"From the confrontation target Orochimaru: You have acquired a special talent—Greedy Snake Soul"
"Greedy Snake Soul": When you actively reside in another's body, or a soul, spirit, or chakra-based existence resides within your body, it will slowly extract the target's power, and depending on the duration, and the target's mental state, there is a chance to imprint the soul."
In the slightly salty and humid sea breeze of the Land of Water, Aomi pondered the gift from Orochimaru.
Quite intriguing, much like a python that's swallowed its prey whole and is then slowly digesting it...
What interested Aomi particularly was the ability to imprint the soul.
"Derived from the ability to split soul fragments within Orochimaru's curse mark system, has this evolved under confrontation?"
Aomi glanced at Senju Tobirama within him; he wasn't particularly interested in imprinting Tobirama. All of Tobirama's abilities were mastered by Aomi, only waiting for completion in the final confrontation...
Yet there was an unexpected surprise—whether Tobirama, who now possesses the Sharingan, could rise to Mangekyo...
How far Uchiha Tobirama could go, Aomi would be watching live from the first site.
As for the soon-to-be new resident—Otsutsuki Kaguya.
The idea of imprinting could become rather unconventional—for instance, imprinting on the abdomen with a pinkish-purple pattern, creating some thought-provoking imagery...
But that's a matter for later.
Aomi was eagerly anticipating how Kaguya would feel when she awoke from the darkness only to find herself in a prison...
Would she curse him as an evil descendant of the Six Paths Sage?
Aomi mused playfully, looking at The Hidden Mist Village, he paused.
There was surprise in his eyes.
And Senju Tobirama's mouth was twitching.
Where was The Hidden Mist anymore?
Senju Tobirama vaguely remembered Aomi's high-standard transformation plans for The Hidden Mist Village, ones which ensured even if the Second Mizukage or the Third Mizukage were revived, they wouldn't recognize their village...
This certainly met the requirements.
But wasn't this purely Konoha!
From the gates, buildings, to the structure except it said Mizukage Building instead of Hokage Building, and even Short Scroll Street, this was a perfect imitation of original Konoha.
What really broke Senju Tobirama was that even the Hokage Rock was replicated.
At present, atop the mountains behind The Hidden Mist Village, Aomi's kage rock was conspicuously etched.
Was this plagiarism?
This was really pushing it!
Senju Tobirama felt conflicted inside, realizing that while sealing the Six Paths Sage, Aomi indeed wasn't given the chance to become the Hokage...
But being the Mizukage was feasible. His rock was etched, yet there were no statues of the other previous Mizukages.
A true new First Mizukage!
"Tobirama, why do you think The Hidden Mist was so perceptive?" Aomi asked softly.
Senju Tobirama pondered for a moment, then slowly spoke:
"The village has been entrenched in internal turmoil for too long, and it initiated war to turn internal conflicts into external ones."
"But the comprehensive defeat in this war, especially as you used the methods of the Second Mizukage to kill the Third Mizukage, fragmented the collective spirit first internally, then you shattered it..."
"Moreover, considering your display of Water Release, Dead Bone Pulse, the signature Mist techniques of Lava and Boil Release, and the elite Mist ninja you've subdued, your presence in this village is pivotal."
As a former Hokage, Senju Tobirama reviewed Aomi's moves, enlightenment striking like a flash in his mind.
It seemed from the beginning...
Aomi had his eye on The Hidden Mist!
From the onset of this war, Aomi first used stratagem to lure the Third Mizukage into the battle, showcasing both strategic acumen and Konoha's bombing unit, leading to both collective and personal dominance.
And when he killed the Third Mizukage...
Thinking back, it seemed Aomi intentionally allowed the Third Mizukage to retreat to the coast, so he could confront him at his strongest.
Terumi Mei, Kaguya Kimijiro, Kisame, Zabuza...
These Hidden Mist ninjas, whom Aomi chose during the Chunin exams, are indeed now the backbone of this village; each one has identity and combat power, capable of being leaders.
Winning their hearts meant winning over half of The Hidden Mist.
Plus, with Hyuga Hizashi overseeing the village's reconstruction, combined with Aomi's material generosity...
The relationship between the Hyuga and Kaguya, similar to that of the Senju and the Uzumaki Clan, naturally inclined toward The Hidden Mist.
Layer by layer, the downfall of The Hidden Mist at Aomi's hands seemed inevitable.
At what point did Aomi decide to conquer The Hidden Mist?
Did he begin plotting this during the Chunin exams?
Senju Tobirama looked at Aomi with confusion, appearing as though he wanted to speak but hesitated...
"I know what you want to ask, Tobirama."
Aomi walked calmly through The Hidden Mist Village, greeting ninjas who saluted him, while speaking to Senju Tobirama: "Tobirama, I told you, I plan to seal the Six Paths Sage within the ocean… and you'd need some people to guard the seal, wouldn't you?"
"This isolated island village, The Hidden Mist, was my chosen guardians."
Senju Tobirama was suddenly startled, realizing Aomi seemed to have had such a plan all along.