Was he finally going to see the true face of this mysterious Lord Soul King of the Uzushigakure?
As he walked into the Headquarters Building, a chilling atmosphere instantly enveloped him.
On one side of the hall, powerful figures stood silently, each giving him a feeling that his hair was standing on end.
It was as if any slight rash action would lead to his demise.
Based on Konoha's intelligence, Orochimaru quickly understood that these should be the Captains of the Uzushigakure.
One, two, three, four... Only four appeared? Didn't the Uzushigakure have thirteen Divisions?
Were the other Captains all out on missions?
Orochimaru speculated in his mind, then looked up at the main seat.
With just one glance, Orochimaru's pupils contracted sharply.
That striking red hair instantly confirmed the identity of the person before him.
The Spirit King of the Uzushigakure was indeed from the Uzumaki Clan!
All of Konoha's previous suspicions were confirmed!
While Orochimaru was shocked, he respectfully said, "Orochimaru, envoy of Konoha, greets Lord Soul King!"
Chihiro calmly said, "Orochimaru, what do you think of my Uzushigakure?"
Orochimaru's heart skipped a beat, not understanding the purpose of the Spirit King's question, but he still respectfully said,
"The Uzushigakure has magnificent architecture, beautiful scenery, and many special places. It is a very magical country!"
Chihiro chuckled, "Then are you interested in working for my Uzushigakure? My Technical Development Bureau still lacks a director."
Orochimaru's heart suddenly jumped!
Poaching!
But he was indeed momentarily tempted!
The Uzushigakure was full of Souls, and he could even serve as the director of the Technical Development Bureau!
He took a deep breath and rejected this extremely tempting invitation.
"I apologize, Lord Soul King, but I am currently a Shinobi of Konoha."
Oh, so you mean it'll be fine once you're no longer one?
Chihiro chuckled inwardly; how interesting.
Chihiro had given careful thought to inviting Orochimaru to the Uzushigakure.
And he wasn't afraid of Orochimaru becoming a traitor.
As long as he agreed, he would need to become a Shinigami through the shinigami transfer scroll.
Once he became a Shinigami through the transfer, he would no longer be able to harbor ill intentions against him.
This was the control that the Spirit King, as per the System's settings, had over the Shinigami.
With just a thought, he could easily control the life and death of the Shinigami!
Since Orochimaru rejected his invitation, Chihiro did not continue the topic.
The seed had already been planted in Orochimaru's heart, and he had even shown him the Technical Development Bureau's research projects on Souls and life.
He didn't believe Orochimaru wouldn't be tempted by these.
One day, Orochimaru would come knocking on his door willingly.
"Since that's the case, then tell me why Konoha sent you."
Orochimaru breathed a sigh of relief, truly afraid that if he refused this invitation, the Spirit King would become enraged and order these Captains to kill him.
Orochimaru said, "This visit to the Uzushigakure is regarding Uzumaki Kushina."
He said solemnly, "Uzumaki Kushina holds significant importance to our Konoha. We Konoha are willing to pay any price to keep Uzumaki Kushina. We hope Lord Soul King will grant our request!"
Chihiro playfully said, "Any price?"
Orochimaru seriously said, "Any price!"
"Then give Konoha to our Uzushigakure."
"Uh... this, I'm afraid that won't do."
Orochimaru was embarrassed. He said "any price" just to sound good, but how could this Spirit King actually dare to demand it?
Chihiro scoffed, saying, "Didn't you say 'any price'?"
Cold sweat streamed down Orochimaru's face, and he could only brace himself and say, "This really won't do..."
Chihiro said, losing interest, "Since Konoha has no sincerity, then forget it. See him out."
"Wait!"
Orochimaru still wanted to say something, but he was met with cold glares from the Captains.
Then he wisely shut his mouth.
Just as Orochimaru was about to step out of the Headquarters Building's main entrance, Chihiro spoke:
"I will only give Konoha three days. If Kushina is not seen in the Uzushigakure after three days, then my Uzushigakure will have no choice but to retrieve her ourselves."
"By that time, don't blame the Uzushigakure for being ruthless..."
Orochimaru's heart tightened. Even after leaving the headquarters, the voice of the Soul King still echoed in his ears.
This time, it was likely going to be serious!
At the same time, he understood that Konoha would absolutely not hand over Uzumaki Kushina!
The Uzushigakure and Konoha were bound to fight!
After leaving the territory of the Uzushigakure, Orochimaru felt somewhat lost.
Especially the Souls in Rukongai, they made him reveal an intense desire to study them immediately.
Unfortunately... In the evening, after Orochimaru returned to Konoha.
The Hokage Office once again held an emergency high-level meeting.
Sarutobi Hiruzen said with a grim expression, "Are you saying the Uzushigakure refused?"
Orochimaru nodded.
Danzo Shimura snorted coldly and said, "They actually want to exchange Konoha for Uzumaki Kushina, what a brazen demand! I think the Uzushigakure has absolutely no intention of negotiating!"
Damn it, he hasn't even obtained Konoha yet, and the mere Uzushigakure dares to covet his Konoha?!
Danzo Shimura continued, "Don't harbor any illusions about peace talks, Hiruzen!"
"Sigh..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed. He also wanted to be tougher!
But Konoha's current circumstances did not allow him to be tough!
He pondered for a moment and asked, "Is that Soul King truly a member of the Uzumaki Clan?"
Orochimaru replied, "That vibrant red hair, and considering it's the Uzushigakure, I don't think there could be a second possibility besides the Uzumaki Clan."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression was uncertain. Since the ruling Soul King was from the Uzumaki Clan, perhaps there was still some leeway if Lady Mito stepped forward.
Although the relationship between the Uzushigakure and Konoha had broken down, as a member of the Uzumaki Clan, surely they wouldn't refuse to give Lady Mito Face?
Of course, Konoha also had to prepare for both possibilities.
He said, "Koharu, how is the Barrier Squad's research on sealing Space-Time Ninjutsu progressing?"
Utatane Koharu replied, "There has been some minor progress, but Konoha does not have any Shinobi who masters Space-Time Ninjutsu, so we are unsure if the barrier is truly effective."
"In any case, whether it's feasible or not, deploy it around Konoha first."
If the Uzushigakure unreasonably opened a hole in Konoha, this would at least serve as a restraining measure.
Sarutobi Hiruzen thought for a moment and continued to ask, "Orochimaru, did you discover anything during your trip to the Uzushigakure?"
Since conflict with the Uzushigakure was inevitable, they should try to understand the situation there to formulate appropriate strategies.
It is a place I really want to stay.
This thought subconsciously surfaced in Orochimaru's mind.
But clearly, this was not something he could say aloud.
He recalled carefully and said, "The architecture of the Uzushigakure is magnificent, and the population is very large."
Although he knew they were all Souls, those Souls possessed clear productivity, making them indistinguishable from normal people.
As for the matter of the Souls, Orochimaru did not mention it.
Besides his own selfish motives, it was also because such an outrageous thing would absolutely not be believed unless seen firsthand!
Even he had initially treated it merely as a story.
In fact, based solely on the fact that people go to Rukongai in Soul form after death, Orochimaru understood that the Uzushigakure was already in an invincible position.
Once Konoha and the Uzushigakure clashed, as the war escalated.
The dead would flock to the Uzushigakure, and their numbers would only grow.
Conversely, Konoha's population would decrease the more they fought—how could they possibly win?
Of course, Orochimaru did not know that Rukongai only had a 50% chance of attracting Souls.
But even if he knew, it would still be outrageous.
This was like a never-ending Troop Factory!
It could constantly supply the Uzushigakure with military strength!
However, he did not tell Teacher Hiruzen this point.
Even if he told them, whether they believed it or not, would Konoha and the Uzushigakure stop fighting?
Since the fight was inevitable, telling them this information would only cause unnecessary worry.
Anyway, if you die, you can live a second life in Rukongai. Teacher Hiruzen isn't young anymore; if he accidentally dies, he can go to the Uzushigakure to rest.
Of course, it was impossible for him to say such a thing aloud.
Hearing that, Sarutobi Hiruzen would likely move to purge him.
He was tempted to suggest, 'Why don't we just hand over Uzumaki Kushina?'
If they worked hard, improved the Sealing Technique obtained from the Uzushigakure, and found someone else to be the Jinchuriki, wouldn't that solve the problem?
But he knew this proposal would never be accepted by them.
Without witnessing it firsthand, they could never know the true terror of the Uzushigakure!!
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