The release of the rebirth pill made Orochimaru's name once again the topic of idle chatter among Konoha villagers and Ninja after meals. There was no other way; the changes Orochimaru brought to Konoha were simply too significant.
Not to mention, the rebirth pill was equivalent to giving Ninja a second life when they performed high-risk missions. As for the so-called drawback that wasn't really a drawback, no one cared at all.
If there were no drawbacks at all, they would instead question whether the rebirth pill's effects were truly that strong.
Many people were speculating that, given Orochimaru's achievements for Konoha, it was highly likely that the next Hokage would be Orochimaru. Looking at the entire Konoha, she was undoubtedly the one to succeed the Third Hokage as the Fourth Hokage.
Just as the villagers and Ninja were discussing matters related to Orochimaru, the intelligence Ninja embedded in Konoha by various Ninja Villages collected information about Orochimaru and transmitted it to their respective Ninja Villages through various means.
In the open space near Orochimaru's home, dozens of steel wires were nailed to surrounding trees with Kunai, and each wire had a target hanging on it.
Orochimaru stood in the center, and with a wave of her hands, the targets slid rapidly along the wires.
Orochimaru's eyes quickly darted around, observing the position of each target. She leaped up, her petite and nimble body spinning in the air, continuously throwing Kunai and shuriken.
"Wind Release: Swift Wind Wall!"
Orochimaru formed the Tatsu hand seal. The wind formed by Wind Release Chakra wrapped around the Kunai and shuriken. The Kunai and shuriken, which had originally deviated from their trajectory and were difficult to hit the targets, curved in the air and became even sharper under the enhancement of Wind Release Chakra.
Bang bang bang—!
Every target shattered after being pierced through the bullseye!
Not bad... Orochimaru landed on the ground. Wind Release: Swift Wind Wall uses Wind Release Chakra to change the flight direction of Kunai and shuriken, and it can also enhance their cutting power.
Ever since her failed attempt to create a Truth-Seeking Orb by hand, Orochimaru had not been to the Third Training Ground. All her training was conducted in this large open space and forest near her home.
"Wind Release: Swift Wind Wall, Orochimaru, you've developed another incredibly powerful Ninjutsu."
Hyuga Mio walked towards Orochimaru, the veins beside her eyes slowly receding.
"It's just a Ninjutsu used for little tricks."
Orochimaru wasn't that enthusiastic about practicing throwing Kunai and shuriken. Rather than wasting time on that, she would rather meditate to increase her Chakra, or at least read a book, which was more meaningful than practicing throwing Kunai and shuriken.
But, no matter how much she didn't want to admit it, she was still a Ninja. If her basic skills like throwing Kunai and shuriken weren't solid, wouldn't others laugh their heads off?
And so, Wind Release: Swift Wind Wall came into being.
Simply put, this was a Ninjutsu Orochimaru developed out of laziness, and it was a Ninjutsu that could be activated with just one hand seal.
This technique was so simple that even that idiot Jiraiya could learn it.
"Orochimaru! You're here!"
Tsunade waved her hand and ran towards Orochimaru. When she saw Hyuga Mio, a hint of displeasure flashed across her face.
"Hehe! You've developed a new medicine!"
Tsunade put her arm around Orochimaru's shoulder, looking at Hyuga Mio with a provocative and hostile gaze.
"I wish I could be as amazing as you! My grandma would nag me less, right?"
"Everyone has their own areas of expertise, Tsunade, and you do too."
Orochimaru noticed Tsunade's gaze towards Hyuga Mio and didn't understand why Tsunade was so hostile towards Hyuga Mio.
"Orochimaru, were you just practicing throwing shuriken and Kunai?"
Tsunade looked around, seeing the shattered targets and the Kunai and shuriken stuck in the tree trunks.
"It wasn't really practice; it was testing a new Ninjutsu."
Orochimaru prepared these things to test Wind Release: Swift Wind Wall, not to practice.
"New Ninjutsu?"
Tsunade looked at Orochimaru expectantly.
Facing Tsunade's sparkling bright brown eyes, Orochimaru said helplessly, "Before demonstrating this Ninjutsu, I need to prepare a bit."
A moment later, targets were hung on the surrounding steel wires. With a wave of Orochimaru's hands, the targets on the wires began to move.
Tsunade watched Orochimaru's movements intently.
Orochimaru threw a shuriken, then quickly performed hand seals, completing them in the blink of an eye.
"Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique!"
The shuriken instantly multiplied from one to dozens.
"Wind Release: Swift Wind Wall!"
Orochimaru formed the Tatsu hand seal. The wind formed by Wind Release Chakra wrapped around each shuriken, controlling them to precisely pierce the bullseye of every target!
Bang bang bang—!
Dozens of targets shattered instantly!
"Wow! Orochimaru, you're amazing!"
Tsunade excitedly hugged Orochimaru, lifting her up and spinning her around a few times.
???
Orochimaru, being spun around by Tsunade, had a bewildered expression.
Hyuga Mio turned her head, pretending not to see anything.
"Orochimaru, everyone in the Village is saying that you'll be able to succeed Hiruzen-sensei as the Fourth Hokage in the future!"
Tsunade walked beside Orochimaru, her hands clasped behind her back.
Orochimaru, who was holding a thermos cup and taking a sip of medicinal tea, heard this and sprayed out the medicinal tea she hadn't yet swallowed, forming a rainbow in the sunlight.
Orochimaru waved her hand and said, "Being Hokage or whatever... I've never thought about it. I think you or Jiraiya will be Hokage in the future. I can't do it."
Being Hokage? What a joke, whoever wants to be this broken Village head can be it.
"I don't want to be Hokage at all. Sitting in an office all day, unable to go to the Casino, what's the point?"
Tsunade had no interest in being Hokage. Just thinking about Hiruzen-sensei sitting in his office all day, she couldn't stand the thought of spending her days cooped up in an office!
"Speaking of which, Orochimaru, you seem to really dislike the Hokage position."
Tsunade stroked her chin, staring at Orochimaru. She could sense Orochimaru's disdain for the Hokage position.
"Being Hokage is a dream for all Ninja. Even if I don't want to be it, I wouldn't despise it."
Orochimaru said insincerely. In Konoha, no one despised the Hokage position more than her.
Is the Hokage position good?
Good!
Will I take it?
No!
Orochimaru would not have the slightest interest in the Hokage position. Let someone else sit on that sacrificial throne.
"Is that so?"
Tsunade looked at Orochimaru suspiciously.
Root's Base
Ever since Danzo Shimura gave up his obsession with becoming Hokage, his relationship with Hiruzen Sarutobi had eased.
The release of the rebirth pill this time, and the actions of the intelligence Ninja lurking in the Village, were within his expectations. However, this time was different; he didn't think the other Ninja Villages would sit idly by.
Danzo Shimura crossed his arms, his face grim, and said, "This time, it won't be so easy to fool them. The rebirth pill developed by Orochimaru can greatly reduce Ninja casualties, which is too important for Konoha. Even Root has not been able to fully track the movements of those intelligence Ninja."
"So, it's only a matter of time before other Ninja Villages get information about the rebirth pill? And once they realize Orochimaru's importance to Konoha, they will probably take action, won't they?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's brows were tightly furrowed.
"Then, how about protecting Orochimaru? I believe she will understand us."
Homura Mitokado suggested. Special circumstances called for special treatment; Orochimaru was too important to Konoha.
"Orochimaru, who has mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique, has movements that we cannot track. We cannot use this to restrict Orochimaru's actions..."
Utatane Koharu said, feeling troublesome. The most troublesome thing was that Orochimaru had mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique. Trying to restrict a Ninja who had mastered space-time Ninjutsu, wasn't that just dreaming?
Moreover, she was a child. No matter how mature and steady she was, she was still a child. Even if she understood the stakes involved, she wouldn't let them manipulate her...
"Sigh, that child is too opinionated."
Utatane Koharu sighed.
"No matter what, any action by any Ninja Village targeting Orochimaru, we must eliminate it in its infancy! The intelligence Ninja we sent out are not just for show!"
Danzo Shimura said decisively. He didn't believe that other Ninja Villages would allow Konoha to continue developing.
With all the Ninja Villages currently recuperating, no one wanted the others to fare too well.
Soon after, the Healing Pill produced by White Snake Pharmaceutical Technology Company became very popular in various Ninja Villages. Not only Ninja from the Ninja Villages, but also the Police Department maintaining order in towns across various countries.
Although the Healing Pill's effectiveness was not comparable to the rebirth pill, for Ninja who might face life-threatening dangers at any time, and for police officers who needed to deal with various problems in towns and might be attacked by dark forces, it was enough to save their lives.
If the rebirth pill was a large red potion, then the Healing Pill was equivalent to a small red potion.
The Healing Pill's healing effect was a bit weaker, but it could still treat minor injuries.
Therefore, the demand for the Healing Pill from various countries and Ninja Villages was exceptionally high. However, the production of one of the most important medicinal ingredients was limited, so the Healing Pill was always in short supply.
Many people also set their sights on the Healing Pill's formula. Various Ninja Villages and organizations had tried to analyze what medicinal ingredients the Healing Pill was made from.
Most of the medicinal ingredients were analyzed, but the most crucial one could not be. The Healing Pills made from these analyses, let alone healing wounds, almost poisoned the people who tested them to death.
The existence of Konoha's rebirth pill also attracted the attention of the major Ninja Villages. Their eyes all converged on the developer, Orochimaru.
Previously, they thought Orochimaru was a shield put forward by Konoha to protect the true developer. But as they continuously investigated, they discovered that this was not a shield at all; it was clearly Konoha playing its hand openly, and they were still doubting if the hand was fake.
Land of Waves, Mangrove Forest.
Kakuzu walked on the seawater, looking down at the financial report in his hand. The fact that the Healing Pill brought so much profit to the company was within his expectations. As a strong individual who had lived for so many years and experienced countless battles, when he saw the formula and effects of the Healing Pill, he immediately realized its strategic significance.
Undoubtedly, the Healing Pill was a medicine with great strategic significance that could change the tide of battle, whether for countries or Ninja Villages.
This medicine could greatly reduce the pressure on Medical Ninja and also significantly reduce casualties on the battlefield.
But at the same time, he also saw the risks brought by the Healing Pill.
When you possess a treasure but lack the strength to protect it, that treasure is no longer a treasure, but a sharp blade pressed against your neck, ready to claim your life at any moment.
After understanding the company's strength, he wasn't too worried about the Healing Pill's formula being stolen. Furthermore, the company had partnerships with various Ninja Villages, so it was unlikely they would do something as foolish as killing the goose that lays the golden eggs.
Considering his own experiences, Kakuzu believed that there was still a small possibility of such an event occurring. He had informed Aokawa and Orochimaru of what he thought might happen before the Healing Pill was officially released.
He worked for money, that was true. If the company ceased to exist, who would pay him?
What truly shocked Kakuzu was that the most important medicinal ingredient in the Healing Pill's formula was actually the secretions of the Chimera Bug!
Those translucent, slightly viscous, light brown secretions could actually create such immense profits.
Kakuzu even wondered if Orochimaru had intentionally cultivated the Chimera Bug in this direction.
Kakuzu stuffed the financial report into his in my arms and looked at the Chimera Bug in the distance, gathered together on the canopies of the mangrove trees, twisting their bodies and occasionally waving their large pincers and scorpion tails. They seemed to be communicating something, and the largest one, the Chimera Bug King, nodded from time to time.
How exactly did Orochimaru cultivate the Chimera Bug?
Even now, Kakuzu still couldn't believe that the Chimera Bug, which devoured so much money every day, could bring such abundant income!
With real gold and silver right in front of him, he had to admit that these large bugs, one by one, were gleaming with gold, treasures that could continuously generate wealth. Forget about using them as summoned beasts; if even one of them got injured, he would feel heartache for half a day.
Indeed, ever since he knew that the Chimera Bug were all precious treasures, whenever he had time, he would come to the Mangrove Forest to inspect them and eliminate all threats to the Chimera Bug swarm.
Land of Earth, Iwagakure.
In the meeting room of the Tsuchikage Building, Iwagakure's high-ranking officials were constantly arguing.
"Konoha knew we would investigate, so they put the developer out in the open from the very beginning?"
"Orochimaru's research achievements have undoubtedly greatly enhanced Konoha's strength. We were all deceived by Konoha. Konoha was convinced from the start that we wouldn't believe such a young child would be the developer of those things."
"Don't forget, Orochimaru is still very young. What will she develop in the future... and what changes will she bring to Konoha? Are we just going to watch Konoha get stronger and stronger?!"
"So, you should have listened to me from the beginning and sent people to assassinate Orochimaru!"
The high-ranking officials sitting on the stone chairs stood up, glaring at each other. They were all considering the future of Iwagakure, and secretly regretting why they hadn't been resolute enough to send people to assassinate Orochimaru back then.
Even if she was just a scapegoat, it was better than letting Orochimaru live and develop so many things that enhanced Konoha's power.
"Quiet!"
Third Tsuchikage Onoki let out a low growl, and the high-ranking officials, who were on the verge of a more intense argument, sat back down.
"Sending Ninja to assassinate is not something to rush. We are certainly not the only Village that wants to assassinate Orochimaru."
Ōnoki looked at the important intelligence gathered by the intelligence Ninja on the table, thinking about how to get rid of Orochimaru. Even though she was a young girl, what she had shown was already threatening enough.
Orochimaru had brought too many changes to Konoha. If it continued, Konoha would become an extremely terrifying existence.
Konoha's geographical location was uniquely blessed, with extremely abundant resources, and the existence of a genius research Ninja like Orochimaru. It could be said that Konoha had all the advantages: favorable timing, geographical convenience, and human harmony.
How long had it been since the First Shinobi World War, and Konoha's development was already so rapid.
Curbing Konoha's development was imperative!
However, if the assassination truly succeeded, would Konoha let it go?
Ōnoki was certain that Orochimaru was extremely important to Konoha. If the assassination of Orochimaru really succeeded, it was highly likely to trigger the Second Shinobi World War.
Was this why other Ninja Villages hadn't made a move against Orochimaru?
With all the major Ninja Villages recuperating, they could not afford another Ninja World War.
Not only Iwagakure in the Land of Earth, Kumogakure in the Land of Lightning, Sunagakure in the Land of Wind, Hidden Mist in the Land of Water which was isolated from the outside world, but also all the small Ninja Villages, everyone's gaze was focused on Orochimaru.
Throughout the entire Ninja World, everyone could sense an unusual atmosphere.
The rebirth pill developed by Orochimaru had caused a storm to sweep across the entire Ninja World, forming a widely influential tempest.
Yet, Orochimaru, at the eye of the storm, was completely unaware of how dangerous her situation was, or how many people wanted to eliminate her.
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