Kazama's display of his Ika (Strange Fire) had completely shattered their understanding of the world.
"Kazama-sama, could I possibly have a wisp of your Yōhi (Yang Fire) to take back and study?"
"Sure thing!"
At Orochimaru's request, Kazama promptly sealed a trace of Yōhi into a scroll and handed it over.
Orochimaru was floored by how readily Kazama agreed.
"Orochimaru, I'm not giving you this Yōhi for free. Your next task is to recruit and build up the strength of Otogakure. You can study this Yōhi and use it to heal the wounds of those loyal to me. But listen up—don't misuse it. When you run out, come back and ask for more."
Kazama's plan was to turn Orochimaru's Otogakure into his own personal armed force.
That's why he'd previously sent Zabuza and others to live there.
His dream was to expand Otogakure into a powerhouse ninja village, rivaling Konoha or Sunagakure.
"You can count on me, Kazama-sama. I'll make it happen!"
"By the way, did you take care of that task I gave you—dealing with Kabuto?"
"Uh… my apologies! Kabuto, that bastard, teamed up with Sasori and Deidara. I couldn't take on all three of them at once, so…"
Orochimaru scratched his head awkwardly as he explained.
"You didn't complete the mission, and you still have the nerve to ask me for Yōhi?"
Kazama chuckled to himself, half-scolding.
But he knew Sasori and Deidara were formidable. It was no surprise Orochimaru struggled against them alone.
"Fine, I get it. Since I've already rescued Naruto and foiled Kabuto's plot, let's call this matter closed for now. You and Kimimaro head back."
"But Kazama-sama, I heard four of the Sound Five—Kidōmaru and the others—have genuinely defected to Kabuto. They're currently fighting the Konoha ninja who came here. Should I step in and take them out?"
"No need, Orochimaru-sama. I'll handle those four losers myself!"
"This time, I'll take them on alone. I've got some business with them anyway."
Kazama knew that absorbing four more ninjutsu would unlock a new Ika: the Nine Dragons Thunder Flame.
Kidōmaru and the others were the perfect stepping stones for that goal.
"As you command!"
Though Orochimaru and Kimimaro didn't know why Kazama wanted to deal with Kidōmaru's group, they didn't dare question him and promptly left.
"Orochimaru-sama, just who is Kazama-sama? He's way too incredible!"
On their way back, Kimimaro couldn't help but ask Orochimaru, his curiosity bubbling over.
"When I fought him before, not only was his defense insane, but he could also use my Shikotsumyaku. And now he's wielding this Ika we've never even heard of. Kazama-sama is like a god!"
"You haven't seen the half of Kazama-sama's power. If you had, you'd realize the moves he's shown so far are just child's play!"
Orochimaru's mind flashed back to Kazama's Kurei Chika (Turtle Spirit Earth Flame) and Yamata no Orochi.
Even now, the memory gave him chills.
"Kimimaro, stick with Kazama-sama and serve him well. The future with him is limitless!"
"Absolutely!"
Meanwhile, elsewhere…
Facing the aggressive Sound Four, Neji was battered and bruised but refused to give up.
He had to protect Shikamaru, Shino, Kiba, and Chōji, who were equally battered behind him.
"Die!"
"Kaiten! Damn it!"
Neji tried to use Kaiten to block, but the next moment, he collapsed.
His chakra was completely drained—he was powerless to keep spinning.
"Accept your fate! Genin are just pawns. Why else would Konoha send trash like you on this mission?"
"Suiton: Suiryūdan no Jutsu!"
At that critical moment, a powerful water dragon surged forward, shielding Neji and the others from the attack.
"Konoha would never treat its Genin as pawns! The ones who need to accept their fate are you!"
Neji broke into a relieved smile. The one who'd arrived was none other than Sanada Kazama—the man who could take on ten thousand foes single-handedly.