naruto-story #199 - First Dawn (2)
#199 - First Dawn (2)
At the misty shore...
Both Orochimaru and Kabuto stared intently at the two men before them, their pupils shrinking.
Orochimaru, who had once been a member of the Akatsuki organization, was all too familiar with the red cloud and black robe attire.
Kabuto was naturally also very aware, after all, both of his masters came from this organization.
Just as Orochimaru and Kabuto thought the others had come to settle accounts.
Orochimaru keenly noticed something, his entire demeanor becoming somewhat incredulous, then realizing something, he regained his composure, a smile on his face as he said.
"Interesting, when did the Fourth Kazekage of Sunagakure join the Akatsuki?"
With Orochimaru's reminder, Kabuto suddenly realized that the man wearing a straw hat, obscuring half of his face, was actually the Fourth Kazekage of Sunagakure: Rasa, who had died at his and Orochimaru's hands, and was also the focus of their recent discussion.
What exactly is going on?
The one who appeared before Orochimaru was naturally Rasa, and the other person was Black Zetsu.
Rasa, however, was not in the mood to answer Orochimaru's question, simply asking.
"Orochimaru, do you want to see a wider world?"
"!!!"
Orochimaru was taken aback, then understanding something, he licked his lips, asking with some excitement.
"Is it related to your resurrection?"
"You can understand it that way!"
Rasa's reply was still indifferent.
Orochimaru was now completely calm.
"Oh, so what brings the Kazekage of Sunagakure to me?"
Rasa didn't speak, directly taking out a set of Akatsuki uniforms from his robe and throwing it to Orochimaru.
Under Orochimaru's somewhat surprised gaze, he continued.
"Next, I want to borrow the 'Akatsuki' identity to capture the Tailed Beasts and obtain some of their chakra. Although I can do it alone, to save trouble, I need a helper, and no one is more suitable than you, who once joined the Akatsuki."
"!!!"
Orochimaru was taken aback, his gaze turning to Zetsu beside Rasa.
Orochimaru, who had once been a member of the Akatsuki, of course recognized Zetsu, and therefore, things became very strange.
According to Rasa, he was only borrowing the Akatsuki's name, which meant that Rasa was not a true member of the Akatsuki. Then, what was Zetsu's appearance an explanation for? Could it be that Zetsu, as a member of the Akatsuki responsible for intelligence, had also betrayed the Akatsuki?
Orochimaru couldn't figure it out, but since he couldn't figure it out, he didn't need to think too much.
"Interesting!"
Orochimaru didn't refuse, taking the Akatsuki uniform in his hand, looking at Rasa before him with great interest.
"I have a question, I wonder if the Kazekage-sama can give me an answer?"
"Ask!"
"Heh heh heh, may I ask how the Kazekage-sama was resurrected?"
This question was not unexpected to Rasa, he said half-truthfully.
"Logically speaking, I have no need to answer this question for you, but now? I can tell you that I got rid of the control of the Sage of the Six Paths through a special method, and then resurrected with a special technique."
At this moment, Orochimaru's eyes flashed with excitement, while Kabuto beside him trembled all over.
"Six... Sage of the Six Paths, isn't that a legendary mythical figure? Does the Sage of the Six Paths really exist?"
Rasa lightly snorted, looking at Orochimaru and saying.
"Orochimaru, with your talent, you should have been able to guess long ago, where exactly do the souls of the dead summoned by the Impure World Reincarnation technique come from..."
Orochimaru smiled sinisterly, obviously becoming excited, while Kabuto was already so shocked that he didn't know what to say.
"So, if I agree, what can I get from you? A wider world seems a bit distant to me?"
"Hmm!"
Rasa pondered for a while.
"You're right, in that case, as long as I successfully capture the Two to Seven-Tailed Beasts, then, how about I return your hands sealed by the Dead Demon Consuming Seal to you first?"
"!!!"
Orochimaru was taken aback, then his face was full of smiles.
"Deal!"
As Orochimaru put on the Akatsuki robe again, Orochimaru's face was also full of nostalgic expressions, then looking at Rasa and Black Zetsu, he asked.
"It really brings back memories, so, where are we going next?"
Rasa already had an idea.
"We're going to the Land of Water, let's capture that only wild Three-Tails first...."
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
Konoha.
Three days have passed since Naruto and Sasuke's great battle in the Valley of the End, and Naruto's failure to bring Sasuke back.
Because of Rasa's appearance, this time the members of the Sasuke pursuit team did not have the help of the Sand Village trio.
Although they ultimately achieved victory, it could be said to be a pyrrhic victory.
Fortunately, the Fifth Hokage of Konoha is now the strongest medical ninja in the entire ninja world: Tsunade, otherwise, it's hard to say whether these people in the Konoha 12 could be saved.
Therefore, Jiraiya made up his mind to take Naruto out to train.
But when he told Tsunade this suggestion, he was unsurprisingly rejected.
As the village's Jinchuriki, the village certainly couldn't let Naruto leave the village.
Especially at such a chaotic time.
But Jiraiya's domineering words dispelled all of Tsunade's concerns.
"Tsunade, is there a safer place in this world than by my side!"
So, Tsunade was persuaded, and Naruto, wanting to become stronger and bring Sasuke back, naturally had no objections.
But just as Jiraiya was preparing to leave Konoha with Naruto, an accident occurred.
"Jiraiya-sama, the Toad Sage wants to see you!"
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
Mount Myōboku.
In the Toad Sage's massive palace.
When Jiraiya saw the Toad Sage again, he was also greatly surprised, because he had never seen such a serious Toad Sage, which was completely different from the senile Toad Sage in his impression.
Lord Fukasaku and Lady Shima on the side also looked extremely solemn.
This made Jiraiya feel deeply uneasy as he asked.
"Toad Sage-sama, what is the important matter for which you have summoned me?"
At this moment, the Great Toad Sage's tone was not as playful as before, but rather very serious as he said.
"Jiraiya, you must remember the following words well..."
"..."
"The future has changed, a soul not in fate has appeared. I don't know what this represents, but I saw in my sleep that he is about to attack the Tailed Beasts and Jinchuriki. If he collects the power of the nine sacrifices, the entire ninja world will be destroyed..."
"!!!"
Jiraiya was shocked, wanting to ask more, but the Great Toad Sage seemed to be asleep, saying nothing more.
Jiraiya could only leave Mount Myōboku with shock and incomprehension.
And after Jiraiya left.
In a certain mysterious Pure Land world.
"Hagoromo, what you wanted me to do, I have already arranged. Presumably, Jiraiya will soon notice. However, even you can't know the origin of that strange soul?"
"No... I naturally know his origin, I'm just curious, how exactly did he get rid of my control, but in any case, our plan cannot be disrupted. Now is not the time for mother to be resurrected, Indra and Asura have not yet grown up..."
And in front of this talking white-haired old man, a transparent crystal ball floated there.
Within the crystal ball, the figures of two people were reflected, and in front of them was a huge lake...