"That's not necessary," Djinn shrugged. "Like I said, they have a strange sense of time. Compared to that, your work seems more urgent."
Orochimaru didn't argue the point. In a blink, he vanished from the underground lab.
---
The sky was clear, dotted with soft clouds drifting under the blue dome.
Orochimaru appeared in the shadow beneath the towering Ninjutsu Selection Center. He formed hand seals.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
With a puff of white smoke, Tagorihime emerged, her figure graceful and poised. A teasing smile curled on her lips.
"You certainly made me wait long enough," she said. "If I didn't send a reminder, would we have waited forever?"
"It's not like that," Orochimaru replied calmly. "There've just been too many things demanding my attention."
As if on cue, the wind shifted and a masked ANBU—Kakashi—landed nearby. Kneeling on one knee, he announced, "Lord Orochimaru, the Hokage has summoned you. The elder advisors are already waiting."
Orochimaru glanced toward Tagorihime, as if to say: See? That's how it is.
"What a coincidence," she chuckled. "Almost like it was planned."
Kakashi, though puzzled by the presence of the mysterious woman, didn't pry. "Please proceed to the Hokage's office immediately. It seems urgent."
Orochimaru frowned slightly. Kakashi wasn't one to overreact, so whatever this was, it likely wasn't minor. But Tagorihime was no ordinary visitor either—leaving her unsupervised in Konoha could be dangerous.
After a pause, he turned to Kakashi. "The Hokage needs me. I'll leave Snake Princess in your care for now. Treat her with respect—don't neglect her."
Kakashi gave a curt nod. He knew exactly how dangerous this woman could be.
Orochimaru then turned back to Tagorihime. "You're free to walk around the village. Enjoy the food, the sights—but don't draw too much attention to yourself."
He glanced at her ornate outfit. "And change that. No one dresses like that in Konoha."
Tagorihime frowned. "Tsk… I quite like this outfit."
But under his gaze, she relented with a sigh. "Fine."
She closed her eyes and entered Sage Mode, her perception extending outward as she searched. Her vertical pupils narrowed.
"Found it."
With a pulse of natural energy, her elaborate robes shimmered and transformed—morphing into a standard Anbu-style kunoichi uniform.
"…That wasn't real clothing?" Orochimaru raised an eyebrow. Even Kakashi blinked, caught off guard.
"Of course not," she said lightly. "There's no room for clothing in Ryūchi Cave. Everything I wear is made from my scales."
Tugging at the Anbu gear with a smirk, she added, "So technically, I'm naked now."
"Childish," Orochimaru muttered, unimpressed.
He turned to Kakashi. "Keep a close eye on her. No trouble."
Kakashi nodded solemnly.
---
Hokage Building – Meeting Room
By the time Orochimaru arrived, Danzo and the village elders were already seated. The squad leader of the Ninja Division was also present. But what caught Orochimaru's attention was the unexpected presence of a kunoichi wearing Kusanagi Village's forehead protector.
He raised a brow.
Strange. If this was about the Takigakure incident, why is Kusanagi here instead?
He sat across from Nara Shikaku, eyes thoughtful. As the room quieted, the Third Hokage spoke.
"Envoy of Kusanagi, please recount your understanding of the matter."
The kunoichi stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
"I am Ryūlan, an elite jōnin representing the conservative faction of Kusanagi Village. Recently, our elders hired S-rank missing-nin to abduct the young jinchūriki of Taki Village."
None of the Konoha elders reacted with surprise. Inter-village conflict wasn't uncommon. And while Takigakure was technically allied with Konoha, their support during Konoha's crises had been minimal. There was little obligation to intervene now.
Ryūlan continued solemnly, "According to our investigation, the real reason behind the kidnapping is that our elders intend to open a legendary artifact—the Box of Ultimate Bliss."
Her expression darkened. "That box is dangerous. It absorbs chakra endlessly. They intend to feed it with the tailed beast's power. I beg you—help stop them."
"The Box of Bliss…" Koharu muttered. "A mysterious box that grants wishes… and needs immense chakra to function?"
Ryūlan nodded. "According to legend, the last person who opened it nearly conquered the entire ninja world."
Everyone in the room looked skeptical—except Orochimaru.
Conquer the ninja world?
Even Hashirama hadn't done that. Coming from Kusanagi Village, it sounded like a joke. But no one openly laughed—it would be rude in front of a guest.
The Third Hokage nodded thoughtfully. "This is serious. We'll discuss this. Please rest while we deliberate."
As Ryūlan left the room, still firm in her belief, the Third turned to the others.
"Well? Thoughts?"
Koharu was the first to speak. "Forget the box. What concerns me more is that both Takigakure and Kusanagi are playing with jinchūriki like toys."
She narrowed her eyes.
"Takigakure can't protect the Seven-Tails anymore. Kusanagi isn't trustworthy either. For the safety of the entire ninja world… Konoha should take custody of the beast."
_____________________
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