chapter 102 part 5
"Heh, never mind then. I'll go to the Land of Rain myself and take a look. Just by seeing the forest that appeared out of nowhere there, I'll be able to discover many things."
Orochimaru had wanted to do this for a long time. Now that he had successfully controlled Tsukasa Kaede, the Living Corpse Reincarnation Jutsu would eventually fall into his hands, so he was no longer in a rush. He began to calmly investigate and unravel the mysteries that had perplexed him.
"Investigating the truth of Mito Uzumaki's death is a pretense; scheming for the Rinnegan is the real objective, isn't it? Someone like you would never do anything superfluous."
"Hehe, Tsukasa Kaede, you talk as if you're not the same… I've always said, we are kindred spirits; we should be fellow travelers."
Orochimaru certainly had designs on the Rinnegan. But then again, who wouldn't have designs on the Rinnegan? Who could remain indifferent after learning of the Sage's Eyes? Not Danzo, not Jiraiya, and certainly not Tsukasa Kaede himself. It was just that everyone had different ways of wielding the Rinnegan; besides forcibly taking it, there was cultivating Nagato, attempting to achieve a certain goal through Nagato's hands.
Orochimaru was clearly the type who would forcibly snatch it, unlike Danzo, who would hypocritically try to take Nagato as his apprentice. Orochimaru would rather seize the Rinnegan and then research it from scratch himself. And, while he was at it, he'd bring back Nagato's corpse for joint research.
"Tsukasa Kaede, I might have to trouble you next. I'll need you to take me there using Spatial Rift Jutsu. Perhaps even finding the Rinnegan will require your strength."
"Calling it a 'trouble' is actually a command, isn't it? If I don't agree, I won't be able to move freely."
"Please don't say that. It truly is a request… Tsukasa Kaede, please believe one thing: I genuinely consider you a fellow traveler. Your Corpse Release is too well-suited to help me uncover the mysteries of this world. Having you by my side will save me a great deal of time. I won't treat you as my Puppet; I will only, under necessary circumstances, absolutely require your assistance."
Orochimaru said this, but in reality, he didn't relax his control over Tsukasa Kaede.
Tsukasa Kaede was also not in a hurry.
Not long after, Danzo, having received the news, secretly rushed over.
"Danzo? Orochimaru, you actually plan to act with this guy, and even share the Rinnegan? That really doesn't suit your style." Tsukasa Kaede looked at Danzo in surprise.
Danzo snorted coldly, scrutinizing Tsukasa Kaede's condition, then sneered: "Tsukasa Kaede, the Leaf Devourer… How long has it been, and you've already fallen into this wretched state? People in the Village are still widely spreading your name, yet they don't know you carelessly died like this. How ironic."
Danzo's mood was somewhat complex. He had once coveted Tsukasa Kaede but couldn't get him, nor had he ever obtained the Living Corpse Reincarnation Jutsu. In the end, because he had indirectly caused Mito Uzumaki's death, he was suppressed by the Third Hokage and had remained dormant until now.
However, his return to power was only a matter of time. Yet now he saw Tsukasa Kaede had died just like that, and was resurrected by Orochimaru using Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu.
"I thought you and Orochimaru would briefly usurp my position and become the representatives of the Village's radical faction. But it seems your capacity is still far from enough. Even if you achieved some success with Corpse Release, it's not enough for you to go far enough; I still have to do it."
"I know, Danzo. Having to listen to your lectures even after dying is a disgusting experience," Tsukasa Kaede said impatiently.
Danzo didn't get angry. He said, "Tell me, how did you die? For old times' sake, having once had you as a subordinate, I will avenge you. I am also curious who in this world had the ability to kill you."
"It's none of your business. I won't leak my intel to someone like you. And as for avenging me… To speak with such confidence, it seems Orochimaru has performed Transplant Surgery on you. Judging by your appearance, the effect is excellent," Tsukasa Kaede said.
"It's not that great," Orochimaru said. "Cultivating the experiment subject to be your Vessel indeed advanced the experimental progress of transplanting Hashirama Cells, and it did provide Danzo with a portion of arm organs to increase his Chakra reserves. And they can be cut off and his original arm transplanted back on at any time."
Danzo scoffed, "Orochimaru, don't talk so much about the living with a dead man! His significance in existing in the Living World is to assist us in seizing the Rinnegan!"
"What's wrong? So wary of a dead man? Impure World Reincarnation won't have any problems; I'm very confident, so there's no need to worry." Orochimaru chuckled, "I promised Tsukasa Kaede I wouldn't continuously manipulate him. That would be an insult to him."
"Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu is a Jutsu that makes the dead serve the living. What's there to talk about insult or no insult?" Danzo was displeased, but he couldn't change Orochimaru's decision.
"Then, I shall begin… Corpse Shift: Spatial Rift Jutsu!"
Tsukasa Kaede transported the two to the Land of Rain, appearing on the outskirts of the battleground where Madara and Mito Uzumaki had fought.
As expected, upon seeing the fragmented, discontinuous forest, Orochimaru and Danzo were stunned. Both of them were quite knowledgeable and had personally witnessed Hashirama Cells transforming into trees after going out of control. Now, seeing these strangely shaped, broken forests, they were immediately struck with terror.
"The shape of these trees seems a bit off…"
"No mistake, it's Wood Release! Lady Mito's enemy actually uses Wood Release, but why would something like this happen?"
In the instant Orochimaru and Danzo were distracted.
Tsukasa Kaede moved.
Boar-Dragon-Tiger-Monkey-Ox-Rat—
(end of chapter)