A New Snake In The Shinobi World-Chapter 346:

Hōzuki Mangetsu, a prodigy of Kirigakure, was a master of the Seven Ninja Swords.

But now, before he ever had the chance to wield them all, six of the seven blades had already fallen into Orochimaru's hands.

The only exception was the Executioner's Blade, which had been taken by Jūzō Biwa to the Akatsuki.

As a result, Mangetsu now found himself without a sword to wield.

Even so, his combat prowess far exceeded that of an ordinary shinobi.

The Hōzuki Clan's secret Water Transformation Technique made him immune to physical attacks, and combined with his exceptional combat skills and the support of other Kirigakure shinobi, taking down Fuguki Suikazan, who had lost Samehada was an easy task.

Thus, the Bloody Mist era under the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura, was brought to an early end thanks to Orochimaru's involvement.

With his assistance, the young Terumi Mei embarked on her path to becoming the new Mizukage.

A nineteen-year-old Kage?

A remarkable feat.

While not as extreme as Gaara becoming Kazekage at fifteen, it was still unheard of for a nineteen-year-old woman to take such a position at this point in history.

After handing Samehada over to Kisame, Orochimaru parted ways with them.

He carried a katana at his side, moving leisurely along the forest paths of the Land of Water.

"Kabuto."

"I'm here, Lord Orochimaru."

"How is the investigation I assigned to you progressing?"

"We've located their settlement and gathered detailed information on the clan."

"Good. In that case, it's up to you to find an opportunity to retrieve the child."

"Yes, Lord Orochimaru."

With that brief exchange, Kabuto's next task was decided.

Orochimaru gave a slight nod, then pulled out two scrolls and handed them to Kabuto.

"These should help you handle any unexpected situations."

"Thank you, Lord Orochimaru." Kabuto accepted the scrolls with both hands, bowing respectfully.

He knew that one contained advanced ninja tools, while the other held genetic restoration fluid.

With these, along with his own skills in espionage, he could operate freely within the Land of Water.

Orochimaru waved him off and continued his slow journey toward the border.

Kabuto, however, remained where he was, only looking toward the dimly lit distance once Orochimaru had disappeared from view.

"…Kimimaro of the Kaguya Clan?"

Why had Orochimaru come to the Land of Water?

It certainly wasn't to help Kirigakure with its reforms.

His real reason, aside from avoiding Obito was to study the Kaguya Clan's bloodline.

By now, his own strength had reached a level where conventional power held little interest for him.

While he was delving into scientific advancements, researching ancient bloodlines had become another of his pursuits.

The Kaguya Clan was a warlike people, known for their unique kekkei genkai, the Shikotsumyaku.

One of their members who inherited this ability was named Kaguya Kimimaro.

From Orochimaru's recollections, Kimimaro's features bore a striking resemblance to those of the ancient Ōtsutsuki clan.

In other words, the Kaguya were likely direct descendants of Kaguya Ōtsutsuki.

Orochimaru's current interests were largely focused on those connected to the Ōtsutsuki lineage.

As for helping Kirigakure reform?

That had been nothing more than a fleeting whim after his encounter with Terumi Mei.

People who were too kind would be trampled by the times, but those who only knew war and slaughter would be abandoned by them just the same.

The Kaguya Clan belonged to the latter category.

A clan that lived solely for battle, without intelligence or strategy, was doomed to destruction.

Orochimaru had no intention of saving them.

He had simply left Kabuto behind in the Land of Water with instructions to retrieve Kimimaro and bring him to Otogakure.

Time passed, and soon, it was June of Konoha's 52nd year, one month after Orochimaru had left the Land of Water.

In a cavern hidden within a hollow mountain in the Land of Grass, two figures clad in black robes adorned with red clouds stood side by side.

One possessed lavender ripple-patterned eyes.

The other, a woman, wore a small purple flower in her hair.

The cave was dark and damp, but neither of them minded.

Behind them stood a massive humanoid statue, its nine empty eyes staring blankly ahead, its body resembling withered wood.

The Gedo Statue.

They were preparing to perform a sealing ritual.

Pain stepped onto his designated spot on the Gedo Statue, ready to begin the process, when Konan suddenly spoke.

"Pain… are we really going through with this?"

"Why?" Pain's voice was calm. "Do you doubt Lord Orochimaru?"

"No," Konan hesitated. "It just feels… cruel."

"Cruel?" Pain's expression remained unreadable. "If not for Lord Orochimaru, we would have endured far worse cruelty."

"He saved us from the horrors of war, Konan. So don't waver now."

"You're right," she sighed. "I was overthinking it. Sorry."

Pain gave a faint smile but said nothing more, raising his hand into position.

A moment later, spectral projections of figures clad in Akatsuki robes appeared one by one on the fingers of the Gedo Statue.

Including Pain and Konan, there were only seven in total.

"Summoning us at this time… what's the reason, Leader?" came the cold, hoarse voice of Sasori of the Red Sand.

Sasori had two forms, his human form and his puppet form.

At the moment, he was in his puppet body, Hiruko, lying low to the ground, the metallic scorpion tail behind him swaying slightly.

Pain responded flatly.

"We're sealing the first captured Tailed Beast today. But first, let me introduce two new members."

"Oh? New recruits?"

"Heh, now this is getting interesting. The group's been feeling a little empty lately."

"Is that so? Then I suppose one of them must be responsible for the first capture?"

"You'll see soon enough."

At that moment, a loud, echoing boom sounded from the cavern's stone entrance.

Slowly, the stone door creaked open.

A tall figure clad in an Akatsuki robe stepped inside, a massive sword strapped to his back.

Jūzō Biwa narrowed his eyes.

"…Fuguki? No… wait. You're that guy… Kisame?"

"Oh? Jūzō-senpai is here too?" Kisame grinned, amused. "What a pleasant surprise."

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With a loud thud, he casually dropped an unconscious body onto the cavern floor.

It was Yagura.

The stone door sealed shut behind him.

Jūzō's gaze flicked to the weapon on Kisame's back.

"…Wait. You have Samehada? That means… the Fuguki…"

"Oh? Looks like you're familiar with each other."

"More Mist defectors, huh?"

"Hah! Kirigakure sure breeds a lot of rogue ninjas."

"Heh, the more, the merrier, I suppose."

A sudden, raspy chuckle echoed through the cavern.

The room fell silent.

All eyes turned toward the source of the voice.

A figure with golden, snake-like eyes had appeared on the left pinky finger of the Gedo Statue's projection.

Orochimaru.

***

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