Sora moved swiftly through the rocky mountainous terrain while calmly analyzing Orochimaru's psychology:
'Right now, he must be coveting me intensely, but he also has scruples.'
'In the short term, he likely won't resort to using force to snatch me away easily. It's more probable he will adopt more roundabout methods, such as surveillance, setting up schemes, or... like this time, looking for opportunities to trade.'
As for whether Orochimaru would report the anomaly of his constitution to the Konoha higher-ups, Sora wasn't too worried.
Given Orochimaru's personality, he preferred to hoard the "treasure" for himself.
Reporting Sora's secret offered him no benefit. On the contrary, it might lead Sarutobi Hiruzen to tighten control, causing him to lose any chance to make a move.
The only thing requiring vigilance was Orochimaru colluding with his "project partner," Danzo.
That old schemer Danzo had always held an obsession for the Sharingan and the cells of the First Hokage. If he learned of Sora's abilities, it was hard to say whether he would become interested.
Moreover, because Sora had used Dragon Claw when seizing Yamato's cell tissue, he did not display his normal semi-beast transformation form this time.
Based solely on what Orochimaru saw with his own eyes, and considering the relationship between Orochimaru and Danzo, Sora deduced that these two could not conclude he was the mysterious person who took out the Root squad.
After all, Orochimaru, having just commanded the Battle of Kikyōyama, was now at the peak of his reputation. In the eyes of discerning people, Sarutobi Hiruzen would surely have to resign after the war, leaving the Hokage position vacant. Currently, Orochimaru was the strongest candidate.
Given Danzo's desires outside of becoming Hokage, he would certainly target Orochimaru. The relationship between the two most likely belonged only to some "project partnership" regarding experiments.
Sora even felt that the reason Orochimaru later lost out to the suddenly rising Namikaze Minato was partly because Danzo revealed some of Orochimaru's old secrets. Otherwise, Sarutobi Hiruzen wouldn't have passed over his clearly closer "personal disciple" Orochimaru to choose his "disciple's disciple" Namikaze Minato.
'However, I am not made of clay either. If those two truly join forces, the complete Azure Dragon form plus Azure Dragon Armor...'
Thinking of the world-destroying power of the complete Azure Dragon form, Sora felt slightly reassured.
That was his biggest trump card currently. Once used, he was confident he could unleash destructive power surpassing ordinary Kage-level in a short time.
Even if simultaneously facing attacks from Orochimaru and Danzo, if he couldn't win, escaping wouldn't be a problem. He might even manage to counter-kill one of them.
And that "one" would undoubtedly be Danzo.
'Strength is the foundation. As long as I grow fast enough, so their schemes can't keep up with my speed of improvement, all conspiracies and tricks are futile.'
A sharp glint flashed in Sora's eyes.
'The top priority is to advance the "Kekkei Mora Plan" as soon as possible. The artificial Tailed Beast technology is the first step, absorbing the Dragon Vein is the second step, cultivating Kabuto and establishing the laboratory is the third step...'
Amidst these scattered thoughts, Sora had already penetrated deep into the heartland of the Land of Earth.
Unlike the desolate desert of the Land of Wind or the humid water towns of the Land of Water, the Land of Earth's first impression was one of vastness and heaviness.
Looking around, there were mostly exposed rocky mountains and sparse vegetation.
According to the instructions on the mission scroll, Sora needed to infiltrate the rear of the Land of Earth, scout information on Iwagakure's material allocation, troop deployment, and the like, and look for opportunities to sabotage and disrupt their frontline supplies.
However, Sora did not choose to immediately start sabotage activities.
After all, causing destruction was easy. But once he acted, it would inevitably trigger frenzied pursuit by the Iwagakure Anbu. Then, forget scouting intelligence, even Sora's own plans could be affected.
...
Over the next few days, Sora moved like a ghost in the rear areas of the Land of Earth.
Relying on his powerful sensory abilities and stealth skills, Sora avoided several waves of Iwagakure patrols. He quietly identified several important material transport routes and the locations of several border outposts, recording these details in his intelligence report.
This intelligence was enough for him to report back to Sarutobi Hiruzen, proving he had seriously carried out the scouting mission.
During gaps in his scouting, Sora also began deliberately moving closer to the direction of Iwagakure headquarters.
Of course, he had no intention of forcibly breaking into Iwagakure, one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages famed for its defensive capabilities. That would be akin to seeking death.
His target was some important towns and black market bases near Iwagakure.
According to some records in the Konoha Anbu archives, the black market in the Land of Earth was sizable. Due to its geographical environment, rare minerals and special materials from other countries often flowed through it. These were precisely what he urgently needed to establish his laboratory.
One day, Sora arrived at a city built against a mountain, located several tens of miles from Iwagakure.
This place served as an important outer stronghold for Iwagakure. Many family members of Iwa-nin lived here, commerce was quite bustling, and there was no lack of shady, gray-market transactions.
Sora changed his appearance, disguising himself as a wandering merchant coming to purchase medicinal herbs, and blended into the city.
Walking on the bustling streets, Sora seemed to be casually observing the shops on both sides, but in reality, his sensory power spread like invisible ripples, scanning everything around him and collecting potentially useful information.
As he passed by a seemingly quite affluent residence, his footsteps paused slightly.
In the courtyard of the residence, a little boy who looked about one year old, with short blonde hair, was sitting on the ground. In his chubby little hands, he was kneading a lump of pale yellow clay.
Beside him, a woman who seemed to be a nanny was looking at him affectionately.
The little boy's appearance, and the unique clay in his hands emitting faint chakra fluctuations, instantly reminded Sora of someone—the future Akatsuki artist, Deidara!
'Already handling Explosion Clay at such a young age? Truly a genius born into a Kekkei Genkai clan.'
A flicker of surprise passed through Sora's mind, but then understanding dawned.
Deidara was born into Iwagakure's Explosion Release clan, showing astonishing talent in the art of explosion from a very young age, and was exceptionally taken as a disciple by Ōnoki.
Calculating the timeline, the Third Shinobi World War still had about two years to go. Deidara really should be a toddler of one or two years old.
Sora's gaze lingered on the lump of clay and little Deidara for less than a second before naturally shifting away.
'Explosion Release... a Kekkei Genkai combining earth and lightning nature transformations. The power is indeed impressive.'
'However, he is far too young now. His cell activity, Kekkei Genkai power, are all in their most primitive, budding state. Even if obtained, the research value would be greatly diminished.'
Sora quickly dismissed a fleeting thought that crossed his mind. On his target list, there were more mature, more suitable options.
When the time came later, he could always come find this "artist."
With that thought, Sora no longer lingered and headed towards a certain secretive direction in the city.
Following previously obtained covert information, Sora wound through various alleys in the city and finally entered an inconspicuous dead-end alley.
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