Chapter 156.1 : Return!!

"It seems that the power of Sage Jutsu I have mastered surpasses yours in terms of quality."

Orochimaru paid no mind to the three enraged Snake Princesses. He knew that as long as their cooperation remained intact, and as long as no problems arose, the White Snake Sage would not allow them to act recklessly.

"Enough. Haven't you three embarrassed yourselves enough?"

As expected, in the next moment, the White Snake Sage's voice echoed. The three Snake Princesses, who had been furious and menacing just a second ago, suddenly froze, as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over them.

"You may leave now. Remember what I told you."

Ignoring the suddenly subdued Snake Princesses, the White Snake Sage used its power to send Orochimaru and Kagetsu out of Ryūchi Cave.

Poof! Poof!

Two figures reappeared in Orochimaru's underground base. 

Watching over the area, Shisui heard the sound and immediately sensed the familiar chakra signatures. He stood up at once.

"How was it? What did you feel?"

Orochimaru looked at Kagetsu with a smile, asking in an inexplicable tone.

"It was powerful... It felt as if Ryūchi Cave and the White Snake Sage were one and the same. It is Ryūchi Cave, and Ryūchi Cave is it."

Kagetsu pondered for a moment before giving a serious response.

"Such sharp perception!" Orochimaru sighed in admiration. "When I first met the White Snake Sage, I didn't have your level of sensory ability, nor was I as composed as you are now."

As he spoke, his tone drifted slightly, and a hint of nostalgia appeared on his face.

"Back then, I couldn't grasp its true power, but I could feel the overwhelming impact on my mind and soul—like an ant facing a colossal beast!

In that moment, I became acutely aware of the immense difference in our very existence, as if we were on entirely different levels of life itself. It was like encountering a higher-dimensional being.

That experience shook me to my core, shaping my path and my pursuits ever since. I, too, want to become the perfect lifeform."

Shisui, who had approached, listened to Orochimaru's words and immediately stopped in his tracks. Orochimaru didn't even glance at him and continued speaking on his own.

"Of course, that was my past way of thinking! Back then, in my eyes, the White Snake Sage was the most powerful and the most perfect being! More perfect and stronger than the Tailed Beasts! 

But now, I know it is not perfect! It has its flaws too.

A person's thoughts always change with time and experiences. Just like my admiration for Hiruzen-sensei, and just like my obsession with the White Snake Sage."

Kagetsu and Shisui remained silent, simply listening to Orochimaru, who seemed to be talking to himself.

"Alright, I was just unable to suppress some of my inner emotions. What I once pursued, looking at it now, doesn't seem so unattainable or mysterious anymore."

Orochimaru composed himself, as if he had let go of some burden in his heart. His entire demeanor became much more relaxed, and he gave off a subtly different aura.

"I'll take care of the matter regarding the spiritual weapon. I'll find it." Orochimaru took the responsibility upon himself. "I once pursued these artifacts and even gathered some information and records.

It is said that these ninja tools possess incredible power! And they even have a degree of autonomy. To obtain them, one might need their approval."

"So you're saying that even if we find them, only certain people will be able to acquire them?" Kagetsu pondered.

"Those who carry contradictions and pain. The information I've gathered subtly hints at this." Orochimaru nodded. "As long as we know this, obtaining them won't be difficult."

"Let's prepare both options." Kagetsu suggested, "I can try my own method first to see if I can restore Shisui's eyesight."

"Do as you wish." Orochimaru didn't care whether Shisui could truly regain his sight, but he was highly interested in the research on forging spiritual weapons.

In his eyes, Kagetsu had a talent for research and creation similar to the Second Hokage!

Having studied both, Orochimaru, after reviewing Kagetsu's research notes, even felt that Kagetsu's vision was broader than the Second Hokage's, with even greater potential and possibilities.

Although Kagetsu had not created countless forbidden jutsu, just the incomplete Hōgyoku alone was, in Orochimaru's eyes, enough to rival them.

At the very least, no matter how many or how powerful those forbidden jutsu were, they would never catch the attention of the sages of Ryūchi Cave. And likely, the same applied to the sages of Shikkotsu Forest and Mount Myōboku.

Orochimaru once wanted to master all the jutsu in the ninja world.

But now, he understood that jutsu were endless—impossible to learn them all.

Instead, he could focus on the foundation of all jutsu!

Chakra!

Natural energy!

And the power of the Hōgyoku!

As long as he mastered these fundamental forces, it would be the same as learning and controlling all jutsu. In a way, it would fulfill his past ideals and ambitions.

"If nothing unexpected happens, you and Shisui should be returning to the village, right?" Orochimaru suddenly asked Kagetsu.

"Yes," Kagetsu nodded. Letting Shisui disappear and remain in the shadows wasn't impossible, but both Orochimaru and Kagetsu felt there was no need for that.

"Don't worry about Shimura Danzo. I'm not like Hiruzen-sensei." Orochimaru licked his lips but didn't say much more. After mentioning Danzo, he immediately changed the topic.

"When you return to the village, tell Hiruzen-sensei that I have given you a new S-rank mission— Find Tsunade!"

Kagetsu and Shisui were momentarily stunned by Orochimaru's sudden change of thought.

"Tell him that Konoha needs Tsunade's strength right now. Even if she still suffers from hemophobia, Hiruzen-sensei will agree. If possible, have Jiraiya help out. He's quite skilled at gathering intelligence and tracking down people.

Of course, when it comes to actually convincing Tsunade, he shouldn't be present! His personality might cause some unexpected problems in the negotiation."

Orochimaru casually roped Jiraiya into the plan as well.

"Tsunade-san won't be easy to persuade," Kagetsu sighed. He had an idea of what Orochimaru was planning, and he didn't mind, but thinking about Tsunade's despair and stubborn nature made him feel a headache coming on.

He didn't have that kind of charisma or talk-no-jutsu. Tsunade wouldn't see her younger brother, Nawaki, in him either.

Even though he had learned medical ninjutsu from her and could barely be considered a half-disciple, that alone wouldn't be enough to bring her back.

"My future research requires her! If she joins us, she could play a crucial role in our work. At the very least, she could help me complete my Hōgyoku much faster.

You can't deny that when it comes to medical ninjutsu and human body research, Tsunade's talent is not just equal to ours—it far surpasses us."

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