Chapter 258: Subduing the Three Great Serpent Princesses

Nagato lay on the operating table, closing his eyes.

Like Konan, he didn't trust Orochimaru.

However, with Shinho standing nearby, he could rest assured.

If Orochimaru had truly coveted the Rinnegan, he wouldn't have waited until now.

The surgery was led by Orochimaru and Kabuto Yakushi.

There was no need for Shinho to intervene.

He watched Nagato and fell into deep thought.

Once Nagato's legs healed, they could head to Ryūchi Cave.

With Sasuke joining them, the three of them together would have no problem defeating the White Snake Sage.

In fact, they might not even need all three, Shinho alone could likely handle it.

But to be on the safe side, it was better for all of them to go.

After subduing Ryūchi Cave, Shinho planned to establish a Summoning Division.

It would stand alongside the Aburame Division and the Cursed Seal Division, reporting to the Special Operations Department.

Since it was a summoning-based division, the Shikkotsu Forest couldn't be excluded.

In the ninja system, teams were typically formed with three members.

In future squads, the medical ninja could contract Katsuyu, while their two teammates contracted snakes.

The combined strength would undoubtedly skyrocket.

Unfortunately, Sage Mode was exceedingly difficult to master.

Otherwise, Shinho would've considered forming an entire Sage Division.

The three great summoning sanctuaries had always been cautious about who they accepted as contractors, hence, there had only been fewer than ten summoners in the ninja world to date.

But now, things were no longer up to them.

Still, Shinho suspected Katsuyu would be pleased, after all, she'd have plenty of people to chat with.

Time passed slowly.

"The surgery was a success."

Orochimaru removed his gloves, speaking with a blank expression.

Konan let out a sigh of relief and watched Nagato anxiously.

Soon, Nagato opened his eyes.

His gaze shifted from confusion to clarity, and finally to hesitation and excitement.

He could distinctly feel the difference in his legs.

Compared to their previous state of necrosis, he now had sensation.

"Nagato?"

Konan couldn't help but speak up.

Nagato raised his head, took a deep breath, and slowly extended his legs.

His feet touched the ground, and he stood steadily.

A flash of excitement appeared on his face.

Konan instinctively clenched her fists.

From now on, Nagato would be able to move freely.

"How's his condition?"

Shinho turned to Orochimaru and asked.

"His body is still severely depleted in vital energy. Although he's received some replenishment, it will take some time for him to fully recover."

Orochimaru explained calmly.

"My body... can it also recover?" Nagato asked in astonishment.

He was aware that he suffered from two ailments.

One was his leg paralysis.

The other was his emaciated frame.

Both resulted from the massive chakra and life force he had expended by summoning the Gedo Statue.

"That's right," Shinho nodded.

This was the wonder of Hashirama cells and White Zetsu tissue.

Their vitality was incredible.

After all, Obito had been blown apart and still survived thanks to them.

"Thank you!"

Nagato's voice trembled with a hint of emotion.

Just as Shinho was about to respond, two lines of text appeared before his eyes:

..

[Achievement "Take a Step Without Illness" unlocked. Reward: Revival Gu.]

[Revival Gu: A Rank 5 Gu worm. Consumable. As long as the body is preserved properly, revival can occur in mere moments after death.]

..

Shinho raised his eyebrows slightly.

There was no doubt, this was an invaluable treasure.

Though there were some limitations, they weren't significant. He just had to ensure the preservation of his body.

"You can head back now," Shinho instructed after some thought. "Nagato, come find me in three days."

Nagato nodded.

In his current mood, he didn't mind running errands for Shinho.

After Nagato and Konan left, Shinho turned toward Orochimaru.

Now that the research on the Cursed Seal transformation was complete, Orochimaru had some free time.

"Orochimaru, your next task is to study the Caged Bird Seal."

Shinho spoke bluntly.

The Caged Bird Seal?

Kabuto was taken aback.

Was the Hokage planning to make a move against the Hyūga Clan?

Orochimaru nodded.

Because of the Slavery Gu, he wouldn't question Shinho's commands.

Whatever he was asked to research, he would research.

"I'll come back in a while to check in."

With that, Shinho turned and left.

Though Orochimaru was a genius, the Caged Bird Seal had remained unbroken for millennia, a testament to its intricacy.

Shinho's hopes lay with the Tenseigan and the records related to it on the moon.

Once he got his hands on those, Orochimaru's chances of success would increase substantially.

Back in the Hokage's office, Shinho opened the door and was somewhat surprised.

Konan was standing in front of the desk, sorting through documents.

"You didn't escort Nagato back?"

Shinho's gaze swept over her.

Her hair was styled in her signature bun, holding back her soft bluish-purple locks, though a few strands fell delicately over her forehead.

She leaned forward slightly, and due to the effects of gravity, her tailored suit looked noticeably taut.

Though not as prominent as Tsunade's, her figure still surpassed the average woman's.

"Thers's no need."

Konan raised her head, glanced at him, and then continued organizing the documents.

With her level of strength, she had naturally noticed Shinho's gaze.

But she didn't care, or rather, she didn't mind at all.

"Any news on the Anti-Konoha Alliance?"

Shinho asked casually.

"The Akatsuki returned the jinchūriki to the Three Great Ninja Villages."

Konan replied coldly.

"That's not surprising."

Shinho chuckled before continuing, "Did they display any specific movements?"

"They're preparing logistics."

Konan answered, "The three villages have reached out to Village of Artisans, increasing their purchase of ninja tools."

Village of Artisans?

Shinho pondered for a moment, recalling relevant information.

It was a village inhabited by craftsmen known for producing high-quality, affordable ninja tools that were exported even to the Five Great Villages.

In the original timeline, there was a storyline involving Village of Artisans.

That village had four elite ninja known as the Four Heavenly Directions.

Their goal was to create the ultimate ninja tool, resurrect their ancestor Seimei, and destroy the Five Great Villages to unify the ninja world.

Villains in the ninja world often had grand ambitions.

Unfortunately, their strength rarely matched their lofty aspirations.

"Well then, Let's issue a mission and have Team Three handle it."

Shinho walked forward, unrolled a scroll, and began writing.

Team Three was the team led by Might Guy, consisting of Neji Hyūga, Rock Lee, and Tenten.

Shinho's plan was for them to disrupt the revival of Seimei and sabotage the Three Great Villages' logistics.

If the mission succeeded, it would buy Konoha more time.

Ideally, they would only engage in full-scale war once Shinho had established his three elite divisions.

After finishing, Shinho handed the scroll to Konan.

She didn't leave immediately. Instead, she completed categorizing and organizing all the documents before finally turning and walking out.

Shinho inhaled deeply.

The air still carried a faint, delicate fragrance.

He plopped down into the Hokage's chair and began his work for the day.

…

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

Shinho arrived at the Hokage's office early.

There hadn't been any major incidents over the past three days.

Might Guy and Team Three had departed for Village of Artisans two days ago.

By now, they had likely arrived.

Konan spent most of her time learning how to be a competent assistant under Shizune's guidance.

As a result, she was rarely in the Hokage's office.

Tsunade and Shizune had become accustomed to sleeping in the same room.

These past three days had been particularly blissful for Shinho.

With one companion in each arm, he was living the dream.

A knock sounded at the door.

"Come in."

Shinho looked up.

The door opened, and it was Nagato.

After three days of rest, he looked much healthier.

However, his body was still frail, as if he suffered from malnutrition.

"We're waiting for one more person."

Shinho took out a scroll and said, "In the meantime, sign this."

Nagato was puzzled and opened the scroll.

The Summoning Contract of the Shikkotsu Forest?

He was taken aback.

As a former student of Jiraiya, he was naturally familiar with the Three Great Summoning Beast Sanctuaries.

"I don't need this."

Nagato shook his head, speaking honestly.

"I know you don't need it," Shinho explained, "This is temporary because the place we're heading to today is quite special."

"We're going to the Shikkotsu Forest?"

Nagato asked instinctively.

"No. Ryūchi Cave."

Shinho smiled. "You'll understand soon enough."

Hearing this, Nagato didn't ask further and signed his name on the scroll.

Not long after, there was another knock at the door.

"Shinho."

Sasuke entered, his gaze immediately locking onto Nagato.

More specifically, onto his Rinnegan.

Sasuke felt a strange sense of familiarity, accompanied by an overwhelming pressure.

"Everyone's here. Let's head out."

Shinho glanced at them and said, "Wait here for Katsuyu to summon you."

Shinho left the Hokage's office and headed to the Department of Scientific Reasearch.

Just like last time, he had Orochimaru head to Ryūchi Cave first using the summoning link.

A moment later, when he opened his eyes, he was standing in the dark, damp cavern.

Shinho exhaled.

After sending Orochimaru back, he bit his thumb and pressed his hand to the ground.

With a puff of smoke, a half-human-sized Katsuyu appeared.

"Thank you, Katsuyu-sama."

Shinho nodded in gratitude.

Katsuyu didn't waste any words and immediately activated the Reverse Summoning Jutsu.

Bang!

Bang!

Nagato and Sasuke appeared.

"Our mission today is to defeat the White Snake Sage and make Ryūchi Cave submit."

Shinho declared.

Nagato seemed contemplative.

Konoha had already become the common enemy of the ninja world.

As one of the Three Great Summoning Sanctuaries, Ryūchi Cave offered significant advantages to those contracted with it.

Shinho's decision made sense.

The White Snake Sage, huh?

Nagato blinked.

According to legend, the Great Toad Sage and the Sage of Six Paths had been close friends.

The White Snake Sage lived in the same era and had likely met the Sage of Six Paths.

Faced with the same Rinnegan, how would this ancient sage of ninjutsu measure up?

"Is the White Snake Sage huge?"

Sasuke, recalling Katsuyu's massive size, couldn't help but ask.

"Most likely."

Shinho hadn't seen the White Snake Sage's true form, but judging by the size of the serpents under its command, it was unlikely to be small.

"I'll handle it."

Sasuke said decisively.

"Have you mastered Susanoo?"

Shinho asked thoughtfully.

Given what he knew about Sasuke, his sudden confidence could only mean his strength had improved.

In the original timeline, Sasuke had gained mastery over Susanoo fairly quickly.

"Yes," Sasuke admitted, "Two days ago."

Shinho nodded, "Don't be hasty, you'll have your chance to shine."

Shinho paused and asked, "Would you like to form a summoning contract with Ryūchi Cave?"

"No."

Sasuke shook his head. "They'd only slow me down."

"You're wrong, you do need one."