For Orochimaru, who had already seen Habara's corpse, encountering a living Habara now was naturally cause for immense shock… That corpse definitely hadn't been fake, and yet the living, breathing Habara before him was undeniably real as well.
But Orochimaru's shock lasted only an instant. He quickly felt a sense of resigned acceptance; someone like Habara wouldn't simply die so easily. This wasn't to say Habara's strength had reached a level where he could guarantee self-preservation under any circumstances. Rather, it meant that a person capable of knowing so many of the ninja world's hidden truths would naturally possess secrets of his own. And it was precisely because of this unknown intelligence that he likely possessed the ability to "return from the dead."
When a person knows this secret and that secret, they would certainly prepare a "contingency plan" for the most dire situations… Setting aside others, wasn't Orochimaru himself exactly the same? Then, Orochimaru sharply sensed that the chakra of the Habara before him was distinctly different from before.
"Two against one. It seems I'm the one at a disadvantage now." Orochimaru's gaze first swept lightly over Jiraiya, then refocused intently on Habara.
Originally, Orochimaru only needed to deal with the severely injured Jiraiya, which felt relatively manageable. But now, with Habara added to the equation, the outcome was far from certain.
No, if the conflict continued, it would definitely be more complicated than just "uncertain."
But Orochimaru still decided to bluff. "However, you previously engaged in such a fierce battle with that figure. It's impossible for you to have fully recovered your former strength by now, especially after having lost a life."
This statement also came from personal experience. Orochimaru himself had only recently "died" once; his strength had arguably only recovered within the last couple of days… Comparing them, the similarities between Habara and Orochimaru were quite high; even something as bizarre as "dying once" occurred for both around the same time.
"Lord Orochimaru, thinking like that is too narrow-minded. Your perspective, your perspective needs to broaden."
After speaking, Habara completely ignored Orochimaru. He walked straight past him, approached Jiraiya, and handed him the large umbrella he carried. "Lord Jiraiya, retreat back to Konoha… Be wary of the rain overhead. You were discovered the moment you entered this country."
Understanding dawned instantly on Jiraiya. "This rain is problematic. Is it a sensory ninjutsu? But…"
But such a vast reconnaissance range… is that even possible?
Common sensory ninjutsu typically had directionality and linearity. Even something as powerful as the Hyuga clan's Byakugan, which could easily observe situations tens or even hundreds of kilometers away, was perception along a single direction, a straight line of sight. Could a sensory ninjutsu utilizing rain to cover an entire country truly exist? But if it didn't exist, how had the enemy located his covert infiltration so precisely? Jiraiya was filled with doubt. It wasn't to boast, but in terms of infiltration techniques, there were few in the entire ninja world superior to him.
Simultaneously, he confirmed one thing: the Orochimaru before him was indeed allied with some enemy hidden in the shadows, an enemy possessing a pair of Rinnegan… This realization only deepened the gloom in Jiraiya's heart.
"Then, regarding this situation…" Jiraiya knew now wasn't the time to dwell on these thoughts. In his current state, staying behind was pointless. Not only would he be unable to help, but he might even cause Habara to fight cautiously, holding back. Therefore, he prepared to follow Habara's advice and quickly withdraw from the Land of Rain.
"I will block Lord Orochimaru," Habara told Jiraiya. "But I don't guarantee I can capture him… Who knows what kind of monster he has modified himself into by now."
"I'd rather not be told that by someone who just returned from the dead," Orochimaru interjected.
Jiraiya dragged his injured body past Orochimaru, and surprisingly, Orochimaru made no move to launch a surprise attack. This wasn't particularly strange, though. Orochimaru viewed Jiraiya neither as a comrade nor as an obstacle. He occasionally found the man troublesome, but most of the time, he simply chose to ignore him.
Jiraiya's concern was somewhat excessive; his presence certainly wouldn't cause any trouble for Habara's fight, because Habara had absolutely no intention of battling Orochimaru in a place like the Land of Rain. Only after Jiraiya's figure disappeared into the rain curtain did Orochimaru turn back and ask Habara:
"You really did notice the problem with the Land of Rain's rain."
Orochimaru had stayed in the Land of Rain for a long time before gradually becoming aware of the issue with the rain outside. Only when the leader mentioned this sensory ninjutsu one day did he finally confirm it.
He hadn't expected Habara to be so perceptive. If the rain's peculiarity could be detected so easily, Jiraiya wouldn't have made such a simple mistake… During the previous battle with Nagato, the reason the rain screen was saturated with excessive chakra was merely Nagato's method of concealing himself; the normal Rain Tiger at Will technique wouldn't be so obvious.
"Actually, I just guessed," Habara replied. Explaining his information source was difficult, so he simply chose not to.
"You just casually ran back right under that person's nose again. Aren't you afraid I'll directly expose your existence? A leader cannot accept such a failure. You will surely become a thorn in his side," Orochimaru pressed further.
"Since he obtained my corpse, how could he believe I'm still alive? Your leader is definitely in a relatively relaxed state right now. As for you exposing the fact that I'm alive? Lord Orochimaru, you won't do that. For one thing, you will surely need someone to help you deal with that leader in the future. For another…"
"What?" Orochimaru asked, feigning ignorance.
"…You understand."
"Hehe, alright then," Orochimaru chuckled. "I want detailed intelligence on the Rinnegan. What do you want in exchange?" As he said this, Orochimaru couldn't help but lick his lips with his tongue. This was the fundamental reason he had acted so compliant upon seeing Habara.
Orochimaru would definitely not proactively inform the leader that Habara was alive. Did anyone really think he was devoted to Akatsuki's development?
What to exchange? Honestly, Habara hadn't thought about it. There was nothing Orochimaru possessed that he particularly needed anymore. He had originally planned to provide the intelligence to Orochimaru for free.
He pondered this while taking a few more steps deeper into the tree hollow. He reached out and pulled the kunai embedded in the wood earlier. Glancing at the traces of Orochimaru's blood still staining the blade, he suddenly remembered something.
"Right. Do you know of a person named 'Shinno'? Let's trade for his whereabouts."
Habara tossed the kunai lightly in his palm, then reached back and placed it into the ninja tool pouch on his back. Simultaneously, he retrieved a scroll containing the recorded intelligence on the Rinnegan.
Orochimaru showed a hint of surprise. "I do indeed know of such a person. He generally operates in the southeastern region of the Land of Fire. That individual likely holds a few minor secrets… However… are you certain this is enough?"
The price Habara demanded seemed far too low. This was information about the Rinnegan's abilities. At the very least, it was intelligence Habara had risked his life to probe. On a larger scale, the Rinnegan's powers touched upon the ultimate secrets of the ninja world.
Habara didn't waste words; he simply tossed the scroll to Orochimaru.
"As expected of you, Habara… Once I have investigated that person's location, I will inform you promptly." Orochimaru caught the scroll, nearly succumbing to the urge to open and read it on the spot.
"Good." Habara nodded. The transaction was complete. He prepared to leave. It wasn't that he trusted Orochimaru's reputation implicitly, but rather that for such a minor matter, Orochimaru had no real reason to renege on the deal.
Just as Habara was about to leave the tree hollow, he pulled his hood up. Before stepping out into the rain curtain, he paused abruptly and said:
"Lord Orochimaru, here's a piece of intelligence, free of charge. Your 'leader' is merely a puppet. There are five other similar puppets. I believe that soon, I too will become one of your leader's components… More accurately, my corpse will. The true leader is someone else entirely. Take your time finding him."
He had almost forgotten that crucial point. If Habara hadn't added this clarification, Orochimaru, believing he possessed sufficient knowledge of the Rinnegan, might have eventually moved against the Deva Path… That scenario would have been rather tragic.
Orochimaru instantly broke out in a cold sweat, his initial enthusiasm for the Rinnegan intelligence thoroughly extinguished. Clearly, he understood the implications. This information hit him hard. He had thought he was gradually advancing his plot to obtain the Rinnegan, only to realize he had been scheming against a mere puppet all along.
If he had acted rashly and exposed himself…
Orochimaru didn't even register when Habara had departed.
Habara left the Land of Rain. After returning to the Land of Fire, he waited near the border for some time before finally beginning his journey back at a leisurely pace… As the one responsible for intercepting Orochimaru, he couldn't possibly return before the injured Jiraiya, could he? The act needed to be convincing; one had to consider plausibility, at least somewhat.
Only after receiving intelligence from Daigo confirming Jiraiya's safe return did he finally increase his speed.
As Habara neared the new capital of the Land of Fire, he happened upon a large group of twenty to thirty Konoha ninja pointing and discussing something within a forested area.
"Jonin Habara."
"Lord Habara…"
Upon seeing him, the ninja turned one after another to greet him.
"What are you all…" Habara started to ask what the group was doing. They weren't slacking off on the job, were they?
"We are preparing to set up some training grounds for daily ninja use, while also considering the venue requirements for the upcoming Chunin Exams…" the leading ninja explained.
Habara understood. So, it was still about civil engineering.
Still, he thought, the Hokage was quite ruthless. Having made a certain sacrifice (specifically referring to the Land of Rivers), she wouldn't permit Sunagakure to maintain an ambiguous stance. Theoretically, Konoha proper was more suitable for hosting the joint Chunin Exams than this newly constructed city. But considering the political significance here… as long as Sunagakure's ninja came, it signified their complete acknowledgment of the Hokage's status as State Lord. Sunagakure couldn't possibly refuse to attend just because the location changed, right? No way, Habara mused, can Sunagakure also play the game of swallowing the sugar coating while returning the cannonball? The spirit of the Fourth Kazekage is watching you.
Just then, someone suddenly spoke up, "Lord Habara, the new city's construction is booming right now. We all know this is a compromise made by the village to ensure Lady Hokage could assume the position of State Lord. But some people are saying this is splitting Konoha's strength, and because of that, some ninja are feeling a bit lost…"
Another added, "Jonin Habara, please say a few words. What path lies ahead for Konoha?"
Habara was surprised. Had the Hokage not conducted psychological guidance for the rank-and-file ninja? That seemed somewhat negligent… He didn't pause to consider just how busy the Hokage currently was: national integration, Konoha reforms, new city construction, his own disappearance, and so on and so forth. Where would she find the time for psychological counseling?
Habara was regarded by many Konoha ninja as a leader figure among the younger generation. Therefore, it wasn't unusual for ninja feeling adrift about future goals to ask him such questions. And these were questions he couldn't, and wouldn't, evade. Since this group had caught him, he had no choice but to say a few words.
Unfortunately, he hadn't prepared a speech draft beforehand. Otherwise, he could definitely have created a memorable scene.
He clapped his hands together, his gaze sweeping over the assembled ninja. Many met his look with the focused eyes characteristic of shinobi.
And so, Habara began to speak:
"Ahem. Most of the specific, detailed measures involve Konoha's overall planning and are therefore classified to a certain degree. It wouldn't be appropriate for me to explain them here. Besides, I believe none of you are particularly interested in hearing such trivial details anyway."
"Many of you are wondering: what is Konoha doing right now? Where is the village leadership trying to take us all? In truth, the goal, the ambition, whatever you wish to call it, can be summed up in a single sentence—Everything is for the sake of building a stronger Konoha."
"This strength is different from the kind Konoha possessed in the past. The Konoha of old was unmatched in the ninja world, none could test its edge. But that strength relied on the First Hokage's individual power, which could truly be called 'god-like.' After the First Hokage passed away, Konoha quickly lost that deterrent force."
"Therefore, the strength we need isn't the kind that vanishes completely with the loss of one or two individuals. The First Hokage was a ninja; his life was finite. Konoha, as a village, has an infinite lifespan. We need a strength that is systemic, sustainable, a strength that will not decay with the passage of time."
"It's the kind of strength that makes our western neighbors fear a tide of steel, makes our eastern neighbors fear backfire bombers heading south, and makes our neighbors living on islands wish they could sink into the sea…"
"It's impossible for everyone here to become the First Hokage. But if each of you becomes just one percent of the First Hokage, then achieving such a goal is no longer empty talk."
"At that time, when the Hokage walks into the meeting room of the Five Kage Summit, the Raikage will instinctively stand up, and even the Tsuchikage, sitting in his wheelchair, will attempt to rise…"
Understood, the narrative seemed to imply. Habara wants to build a kind of strength that could inadvertently collapse and disintegrate at any moment.
Be wary of the Seventh Hokage. Keep an eye on whether a map starts growing on his forehead.