What was the original intention behind the establishment of the Sound Village?
Wasn't it simply to implement the Konoha Crush Plan? At its core, this Sound Village was nothing more than one of Orochimaru's experimental bases draped in the outer garment of a "Ninja Village."
In her memories, the Sound Village was eradicated after the Konoha Crush Plan.
But Amane naturally couldn't state this so bluntly.
"Rather than calling the Sound Village a ninja Village, I feel its essence isn't much different from an experimental base. The difference is that it's a 'ninja Village' that can walk in the sunlight." Amane paused, looked at Orochimaru, and continued:
"In other words, Uncle Snake... er, Snake Aunt, you want to use this point to do something, don't you?"
Hearing the title "Snake Aunt," a twitch couldn't help but cross Orochimaru's pale, feminine face.
Since she was Minato Namikaze's child, couldn't she use that whimsical creativity of hers for naming techniques instead?
As it turned out, her technique names were quite decent, but when it came to forms of address, she always came up with some bizarre new variations.
"Correct." Orochimaru's tone was certain, as if he saw through everything. "Amane, let me ask you: the reason you are so desperate to return to Konoha is not so much nostalgia for your homeland as it is two specific points: first, your family is still there, and second, you believe Konoha is a place you ultimately cannot avoid. Am I right?"
Orochimaru's analysis hit the nail on the head.
If Amane were truly just a Uzumaki orphan Danzo had picked up from who-knows-where, she wouldn't have such a strong obsession with Konoha. She would definitely prioritize continuing to work under Orochimaru, and later join Sasuke's camp to wait for her eventual redemption.
But Amane knew the secret of her background after transmigrating and reincarnating, and in her heart, she had accepted the identity of Uzumaki Tian Yin for this life.
Setting aside the influence of the Shadow Clone side effects on her, Amane felt this was something she ought to face in this lifetime anyway.
And even if she didn't take the initiative to face it, she certainly wouldn't be able to escape it later.
If nothing else, would the Chakra of Naruto's parents within his seal tell him about this? When she eventually appeared before him, Kakashi, and Jiraiya, would Amane be able to run?
Since it was a problem she would inevitably have to face, she might as well be proactive.
Seeing Amane nod, a peculiar smile curled at the corner of Orochimaru's mouth—it was the expression of someone about to lead a child astray!
While Amane raised her guard to the highest level, she was also curious about what Orochimaru was going to say.
"Amane, how much do you know about Konoha?"
She shook her head. She knew a lot from the original work anime, but in this life, she had only lived underground in Root.
Whether it was the changes brought about by her arrival in this world or the pitfalls caused by incomplete information from the original work during her previous battle with Shin Ya...
Amane now maintained a degree of wariness toward anything outside of the known plot and characters.
Orochimaru let out a sinister laugh and then began to tell Amane stories of the past.
From his graduation from the Ninja Academy to being taken in as a disciple by Hiruzen Sarutobi, to the later death of both his parents, the birth of his ideal of immortality, his personal participation in wars, becoming a commanding Jonin, and so on... Orochimaru's narrative was overall very objective, occasionally mixed with some subjective evaluations of certain events, though these were all minor, harmless matters.
Amane gradually pieced together an impression of a Village that seemed decent enough.
Even when mentioning Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, there was no lack of respect in Orochimaru's words. It was completely impossible to imagine that in the near future, he would attack the Village that raised him and murder his own teacher.
That was until the Third Hokage mentioned Minato Namikaze becoming the Fourth Hokage instead of choosing him.
"Amane, in truth, I didn't have much interest in the position of Hokage. And it was only natural for your father to be nominated. Throughout the entire Third Great Ninja War, his military achievements were undoubtedly the greatest."
Orochimaru continued with a look of reminiscence:
"But... not to mention that I also performed meritorious service in the war, the research on Hashirama cells was also entrusted to me. Yet, regarding the promotion of the Hokage, Sensei didn't even give me a heads-up in advance."
It wasn't that he couldn't accept the result of losing, but Sandaime's way of doing things indeed made Orochimaru feel a chill in his heart.
Since then, his conviction in pursuing forbidden techniques became even firmer, and Amane knew the rest of what followed.
"It's just truly unexpected. Perhaps this is the compensation Heaven has given me."
He brushed Amane's red hair. Not in a million years would Orochimaru have thought that the daughter of the Hokage candidate his teacher had favored would now become such a great help to him.
And in the process, it actually made Orochimaru feel sincerely happy.
The world is fickle; it truly is fickle.
"I understand the purpose of you establishing the Sound Village. You want to display your results and prove them to your teacher, right?"
Living Corpse Reincarnation, Edo Tensei.
Displaying these miraculous Ninjutsu one by one before the Third Hokage to prove his past mistake.
"Although it seems a bit childish, that is only one of the reasons. Amane, based on what I just told you, what do you think of Konoha Village?"
Amane pondered for a moment and then said:
"It's very good—a Village built by generations of outstanding people who were willing to sacrifice themselves. If it continues to be led wisely, it will surely get better and better. It certainly has the value of being protected."
These were her honest words.
Although Konoha Village indeed had various problems, it was undeniable that it was constantly improving.
Wasn't that enough? Problems had to be solved slowly; as long as the general direction was correct, it was fine.
After the later Fifth Hokage Tsunade and Sixth Hokage Kakashi, how prosperous was the Konoha handed over to Naruto?
"So, do you understand what I want to do?" Orochimaru's gaze grew sharp. "The current him is even inferior to Danzo! Even if I don't state it explicitly, with your insight, you will surely see through it in the future. So, at that time... will you be able to just stand by and watch?"
His intention was naked.
In the operation against the Third, do not interfere.
He was old, muddled, and had lost his drive. Rather than letting him mess things up, it was better to let him exit in a "dignified" manner.
This was the message Orochimaru wanted to convey.
"I, after all, am considered a person of Konoha. And I haven't met the Third Hokage-sama."
Amane stated her position and views.
Publicly, she was Root and also a Konoha Anbu. Turning a blind eye to an attack on Konoha and the Hokage would contradict her duties.
Privately, she shouldn't ignore another person's death just because of one person's words.
It was a good answer; at least no fault could be found in it.
Orochimaru smiled and didn't dwell on this answer, as per his usual manner.
He believed that since these words had entered Amane's ears, it was enough. Given her personality, she would surely find a way to verify it herself when the time came and reach her own conclusion.
Orochimaru believed that this result would definitely be in his favor.
And next, Orochimaru asked Amane to make a trip. No, it should be said, to return to the Land of Hot Springs.
There, she was to give a long-overdue work report to Danzo; a surprise was waiting for her.
Since moving into the Sound Village, Amane had indeed lost contact with Danzo. According to Orochimaru, he had already mediated on her behalf during this period.
And through her own channels, Amane also learned that Danzo had indeed not issued any missions for the past few years, as if tacitly allowing her to live peacefully in the Land of Hot Springs.
Following the agreed-upon secret signal, she stepped into the secret room once again.
However, before she could even speak, a single sentence from the contact person left Amane stunned.
"The reason you're here today, is it because Orochimaru has made some suspicious moves recently?"
In a flash of realization, Amane completely understood Orochimaru's so-called "surprise"!
It turned out that under his clever maneuvering, she had actually become a double high-level special agent!
"Yes, Orochimaru has already begun planning a plot against Konoha; I'm afraid he wants to make a move against Hokage-sama."
It was truly important and authentic intelligence, yet the object of the report was Danzo, who had already been placed in confinement by the Third Hokage.
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