Land of Fields, Otogakure.
Otogakure was the ninja village Orochimaru founded after leaving the Akatsuki, created specifically to fund his research.
Scientific research required enormous amounts of money. After parting ways with Danzō and Konoha, the funds Orochimaru had earned over the years through missions still weren't enough. So, he established Otogakure to serve as his financial source.
The village was made up mostly of orphans gathered by Orochimaru, including some who possessed Kekkei Genkai from now-extinct clans. He brought them all here, turning them into Otogakure shinobi and potential vessel candidates.
This was a place where only the strong survived. Those who could make it to the Chūnin Exams were already among the elite.
Through bodily modifications, they could channel chakra into altered organs to produce destructive sound waves for attack — a fighting style with its own unique flair.
But these were just the ordinary shinobi. The truly powerful ones were those granted Cursed Seals by Orochimaru.
That was also one of his key criteria in choosing a vessel.
"So this is Otogakure?" Sasuke eyed the large emblem at the village entrance.
"Orochimaru's really here?"
"Don't worry. Even if he's not, we can find him through the people here. Come on, let's go."
"Oh."
Following behind Kiyosuke, Sasuke suddenly saw flames erupt from his companion's body.
A column of fire shot straight into the sky, drawing the attention of the entire village.
"Get your leader out here," Kiyosuke called out casually, "or I'll tear Otogakure down and send every last one of you to hell."
Sasuke thought to himself,
Well, this isn't just paying someone a visit — this is picking a fight.
Still, he liked the approach.
"Kiyosuke Asakawa?! Why is Konoha's strongest here?!"
"Is it because we attacked Konoha before? But we already paid compensation!"
"Who knows… If he's mad, we're all dead. I heard he can blow up an entire village and walk away without a scratch!"
The Oto-nin whispered among themselves, eyes wary as they stared at Kiyosuke and Sasuke, terrified he'd flatten the village on a whim.
Some, being smart, had already slipped away. They didn't have much attachment to this place anyway.
Others didn't dare move, fearing that the moment they tried to run, Kiyosuke would cut them down.
"Where's your leader? Bring him out."
"My deepest apologies, Kiyosuke-sama… I didn't know you were coming. Forgive us for not greeting you sooner. Cough… cough…"
A frail voice sounded, and the surrounding Oto-nin quickly stepped aside to let a white-haired boy emerge.
Handsome in appearance, with green eyes, red eyeshadow on his lids, and two crimson dots between his brows — unmistakably of the Kaguya clan.
"Oh? A Kaguya clan member? Haven't seen one in a long time."
Kiyosuke was surprised. Ever since the Third Great Ninja War ended, he hadn't encountered a Kaguya again.
That clan had rebelled against Kirigakure and was then wiped out by Yagura Karatachi under Obito's control, leaving only Kimimaro, who now served at Orochimaru's side.
But the boy was gravely ill and didn't have much time left.
"I've long heard of Kiyosuke-sama's strength. Seeing you in person today… you truly are extraordinary. Please, follow me. Orochimaru-sama doesn't yet know you've arrived."
Kimimaro glanced briefly at Sasuke, then led the way.
The other Oto-nin dispersed, returning to their own affairs. This matter was none of their business — since nothing was about to explode, they could get back to work.
As he guided them, Kimimaro said,
"Kiyosuke-sama, I've often heard Orochimaru-sama speak of you. He calls you his strongest disciple. Meeting you today… I see it's true."
The sheer pressure from Kiyosuke's chakra alone was frightening, to say nothing of his other abilities.
Kimimaro had always wanted to meet Kiyosuke — to see just how strong his teacher's greatest disciple was. Now he realized he was nowhere near his level.
He completely acknowledged this senior.
Kiyosuke chuckled.
"It's nothing, nothing. Just luck. All luck."
"No. To come this far, it can't just be luck. And luck itself is part of one's strength," Kimimaro replied earnestly, taking Kiyosuke's words at face value.
"…"
Man… people with personalities like this are exhausting.
Kiyosuke wasn't fond of talking with such meticulous types — conversations with them died fast.
So he changed the subject. "Orochimaru-sensei still busy with his research?"
"No. In fact, Orochimaru-sama is currently recuperating." Kimimaro's expression dimmed briefly before returning to normal.
"You'll understand once you meet him."
Kiyosuke had a faint guess in his heart.
Following Kimimaro, they descended into the massive underground complex beneath Otogakure — Orochimaru's true laboratory. Or rather, the entire place was his laboratory, just on a grander scale.
"Looks like Orochimaru-sensei's been raking in plenty of money these past years. Otherwise, he couldn't have built such a massive base," Kiyosuke remarked, eyeing the long, shadowy corridors.
The cost of such a facility was no small matter, not to mention the equipment and raw materials. Sometimes, Orochimaru even had to buy from the black market — and things there were very expensive.
"Please, this way."
Kimimaro led them into a laboratory where a figure was working at a bench.
He had silver hair, and from behind looked like a man in his early twenties. Turning around revealed an unremarkable face framed by round, old-fashioned glasses.
Spotting them, he said in surprise, "Well, if it isn't Kiyosuke-sama and Sasuke-kun. What brings you here?"
"Yakushi Kabuto?" Sasuke said, surprised. "So you were Orochimaru's spy all along?"
"Don't put it like that, Sasuke-kun," Kabuto replied with an amiable smile. "I was merely following Orochimaru-sama's orders — staying in Konoha for a while and gathering some useful information, that's all."
His mild demeanor made him seem easy to push around — but that impression would be dead wrong. With his medical ninjutsu alone, he could fight Tsunade. His talent rivaled Kakashi's. He was an extremely dangerous man.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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