Start with a Zanpakuto and build the strongest Mist Village.

"There's nothing we can do. Shikkotsu Forest, Ryuchi Cave, and Mt. Myoboku are all ancient holy sites that have existed in the ninja world for thousands of years. Your Shadow Island has just been established. Even with my backing, it will be quite difficult for you to catch up with the three holy sites. We can only take a shortcut."

"Furthermore, you should understand why I asked you, the Shadow Immortal, to establish this Shadow Isles."

Maitreya felt a pang of unease; how could he not understand the meaning of the night?

The so-called Shadow Island is nothing more than a pretext for Minazuki Yoru to promote the power of the Shinigami.

He claims that anyone with a destined connection can join the Shadow, but what he truly desires is to spread this power of death throughout the entire ninja world!

This would completely overturn the chakra tradition passed down by the Sage of Six Paths!

Chapter 175 Orochimaru has come to surrender!

The existence of chakra is, for the current ninja world, a Damocles' sword hanging over their heads.

During Boruto's time, the power of chakra was completely incapable of causing any harm to the extraterrestrials. Using chakra to attack those Otsutsuki was like trying to drown a fish.

Whether it's to fight against the Otsutsuki clan or to deal with that guy, the Sage of Six Paths, curbing the spread of chakra is essential.

The best way to prevent something from spreading is to replace it with something else!

……

"What should I do...?"

Ringo Yuri stared blankly at the people coming and going on the streets of Kirigakure, poking at the fried food in her bowl with her bamboo chopsticks until it was a mess.

Of the four former captains of the first squad of the Dark Division, only she remains, and she still looks the same now.

Actually, to be precise, it's only been three or four years since the Third World War. In that short time, Ringo Ameyuri went from being a squad leader in the Dark Guard to a squad leader in the Dark Guard, reaching the position she held before Night. For an ordinary person, this is definitely a significant improvement.

However, compared to Hozuki Mangetsu, Touna Yukiko, and Uzumaki Yumi, this is really not enough.

However, Ringo Yuri had never paid much attention to this until a few days ago, when Yoru said those words, which made her feel extremely uneasy.

She may not care about her position, and she may not care about the messy things of the Ringo clan, but she cannot ignore Ye's opinion and evaluation of her.

She has already disappointed Ye!

"I can't go on like this. I have to grow up and become stronger!"

"I want to gain Lord Yoru's approval, and I want to catch up with Mitsuki, Yukiko, and the others!"

"But what should I do?!"

To gain immense power in a short period of time is not something that can be achieved through arduous training alone. Moreover, given her aptitude, even if she spent all her time in the Hidden Mist Duel Tower, burying herself in rigorous training, her ultimate growth limit would only be the level of the original Seven Ninja Swords.

This is far from enough, and it will take far too long!

She needs some special methods.

As the saying goes, the poor rely on mutation, the rich rely on technology, and she, Yu Youli…

"Sister Yuri?"

A surprised voice rang out, bringing Yuri back to her senses. Looking at the little girl who only reached her chest, she forced a smile: "It's Anko. You did a great job on the bandit suppression mission the other day."

"Hehe, it's just a small B-rank mission. If you ask me, Kisame-sensei could totally give us some A-rank missions!"

Red Bean, quite naturally friendly, sat down opposite Yu Yuri and ordered, "Two bowls of red bean soup, four servings of fried dumplings, and one more... uh, a tempura set meal!"

The continuous stream of food drew the attention of many customers, but the restaurant owner and Yuri were not surprised at all, clearly already used to it.

"Your appetite is as good as ever."

Yu Yuli said with some envy, "If only I could eat like this and not gain weight, I could enjoy delicious food without any restraint and not care about body management at all. It's really enviable, Red Bean."

"Hehe, I can't help it, I get hungry if I don't eat."

Red Bean scratched his head and chuckled, but it was this action that made Yu Yuri notice the black magatama mark below his neck.

Is it because of the cursed seal?

Yuri raised an eyebrow, not at all surprised.

She knew about Anko's situation. Anko was Orochimaru's personal disciple and was originally intended to be a stepping stone for Orochimaru's arrival in Kirigakure. However, she didn't expect that the disciple would come while the master did not.

At first, Hongdou was very scared and worried, but to her surprise, she adapted very well and blended perfectly into the mist.

and many more!

Cursed Seal!

Yuri seemed to have thought of something, and her eyes suddenly lit up.

As the captain of the first squad of the Dark Division, Yuri had naturally read the information about the cursed seal.

The so-called curse seal is to seal natural energy into the human body, thereby enabling the person to control natural energy and enter the 'mimicry immortal mode' to obtain powerful combat strength.

The reason why Anko was able to be assigned to Kisame's command by Yoru, along with Zabuza and Hobo, was not only because she was Orochimaru's disciple, but also because during her time in Kirigakure, she had gradually become accustomed to the power of the cursed seal.

"If I could also obtain this power..."

A glint of light flashed in Yu Yuri's eyes.

Of course, Yu Yuri didn't want to go to Orochimaru and have that guy bite her, but rather the natural energy within the cursed seal!

Since Yoru refused to let anyone join the Seireitei and become a Shinigami, natural energy can also greatly enhance a person's combat power in a short period of time. If she could also obtain natural energy, then her strength would inevitably be greatly enhanced as well.

By then, even Lord Ye will look at me with new respect!

"red beans."

Yuri suddenly spoke up, startled by the sight of red bean soup and meatballs, then quickly finished a bowl and wiped her mouth: "What's wrong, Yuri-neechan?"

"It may be offensive, but... may I see your curse mark?"

There is currently no method for cultivating natural energy in Kirigakure, and the best way to come into contact with this power is to find the three legendary holy sites.

Of course, the three holy lands are extremely elusive and nowhere to be found, but the curse mark on Anko's body contains a rich amount of natural energy, including some Sage Chakra from Ryuchi Cave.

If one can sense this power, or directly reverse the spiritual connection, then there might be a chance to go to Ryuchi Cave!

Upon hearing the sensitive and unusual term "cursed seal," Anko paused slightly, then nonchalantly revealed her fair neck to Yuuri, where three jet-black tomoe stood facing each other like the three-tomoe Sharingan.

"Na."

"Thank you for your help, Red Bean."

Ringo Ameyuri took a deep breath and placed her hand on the curse mark.

Chakra surged, and Yuri carefully sensed the power within the cursed seal.

Cold, strange, deep...

In an instant, Yuri felt the special nature of the cursed seal chakra. It felt as if she had stepped into a cold, damp, dark snake pit and was being watched by countless venomous snakes!

Yuri suppressed the strange feeling. This cursed chakra was very unpleasant to her senses, but its strength was undeniable, and its characteristics were very much in line with 'natural energy'.

"Next, we just need to guide this energy slightly, using reverse channeling..."

"Buzz!"

Before Yu Yuri could make a move, the cursed seal suddenly glowed red, and Anko frowned, instinctively pulling away from Yu Yuri's hand and clutching her neck in pain.

Yuri was somewhat at a loss. Even if her actions might provoke resistance from the chakra within the cursed seal, she hadn't even made a move yet...

"Red Bean, how are you feeling...?"

Hongdou's brows were furrowed, and her small face even turned deathly pale from the pain emanating from the cursed seal.

But at this moment, she paid no attention to the pain. Instead, she suddenly stood up and looked out onto the street, as if searching for something.

No matter how much she looked around and searched, the figure she longed for day and night never appeared. At the same time, the pain from the cursed seal began to subside.

"There's no mistake, this feeling... Lord Orochimaru, you really haven't forgotten Anko..."

"But you've appeared in the Hidden Mist now..."

"Red Bean, you..."

"It's not your fault, Yuri-neechan."

Red Bean shook her head, pondered for a moment, and then said seriously, "Sister Yuri, you should know that my cursed seal was set up by my teacher, Lord Orochimaru. It not only contains natural energy, but also a portion of Lord Orochimaru's chakra."

"Therefore, I can sense Lord Orochimaru's presence to a certain extent, so..."

"You mean Orochimaru is in Kirigakure right now?!"

Yu Yuri's expression turned serious: "I understand. You go back and rest first. I'll go and report to Lord Mizukage right away!"

"Ok!"

Yuri vanished in an instant. Anko touched the curse mark on her neck, bit her red lips, and let out a complex sigh.

Although Lord Orochimaru is very important, I was also really happy during my time in Kirigakure.

So... I'm sorry, Lord Orochimaru!

……

"This research progress is truly astonishing. It's only been a year or two since we last met. How could you have achieved this level of research, both in bloodline limits and in the modification of the soul?"

"It's just a normal accumulation of scientific and technological knowledge, a stage of breakthrough after reaching a certain level, and it can't be considered a great achievement."

Inside the bloodline limit laboratory, Yoru casually put down the container in his hand and looked up with great interest at Orochimaru, who had been brought by Tsunade and was wearing the Akatsuki uniform with a black robe and red cloud pattern.

"I just fought with the leader of Akatsuki a while ago. Now, it's not just Kirigakure, but also Konoha and Sunagakure. Three of the five great nations are issuing warrants for Akatsuki members."

"You've swaggered into my Mizukage's office like this, aren't you afraid I'll just arrest you and send you to Konoha?"

"You, who have long since shifted your focus from lowly matters like ninja villages to the entire ninja world, all of humanity, and chakra and soul, shouldn't have such low-level, perverse interests, right?" Orochimaru grinned, licking his lips with his long tongue. "Besides, we made a promise back then, Fourth Mizukage."

"Indeed, I did send you an invitation, but you turned around and disappeared without a trace."

"They're setting up a ninja village here and getting into the Akatsuki organization there. They don't seem to care about Kirigakure at all."

"...Indeed, given the current situation, I should have come directly to you after I left Konoha."

Orochimaru shook his head, seemingly reflecting on everything that had happened over the past few years: "However, I don't regret my choices too much. Whether it was creating the ninja village or joining the Akatsuki organization, they both brought me different experiences and gains."

"Then why did you come here?"

Night leaned back against the Mizukage's seat, looking at Orochimaru in front of him: "Using the Impure World Reincarnation to exploit Tsunade's weakness, thereby negotiating with her to gain entry into Kirigakure to meet me, and revealing her regret for not joining Kirigakure back then... Do you think I'll give you another chance?"

"As long as the price is right, none of this is a problem, is it?"

"Interesting." Ye raised an eyebrow slightly. "What can you give me?"

"Intelligence on the Akatsuki organization."

Orochimaru paused, realizing that this thing wasn't of much value to Ye.

Even Nagato, the leader of Akatsuki, suffered a crushing defeat at Yoru's hands. What value is the intelligence of this organization?

"I think the reason why Lord Mizukage extended an invitation to me back then was because he valued me for who I am," Orochimaru licked his lips and spoke in his very distinctive voice. "So, even today, the value that you valued in me should still be there."

Night didn't speak, but gently tapped the laboratory table.

Even though he now possesses two top research talents, Yukiko and Yumi, Orochimaru's scientific wisdom, research thinking, and endless pursuit of knowledge are what he has always valued.

While Kirigakure's research progress far surpasses Orochimaru's, this is all thanks to the massive resources Yoru uses to build up.

They provided funds and manpower to Danzo and Orochimaru based on their original research progress.

Now, with the addition of the body of an abandoned Otsutsuki for research, even a pig could probably fly in the sky under these circumstances.

"The self-recommendation of the three ninjas is quite attractive."

Night casually tossed an experimental project to Orochimaru: "But since you want to join now, show me your abilities first."

"This is……"

Orochimaru squinted and opened the experimental record in his hand.

With just one glance, the pupils of Leng Jun, the most rational and sensible of the three ninjas, suddenly contracted, and then his expression turned incredibly fiery.

"The fusion of the Kaguya and Hyuga clans can actually give birth to power of this level?!"

"There's nothing strange about this."

Ye said calmly, "Overuse of the Mangekyou Sharingan will gradually cause your eyes to lose their sight. However, when the power of the Senju and Uchiha clans merges, the cost of using the Mangekyou Sharingan can be greatly reduced. You know this."

"Because both are ninja clans and descendants of the Sage of Six Paths, Hagoromo Otsutsuki, when these two forces merge, a certain degree of atavism will occur."

"Similarly, the same applies to the Kaguya clan and the Hyuga clan."