"Senpai, I know. I won't say a word about these things."
Karin knew these things well, even without Takemi needing to remind her.
But she didn't quite understand why Takemi, being so powerful, was unwilling to say too much about certain matters.
For example, on the day of the Chunin Exams, she was puzzled why he specifically reminded her, until she felt Takemi's Chakra from outside the village.
Even though that Chakra had changed drastically, she still recognized it as Takemi immediately.
However, since Takemi didn't want her to speak, then she wouldn't.
It was Takemi who took her away from Kusagakure, Takemi who let her live in Konoha, Takemi who saved her.
How could she possibly betray him?
"But senpai, is he really okay?"
"Him? Don't worry."
Looking at Kabuto, who was still holding his head and struggling slightly, he nodded gently.
"He will be well-behaved from now on. At least with me around, he won't be able to cause any trouble."
Perhaps in the future, he wouldn't even need the Spirit Orb. Kabuto might just be well-behaved on his own.
"Karin, you should go back first."
Seeing Kabuto's current state, Takemi thought for a moment and said with a smile.
"You know the situation is special right now. I'm worried the Anbu might come later, so…"
"Okay, senpai, you be careful too."
Karin immediately nodded. Although she had Tsunade and Takemi's protection, she was still extremely cautious, her current life was hard-earned.
Of course, she also understood that Takemi probably had other things to do, as everyone has their own secrets.
"Besides, I also know some of senpai's secrets…"
Karin happily turned and ran off, leaving Takemi and Kabuto behind.
When enough time had passed, Takemi finally turned his gaze to Kabuto.
"Now, do you know who you are?"
"Yes, Lord…"
Kabuto was still in some pain, but the Spirit Orb's effect had already activated, he just nodded weakly.
"Good. Just act as if nothing happened, and continue to contact Orochimaru. I want all his things."
"Yes, I understand."
Kabuto was fully obedient now, which made Takemi extremely satisfied. One could only say it was indeed the ability granted by the Tenseigan.
And Orochimaru's things...
Athough Takemi probably wouldn't use them, these things might still give him some inspiration.
After all, Orochimaru was the 'Ninja World Scientist'. Who knew how many secrets he had researched and developed?
At the very least, Takemi could give them to others, such as his research on the Uchiha and Senju, or Edo Tensei.
Moreover, Kabuto himself possessed a certain research capability.
Thinking of this, Takemi chuckled, and his figure flashed, disappearing from the spot.
Only Kabuto remained, still slightly in pain but completely controlled, bowing slightly towards the direction Takemi had left.
In another part of the forest, Deidara complained when he saw Takemi, "What took you so long? I thought you stood me up."
Mei asked, "Did you encounter any unexpected problems?"
"No, I just prepared a little." Takemi smiled, then said.
"Since everyone's here, then…"
"Let's go!"
"Finally, we're off!"
Sitting atop the flying bird, Deidara was in an exceptionally good mood.
Watching Konoha get farther and farther away, he was even happier.
"This time, I'm definitely going to blow the entire Kumogakure sky-high!"
"Tch, I feel like you just want to have fun."
Takemi stroked his chin, feeling certain his guess was correct.
"Hmm, if your village experienced a riot, what would you do?"
"How could that happen?! But if it really did, I'd blow them all sky-high!"
"…"
Mei couldn't help but roll her eyes upon hearing this, and Takemi sighed.
He reached out and patted Deidara's shoulder, then said slowly, "Why blow them sky-high? Wouldn't it be better to just send out your own troops with steel rods and beat the rioters senseless?"
"…Huh?"
Deidara looked a bit confused, and Mei had an even bigger headache.
This method didn't seem very reliable either, did it?
"Alright, no more jokes, let's talk about the follow-up issues."
Takemi sat on the flying bird, thought for a moment, and then spoke.
"Kumogakure is not small, and they have many vested interests. We need to discuss how to distribute them."
"Uh, can we decide that? And we haven't even…"
Mei's expression was a bit strange. They were already discussing victory before even fighting?
"Mm-hmm, I think we can discuss it."
Deidara hummed, then fell silent, because he didn't even know how to talk about these things.
Seeing this, Takemi spoke directly, "They have a lot of mineral resources, and they've plundered countless secret techniques from Ninja Villages and clans."
"Besides that, they also have significant interests in the Land of Hot Water, and they possess two Tailed Beasts, so…"
"They definitely won't agree to the Tailed Beasts. Sunagakure is already a clear example."
Although Mei felt it was too absurd, she still followed Takemi's line of thought.
"Besides these things, their maritime trade is also very strong, and they have many surrounding islands, controlling many fishing grounds."
"So, we can divide their mineral resources and, at the same time, demand that the fishing grounds be transferred to you."
Takemi stroked his chin and spoke very straightforwardly.
"In addition, make them hand over all their secret techniques and research data, and they'll also need to pay a large war indemnity."
"And their mission shares in the Land of Hot Water, Land of the Moon, and Land of Frost—these will all belong to us."
"…"
Mei gasped. She realized Takemi was truly ruthless. How was this any different from forcing Kumogakure to its death?
Ninja rely on mission shares and the support of the Daimyo, don't they?
"Hiss!"
Suddenly, she felt Takemi had another motive.
"Uh, should we limit the number of their Ninja?"
Just as Mei was pondering, Deidara suddenly asked curiously, "I heard the old man say that although Kumogakure also fought in the Third Great Ninja War, their battle lines weren't extensive, so they didn't send out many Ninja."
"Although the Third Raikage died at our hands, it did make them withdraw from their fight with you, but they never ended up fighting us."
Kumogakure did suffer losses in the Third Great Ninja War, for example, their Third Raikage…
But in terms of major losses, they were probably the village with the fewest.
They neither fought Konoha to the death nor engaged deeply with other villages.
Compared to Iwagakure and Sunagakure, they seemed to have lost a lot of face, but they also preserved a large number of combat Ninja.
This was also why they dared to run to Konoha back then, falsely accuse Konoha and the Hyuga, and almost start a war.
"That's a good suggestion."
Takemi stroked his chin, seemingly very moved.
"Anyway, the mission shares must be weakened. There's no use for them to keep so many Ninja. It's indeed time to limit their Ninja numbers."