After obtaining the research data of Senju Tobirama, Orochimaru immediately planned an area as a laboratory. Compared to the original plot, Orochimaru is now much "happier."
In the original plot, Orochimaru could only acquire a bit of fragmented data as initial conditions. If it weren't for his own strong "talent," it would have been impossible to develop the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu.
Now, Orochimaru has obtained all of Senju Tobirama's data. Based on the foundation already completed by Senju Tobirama for the development of the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu, Orochimaru is deeply immersed in it, unable to extricate himself in joy. For a moment, he even forgot about the situation in Konoha.
...
"Chief-sama."
Kaguya Izumi approached Soma.
"The information you asked me to investigate about Chukichi has been found."
Soma looked over.
"How is it?"
"Chukichi previously served in the intelligence department, skilled in Sensory Ninjutsu, and possesses the Kekkei Genkai, Dark Release, which allows him to absorb Ninjutsu and then release it back to the opponent. However, he is currently not in the village."
"Where is he?"
"He was injured on the battlefield, and the injuries are quite serious. It's a mental type of injury, and the medical Ninjas in the village don't have good methods to handle it, so he was arranged to go to the Temple of Water."
Temple of Water?
Soma's brow furrowed. He had only heard of the Temple of Fire.
A temple in the Land of Fire, possessing its own unique inheritance, can utilize Senjutsu.
In the original plot, Chiriku, who served alongside Sarutobi Asuma as one of the Twelve Guardians of the Land, became the head of the Temple of Fire, with a bounty in the black market reaching thirty million ryo. He can condense his Chakra into manifestations like Amida Buddha, showcasing considerable strength.
Soma had never heard of this Temple of Water.
"I understand now, Izumi. Thank you for your hard work."
"There's no need to be polite Chief. It's what I should do."
With the information about Chukichi, Soma could now forge the Soul Reaping Sword.
"I didn't expect that Chukichi would possess such excellent sensing talent along with the Dark Release Kekkei Genkai. It seems he has inherited the strengths of both the movie and the anime?"
"Having Dark Release greatly increases the likelihood of aligning with the Soul Reaping Sword."
Soma took out the blueprint for the Soul Reaping Sword.
"I need four fighters."
"Daida, Izumo, and the Third Mizukage; we still need one more."
Soma thought for a moment. Due to the war, most of the strong ninjas from Hidden Mist Village are on the front lines, so Soma's choices are limited.
"Kaguya Izumi's strength isn't enough."
"Kaguya Satoru is even less so."
"Hoshigaki Ryukame's abilities are relatively too singular."
"Perhaps I could consider Kaguya Masui?"
As the Clan Head of the Kaguya Clan, Kaguya Masui has decent strength, but because he is the leader, he doesn't need to go to the front lines to fight. Managing the clan is a more important task.
"Let's list him as one of the candidates."
"Before I enter the Dungeon Instance, there's something else I need to handle."
Due to the Hozuki Clan's raid on the forging department, the guard team of Forging Island has suffered significant casualties. Thus, there is an urgent need to replenish personnel. It's not just about restoring the original numbers; they need to increase the headcount.
"Three teams."
"Each team has a capacity of twenty."
"That's a total of sixty slots for the guard team."
After the initial screening, a list of one hundred names appeared in Soma's hands. There were only about ten members left from the previous guard team. This meant that he needed to select around forty individuals from the list of one hundred, resulting in a selection rate of about fifty percent.
For the selection location, Soma chose a small island not far from Forging Island.
"Daida, let's begin."
"Yes, Chief-sama."
Those who could come here basically had no issues with their loyalty to the village. The remaining criteria were strength, potential, suitability for Forging Island, and character.
The tests Soma arranged for Daida were divided into two parts: a written test and a combat match. The former was similar to a psychological evaluation, where a series of seemingly unrelated questions could reveal a person's general personality traits, while the latter focused purely on strength.
Genji stood beside Soma.
"They're all very serious; it seems they really want to seize this opportunity," Genji remarked with a smile after taking a glance.
This was to be expected. Soma's status in Hidden Mist Village is quite transcendent. It's not just about the power he holds, but in terms of prestige and position, he ranks among the very top in the entire Hidden Mist Village, perhaps even having a higher reputation than the Mizukage.
There will always be a Mizukage, but there has only been one Great Blacksmith like Soma since the founding of Hidden Mist Village. The forger of the Seven Ninja Swords of the Mist cannot compare to Soma.
Previously, there were still voices from the Hozuki Clan insisting on their influence. But now, with the Hozuki Clan being "exterminated," such voices have vanished. Working for Soma signifies a better future.
Even in the world of ninjas, where strength is paramount, interpersonal relationships can still play a significant role.
Here's a simple example.
When young students graduate from the Academy, the village assigns them a leading sensei. A good leading sensei can often help these students achieve a better future. In contrast, a poor leading sensei can easily waste a student's talent.
Take Morino Ibiki's brother's leading sensei, for instance; a mere Chunin dared to steal Konoha's Sword of the Thunder God and defect to the Rain Ninja Village, becoming a Jonin in a small ninja village. The defection of the leading sensei nearly ruined Morino Ibiki's future.
Furthermore, working for Soma increases the chance of obtaining a Zanpakuto contract. Even if the requirements for a Zanpakuto are strict and one cannot gain its recognition, beneath the Zanpakuto, there are also Great Grade Swords and Skillful Grade Swords, which are attainable ninja tools for ordinary ninjas.
Additionally, many people have heard that the treatment in the forging department is better than in other places.
In addition to the formal compensation, there are other benefits.
"Genji-san, what's the situation over in Konoha?"
"I was just about to tell you that."
Genji didn't come this time just to observe the guard team selection in the forging department. His true purpose was to discuss the situation in Konoha with Soma.
"The new Hokage of Konoha has assumed office."
"Hiruzen?"
Soma instinctively mentioned Hiruzen's name because that was the case in the original plot. After Minato Namikaze's death, Hiruzen didn't pass on the Hokage position to anyone else but took it on himself again, presumably believing that no one else had the talent to succeed him.
"Hiruzen?"
Genji was momentarily stunned.
"How did you think of Hiruzen? He has already retired."
This time, it was Soma's turn to be shocked. Based on Genji's reaction, had the situation changed?
"The successor to the Hokage is Orochimaru."
Genji continued, "After Minato Namikaze's death, most people guessed this outcome. After all, it was Orochimaru who was competing with Minato Namikaze for the position of Hokage, and now that Minato Namikaze is gone, it naturally falls to Orochimaru."
"Konoha seems to have sensed our intentions regarding several ninja villages and is prepared for a desperate struggle."
"They've basically sent out all the ninjas they can."
"Now, it's just a matter of time."
Soma's eyes flickered. He hadn't expected Orochimaru to become Hokage.
Soma knew that his arrival would create a series of butterfly effects. Many people's destinies would change because of him.
In the original plot, the already deceased Third Mizukage still exists in a spiritual form. The Kaguya Clan was not completely exterminated; instead, it transformed into a different Kaguya Clan and even produced a figure like Kaguya Neko.
Fuguki, Biwa Juzo, and Kurosuki Raiga all received a new lease on life. Hoshigaki Kisame, at a young age, made a name for himself in the ninja world. Kakashi lost his Sharingan and the title of Copy Ninja, but he picked up Hatake Style Kenjutsu again, and his strength not only did not decline but even improved.
Hyuga Hizashi died early.
However, many people's fates remained unchanged. Yagura was still controlled by Uchiha Obito through Genjutsu. Minato Namikaze still died during the Nine-Tails Incident, as did Kushina Uzumaki.
"Orochimaru becoming Hokage…"
"In the original plot, after Minato Namikaze's death, Orochimaru was indeed the most suitable candidate to succeed as Hokage, but Hiruzen did not give Orochimaru the opportunity and instead returned to the Hokage position himself."
"Why is there such a change now?"
"Is Konoha's situation that dire?"
"Is Hiruzen worried that Orochimaru will run away?"
"No, it can't be that simple."
Soma felt that Hiruzen wouldn't just hand over the Hokage position to Orochimaru out of concern for Konoha's situation; there must be other reasons involved.
"Unless Orochimaru has found some way to save Konoha."
"Saving Konoha in its current state is not an easy task."
Konoha's situation is indeed very poor.
Surrounded on three sides.
With the absence of top ninjas like Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki, Konoha's situation was precarious. As an imperfect jinchuriki, Kushina Uzumaki was a concern for Konoha, but even an unstable jinchuriki is still a jinchuriki. When the village's survival was at stake, would she not take action?
Moreover, Kushina Uzumaki was not entirely uncontrollable.
The more pressing issue was the loss of core ninjas. With the combined forces of Hidden Mist Village and the other ninja villages relying solely on sheer numbers, they could easily destroy Konoha.
"What does Orochimaru have?"
Soma recalled.
"Just human experimentation, Hashirama Cells, transplanted Sharingan, Impure World Reincarnation…"
To Hiruzen, these were actions that were not only beneath contempt but could even be considered criminal, acts that stripped away humanity. That's why Hiruzen would expel Orochimaru, branding him a rogue ninja.
"Has Orochimaru already conducted these experiments at this point?"
"Or just one or two of them?"
Soma fell into contemplation.
"There's a considerable probability that Orochimaru may have already achieved some results in one of those areas."
"In the original plot, Hiruzen would never agree to let Orochimaru conduct those experiments in Konoha."
"But the original plot is the original plot; the present is the present."
"With Konoha on the brink of collapse, Hiruzen can't possibly cling to his morals."
It's like someone who would normally never drink a slow-acting poison. However, when a person falls seriously ill, and only that slow-acting poison can relieve their suffering—even though it still poisons them—if it significantly extends their life, they won't refuse it.
"So it's precisely because of my appearance that Konoha has been forced into a dire situation that was impossible to reach in the original plot, ultimately paving the way for Orochimaru to become Hokage?"
"It's just like during the Fourth Great Ninja War when Konoha still agreed to let Orochimaru use Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu on the First, Second, Third, and Fourth Hokage."
"As long as Senju Hashirama and the others are willing to fight again to save the ninja world."
"Then, at the brink of Konoha's collapse, they might be willing to fight again to save Konoha."
Soma had previously considered whether there would be an opportunity to collaborate with Orochimaru after he defected from Konoha. He felt he could gain a lot of insights from Orochimaru. But now it seemed impossible.
Soma's expression turned serious. "If that's the case, Konoha will become quite terrifying."
"A Konoha without any moral boundaries will be very strong."
Suddenly, Soma felt a wave of pressure descend upon him. This was a pressure he hadn't even experienced from the current Akatsuki Organization.
The members of Akatsuki Organization are indeed strong—Nagato, Uchiha Obito, Konan. However, Soma understood the intelligence on these three. Knowing this information, and with the Third Mizukage capable of wielding the Skeleton Emperor in battle, the Akatsuki Organization might not pose a devastating threat to Hidden Mist Village.
But a Konoha willing to use all means—Impure World Reincarnation, Hashirama Cells, human experimentation—could indeed pose a significant threat to Hidden Mist Village.
Especially when facing Konoha, who has crossed the line in their first battle.
"Genji-san." Soma said, "The more we get to this point, the more cautious we should be. After all, Konoha is a deeply established large Ninja village, and they may have hidden methods."
"Additionally, the tragedies of the past must not happen again."
"We can let Hidden Cloud Village and Hidden Rock Village test Konoha's situation first."
Genji furrowed his brow. "Soma, your concerns are not unfounded. However, if we are slow in our steps, we might miss out on this excellent opportunity, and the major benefits will be taken by Hidden Cloud Village and Hidden Rock Village."
Soma smiled slightly. "Genji-san, if this were the old Hidden Mist Village, I would support your idea."
"A weak Ninja village must take some risks to become strong."
"But for a strong Ninja village to become even stronger, all it needs to do is stabilize its own situation."
"Taking too many risks will only give other Ninja villages an opportunity."
"Even if Hidden Cloud Village and Hidden Rock Village gain more benefits from Konoha, I am confident that our Hidden Mist Village will continue to be stronger than them."
Genji fell silent for a moment. "Soma, you are right. Given the current situation of Hidden Mist Village, there is indeed no need to take overly risky actions."
"I got a bit too excited."
"For so many years, our Hidden Mist Village has never had such an advantage over Konoha."
"During Gengetsu-sama's time, we had already won, yet we were still schemed against."
"I will send a message to Fuguki shortly, advising them to be more cautious."
A figure jogged over to Soma's location.
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