"There's no need for that."
The genie shrugged. "I've said it before, their sense of time is strange. Compared to that, what you're busy with is more important."
This wasn't entirely true, but Orochimaru didn't want to argue with the genie.
With a flash, he disappeared from the underground lab.
...
The sky was clear and bright, with fluffy clouds under the deep blue sky.
Orochimaru stood in the shadow under the 'Ninjutsu Selection Center' building, making hand signs. "Summoning Technique!"
"You really made me wait,"
Tagorihime appeared from the white smoke, her face beautiful, a hint of charm in her smile, complaining,
"If I didn't remind you, were you just going to keep us waiting?"
Orochimaru shook his head. "How could I? I've just been too busy lately."
Just as he finished speaking, a sound of cutting wind rang out, and Kakashi, wearing a fox mask, jumped down, kneeling on one knee.
"Orochimaru-sama, the Hokage has summoned you."
Orochimaru didn't respond, but glanced at Tagorihime, as if to say, 'See, that's how it is.'
"That's quite a coincidence," Tagorihime giggled. "It's as if it was all planned."
Of course, this wasn't rehearsed. Kakashi glanced at the snake woman, wondering why she was here,
But he still said, "Please go to the Hokage's office quickly, Orochimaru-sama. The advisor elders have already arrived."
Orochimaru frowned slightly. Kakashi knew what was important, and his urgent attitude meant that something big was happening with the old man.
But Tagorihime was also a problem. After all, she was a snake demon who had lived for hundreds of years. Letting her roam freely in Konoha was a significant risk.
After thinking for a moment, Orochimaru said to Kakashi, "Since the old man wants me, Tagorihime will be in your care for now. Don't neglect her."
Kakashi knew her strength and the risks involved, so he immediately replied, "Yes!"
After instructing Kakashi, Orochimaru turned his head and looked Tagorihime up and down.
"You can walk around Konoha, try the fun things, the good food, but it's best not to be too flashy."
"First of all, you need to change your clothes. No one dresses like that in Konoha."
"Tsk... but I really like this outfit." Tagorihime frowned slightly, but under Orochimaru's gaze, she nodded. "Fine."
As she spoke, she immediately entered Sage Mode, her senses spreading around, as if choosing something, her snake eyes narrowed.
"Found it."
Tagorihime's eyes focused, and a wave of natural energy burst from her body. Her palace dress twisted and changed, turning into a female Anbu ninja uniform.
"So, that wasn't your clothes?" Orochimaru's expression was a little strange, and Kakashi couldn't help but steal a few more glances, his eyes filled with surprise.
"Of course not. Ryuchi Cave doesn't have a place to store clothes. Clothes are made from my scales."
Tagorihime tugged at the Anbu ninja uniform, a smile on her lips. "In other words, in a sense, I'm naked right now."
"Boring." Orochimaru shook his head at Tagorihime's teasing. He didn't have such worldly desires.
He turned to look at Kakashi. "Keep an eye on her, don't let her cause any trouble."
Kakashi nodded.
Hokage Building, conference room.
When Orochimaru entered, besides Danzo, who had been in seclusion and keeping a low profile recently, the leader of the Jonin squad and the two advisor elders had already arrived.
Orochimaru's gaze swept over the only outsider present, a hint of doubt in his eyes.
Before coming, he had guessed that this matter was related to Kabuto's attack on Takigakure Village, but he didn't expect the person who came wasn't a ninja from Takigakure, who had an alliance with Konoha, but a female ninja wearing a Kusagakure Ninja headband.
This was really strange. The victim, Takigakure Ninja, did not appear, but instead Kusagakure Ninja came to Konoha. What were they planning?
Did they think they had the strength to change the peace treaty with Konoha, or...
Many thoughts flashed through his mind, but Orochimaru remained calm and sat down opposite Nara Shikaku.
The Third Hokage saw that everyone had arrived and said slowly, "Kusagakure's messenger, please tell us again what you know."
The representative of the Kusagakure conservative faction, elite Jonin Ryuran, bowed slightly and told the story of Kusagakure's recent hiring of S-rank rogue ninjas to kidnap Takigakure Village's young Jinchuriki.
The Konoha side didn't react much. Village battles were common. Takigakure Village was Konoha's ally, but it was only a surface agreement.
They didn't even offer help when Konoha was attacked, so there was no need for them to stand up for them now.
"...According to our Flower Faction's investigation, the village elders' goal is to open the ultimate weapon called the 'Box of Paradise'."
Ryuran said solemnly with a serious face, "I can feel that it contains truly ominous things. Please stop them."
"A mysterious box that can absorb Chakra, taking the tailed beasts is to satisfy the box's demand for Chakra..."
Utatane Koharu repeated Ryuran's words, somewhat amused.
In her opinion, Kusagakure not thinking about using the Jinchuriki, but instead relying on an unknown box, was putting the cart before the horse.
The Third Hokage didn't jump to conclusions easily, but asked, "Do you have any more information about the 'Box of Paradise'?"
"Besides the point that it can 'grant wishes,' there are only some vague rumors."
Kusagakure's Flower Faction Jonin Ryuran said without reservation, "Legend has it that the last person who opened it almost controlled the entire ninja world."
The ninjas present, except for Orochimaru, had strange expressions.
Control the entire ninja world? What arrogant words.
Even the 'God of Ninja' Senju Hashirama couldn't do this. A mere Kusagakure...
It's not that Konoha looks down on Kusagakure Ninja... okay, they really thought Kusagakure was exaggerating a bit too much.
However, laughing out loud in front of someone wasn't very polite.
The Third Hokage pondered for a moment and said to Ryuran, "This matter is 'of great importance.' We need to discuss it. Please rest for a moment."
Ryuran vaguely felt the change in the Third Hokage's attitude and was a little disappointed, but she still insisted,
"I assure you that what I said today is absolutely true. Please consider it carefully."
After the Flower Faction Jonin from Kusagakure left, the Third Hokage looked around and said, "What do you think of this matter?"
"Compared to that Box of Paradise, I think Kusagakure's seizure of Takigakure Village's Jinchuriki is more worthy of attention."
Utatane Koharu's eyes sparkled, and she said righteously, "Takigakure Village is so weak that it no longer has the ability to protect the Seven-Tailed Jinchuriki, Chomei."
"Kusagakure is the same."
"For the sake of the safety of the ninja world, it should be handed over to Konoha for safekeeping."
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