After blasting open the southern mountain pass and launching the canal project, the once barren environment of the Land of Rain had improved dramatically.
Although rainfall in the central and northern regions of the Land of Rain remained as heavy as ever, the persistent floods saw some relief after the official commissioning of the canal system. Particularly in areas along the canals, where drainage became relatively smooth, common citizens began restoring many paddy fields along both banks for planting crops and fish farming.
Freshwater fish from the Land of Rain held little competitive edge in the broader ninja world market. However, they were sufficient for domestic consumption and could at least serve as one supplementary source of meat.
All of these changes were thanks to the Ninja Clan Capital Corporation led by Hyuga Soushu.
Therefore, when Hyuga Soushu, accompanied by the already-pregnant Mahiru-chan (Mahiru Uchiha), set out to inspect his territories and arrived at the southern region of the Land of Herb, Rain Ninja Village's leader Sanshouo Hanzo personally came forward with an invitation, hoping to ask Hyuga Soushu to attend the upcoming Southern Front Canal Navigation Ceremony and Northern Front Canal Groundbreaking Ceremony to be held in Rain Ninja Village.
The so-called Southern Front Canal referred to a waterway running from the south-central part of the Land of Rain all the way into the drought-prone western regions of the Land of Fire. The Northern Front Canal, on the other hand, stretched from the southern Land of Herb, meandering all the way to Rain Ninja Village before merging with the Southern Front Canal, thereby ensuring smooth passage across the north-south waterways of the Land of Rain.
Back in the days of ninja world wars, such strategic locations were like double-edged swords—both a source of concentrated power and a vulnerable exposure point.
Rain Ninja Village was well aware that placing such a critical "waterway key" easily under foreign or external influence equated to handing their destiny over to others. Thus, despite knowing the benefits of constructing the canal, they had always maintained high vigilance and caution, unwilling to let this life-giving channel, brimming with strength, become a tether binding them or an open invitation for enemies to enter.
But as the saying went, the Ninja Clan Capital Corporation simply gave too much!
Whether it was the massive influx of goods and supplies dumped by the corporation or the work-for-relief program implemented during the canal excavation phase, all brought enormous benefits to Rain Country's civilians. At the very least, they could earn enough food through physical labor—not only filling their own bellies but also bringing sufficient rations back home to feed their starving families.
After all, for the Ninja Clan Capital Corporation—which utilized large-scale collective farming—the food supply was always abundant.
This strategic food leverage held by Hyuga Soushu soon became the ultimate tool for subduing Sanshouo Hanzo—the once proud and untamed half-god warrior who never bent.
Hyuga Soushu echoed thoughtfully, "Sailing south..." before hesitating slightly at Sanshouo Hanzo's enthusiastic invitation.
After all, the person accompanying him was Mahiru-chan, who was now visibly pregnant. Although for a ninja this wasn't considered a major burden, the real reason Soushu had embarked on this journey was precisely to take Mahiru-chan out for some fresh air. He still worried about how the constant humidity and excessive rainfall typical of the Land of Rain might affect her health.
"If we do go south," he suggested, "how about heading straight into Rain Ninja Village?"
Mahiru Uchiha leaned gently against Soushu Hyuga's shoulder, speaking softly, "We'll skip the northern regions where rainfall is heavy. That won't affect things significantly."
"Such a relief!"
Sanshouo Hanzo was filled with delight!
He had rushed to personally extend the invitation without thoroughly understanding Soushu Hyuga's entourage arrangements beforehand and thus hadn't fully considered the possibility of Mahiru Uchiha — the most honored lady of the Ninja Clan Capital Corporation — joining the journey. Fortunately, Soushu Hyuga's timely response and sincere words instantly eased his worries and allowed the weight in his heart to finally lift.
Even more thrilling still — Soushu wouldn't be making this southern trip alone. He'd be joined by his partner, Mahiru Uchiha, shining together in tandem glory. For Rain Ninja Village, the news was like a warm spring breeze, lifting the spirits and confidence of its shinobi.
Though, in part, the rise of the Ninja Clan Capital Corporation — and the power of Soushu Hyuga and his wife — had been forged through war with Rain Ninja Village, for the sake of mutual benefit, turning the page on those unpleasant past events was advantageous for both sides.
Orochimaru made no effort to engage in lengthy farewells before heading north.
After driving off the uninvited Jiraiya, Orochimaru carefully sealed all his gathered tools and materials into the Scroll of Seals and secured them close to his body.
Then, he stepped out to fetch Anko Mitarashi and set off toward the village entrance with her in tow.
To Orochimaru, Konoha remained as prosperous as ever, yet it had already lost most of its significance.
While he hadn't managed to acquire every ninjutsu recorded in the Hokage's Scroll of Seals, this minor disappointment paled in comparison to the three hundred million annual funding boost that awaited him.
"Teacher," Anko suddenly asked, holding Orochimaru's hand, "will we come back in the future?"
"You may return at any time, as long as you wish to."
Orochimaru replied soothingly.
Nowadays, Anko Mitarashi was his only disciple. Though she possessed merely average talent and ability in Orochimaru's eyes, the bond between them was one he couldn't easily sever. They had to leave Konoha together.
Furthermore, Orochimaru believed that collaborating with Soushu Hyuga in the north would bring Anko a better future.
"Oh."
Anko nodded cluelessly, then immediately began imagining what life in this new place might be like.
Orochimaru turned his head to gaze once more at the Kage Rock standing tall atop the mountain and the Hokage Tower beneath it, allowing the final trace of attachment in his eyes to fade.
Konoha today was no longer the village he once yearned for and fought hard to achieve.
With other ninja clans having moved outward en masse, the ruling Four Ninja Clans — led by the Sarutobi and the Ino–Shika–Cho triad — had effectively become Konoha's true rulers. Though the Will of Fire still blazed outward like a symbol of Konoha's soul, the path forward for common shinobi had been sealed shut.
"You're leaving, then?"
Suddenly, a voice spoke from beside Orochimaru.
"It's you."
Orochimaru showed some surprise. "Sakumo-senpai, it's been a long time."
The one arriving was none other than Sakumo Hatake—the famed White Fang of Konoha—who had recently remained out of the public eye and seldom interacted with the outside world.
Although he still officially commanded the Jonin Unit—widely seen as Konoha's core military force—its composition had drastically changed, with Sakumo Hatake's civilian reformist faction having completely disintegrated. As a result, control over the Jonin Unit once again returned to the Hokage's hands.
The reason Sakumo Hatake, leader of the Jonin Unit, was allowed to retain his position was largely due to Hiruzen Sarutobi, the current Hokage, deliberately keeping him there in hopes that his presence could unify the remaining civilian ninja within Konoha.
"Is Anko coming along too?"
Sakumo followed up.
"Yes. She's still very young, and I wouldn't feel at ease leaving her in the village."
Orochimaru nodded, his tone sincere.
"Have you spoken to him about it?"
Sakumo directed his gaze toward the direction of the Kage Monument—still majestic as always yet showing signs of aging—and then toward the Hokage Tower below it.
"Hiruzen must already know," Orochimaru answered.
After a short pause, he added, "There's no way he hasn't figured it out already."
After all, although Konoha had declined somewhat in strength recently, Hiruzen Sarutobi's control over the village had actually strengthened rather than weakened compared to those earlier days when the ninja clans struggled for dominance.
"I see," Sakumo murmured, unsure of what else to say.
After all, Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade were all elite Jonin with extremely unique statuses. Even as the leader of the Jonin Unit, he had no authority to interfere in their decisions. Truthfully, he had come today more on a sudden whim than from any careful planning.
"Sakumo-senpai, this place probably isn't really suited for you anymore," Orochimaru said gently before departing. He wasn't hiding his true thoughts: "If you continue staying in the village, you won't bring much change. But if the situation gradually stabilizes, your position will only become more dangerous."
"I understand," Sakumo replied lightly, shrugging as if unconcerned. "But someone must always take responsibility. For example, the Will of Fire that nobody cares about anymore—someone still needs to stand guard over it!"
"Alright then."
Orochimaru gave a slight nod, then took Anko's hand and walked past Sakumo, continuing toward the village entrance.
Sakumo stood rooted in place, staring blankly toward the distant Hokage Tower.
Just as they approached the edge of Konoha Village, Orochimaru sensed a familiar chakra signature locking in on his position.
"It's you."
He glanced over, and indeed, it was Tsunade—who hadn't been seen around in ages.
At this moment, she sat inside a private room on the second floor of a small roadside tavern, leaning out the window and waving at him.
"Come have a drink with me!"
Noticing Orochimaru's attention had shifted, Tsunade called loudly toward him, "Think of it as seeing you off!"
Though drinking wasn't something Orochimaru particularly enjoyed, since it was an old friend inviting, he couldn't easily refuse either.
So he scooped up Anko, stomped his foot, and leaped into the private room on the second floor of the tavern.
Inside the private room, besides Tsunade, there was Shizune, a young girl about Anko's age.
"Shizune, go fetch two jugs of sake."
Tsunade ordered.
"Okay!"
The little girl Shizune immediately stood up and skipped toward the door.
"Who is she?"
"The niece of Dan. Also a war orphan."
Tsunade replied. At the same time, she shook the bottle in her hand and poured out the remaining alcohol, just enough to fill a single cup, then pushed it toward Orochimaru. "Drink it!"
"Ninja's Three Taboos..."
Though saying that, Orochimaru still calmly drank the entire cup in one gulp.
"Excellent! Excellent!"
A look of appreciation filled Tsunade's face. "After all these years, you finally drank alcohol!"
"Alcohol isn't anything good."
Orochimaru replied without changing expressions.
For a ninja, as long as they intentionally used chakra to control and neutralize it, getting them drunk was extremely difficult.
"Not bad..."
Tsunade's words carried implications: "...All these years, your approach may be cold-blooded, but your decisions were mostly spot-on."
Orochimaru said nothing. He simply picked up an apple and started biting into it.
Meanwhile, the somewhat timid Anko stared at the dango skewers on the table, swallowed hard, and dared not touch them rashly.
Tsunade personally picked up a skewer of dango and handed it to Anko. "Try it and see if you like it."
"Alright!"
Anko took it eagerly and began nibbling with a delighted expression, savoring every bite.
At that moment, Shizune, holding two crates of sake, finally returned.
"After finishing this, you can leave!"
Tsunade pointed at the crates and said, "I won't bully you—each of us takes one crate. Once we're done, we part ways forever."
"That's acceptable!"
Orochimaru's expression remained calm as usual.
What followed was a silent drinking contest between both parties; the empty bottles quickly piled up.
Soon, both crates of sake were completely finished.
Tsunade seemed about to say something but eventually just waved her hand, signaling Orochimaru to depart.
Orochimaru nodded slightly with a flushed face, then scooped up Anko and leaped out the window, marking the start of their separate paths.
Inside the Hokage Tower, Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo silently watched the scene unfold in the Crystal Ball, neither uttering a word.
Once inseparable members of Konoha's F4, they had now gradually drifted apart.
Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane were currently stationed outside due to administrative duties in the South-Central region of the Land of Fire, while the Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi needed to remain in the village overseeing Konoha.
As for Danzo, most of his former allies and operatives had fallen in past conflicts, and the Root Division had seen little new blood from outside recruitment. Additionally, both the Uchiha and Hyuga clans held extreme hostility toward the Root Division ninja, killing them on sight without exception. Thus, the Root Division had also gradually restricted its activities.
Therefore, deprived of power and influence, Danzo had no choice but to stay hidden within Konoha Village for the sake of his personal safety, never again radiating the commanding presence he once held as the Shadow of the Ninja World.
In his own eyes, continuing to work alongside his old friend Hiruzen Sarutobi had become almost unbearable.
But what could he do? He simply no longer had the power to uphold his former standing.
"Will you really just let him leave like this?" Danzo suddenly asked.
"What else can I do?" The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, slowly loaded tobacco into his pipe and replied calmly, "Surely you don't expect me to declare him a Rogue Ninja?"
"Why not?!" Danzo snapped back, his expression darkening.
"And what about Jiraiya? Or Tsunade, who's always refused to contribute to the village?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi countered, "The fact that Tsunade even agreed to accompany him partway is already more than enough!"
"And don't go looking for trouble either!"
Finally, concerned that Danzo might try to strike from the shadows, the Third Hokage added one last warning.
"I understand."
Reluctant though he was, Danzo dared not defy his old friend's wishes.
This was an era of constant union and inevitable betrayal—an age where change was beyond any single person's control.
<><><><><><><><>
Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** this weekend!
<><><><><><><><>
~ 100+ Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!
~ More *Free* Chapters and Books Available on Patreon!
patreon.com/Tansnovel
<><><><><><><><>