Chiyo's reason for coming to the Land of Rain during this period had to be connected to Konoha in the Land of Fire—not the Land of Rain itself.
Hanzo silently reviewed the recent failed Sunagakure campaign against Konoha, an operation that had been personally led and commanded by Chiyo. That defeat had not been light. For someone like Chiyo to leave her village during such a sensitive time, there had to be deeper motives.
After thinking it over, Hanzo decided to pass this intelligence to the Company. It might prove useful.
After all, the Company was cooperating with Orochimaru, one of Konoha's legendary Sannin. If necessary, they could relay the information to him.
Hanzo once dreamed of bringing peace to the entire Ninja World.
Now, that dream felt distant.
What was peace, anyway?
Perhaps true peace did not exist. Perhaps it was merely an illusion people chased to justify their struggles. In the end, wasn't it better to govern one's own land well and ensure one's citizens lived decent lives?
The Land of Rain, like the White Snake Pharmaceutical Technology Company, had declared itself completely neutral. It would not participate in wars between the great nations. In fact, it had even designated specific border zones where foreign countries could declare war and fight freely.
As long as no one damaged the Land of Rain's farmland, White Snake Electric Town, or White Snake Central Town, they could wage war as they pleased.
When the fighting ended and bodies were left behind, the Land of Rain would collect them—for a fee.
Peace, in Hanzo's mind, had become a business model.
Konoha
Uchiha Hikari walked down the busy streets of Konoha wearing a miniature White Snake mask. The small snake's tongue stuck playfully out of the side, giving it an oddly cute appearance. In his hand, he held a plush wallet.
He glanced at the snack stalls lining both sides of the street, debating whether to buy something for Orochimaru.
Then he thought of Tsunade and Hyuga Mio.
Although he didn't particularly want to buy them anything, they all lived under the same roof. It would be awkward to return empty-handed for some and not others.
"Are you Uchiha Hikari?"
The voice came from behind him.
Hikari instantly stepped forward and spun around, eyes sharp.
When he saw the Uchiha clan crest on the man's clothing, his pupils contracted. The three tomoe of his Sharingan spun into existence, radiating vigilance.
"This…" Uchiha Hikaji froze when he saw the Three-Tomoe Sharingan.
At this age?
Within the Uchiha clan, that level of awakening marked a rare genius.
There was even a possibility that the Mangekyō Sharingan could be awakened in the future.
Hikaji struggled to conceal the excitement flickering in his eyes.
Hikari noticed the expression. He suppressed the urge to strike.
He did not want to cause trouble for Orochimaru.
Over and over, he reminded himself: this was not an Uchiha from the Warring States era. This was a clan member of the current age.
He restrained his killing intent.
Hikaji touched his wrinkled cheek, suddenly doubting himself. Many people described him as kind and benevolent.
Why did this displaced Uchiha child look at him as if he were something terrifying?
"Please don't come near me."
Hikari spoke calmly, then turned away. As he walked off, he placed the mask back on his face but continued watching Hikaji from the corner of his eye.
"This child…"
Hikaji stood still, confused by the hostility he had just encountered.
Chapter 199: Black Zetsu's Killing Intent
On the street leading toward the hot springs, a sign hung outside a casino:
"Members of the Uchiha and Hyuga Clans Are Forbidden from Entering."
During wartime, stressed ninja often sought release in gambling houses. However, Uchiha and Hyuga were notoriously skilled at reading subtle movements and chakra fluctuations.
In short—they were too good at cheating.
As a result, many casinos in Konoha had collectively decided to ban the two major clans.
Orochimaru stepped out of the casino holding a briefcase. Beside him stood Tsunade, who had just lost a considerable amount of money.
"Are you satisfied? Would you like to try the next casino?" Orochimaru asked smoothly, handing her the briefcase.
Money was not a concern for him. He had only come to accompany Tsunade.
"No. I'm not going."
Tsunade had believed that returning from the battlefield might reverse her bad luck.
Instead, the result had been… massacre.
She lost money.
Orochimaru calmly won it back.
"Orochimaru, how can you keep such a straight face even with a terrible hand?"
Tsunade grabbed his arm. In the casino, he had boldly pushed all his chips forward despite holding a weak hand, intimidating the other gamblers into folding.
"Gambling isn't just about luck and skill," Orochimaru replied. "It's also about courage. You must overwhelm your opponent with your presence so they cannot read your intentions. Besides, winning or losing doesn't matter much to me."
He truly meant it.
"What if you lost?"
Tsunade placed her hands on her hips and glared at him.
"That was money we earned together! If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have won that much!"
"Orochimaru, thank you for losing the money," he replied lightly. "It gives me the opportunity to win it back."
Tsunade narrowed her eyes.
"Are you implying that my luck is terrible?"
"Orochimaru tugged gently at her sleeve. "Tsunade, look over there."
On a rooftop nearby, a white-haired man lay flat with binoculars, wearing an unmistakably lecherous grin.
"Jiraiya…"
Tsunade clenched her fist.
She nearly called him an old dog who never learned new tricks, but she noticed a child from the Inuzuka clan walking past with a ninja dog. She swallowed her words.
It would be inappropriate in front of the child.
Perhaps sensing her murderous glare, Jiraiya quickly hid the binoculars and vanished from the rooftop—only to reappear directly before them.
"Orochimaru! Tsunade! What a coincidence!"
He smiled brightly.
"What thick skin," Orochimaru muttered.
Jiraiya showed no embarrassment whatsoever.
"Jiraiya, you still dare say 'what a coincidence'?!" Tsunade grabbed his collar, lifting the briefcase as if preparing to smash him.
As one of Konoha's Sannin, he was an embarrassment.
They had just returned from war—and he was peeping at women's baths?
Unbelievable.
"Calm down, Tsunade. That's our war spoils. It would be wasteful to use it on him."
Orochimaru swiftly rescued the briefcase.
Jiraiya looked wounded.
At this moment, Orochimaru was not helping him—he was protecting the money.
"Next time I catch you, you won't be so lucky," Tsunade warned before releasing him.
"Wait for me!"
Jiraiya hurried after them.
"Orochimaru, what's for dinner?"
"Not sure yet. Do you have a preference?"
"Something strong-flavored! I've eaten too many soldier pills on the battlefield."
His face turned green at the memory.
"Unfortunately, Mio and Hikari don't like heavy flavors," Tsunade replied. "Why don't you eat at that restaurant?"
"I don't mind something lighter," Jiraiya said quickly.
Tsunade clicked her tongue.
"I'll definitely be the third wheel," Jiraiya added with a wink.
"I really should've punched him earlier," Tsunade muttered.
Island Laboratory Base
After returning home, Orochimaru dispelled several shadow clones, absorbing their memories and fatigue. One clone remained at the Island Laboratory Base.
Uchiha Madara was currently inspecting the research results.
"Orochimaru, when can you implant Hashirama's cells into me?" Madara asked, walking among tanks filled with cultivated Hashirama cells, Gedo Statue flesh, and White Zetsu tissue.
"Impatience will not help," Orochimaru replied coldly. "Unless you doubt my abilities and wish to perform the procedure yourself?"
Madara felt a faint pressure from Orochimaru's sharp gaze.
"I trust your scientific expertise. But my body grows weaker. I cannot wait forever."
"Don't you possess the Outer Path — Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique?" Orochimaru said casually. "If you die, find a suitable vessel and resurrect yourself."
"That is a last resort."
Madara would not casually entrust his eyes to others. What if they refused to revive him?
Those eyes belonged to Izuna.
He would not allow them to fall into another's hands.
"I will develop a method to extend your lifespan before that happens," Orochimaru said, radiating clear annoyance at being disturbed.
Madara eventually left.
Shortly afterward, Black Zetsu emerged silently within the laboratory.
"Orochimaru, do you truly intend to extend Madara's life?"
"I keep my promises."
"Yet his continued existence may interfere with our plan."
Black Zetsu implied something darker.
Madara was once necessary.
Now, his death would be more advantageous.
Orochimaru smiled faintly.
"The old man's survival does not hinder our goal of rescuing the Rabbit Goddess. When she escapes her prison, she will learn the truth. The so-called Infinite Tsukuyomi is nothing but a misguided illusion created by the Sage of Six Paths."
In Black Zetsu's narrative, the Infinite Tsukuyomi became the Sage's conspiracy.
Without knowing the truth, one might easily be deceived.
"I must return," Black Zetsu said. "If I'm gone too long, Madara will notice."
He vanished.
Orochimaru gazed at the empty space.
"Things are becoming more interesting."
A faint curl lifted the corner of his lips as smoke dissipated into the sterile laboratory air.
The game pieces were moving.
And the board was far from settled.
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