Chapter 140: The Man Who Will Become Pirate King
"The Scroll of Sealing!"
Unfolding the remaining half of the scroll, Li Jiexuan eagerly scanned through it: two A-rank secret techniques, three S-rank secret techniques.
Five high-level forbidden techniques in total!
The very first was an A-rank genjutsu—Bringer-of-Darkness Technique…
"Genjutsu, huh? That really is my weak point." Among the three basic ninja disciplines, Li Jiexuan excelled most in taijutsu, was slightly weaker in ninjutsu, and nearly blank in genjutsu.
If he ever encountered a genjutsu expert, he would undoubtedly be put at a severe disadvantage.
Yet for the moment, Li Jiexuan had no idea where to begin. From the outset, genjutsu was inherently specialized—complex and difficult to master.
Still, he wasn't in a hurry. These powerful techniques couldn't be learned overnight.
Just as Li Jiexuan put away the Scroll of Sealing, the Anbu squad captain wearing an octopus mask knocked and entered.
"Captain Jiexuan, the Hokage has assigned a new mission in the Land of Water. The Mist ninja's attitude toward Konoha has been ambiguous. With a full-scale war against the Sand imminent, the Hokage hopes you will investigate the situation there."
The Land of Water?
Li Jiexuan understood immediately. Tobirama was likely assigning this mission to keep him away from the main Sand battlefield. By now, he was probably the Sand's number one assassination target.
Who knew how many Sand ninja had his portrait hanging above their beds, waking up every morning to say: Jiexuan, I will kill you! To kill Li Jiexuan—work hard, work harder, work hardest!
Being popular was such a burden.
"Perfect. I can use this opportunity to look for Haku's clan as well!" After setting the itinerary, Li Jiexuan left Konoha like an ordinary child.
Beside him, Orochimaru followed closely. "Master, shall we proceed with researching bloodline limits next?"
"Exactly. Bloodline limits are controllable—and can be stolen." Li Jiexuan narrowed his eyes in a cold smile. "If we can confine Haku's clan and cultivate a stable Ice Release bloodline, one day it will push me to an unstoppable height!"
With a wave, freeze a thousand miles. With a clenched fist, slay the Five Kage in ice!
"Lord Jiexuan, I will not disappoint you!" Orochimaru clenched his fists passionately, declaring that he would devote everything to Li Jiexuan and clear every obstacle on his path to immortality.
For example…
These pirates blocking the road!
The Land of Water was a maritime nation covered in vast islands. Naturally, it had given rise to a special breed of pirates.
These pirates sailed small boats along the coast, drifting at random, plundering wherever they landed to sustain themselves.
A group of ferocious-looking pirates blocked Li Jiexuan and Orochimaru's path, waving their blades recklessly. "You two soft-skinned brats—hand over your money!"
Orochimaru's wrist flicked slightly, about to draw a kunai and slaughter these foolish thieves—but Li Jiexuan stopped him with a raised hand.
From every angle, this situation was perfect!
Within Konoha, there were many things Li Jiexuan couldn't develop. Any action that violated "justice" might force him out of the village.
That simply wouldn't be worth it.
In the original story, after Orochimaru defected from Konoha, one of the biggest reasons for his repeated failures was the lack of backing from a powerful nation.
In the Naruto world, the reason the Five Great Ninja Villages were "great" was because they were supported by the Five Great Nations. Aside from those five, all other nations were minor players.
And their ninja villages were minor players among minor players.
In that case, why not try controlling one of the Five Great Nations?
The Land of Fire was the dominant power—strong troops, solid order. The Lands of Wind, Earth, and Lightning were also formidable.
"Only the Land of Water, crisscrossed by sea routes, can barely even deal with pirates." Li Jiexuan smiled. "If we bring these pirates under our control, the Land of Water will hold no secrets from me."
"Orochimaru, it's time to test the results of your recent experiments." Li Jiexuan grinned. Orochimaru nodded in compliance.
Sensing danger, one pirate angrily swung his blade. "You little punks—go meet your maker!"
"Hiss—"
A strange-looking venomous snake suddenly shot out from Orochimaru's sleeve and bit into the pirate's ankle, leaving behind a fractured tomoe-shaped mark.
"Ahhh!!!"
Fangs tore through flesh, and searing pain pierced into the bone. As the pirate flailed unconsciously, he accidentally snapped a wrist-thick sapling in half with a single swing.
"The Snake Curse Mark!"
This was a downgraded version of Orochimaru's Heaven and Earth Curse Marks. By delivering the mark through snakes, he could brand many more people.
The tradeoff was a significant reduction in its power…
But even so, for ordinary people, it was more than enough.
As the venom's violent surge faded, the once-scrawny pirate struggled to his feet—now covered in bulging muscle. Natural energy seemed to have granted him rebirth. And the power of the curse mark told him clearly who his master was.
"Well done."
Li Jiexuan nodded in approval. Praised, Orochimaru knelt halfway to the ground in excitement. "I will never fail your expectations, Master!"
Orochimaru—one of the most exceptional geniuses in Naruto. If he could learn from childhood while standing on Li Jiexuan's shoulders, what heights might he reach?
Li Jiexuan was looking forward to it.
As for now…
Following the pirate toward their ship, Li Jiexuan smiled lightly.
"Looks like I'm about to become the man who will be Pirate King!"
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