"Mr. Hanzō, we meet again. I am Setsuryu, the head of the company."
Setsuryu's eyes flicked over Hanzō, noticing how worn and exhausted he looked. Perhaps the hardships of ruling the Land of Rain had taken a toll on him. On her journey to Amegakure, she had witnessed firsthand the desolation of the region—it was even more impoverished than the Land of Waves had once been.
"Miss Setsuryu, welcome!" Hanzō greeted her warmly. He had met her briefly at the Presidential Office before and had been impressed. Setsuryu represented the White Snake Pharmaceutical Technology Company, a foreign enterprise intent on establishing operations in the Land of Rain.
"Mr. Hanzō, you've been waiting long enough. Let's get straight to business." Setsuryu carefully placed the construction plans on the table. "These are the blueprints for the Battery Factory and the Transportation Hub."
Hanzō studied the detailed designs. "The workers are ready and can begin immediately," Setsuryu continued, her tone decisive. Her confidence mirrored his own, and Hanzō felt reassured. They had already recruited a motivated workforce eager to get started.
"There is one condition," Setsuryu added. "During construction, we will need assistance from the Hidden Rain Village Ninja. The frequent rain here will disrupt progress, and Amegakure's forces can ensure construction continues without delay."
Hanzō nodded. The inclusion of the village's ninja would indeed guarantee the project stayed on schedule. He had already anticipated potential complications—foreign nations and other Shinobi villages would undoubtedly resent the Land of Rain's newfound prosperity.
"Consider it done," Hanzō replied firmly.
Soon, construction of the White Snake Battery Factory and the Transportation Hub began in earnest. The villagers, once despondent and hopeless, worked with remarkable energy and enthusiasm. Hanzō watched them in awe. The Land of Rain had been so lifeless for so long, yet now, its people radiated vitality.
Observing the change filled him with a renewed sense of purpose. He was determined to safeguard this hard-won hope, to ensure no one would destroy the prosperity they were building.
At the finance office, Kakuzu stared incredulously at the food expense invoice. "They actually eat… have the people of the Land of Rain ever had a full meal?" he muttered. Trusting Setsuryu, he did not suspect the invoice was falsified—indeed, the people had been living in poverty for so long that a simple meal was a luxury. The cost shocked him, and all five of his hearts throbbed painfully at the sight of it.
Meanwhile, far from the Land of Rain, Black Zetsu worked tirelessly, sending intelligence to Sunagakure, Iwagakure, Kumogakure, and Kirigakure. He revealed that the Nine-Tailed Jinchuriki was Uzumaki Mito and that the Uzumaki Clan held the perfect Sealing Technique, capable of fully containing Tailed Beasts.
Initially, he expected the Four Great Shinobi Villages to act, but half a month passed with no response. Black Zetsu quickly realized why: any attempt against Uzushiogakure would risk Konoha's intervention, forcing them to face two powerful forces simultaneously. Acting rashly would be unwise.
Still, Black Zetsu was patient. The seeds had been planted. Even if the Four Great Shinobi Villages did not act immediately, the knowledge of Uzushiogakure's power had already begun to stir doubts and ambitions in their leaders. Sooner or later, conflict would arise.
At present, however, the focus of the Five Great Shinobi Villages rested elsewhere—the construction of the White Snake Pharmaceutical Technology Company's factory in the Land of Rain. As a borderland between Wind, Earth, and Fire nations, the Land of Rain had always been a potential battleground. With the factory in place, its neutral presence became strategically significant.
Emissaries from the major nations were sent to the construction sites to ensure the company would not interfere in political affairs. When they confirmed its neutrality, the Shinobi Villages could rest assured. Even so, the factory became a safe haven: the villagers, fleeing conflict, relocated near the factory and Transportation Hub, establishing new, thriving towns.
Hanzō had initially ignored this development, but seeing the vibrant towns flourish around the company's establishments, he recognized an opportunity to maintain peace. Strategically positioned, the factory and Transportation Hub discouraged battles from erupting nearby, effectively creating a buffer of safety for the populace.
Meanwhile, the abandoned old settlements became the primary battlegrounds for invading ninjas. In this way, the factory indirectly brought stability to the Land of Rain.
The factory's innovations were no less impressive. The White Snake Battery Factory produced Chakra Batteries, which Orochimaru converted into Wind and Lightning Release Chakra through his Transformation Formula. Small trucks powered by these batteries could travel on water, fly for short distances, and even launch Sage Art Explosive projectiles. Orochimaru also integrated the Uzumaki Clan's Sealing Technique into an authentication system, preventing unauthorized use of the vehicles.
Testing began in the Land of Fire, where mass production of the trucks commenced. While some Shinobi scoffed, believing their own speed superior to the machines, Kakuzu simply scoffed. "Running on foot? Ignorant fools. Cars save time, even for ninjas."
Around this period, Orochimaru, now twelve, began studying the Sealing Technique under Uzumaki Mito. Though he outwardly appeared compliant, he continued his experiments in secret using Shadow Clones, honing his chakra nature transformations and shape manipulation skills without pause.
By fourteen, Orochimaru's talents earned him a Jonin rank. With experience, he would eventually lead Genin as a Jonin instructor. Tsunade, observing his promotion, smiled genuinely, happy for his accomplishments.
"Orochimaru, congratulations," she said warmly.
He smiled faintly but his thoughts drifted to Kato Dan, another newly appointed Jonin. He found himself pondering Tsunade's peculiar animosity toward him. Why did she react so strongly to Kato Dan?
As it happened, Tsunade's parents, long on covert missions, had briefly returned, bringing with them a baby boy named Nawaki. Their sudden departure and subsequent deaths left lasting scars on those around them. Orochimaru remembered how deeply Mito grieved and how Tsunade's tears reflected a sorrow so profound that even Konoha held a funeral. Life, he realized, was fleeting.
Later, Kato Dan approached Orochimaru at the Hokage Building. "Have we met before?" he asked. Orochimaru, noticing his intelligence, nodded politely. "No, we haven't. I've only heard of you."
Kato Dan smiled and extended his hand. "I see. Let's get acquainted. I'm Kato Dan."
Orochimaru shook his hand calmly. Tsunade, observing the interaction, felt a pang of jealousy and pulled Orochimaru aside.
"Tsunade, what's wrong?" Orochimaru asked, concerned.
"I hate him!" she declared plainly. Orochimaru nodded understandingly. "I'll stay away from him," he promised. Her smile returned instantly.
Turning back to his studies, Orochimaru revealed a blue-purple diamond-shaped mark on his wrist—the Yin Seal. Unlike the Strength of a Hundred Sealings Technique or Mitotic Regeneration, the Yin Seal merely stored chakra to enhance his physical capabilities. He had no interest in using life-draining regenerative techniques at present, but he knew the power might become necessary in the future.
With the basics of the Sealing Technique mastered, he was free to pursue other goals. His attention now turned toward Ryuchi Cave, one of the Three Great Sage Locations.
Closing a book on the table, he reviewed the maps and texts he had gathered on the caves in Konoha and Uzushiogakure. The exact location remained elusive, seemingly only discoverable by luck. To achieve a true qualitative leap in strength, he realized Sage Mode was indispensable. Moreover, Sage Art Explosives experiments required Sage Chakra. While the Chakra Blasters and Poison he developed could eliminate Kage-level threats or Ōtsutsuki, he preferred a pacifist approach, avoiding unnecessary conflict with other ninjas.
One day, Orochimaru entered the Hokage Office. "Hiruzen-sensei, I plan to leave Konoha temporarily. I want to search for Ryuchi Cave, one of the Three Great Sage Locations."
Hiruzen nodded. "I have no objection, but be careful. Safety comes first."
Orochimaru bowed slightly. "I will be careful."
Hiruzen suggested an alternative. "Enma could assist you. He's agile and powerful, passed down from our clan. He could be a valuable ally."
Orochimaru politely declined. He had no interest in the Hokage's position; his ambitions lay elsewhere.
Thus, with his studies progressing and his plans for exploration set, Orochimaru continued to grow—strong, cautious, and ever-curious—preparing for the challenges that awaited beyond the borders of Konoha.
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