compared it.

Through the laboratory lights, one could see several titles on the scroll: "Organ Bloodline Connection Points - Touna Yukiko & Minazuki Yoru".

"Besides the Senju and Uchiha cells, the Hyuga and Kaguya clan cells can also achieve a certain degree of balance. Has that guy, Mizuki Yoru, really researched bloodlines to this extent?!"

After a long while, Orochimaru raised his head with an incredulous expression, his golden vertical pupils looking at the scroll as if he had discovered some incredible treasure.

This was a part of the experimental records and successes that Orochimaru had received from the people of Kirigakure not long ago. Orochimaru began the experiment with a skeptical attitude, but the contents were more accurate than he had imagined.

Clearly, what Wuyin gave him was real and accurate.

But it is precisely because of this that Orochimaru felt an endless curiosity.

The fact that they were able to give this thing directly to Orochimaru means that Kirigakure's research has already moved beyond this stage and entered a deeper level, and has already yielded certain results.

Otherwise, there would be no reason for Kirigakure to have successfully completed these invaluable researches and then simply give them to him for free!

"Not only in terms of the soul, but also in terms of bloodline limit, you are already at the forefront of the ninja world, Mizuki Yoru."

Orochimaru trembled slightly, and the light in his eyes grew even brighter.

But it wasn't jealousy, it was excitement!

Orochimaru is lonely.

He was once a genius of Konoha, and he was surrounded by people with equally outstanding talents, such as Tsunade and Jiraiya.

But when he had the idea of ​​'learning all the ninjutsu in the world' and 'achieving immortality,' which seemed like madness to the world, his path had already drifted further and further away from his former companions. And after he failed to be elected the Fourth Hokage, there was no turning back!

Once Orochimaru embarked on this path, he kept walking forward, and the further he went, the lonelier he felt.

He couldn't even find anyone to talk to, let alone fellow travelers.

Until the appearance of Minazukiyo.

"You've completely surpassed me, haven't you, Minazuki Yoru..."

Orochimaru murmured to himself, overwhelmed with emotion, completely unaware that Minazuki Yoru's research achievements were all based on the support of his good teammate Danzo.

In fact, both sides were on the same starting line during World War III.

But as time went by, Yoru, who had already taken power in Kirigakure, fully supported Yukiko's scientific research, providing her with money, manpower, and experimental resources as needed.

On the other hand, what about Orochimaru?

After conquering the Land of Wind, they will conquer the Land of Earth. After conquering the Land of Earth, they will hold elections.