"Tsk tsk... I thought you'd run away as soon as you got out?"
Orochimaru's mockery didn't get a response from Shukaku. Instead, it really started to turn its head and flee.
Dust swirled, and the sand flowed in a vortex around Shukaku's massive body, instantly forming a giant Uzumaki.
Among the ninjas present, except for Kazekage Rasa floating in the air on golden clouds and Shisui stabilizing himself with Susanoo, everyone else quickly retreated.
Just as Shukaku was half-sunk into the desert, the swirling sand eye suddenly froze. The yellow sand even rolled upwards, giving Shukaku a thick mask.
"The desert is not your ally."
Orochimaru stood in the palm of Susanoo, looking down at the unwilling Shukaku, and laughed, "After these few encounters, I thought you would have realized this fact."
Shukaku glared, speechless.
It wasn't that it didn't understand what Orochimaru meant, but it refused to accept the reality that no matter how it escaped, it would be caught by the other party.
Even now, it hadn't given up struggling.
Although human ninjas had good fighting power, they generally had very little Chakra. If the opponent weakened, it still had a chance.
The Orochimaru in front of it clearly had this problem. At least in its perception, its Chakra level was even lower than Kazekage Rasa's.
Noticing Shukaku's sidelong glance, Orochimaru chuckled softly.
Although it didn't know what the other party was thinking, this clone was made for combat. Although it had suffered some damage, it was far from its limit.
"Lord Kazekage, please hand me the ninja tool for sealing."
Orochimaru turned to look at the figure in the air.
Rasa glanced at Gaara, who was still lying in Susanoo, unconscious and in an unknown state. He waved his hand behind him.
A Sand Ninja instantly moved forward and appeared before Susanoo, handing over the clay pot in his hand.
The yellow sand rose and grew, lifting the clay pot. Orochimaru took it and looked at the patterns on it, clicking his tongue.
He had originally thought it was like the sealing ninja tools of Kumogakure, passed down from the Sage of Six Paths era. He didn't expect it to be a fake, no wonder it couldn't seal Shukaku for long.
However, the craftsman who made this thing back then was truly remarkable.
Looking at Shukaku, who was becoming more and more restless, Orochimaru placed the clay pot in front of him with one hand and conjured dense curses on the other, saying, "Four Symbols Sealing · Seal!"
Instantly, a complex sealing formula lit up on the clay pot, and those curses seemed to have life force, spreading outwards from the clay pot until Shukaku was completely enveloped.
Shukaku's massive body seemed to flow like water, rolling back and converging on the source. In a short while, it was completely swallowed by the clay pot.
Orochimaru held the sealed clay pot, let out a long breath, and a smile appeared on his face.
Seeing that Shukaku had been completely sealed, Shisui also dispelled Susanoo, and the two of them landed steadily on the sand.
At this moment, Kazekage Rasa arrived with a group from Sunagakure. His gaze fell on Gaara on the ground. Seeing that he was breathing steadily and showing no signs of exhaustion like a normal Jinchuriki after their tailed beast was extracted, he nodded slightly. …
"Orochimaru, you actually did it?"
Grandma Chiyo's expression was a little complicated, but soon her gaze fell on the clay pot.
"However, you might not know that this sealing ninja tool has some flaws. After returning it to Sunagakure, we need to check it again to confirm how many days the seal can last."
Orochimaru glanced at Chiyo, his lips twitching, and moved the sealed clay pot to his side.
This move clearly showed that he did not intend to hand Shukaku back to Sunagakure.
Grandma Chiyo's face instantly darkened, "My Sunagakure has already agreed to your alliance conditions. What does this mean?"
If they thought they could make unreasonable demands because Sunagakure Village was currently at a disadvantage, they were underestimating them too much.
"The reason is simple. If I give it to you, I'm afraid you won't be able to keep it."
Orochimaru's gaze shifted to Tagorihime, who smiled and made a hand seal, sinking into the ground. After a while, she brought up a White Zetsu clone.
"Is this the same kind of spy as before?"
Grandma Chiyo knitted her brows, "When did this happen? Didn't you say that there were very few such things in the Land of Wind?"
If not for that, they wouldn't have believed Orochimaru's lies and would have been pushed into a dilemma.
"Yes, at least from what I saw when I came, this situation is very unusual."
Orochimaru glanced in the direction of the White Zetsu's path and smiled, "So, perhaps someone from the Akatsuki organization has arrived."
Grandma Chiyo's face turned grim upon hearing this.
There were two possibilities. The other party was led here by Orochimaru, but this theory didn't quite hold up, because their perception was so abnormal. If they wanted to follow someone without being discovered, it would be extremely difficult.
And if they just happened to meet Orochimaru, then what was their purpose?
Konoha and Sunagakure Village were allies. Yet, Orochimaru made arrangements for them without mercy. What about the Akatsuki organization, with whom they were not familiar?
Considering the current situation in the ninja world, it was not difficult to infer that either the other party had other malicious intentions, or they had come to force Sunagakure Village to take a side.
However, they might not have expected that Orochimaru would arrive one step earlier.
But even so, this was not a reason for Orochimaru not to return the One-Tailed Shukaku.
Sunagakure Village absolutely could not rely on Konoha to protect its tailed beast. If everyone accepted this, the village's morale would be scattered.
Orochimaru saw their persistence in the eyes of Chiyo, Rasa, and the others. He shook his head slightly and threw the sealed clay pot.
He didn't think they were foolish.
To reach the higher ranks of a great ninja village in the ninja world, a place like a breeding ground for monsters, no one was truly stupid. But to stand in their position, they couldn't just act on their own. Unless they were powerful enough to reverse opposition, or found an alternative path like Danzo, they would have to compromise.
After all, they didn't have a Genie Lamp to provide reliable information. Perhaps they were still holding onto a glimmer of hope that the Akatsuki organization had other plans, or even doubted if the information he provided was true.
However, none of this mattered to Orochimaru.
Even losing its One-Tail, Sunagakure Village would incur the wrath of the Akatsuki organization, and it would be easier to control. …
Let them be. After all, without his permission, the Akatsuki organization would never be able to collect all the tailed beasts.
"Since things are settled here, please prepare a place for us to rest, Lord Kazekage."
Orochimaru stretched his fingers, as if he had thought of something, and then smiled, "Forget the previous inn, the environment there wasn't very good."
"I will satisfy you."
Rasa nodded slightly. Seeing Shisui pick up the unconscious Gaara, he frowned, "What does this mean? Shukaku has been separated, why take him with you?"
"You don't think that's the end of it, do you?"
Orochimaru looked at the Kazekage and smiled, "Separating the tailed beast caused trauma to his soul. His body needs to be recuperated, otherwise, he'll be a cripple from now on."
That wouldn't be bad either... This thought flashed through Chiyo's mind, but she didn't say it out loud, as it would be too undignified.
But honestly, if that were the case, it might not be a bad choice for both Gaara and the village.
After all, his identity was too awkward. The more active he was in the future, the more spotlight would be cast on the village's flaws, which would be detrimental to the village's unity.
However, Orochimaru clearly wouldn't go along with Chiyo's intentions. He led the Konoha group towards Sunagakure Village.
…
Inside a guest house, Orochimaru snapped his fingers, waking up the unconscious Gaara, "How long are you still going to sleep?"
Although the soul damage needed time to heal, waking him up at this time might have some impact, but if it wasn't for too long, it would be fine.
On the bed, Gaara opened his eyes, his small face contorted as if he had stayed up until three or five in the morning and woken up at six, with a splitting headache.
But this was his daily life. Before long, Gaara adapted to his current negative state. When he recalled everything that had happened before, his pupils slightly contracted, and a spear made of sand suddenly shot out, aiming for his own throat.
Orochimaru slapped it away, laughing, "Little guy, what are you trying to do?"
"You said that after separating the tailed beast, I could die." Gaara looked at Orochimaru calmly.
"But by sharing this information with you and giving you the chance to die... It's obvious that you owe me a favor."
Orochimaru didn't hide his ugly face of seeking repayment for kindness, but then he changed his tone and smiled,
"However, that's not much. But even for your mother's sake, you really can't die right now."
"Why? I've already left Shukaku." Gaara's small face wrinkled. Although his head ached from time to time, this was the most relaxed he had felt since he was born.
"You should have heard what Shukaku said..."
Orochimaru glanced at the layer of sand that still covered Gaara.
"The souls of mortals are very fragile. Your mother's consciousness has been mostly erased."
"That's exactly why I need to die; she needs to rest," Gaara shouted.
"On the contrary, you need to live," Orochimaru smiled, "Not only do you need to live, but you need to become stronger, so your soul can nourish your mother."
"This... What do you mean by that?" Gaara's eyes widened. …
"Have you really not noticed? You were both severely injured together with Shukaku. Normally, people would probably be in a vegetative state by now."
Orochimaru's snake-like eyes fixed on Gaara, "But you can still move and speak, and even manipulate Chakra."
Gaara fell silent, not because he understood what Orochimaru was saying, but because his knowledge was limited, and he couldn't find a reason to refute.
In his perception, he should have had problems after being severely injured, but his brain was actually clearer now.
"The connection points my White Snake bit, including the part of Shukaku, have all been returned to you."
Orochimaru tapped Gaara's forehead, "The soul will be damaged, but it can also heal."
"In other words, there is a possibility of your mother's recovery."
Gaara fell silent upon hearing this. After a long time, he said, "But if I go to the Pure Land..."
His mother died when he was young, and his father was as good as dead. Gaara was very concerned about legends of death, even holding a somewhat fantastical expectation for it.
"Pure Land, heh... I've been there."
A smile appeared on Orochimaru's face, "There is no paradise there."
"You..." Gaara's face showed great shock.
"Of course, you can also consider what I say to be false."
Orochimaru patted Gaara's shoulder, "But are you going to take that gamble? Give up all your ability to resist and go to a completely unfamiliar place?"
This question was beyond Gaara's ability. He felt his mind in a mess and couldn't speak for a long time.
At this moment, there was a sudden "boom," and an explosion sound came from afar.
"Tsk..."
Orochimaru looked in that direction and chuckled, "It's not even been a night, this guy is really impatient."
Saying that, he turned his gaze back to Gaara, "Shukaku has been taken away by someone."
"What?"
Gaara was greatly surprised. Having been a Jinchuriki since birth, he understood Shukaku's significance to the village too well.
Orochimaru smiled, "What, do you want to go and witness the helpless look of Lord Kazekage and the other Sand Ninjas?"
"...No need."
Gaara looked up, "What do you want me to do for you?"
He had suffered greatly and was a smart child. Naturally, he wouldn't think that Orochimaru, who had planned so meticulously, would easily give him the method he wanted.
"...What to do?"
Orochimaru rubbed his chin and smiled, "How about, sleep well first?"
The 'insomnia' that happened to Gaara was a man-made defect. Now, after being replenished by the tailed beast's Chakra, the symptoms had been greatly reduced. At least, in the past, he wouldn't have been able to fall asleep so easily.
Gaara blinked slightly, but his neck was pressed by Orochimaru, and he immediately fell into a deep sleep.
"Knock, knock, knock..."
Not long after, there was a sudden knock on the door. Shisui's voice came from behind the door,
"Orochimaru-sama, someone from Sunagakure is here to see you."
"I will not see them," Orochimaru glanced at the chandelier in the room and smiled, "Just say that I have used too much energy today and have already gone to sleep. I am not receiving guests tonight."
He had already said what he needed to say. If Sunagakure came to find him now, it was nothing more than wanting him to help clean up the mess.
He wouldn't do that.
"Yes," Shisui responded and turned to leave.
…
Outside Sunagakure Village.
The air suddenly distorted, and Obito stepped out of the Uzumaki. He glanced at the clay pot in his hand and a smile appeared on his face.
On the sand, Zetsu poked his head out of a pitcher plant and also smiled, "Orochimaru was so unprepared. He really saved us a lot of trouble."
"You underestimate Orochimaru. He just doesn't care. Moreover, a Sunagakure Village that has lost its One-Tail is easier for him to control."
Obito looked back at Sunagakure Village and said slowly, "But Orochimaru will never know the true use of a tailed beast."
This was a gap in vision. No matter how strong Orochimaru was, he was just a frog in a well.
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