Hearing Orochimaru say this, the Third Hokage asked in surprise, "What do you want to do now?"
"In three days, I will resolve at least half of the remaining eighty spots."
Orochimaru held up one finger and smiled, "But right now, I don't have enough medical supplies."
"What happened that made you suddenly have this idea?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen was already worried about not having enough wooden ninjas. Naturally, he was happy to see Orochimaru do this, but he had to figure out the reason behind it.
"Many of the White Zetsu clones around the village have withdrawn, and only a few are left underground in the village."
Orochimaru presented the reason he had prepared beforehand and explained, "I suspect the Akatsuki organization has another operation, but regardless, this is a good opportunity now."
As he spoke, he marked the locations of the White Zetsu clones on the Konoha map spread on the table, numbering less than ten.
"It seems you've done a lot of work besides performing surgeries."
The Third Hokage nodded slightly; by now, he was no longer surprised by Orochimaru's dedication to the village.
"I will arrange for someone to deliver the medical supplies within the village to you immediately."
"There's something else to be aware of regarding this matter..." Orochimaru chuckled, "It's best if these things can be kept from the two elder advisors. The information leak last time in the meeting room cannot happen again."
"Mm." The Third Hokage looked up, his expression also a little strange. "I have my own arrangements for this matter."
To this day, the White Zetsu clones within Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura have not been removed.
The other party's method was indeed subtle and difficult for ordinary people to imagine. It was likely that White Zetsu was very confident in this information channel. In other words, as long as the two elder advisors were fooled, the Akatsuki organization would most likely be fooled as well.
This was beneficial for Konoha.
On the other hand, as long as the Akatsuki organization did not know they were exposed, they would not kill the goose that lays the golden eggs, so there was no need to worry about the safety of the elder advisors.
"Oh, and one more thing."
Orochimaru suddenly raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Later, I'll go see the Nine Tails Jinchuriki."
"Go ahead, you don't need to report to me. Wait..." Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes showed suspicion. "You're not just going to see him, are you?"
"While helping the One-Tails Jinchuriki in Sunagakure, I had some other ideas."
Orochimaru licked his lips. "Don't worry, it won't cause any major trouble, and it might even be beneficial for the Jinchuriki himself."
"Don't let your guard down."
Even though he received a promise from Orochimaru, the Third Hokage still gave his usual reminder, as was his duty as Hokage.
"Old man, don't worry." Orochimaru smiled slightly and disappeared in a puff of white smoke.
"Shadow Clone?" Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression shifted slightly.
He had been talking for so long at such close range and hadn't noticed. The Third Hokage didn't know if he should doubt his own strength.
"This Orochimaru, his strength is becoming more and more terrifying."
The growth period for ninjas is generally from around twelve or thirteen to before twenty-five or twenty-six, but this was not apparent in Orochimaru, as if he was getting stronger every day.
"But to use a Shadow Clone to see me... At least give me some face."…
...
Uzumaki Residence.
By the time Orochimaru arrived, the two youngsters had already finished dinner and were playing at home.
Both Karin and Naruto were very healthy, their energy at its peak, and they were just as troublesome as in the original timeline.
However, due to the presence of Uzumaki Aoi, most of this was turned into "family secrets," and they did not attract too much rejection from outsiders.
On the other hand, whether it was Naruto the fox demon or Karin the outsider, they were both protected by two "Konoha Sannin." If the villagers openly challenged them, how unobservant would they be?
Therefore, even though the two children lacked complete parents, they had grown to five or six years old with normal psychological states and were not so sensitive.
In the living room.
Uzumaki Aoi poured a cup of hot tea and placed it on the table. "Orochimaru-sama, please have some."
"You've taken very good care of Karin and Naruto."
Orochimaru watched the two playing a ninja game, nodded slightly, and then asked, "Have they started their ninja training yet?"
"Yes."
Uzumaki Aoi nodded in agreement, then quickly added, "This was guided by Jiraiya-sama, not something I did privately..."
"Alright, I'm not blaming you."
Orochimaru waved his hand, stood up, and went to the two children. He said to Naruto, "Little fellow, I need to talk to you about something."
Even though he had done much less actual fighting over the years, the change in his aura was not something that happened overnight.
In the current scene, it was enough to make children stop crying at night.
Little Naruto was perceptive, even more so than ordinary ninjas. He was obviously a little scared, but he forced himself to stand in front of Karin and said, "I don't know you."
"Heh, you're being too formal."
Orochimaru smiled slightly. "Besides your parents, I should be the first person to have held you."
Although he was not a participant in the Nine-Tails Rebellion, he witnessed the final ritual. It was also the time when he encountered the Genie Lamp that night, a rather meaningful night for him. Thinking about it now, he felt quite emotional.
"You know my parents?"
Naruto's eyes widened. In the village, even in this home, those two were treated as taboos, and no one would mention them.
"Who were they, and where are they now?"
Naruto's eyes were filled with urgency.
"Don't be so impatient, come with me first."
Orochimaru scooped up Naruto, who didn't resist, nodded to Uzumaki Aoi, and disappeared from his spot.
...
The night wind howled, and the moonlight was bright. The faces of the four Hokage statues on Mount Myōboku were different, but their expressions as they gazed at the village before them were all solemn.
Clearly, they were flesh-and-blood ninjas, but after being made into statues and admired, they seemed to have become lofty, like myths.
Orochimaru had no doubt that if that perverted Jiraiya or that gambler Tsunade were sculpted, they would also be portrayed as solemn and serious.
The Hokage were guardians perched on a divine altar in the hearts of the people. It would be rather strange for such figures to be associated with the unstable factor of a Tailed Beast container, causing the villagers who craved peace after enduring war to awaken from their self-hypnosis.
"Why did you bring me here?"…
Little Naruto was naturally not unfamiliar with this place. He even knew that they were currently standing on top of the Fourth Hokage's head and shouted,
"You still haven't answered my question: Who were my parents, and where are they now?"
"That, you can't know yet."
Orochimaru smiled meaningfully. At least until he shed the label of Tailed Beast container and truly became a Jinchuriki, this child did not even have the qualification to know who his parents were.
"Then when can I know?" Naruto was not discouraged and felt eager. "Do I have to undergo some trial like in a story?"
Orochimaru paused for a moment, then smiled, "It's about the same."
As he spoke, he pointed a finger at Naruto's forehead.
...
Drip, drip…
When Orochimaru opened his eyes again, he found himself in a sprawling sewer.
Dark, damp, and cold... The atmosphere here was very similar to Gaara's mind.
"Is this kid two-faced, hiding his deep thoughts..."
Orochimaru mused and muttered, "Or is there something wrong with this place itself?"
This required no thought. Orochimaru had some confidence in his own judgment. Even a straightforward person like Guy wouldn't be able to hide much.
Konoha had experienced war many times, and there were not a few single-parent families and orphans. In this regard, Naruto was by no means an anomaly. Even children were only incredibly stupid if they poked at others' scars in this area.
Uzumaki Aoi had indeed taken good care of Naruto.
The current scene was very intriguing.
"A mindscape is not just Naruto's mindscape."
The Genie Lamp popped its head out from the side and said with a smile, "Chakra has linked the two. While Naruto is living very comfortably under Uzumaki Aoi's care, the Nine-Tails within him is still a lonely fox trapped in a prison."
This statement was quite interesting, and Orochimaru couldn't help but laugh. "Fine, let's go meet this prisoner first."
The underground sewer was sprawling, but by following the Chakra reaction, Orochimaru soon arrived at his destination.
It was a huge prison cell. Compared to the crude, primitive cave-like scene within Gaara's body, this place appeared much sturdier.
On top of the heavy iron bars was a huge lock, and Orochimaru knew that it was a variation of the Four Symbols Sealing – the Eight Trigrams Seal made manifest.
"As expected of the strongest Tailed Beast."
Orochimaru looked up and down at the Nine-Tails on the other side of the cage and nodded slightly.
He had just seen the One-Tail Shukaku, and the impression was vastly different now.
"Orochimaru... Hmph!"
At this moment, the Nine-Tails in the prison cell also noticed the uninvited guest. It suddenly opened its eyes, and two white breaths spurted from its nostrils.
"I didn't expect you to recognize me while trapped in a cage. It seems the Fourth Hokage's seal didn't completely isolate you."
Orochimaru glanced around and deliberately teased Minato. Seeing no one respond, he withdrew his smile and said,
"Let's stop joking. At this moment, your kind, the One-Tail Shukaku, is probably being devoured by the Outer Path Statue."
The Nine-Tails curled its lips, revealing its sharp teeth. "Do you think I care about that raccoon?"…
This reaction surprised Orochimaru. He had expected it to pity its own kind, but instead, the Nine-Tails was surprisingly indifferent.
After a moment of thought, Orochimaru realized his mistake and smiled. "You're familiar with the Outer Path Statue, aren't you? Have you heard the name 'Ten-Tails'?"
After a brief silence, a powerful aura spread out, and even crimson Chakra threatened to surge through the cage.
The Nine-Tails' eyes turned cold, staring directly at Orochimaru. "Where did you hear that name?"
"Don't make such a terrifying expression."
Orochimaru licked his lips. "I'm not your enemy, at least not for now."
"Hmph!" The Nine-Tails exhaled a puff of white air, but its expression was somewhat grave.
Compared to the situation of that darned raccoon, its current predicament was practically a vacation.
Even so, the Nine-Tails scoffed at Orochimaru's claim of "not an enemy."
To be sealed in such a prison for decades because of a potential threat was no exaggeration to call it a deep hatred with Konoha.
Moreover, whether what Orochimaru said was true or false remained to be seen.
"You don't believe me? That's understandable. We don't have any trust between us."
Orochimaru shrugged and smiled. "However, since you can sense the outside world, you should listen carefully from now on."
"Let's talk after you realize the true threat."
This time, Orochimaru had no intention of achieving any effective cooperation. He was merely giving the Nine-Tails a heads-up.
After all, unlike Shukaku, Minato's seal was very sturdy. He couldn't possibly pull the Nine-Tails out and beat it into submission.
Besides, the dictionary of Tailed Beasts seemed to not have the word "submission." These immortal, long-lived beings possessed an inherent arrogance.
"Wait..." The Nine-Tails stared at Orochimaru and said coldly, "I have something to ask you, how much do you know about 'Ten-Tails'?"
It could look down on Orochimaru, but the threat of "Ten-Tails" could not be ignored. It was an existence that would completely erase them.
"There's a give and take to communication. Clearly, we don't have a platform for dialogue yet."
Orochimaru resolutely refused the Nine-Tails' question but then said, "However, I can give you a reminder – 'Akatsuki Organization.' You might want to pay more attention to this name from now on."
"Akatsuki Organization..." The Nine-Tails repeated the name, narrowing its eyes slightly.
"That's right, I look forward to our next meeting... Huh?"
Orochimaru was about to leave when a small figure slowly materialized beside him.
He looked at Orochimaru and exclaimed, "So you're here..." As if sensing something, he turned his head towards the cage and his eyes widened. "What a big cat!"
Cat?
Veins bulged on the Nine-Tails' forehead, and it couldn't help but let out a cold snort.
The surging air waves spread out, causing Naruto to stumble, making him even more surprised. "This cat is so powerful."
"This isn't a cat, it's a fox."
Orochimaru couldn't help but chuckle and said, "You can call it Nine-Tails, or Kurama."
The Nine-Tails looked at Orochimaru in surprise. It hadn't expected him to even know this name, which increased its trust in Orochimaru's previous words.
"I didn't expect you to be able to get in."
Orochimaru patted Naruto's head and then looked at the Nine-Tails in the cage. He smiled and said,
"I know you're resentful about being here, but in exchange for the hint I just gave you, don't take this resentment out on this little fellow."
"After all, you should know that neither he nor you had a choice."
Seeing the condescending expression on the Nine-Tails' face, Orochimaru deliberately provoked it with his words. "Besides, only baring your teeth at the weak will lower my evaluation of you."
"You don't need to tell me how I should act," the Nine-Tails snorted.
"Then do as you please."
Orochimaru couldn't be bothered to argue with the Nine-Tails. He looked around the mindscape, and seeing that no one else had appeared, he decisively withdrew.
...
The evening breeze blew. Orochimaru stood on the Hokage Rock and flicked Naruto's forehead, waking him up.
---
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