Chapter 0084 The Shinobi World and the Nation

Not only Orochimaru, but even Kabuto and Kimimaro hadn’t expected this. They already believed that Orochimaru was powerful, but never imagined he was powerful to such an extent.

To make the Sages of the Three Great Sacred Grounds bow and then flee outright—this was unheard of. Today, their horizons had truly been broadened.

In their hearts, the resolve to follow Orochimaru only grew stronger.

Orochimaru himself was slightly astonished; he more or less understood why the three sages had escaped. The reason had always puzzled him, and now he was beginning to grasp it.

Turning around, Orochimaru said solemnly, “There is something that must be done at once.”

Kabuto, recognizing Orochimaru’s seriousness, became attentive and listened closely.

Orochimaru continued, “You are to seek out a country called Loulan.”

If such a country truly existed, and if it possessed the Dragon Vein, with the technique he had left behind still present, then it could be confirmed—he had truly taken part in history!

Everything he had experienced in that small world within the deep pool was real.

“Yes, sir,” Kabuto replied, accepting the order.

...

Orochimaru’s return did not stir much of a commotion, but the strategic direction of the Sound Village had changed.

Currently, the structure of the ninja world and its countries remained nation-centered; the ninja world existed as a tool.

Previously, it had been a useful tool. Now, it was a tool without a master.

Though ninja possessed formidable power, the number of ordinary civilians vastly outnumbered them. Even if one counted two hundred thousand ninja, they would not constitute even one percent of the population—the entire world held over two hundred million people. It was still a world dominated by ordinary people.

Orochimaru’s clone had once drawn up a plan to control the rulers of all nations, thus controlling the countries themselves. But the populace uncovered his intentions and threatened Orochimaru with global unrest.

Either he refrained from interfering with the nations, or the people would refuse to work—the collapse of order among two hundred million people would inevitably lead to untold casualties.

The existing social order, if overturned, would affect every aspect of life. At the time, the clone, not knowing the main body’s circumstances, acquiesced to this threat and left the countries alone.

But now the time had come.

...

Within the war fortress, the conference room was filled; a long rectangular table surrounded by people. Orochimaru presided at the head, with Kabuto, Kimimaro, Jiraiya, Tsunade, Shikamaru, Kazeha Nutou, and others—each a figure of weight and influence—seated on either side.

Kabuto spread a document before him, adjusted his glasses, and said, “The topic of this meeting is the handling of the world’s nations.”

At this, the room erupted in debate. Tsunade spoke directly: “We once tried to control the world’s rulers, and it nearly led to disaster for all humankind. We should have no more designs on the nations. Ordinary people are just that; the ninja world is another matter entirely. The two should never be mixed!”

Directly across from her, Kazeha Nutou retorted, “And why shouldn’t we? The nations hold the lives of over two hundred million people. If we could bring them all under our use, think of the resources! The ninja world would see unprecedented growth!”

Jiraiya, clearly on Tsunade’s side, responded, “Kazeha Nutou, you saw what happened last time. The people of the world’s nations threatened mutual destruction—no one can bear the consequences of humanity’s annihilation.”

At this, the ruler of Utopia, Kalank, interjected, “That’s only if we’re discovered, isn’t it? Last time, it was your Konoha people who got us exposed, wasn’t it? I suspect you did it on purpose.”

The room dissolved into chaos once more. Orochimaru’s expression remained impassive, until he suddenly smiled. Seeing this, Kabuto quickly rapped on the table.

“Silence! Lord Orochimaru has something to say.” When all had quieted, Kabuto looked to Orochimaru, attentive.

Orochimaru said, “The nations of the world possess vast resources, yet we lack manpower. We must make use of them. As before, each of you will handle the country previously assigned to you. Contact their rulers, and bring them here.”

It was clear—the time had come to act against the world’s rulers.

Tsunade’s gaze flickered with complex emotion; every encounter with Orochimaru stirred conflicting feelings within her.

Putting her emotions aside, she said, “After what happened last time, the rulers will be wary. Not only that, they may try to take advantage and infiltrate the ninja world themselves.”

Jiraiya added, “Several countries have been reaching out to us repeatedly, commissioning missions. It’s reasonable to suspect they want to use us as they did before.

Moreover, there is word that the nations are secretly developing a world-destroying weapon. Unable to defeat ninja, they now threaten the world’s safety as leverage.”

After the failed attempt to control the nations, they had discerned the ninja world’s weaknesses: the fear of chaos and the necessity of living in this world.

Thus, they had begun to develop doomsday weapons in secret, to force the ninja world’s compliance.

Orochimaru considered this. “Ignore their threats. Just proceed as I said. This time, our methods will be different.”

Kazeha Nutou and Kalank were elated; no matter the means, if the nations could be subdued, their power and status would soar beyond imagination.

At that, Tsunade slammed the table with monstrous strength, splitting it with a resounding crack. “There are rogue ninja from four countries and the Akatsuki organization operating in secret. Whatever new plan we try will fail. When chaos erupts across the nations, countless will die!”

Orochimaru’s expression remained tranquil. “Tsunade, if the world descends into chaos, so be it. Those who won’t obey can simply die.”

He was prepared to sacrifice two hundred million lives if necessary.

...

This meeting ended with Orochimaru issuing orders in a forceful manner: within a month, the rulers of the world’s nations must gather in the Sound Village. The war fortress would remain here, unmoved.

Any nation that disobeyed would cease to exist.

As Orochimaru and Kabuto walked through the fortress, Kabuto reported, “We’ve sent out many people to search for Loulan. We should have news in a few days.”

“Good,” Orochimaru nodded. “This is the most important matter. I must verify a hypothesis.

Are the things I requested prepared?”

For the rulers of the nations, Orochimaru had prepared a gift—a gift that would grant ordinary people the power of ninja.

“All is ready. But is it really necessary to give the power of ninja to ordinary civilians?”

Kabuto believed that there were many ways to control the world’s nations. Yet, if Orochimaru’s gift were distributed, soon there could be over two hundred million ninja in the world—an alarming prospect.

Orochimaru smiled. “Over two hundred million ninja? I think it’s still not enough.

Have you heard the saying, ‘one mind is short, many minds are long’? Take the Divine Tree Project, for instance—if two hundred million people worked together, coordinated properly, we could have results in days.

As for coordination, well, we’re still exploring. Some must take the lead. Anyone who refuses to cooperate—kill them and restore order. We’re going to create a world where humanity can truly unite its strength.”

Orochimaru’s gaze grew profound. “Besides, when we reach the doorstep of the Otsutsuki Clan’s home planet, I have no intention of facing them all alone. King to king.

Go now. Proceed as planned.”