Orochimaru stood quietly beside them, listening to their entire conversation: the Six Paths Sage, the Rinnegan, and even the function of the Rinnegan's Dōjutsu. He had heard of the first two, but the latter was not something recorded in ancient texts.
This Uzumaki Lin Yu was becoming more and more interesting. Orochimaru stuck out his tongue and licked the corner of his mouth. Uzumaki Lin Yu, in his eyes, was a treasure trove of a boy.
Lin Yu did not avoid speaking in front of Orochimaru. He already had plans for Orochimaru in mind, as he would need him in the future. He revealed some things first to pique his interest, after all, Orochimaru was a rare talent, a true genius.
The war was not over; the Rain Ninja had only temporarily retreated. Orochimaru did not stay long. After learning that Nawaki still had a chance to be resurrected, he needed to seriously consider the upcoming war strategy. Moreover, there were the Sand Ninja who had just emerged, and the situation was not optimistic.
After comforting Tsunade for a while, Lin Yu returned to his own tent, leaving Tsunade alone to calm down.
Lying on the bed, Lin Yu looked up at the ceiling and fell into contemplation. Resurrecting Nawaki was impossible right now; his strength was insufficient, and he could not expose the Rinnegan. Besides, this short delay did not matter. He would resurrect Nawaki after the war ended, lest this blockhead go and sacrifice himself again. As for the idea that the longer the time, the greater the consumptionsorry, zero consumption is awesome, it is satisfying, and it is willful!
He could not use the Rinnegan under the identity of Uzumaki Lin Yu; he had not fully grown yet. Once the Rinnegan's trial period was over, there would be many people in the Ninja World who could kill him, and a large number of them were in Konoha: the Three Ninja, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Sakumo Hatake, Might Duy... As for Danzo, sorry, Lin Yu did not view him as a person. He was biased. He did not doubt Danzo's deep love for Konoha, but he had taken the wrong path, sinking deeper and deeper. In the later stages, he became increasingly extreme, and his desire for the Hokage position even surpassed his intent to protect Konoha.
What identity should he use to appear? And one that would not arouse suspicion? What a headache... Konoha Village, Hokage Tower.
"What! The Third Kazekage secretly infiltrated the Land of Rain? Is the news accurate?" The night was deep, but the lights of the Hokage office building were still brightly lit. Hiruzen Sarutobi tiredly rubbed his temples, his expression grave.
"Reporting, Hokage-sama, this news came from the Anbu. The Third Kazekage was discovered by an Anbu scout two days ago while crossing the Land of Rivers. He should have already reached the territory of the Land of Rain now," the masked Ninja answered respectfully.
"News from two days ago? Why is it only reaching me today? What exactly is the Anbu doing? Where is Danzo? Tell him to come see me." Hiruzen Sarutobi slammed the desk hard, knocking off his Hokage hat, showing how angry he was.
*Clap!* The door opened, and Danzo, wearing a wide-sleeved jacket, walked in, stating calmly, "My Root Ninja discovered the Third Kazekage at the same time he discovered us. They sent two squads to hunt them down, and the news just reached my Root."
"Hmph, let us drop the matter. Immediately issue a command for Sakumo Hatake to rush to the Battlefield of the Land of Rain to support Tsunade and the others." Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression improved slightly upon hearing this, and he ordered the Anbu member before him.
"Yes, sir!" With a flash, the masked Ninja disappeared instantly.
"Sakumo Hatake, you say? He can certainly withstand the pressure from the Third Kazekage, but are you so sure that Tsunade and the others can hold off Hanzou? Send me instead. I will deal with Hanzou." Danzo said calmly, crossing his arms.
"I trust Orochimaru and the others. The three of them are my proudest disciples."
"Then are you not worried about that old man Ōnoki launching a sneak attack from the side?"
"Homura and Koharu will keep a close eye on Ōnoki."
"Hmph! Hiruzen, one day you will be defeated by your own naivety!" Danzo snorted coldly, flicked his sleeve, and walked out.
"Danzo... I know you resent that our teacher chose me as the Third Hokage, but your personality truly is not suited to be Hokage. I hope that in the future..." Hiruzen Sarutobi murmured, watching Danzo's retreating figure.
Land of Rain border.
"Oh? Hanzou is actually injured? No wonder he dares not come to see me." A man with blue hair and yellow eyes, wearing a white divine robe, looked down condescendingly at the Rain Ninja kneeling before him. This man was precisely the Third Kazekage.
"Yes, Kazekage-sama. Lord Hanzou has prepared a place for you to rest. He will speak with you in detail once your injuries have healed," the kneeling Rain Ninja replied, sweat dripping down his face. He truly deserved the title of the strongest Kazekage in history; his oppressive aura was intense.
"He truly lives up to his reputation as the cautious Hanzou. However, he was actually injured by three juniors. I see the 'Demigod of the Ninja World' title is nothing more than an empty reputation."
The Rain Ninja trembled, not daring to answer, lowering his head as if he could not hear anything.
"Hmph, lead the way." Seeing this, the Third Kazekage flicked his robe and walked forward... Two days later, Konoha camp.
Inside the main tent where discussions were taking place, a Ninja quickly walked in, interrupting Orochimaru and the others who were discussing tactics. "Report! Lord Orochimaru, Lord Sakumo Hatake has arrived."
Orochimaru, whose expression had been icy cold after being interrupted, softened slightly upon hearing of Sakumo Hatake's arrival. He waved his hand and said, "Understood. Please invite Senior Sakumo inside to discuss the war."
A moment later, a resolute man with short white hair and a short sword strapped to his back strode into the tent with powerful steps. Tsunade, Jiraiya, and the other Ninja all rose to greet him.
At this time, the title "White Fang of Konoha" had begun to spread throughout the Ninja World. Sakumo Hatake's performance on the Sand Ninja battlefield was astounding: he killed Chiyo's son and daughter-in-law, and suppressed the strongest Kazekage in history. He was truly a match for ten thousand men!
Orochimaru also rose and invited Sakumo Hatake to take the main seat, but Sakumo Hatake waved his hand and refused. This was not his primary battlefield; the Third Hokage's order was only for him to come and assist in dealing with the Third Kazekage, with no other instructions. He was also not a person who coveted military achievements. He casually found a seat and sat down, right next to Jiraiya.
Seeing this, Orochimaru did not insist. He still needed outstanding military achievements to compete for the position of Fourth Hokage.
Orochimaru paused, then continued the previous topic, saying, "The Third Kazekage's sudden arrival in the Land of Rain suggests an unknown scheme. Hanzou is injured and not showing himself, which is a good opportunity for a counterattack, but the arrival of the Third Kazekage has tied our hands. What are your thoughts?"
"What is there left to discuss? Lord Sakumo is here. In my opinion, we should directly invade the Land of Rain and take Hanzou's head!"
"With Lord Sakumo keeping the Third Kazekage occupied, Lord Orochimaru, Lady Tsunade, and Lord Jiraiya can confidently charge into the Land of Rain to meet Hanzou in battle."
"I think so too. An injured Hanzou is like a sick tiger that has lost its teeth; he is nothing to worry about."
"We have Konoha's 'Three Ninja.' Hanzou himself said so!"
...Everyone spoke one after another, indicating that they should seize the opportunity while Hanzou was injured and launch an offensive. Two days ago, they were held back by the Third Kazekage, fearing that the Third Kazekage and Hanzou would join forces against the Three Ninja. Now, Sakumo Hatake's arrival had given them reassurance, and they wanted to vent the frustration they had accumulated over the past two days.
At this moment, Sakumo Hatake suddenly spoke, "What if it is not just the two of them joining forces, but three?"
"Three people? Are you referring to Ōnoki? That is not impossible." Orochimaru pondered, stroking his clean-shaven chin.
"If it is just Ōnoki and an injured Hanzou, I think the three of us can hold them off, but we would need to add one more person," Tsunade, who had recovered some of her spirit, suddenly interjected.
"Are you talking about Uzumaki Lin Yu?"