Even though his Conqueror Haki is very powerful, Zoro still can't destroy others' souls. Though it can suppress Orochimaru's soul, weakening his control over this dimension that is used to trap and control the bodies' owners' souls.
Also, it can destroy the binds on the souls, the meaty things that spread all over this dimension. Unlike souls, these meaty binds are a kind of jutsu made out of chakra. So they can be destroyed like other jutsu.
Thanks to Zoro using his full power Conqueror Haki all over this dimension plane that destroyed all of these meaty things, the souls of the bodies that Orochimaru used in the past are freed. They disappear from this place and go to the afterlife.
But Orochimaru's weakened and defeated soul doesn't disappear. Instead, it sinks into the darkness and Zoro can't do anything about it. He wants to take Orochimaru out of this place because he knows this is inside his body, but he doesn't know how.
Also, he doesn't have time to do anything because he gets expelled from the destroyed dimension plane at the same time as when those souls disappear. He returns to his body that lies on the forest ground.
".... Does this mean I have that snake's soul inside my body?"
Zoro feels really disgusted when thinking about it. But he doesn't know any way to get Orochimaru out of there. He will try to ask for help in Konoha later because those ninjas should know more about something like this.
For now, it's enough that he is the one in control of his body. Just the thought of that pedo snake controlling his body already disgusted him. His body is proof of his hard work, so he will never give it to anyone.
Zoro looks at the puddle of blood and sighs. The situation would be better if he can claim Orochimaru's bounty, but it's impossible now with the body being destroyed because it's the only proof that he has "killed" Orochimaru.
"Torao, let's go back to Konoha."
"What about Orochimaru?"
"Well, we'll see what we can do about it later. Or do you know a way to get his soul out of my body?"
"I could do something if I were still a Grim Reaper. But now I'm just a ninja cat with no soul-type ability, so there's nothing I can do. But based on my knowledge and understanding of souls, you won't lose control over your body as long as you are still stronger than him. So based on both of your souls' power, I think he can only take over your body when you are dying. After all, you've lived 2 lives, so your soul is significantly stronger than others. Even if you did nothing just now, in theory, Orochimaru won't be able to remove the bond between your soul and your body."
"In theory?"
"Well, there are factors that might affect the result, so we can't be sure. Maybe you would even give your body to him voluntarily, who knows?"
"Eww, as if."
"It's just an example. Anyway, if you want to remove his soul from your body, you should ask your powerful shinobi acquaintances."
"Yeah, that's the plan. But before that, let's swipe those Otogakure hideouts. I'm sure Akatsuki will take them over after they find out about Orochimaru's 'death'. So we can't let them. At least, we need to destroy Orochimaru's research data."
Torao has the locations of Otogakure's bases, so they can find them quickly. Zoro doesn't want Akatsuki to get stronger by taking Orochimaru's data. He knows that Orochimaru must've hid all the data thoroughly, but it's better to be cautious.
Besides, he might find some treasures while exploring those hideouts. Also, he has another objective that he has planned for quite a long time that can only be done after he defeats Orochimaru.
Zoro and Torao find the 2nd hideout quickly. But there aren't many people there. Orochimaru has moved quite a lot of people from nearby bases to the base that Zoro attacked because he knew Zoro's objective, so the nearby bases are quite empty.
Seeing that there's no one strong in the base, Zoro chooses to just barge in from the front. He fights those who attack him and lets those who run away. They don't have bounties, after all, so killing them won't be worth anything although he can kill them with a single slash.
This base is not a lab like the previous one, it's a training facility. Or more like a place where they filter their troops. Zoro finds records that show they make the young ninjas fight and kill each other to eliminate the weak ones, similar to Bloody Mist's method.
But Otogakure's purpose isn't just to find young ninjas with good talents, but also to find good candidates to be Orochimaru's vessels. Many young ninjas are killed here and their bodies are still used as test subjects by Orochimaru.
"Damn. Can't believe they choose to forgive this snake bastard in the future. Even if he changes and helps greatly in the war, I don't think what he did in the past can be forgiven. Well, I think in every world, they will forgive even the worst criminals as long as those guys are useful for them. Good but useless people will be removed, while evil but useful people will be helped."
There are only some useful things in this base like some training methods that can be sold in black market, tools, and money. So Zoro and Torao leave to the next base while hoping there will be more useful things there.
Their wish is granted in the next location. It's a lab, just like the 1st base where they found the Konoha kids. There are many prisoners that will be used as test subjects too in this base and there are some important characters among these people.
Zoro and Torao find people that can be said to be Otogakure's main ninjas in the same place. They find Kimimaro, Sakon, Ukon, Jirobo, Kidomaru, and Tayuya, who are also known as Sound Five when Kimimaro was still their leader. Now with him out of the team after being ill, it becomes Kimimaro and the Sound Four.
"Hmm, it's just some kids here. That snake is really a pedophile. He kept picking up kids." Zoro sighs in disgust.
"Who are you?" The twin, Sakon and Ukon ask while getting ready to fight.
The others also prepare themselves to fight, including Kimimaro who stands at the back.
"No need to mind me, kids. I'm just here to collect my rewards."
"Rewards?"
"Yeah. I can't exchange Orochimaru's head for his bounty prize because his body is completely destroyed, so I need to loot his place to get some compensation."
Zoro looks around nonchalantly, but what he says shocks the 5 young ninjas.
"What?! Are you saying you killed Master Orochimaru?"
"Well, something like that. Unless you have a method to revive him, then I guess he's dead."
"... HAHAHAHA!" The Sound Four suddenly laugh while Kimimaro just stays silent.
"Oi, old man, your joke is too old fashioned. No one will buy such a bluff. It's not even a funny joke." Tayuya smirks and so are the others because in their minds, Orochimaru is undefeated.
"You say it's not funny but you laugh. That's contradictory. Though I understand that you don't believe that I've defeated Orochimaru, right? Was he really that strong in your eyes?"
"We've seen his power more than you, so obviously we know how strong he is." Kidomaru smirks while letting his guard down because he thinks that Zoro is just a braggart without any power.
"I see. Then why don't you see for yourselves whether I am stronger than Orochimaru or not." Zoro smirks too when he sees these kids whose world is really small.
Sakon looks at Jirobo who nods and charges at Zoro. Jirobo sends a very powerful punch to Zoro's face. This punch should be strong enough to destroy a boulder, but it won't move Zoro from his spot even if he doesn't defend.
"That's a nice punch. You have good physical strength. Is it the result of your training or Orochimaru's experiment?" Zoro smirks while looking at Jirobo's punch that lands on his chest but doesn't affect anything.
Now the young ninjas are really shocked. They know how strong Jirobo's punch is even if he doesn't use his Cursed Seal power. Yet, Zoro takes it directly without even moving from his spot, showing how strong his body is.
"Hmm, let's make a game. If you kids can entertain me, then I'll let you stay alive. If not, well, you can help me say hi to Orochimaru." Zoro grins sinisterly as he plots a fun game with the young ninjas.
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Chapter: 181. 10 Tails
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