"Welcome back, Lady Amane."
On the roof, a giant snake as thick as an adult's waist coiled respectfully. It was the one that had summoned Amane back using the Reverse Summoning Technique.
Amane nodded to it: "You've worked hard. Has Orochimaru come looking for me?"
The snake's head slowly swayed, indicating no.
Then the snake informed Amane in detail that during the less than a week he had been away, aside from a red-haired girl who had come by, no one else had looked for her.
[Is Orochimaru really just completely ignoring me?]
Amane was still a bit surprised by this result. Based on her understanding of Orochimaru, he should at least have some idea of where she was now.
With doubts in mind, Amane carefully inspected her residence and the surrounding area.
Sure enough, in the base's communication equipment, she found a message left by Orochimaru a few days ago:
"If you return, remember to come find me. I have a gift for you."
"..."
No wonder they say Uncle Snake masters core technology.
"Having stayed in the Ninja World for too long and learned too many profound Ninjutsu, she had subconsciously overlooked scientific creations."
Although the snakes she left in the base were also excellent scouts, possessing thermal sensing and scent perception.
But... Amane looked at the surveillance cameras in the hallway. If she hadn't shown up here for several days, it would be easy to deduce that Amane hadn't returned yet.
[A gift?]
Amane became interested and once again used the Reverse Summoning Technique to arrive at the Sound Village where Uncle Snake was.
"You've come. Did you enjoy your trip?"
Orochimaru in the office sat in a relaxed posture on his chair, a gentle smile appearing on his face upon seeing Amane's arrival.
"Not bad, I managed to fill a gap."
Amane was referring to the flying Summoned Beasts, which was also her pretext for going to the Land of Waves.
And Orochimaru understood that Amane had considered flying before; she had come to ask him about it previously.
"Hehehe, in the Ninja World, truly solving the problem of flight might really only be possible with Iwagakure's [Ultra Heavy Rock Technique], but unfortunately..."
Orochimaru's face also showed a regretful expression as he said this.
Anyone who has seen this technique, nine out of ten would definitely be tempted.
He, Orochimaru, was naturally no exception.
In the past, when he defected and went to recruit Yakushi Kabuto, who was undercover in Iwagakure, he had put in considerable effort to obtain this technique.
However... "To prevent leaks, Iwagakure doesn't record the technique formula on scrolls but stores it in a man-made secret chamber, letting later generations comprehend it themselves or having the Tsuchikage teach it in person. This precaution... is really tight."
Amane complained.
This precaution made Amane feel it was hard to have any hope.
Itachi could try using genjutsu to directly control Ōnoki.
The best method she and Orochimaru could think of was to lure the Tsuchikage out of the Village, then have another person go check that so-called secret chamber.
During this process, to allow Amane or Orochimaru to focus on research, it would take at least a few days.
If it were just that, it could be managed. But that place had patrols and inspections every hour or less, so Orochimaru gave up temporarily back then.
The timing was too hard to create.
Unless they killed all the Ninja there!
But before learning Edo Tensei and without suitable Edo Tensei powerhouses, it was impossible.
If even one escaped, then this matter would be difficult to accomplish.
"After this plan is completed, you can look forward to it. Then, if you want... I can give it to you. But whether it's complete or not is hard to say... Of course, if you also participate in the operation, then I can't help it."
A wicked glint appeared in Orochimaru's eyes.
Amane also knew Edo Tensei.
But for Amane to do as Orochimaru just hinted, there would need to be a reason that compelled her to do so.
That's why Orochimaru deliberately said it this way.
"Is this your gift?"
Amane asked doubtfully.
She was interested in the Ultra Heavy Rock Technique.
But by now, she already had an alternative, so she didn't need to deliberately pursue that technique.
If Orochimaru was planning this, then he was destined to be disappointed.
"Snake Aunt, if you really do this, you'll probably face joint condemnation from the Five Great Nations." Amane couldn't help but remind.
Edo Tensei is indeed powerful, and the cost of this technique is just some 'morality'.
Even if you use death row inmates or the like, the moral cost can be minimized almost infinitely.
But precisely because of this, this technique must be used with caution.
If Orochimaru dared to use this technique like this, the Ninja World would definitely be on edge and would inevitably unite to quickly eliminate the caster.
Then would this technique be sealed? Destroyed?
Hehe... the Ninja World might usher in hell until this technique is completely countered.
"Wouldn't that be... interesting?"
Orochimaru said leisurely, not caring at all.
He knew Amane's analysis was completely correct, but he mastered Living Corpse Reincarnation.
"..."
"Alright, alright," seeing Amane's subtle look, Orochimaru put away the joke, "doing this wouldn't benefit me. My ideal, you know it."
Add one more thing: Amane also knew Living Corpse Reincarnation.
Others killing him, Orochimaru, was practically impossible.
But if Amane truly resolved to do it, she was the most likely in the entire Ninja World to accomplish it now.
And even if Orochimaru wanted to use Edo Tensei to slaughter Iwagakure to get the Ultra Heavy Rock Technique, he wouldn't choose the method just mentioned, making it known to everyone.
Just find a way to go to Iwagakure and look for the corpse of the Second Tsuchikage, Mu, wouldn't that work.
It's just hard to find; for such an important figure, finding the corpse definitely wouldn't be simple.
"I know." Amane shrugged, "So... if we don't get to the point, I'm leaving."
Orochimaru smiled, silently taking out a sealing scroll: "Follow me." After saying this, he stood up first and walked toward the door.
Amane, intrigued by his mysterious demeanor, obediently followed. They then came to a training ground.
This wasn't an artificially leveled area but retained natural mountainous terrain, serving as the Sound Village's main practical teaching ground.
Amane and Kimimaro had both taught the Village Ninja here.
Taijutsu and practical combat were handled by Kimimaro.
For Ninjutsu and tactical theory, it was Amane's turn to step in.
"Nostalgic?" Orochimaru said as he walked, handing the scroll to Amane, "After the Village got on track, you haven't been responsible for teaching for a long time."
"I have to thank you for your consideration. After all, these people in the Sound Village are probably just higher-level cannon fodder in your eyes."
Amane replied while unsealing the scroll.
The center of the scroll clearly bore the character for "sword"!
Could it be... "After all, you're too familiar with them; you would really take action to interfere with my deeds." Orochimaru's gaze was meaningful.
That's how Amane was. Strangers dying before her eyes was just that, but if she could save them, and it was convenient, she wouldn't spare the effort. Even if she ultimately couldn't save them, she wouldn't have any psychological burden.
So Orochimaru absolutely dared not let Amane have too much contact with the cannon fodder he raised; she would definitely cause him trouble, and she had the ability to do so.
Now that Amane had learned Sage Mode, even he couldn't guarantee absolute victory against her.
[It really is a kusanagi sword]
In Naruto, a total of three kusanagi swords appeared, each named after Japanese myths and legends.
The one in Orochimaru's hand was named Ame-no-Murakumo, the one in Sasuke's hand was named Ame-no-Habakiri, and the one in Itachi's hand was the Sword of Totsuka.
But in the Naruto worldview, so-called kusanagi swords aren't limited to just these three; they can be considered a brand.
And they all come from famous craftsmen in the Land of Iron.
This was information Amane had learned over the years as she gradually understood and integrated into this world.
"So generous? kusanagi swords are very expensive, right?"
The one in Amane's hand had a blade length of only 12 inches, with a straight blade. In appearance, unlike Japanese swords, it had a Tang short sword style.
Normally, the materials used should be less than those for standard-sized kusanagi swords like Orochimaru's and Sasuke's.
However, based on the information Amane knew, its value was enough to buy the entire Land of Waves!
"Hey, talking about this makes us seem distant. With this, your Wind Release Chakra Mode also has an excellent amplifier. Give it a try."
Looking at Orochimaru's sincere eyes, Amane raised an eyebrow. Try it, then.
But before that, she carefully inspected this kusanagi sword. After confirming there were no issues, she activated Wind Release Chakra Mode and then connected it to the sword.
In an instant, Amane felt the blade of this sword 'extend'.
[So smooth! And incredibly sharp! Completely incomparable to Kunai and shuriken]
Just tentatively using a tiny bit of Chakra, not only did the 12-inch blade instantly complete the conduction, but Wind-natured Chakra extended from the blade tip outward by at least two meters!
Amane quickly controlled the output, finally suppressing the length to that of an ordinary sword. Then, aiming at an empty area nearby, she casually swung, cutting over a dozen large trees in half!
Seeing this, Amane began to wield the sword, then slashed and hacked at the empty area.
Soon, when Amane finally satisfied her craving, half the trees in the entire training ground had been cut down by her. If Orochimaru hadn't occupied one spot, the other half might not have been spared either.
"Seems you're quite satisfied." Orochimaru reminded with a smile, "Don't forget to restore this place to its original state."
"Yes!" Amane nodded in agreement, then couldn't help but ask, "This thing... really given to me?"
Orochimaru smiled and nodded, involuntarily recalling his former student, Anko.
Anko was always lively and cute, while Amane occasionally showed a cute side. Especially after getting used to her scheming nature, these cute moments became even more interesting.
[This time, there might also be a chance to see her. I wonder if she still hates me?]
Watching Amane use Wood Release Ninjutsu to grow trees and restore the terrain, a trace of pleasant reminiscence flashed in Orochimaru's eyes.
Not long after, the training ground terrain was restored to its original state.
Amane returned to Orochimaru. However, just as a mischievous smile began to appear on Orochimaru's face and he was about to speak... "Want me to test the blade on the Fourth Kazekage?"
Amane had already asked with a half-smile, beating him to it.
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