A Sage's Pursuit of Power

"Orochimaru-sama, your body needs rest. Besides, Aoba is very dangerous. In your current state…"

"Don't worry, Kabuto. I won't deny that Aoba is a dangerous figure. At critical moments, he absolutely wouldn't hesitate to abandon ethics or rules and directly attack me. But for now, he won't."

Orochimaru was confident. He had essentially unraveled the secrets of the Uzumaki clan's sealing techniques and found a way to counter the Reaper Death Seal.

During a previous transaction, Orochimaru had noticed something. Although Aoba had appeared indifferent, he actually cared deeply about this particular area of research.

Aokawa Aoba himself was a highly skilled researcher. Yet he had handed this topic over to Orochimaru.

At first, Orochimaru suspected it was some sort of trap. But once he began, he realized there was no trap, it was simply that only he in the entire ninja world could complete this research.

To steal something from the Reaper's grasp, one must first die. Orochimaru had paid a heavy price for this, but he was satisfied with the outcome. He had regained the use of his hands.

Furthermore, during the process of casting the technique, he had noticed what Aoba mentioned, there were other entities within the Reaper's body.

But he had cautiously refrained from taking action.

After the Third Hokage had used the Reaper Death Seal, Orochimaru had realized he could no longer use Edo Tensei to summon the deceased Hokage because their souls were sealed in the Reaper's stomach.

Orochimaru wasn't sure what would happen if those four souls were released. Among them was the Second Hokage, a master of forbidden jutsu who was even more outrageous than Orochimaru himself.

Without absolute certainty, Orochimaru dared not release those souls recklessly.

A few days later, in a forest near Konoha, Aoba met the weakened Orochimaru. However, seeing Orochimaru freely moving his hands, Aoba knew he had succeeded.

For now, though, Orochimaru was in the weakened state caused by Living Corpse Reincarnation.

Aoba didn't waste words and went straight to the point.

"As per our agreement, I have the right to share the results of your research. Orochimaru-sama, it's time."

"Of course, Aoba. I've never intended to violate the terms of our deal. Here's the information you wanted."

As he spoke, Orochimaru tossed a scroll to Aoba. Aoba caught it effortlessly, without inspecting it. When it came to matters like this, Orochimaru was more meticulous than anyone.

"You seem a bit impatient, Aoba. That's not like the Aoba I know. Are you encountering some kind of trouble?"

Orochimaru had noticed that Aoba seemed somewhat distracted.

"No, it's not me encountering trouble. It's the ninja world that's in trouble."

Aoba's response caused a subtle change in Orochimaru's expression. He had long suspected that Aoba was secretly pushing some grand plan to address something. Now, based on his words, it seemed Aoba was preparing to deal with a crisis that concerned the entire ninja world.

Thinking of how Aoba mysteriously knew so much, Orochimaru formed a new hypothesis.

"So, Aoba, are you able to see the future?"

Orochimaru's question momentarily caught Aoba off guard. But he quickly understood what Orochimaru meant. It seemed his repeated revelations of information inconsistent with his identity had led Orochimaru to this misunderstanding.

"What makes you say that?"

"Heh, no one can know so much forbidden knowledge simultaneously. I can't, and neither can you. Aoba-kun, I know you're preparing for something. What must I pay to obtain that information?"

"..." Aoba fell silent for a moment. Orochimaru's guess wasn't unreasonable. In the ninja world, awakening the ability to see the future wasn't common, but it wasn't impossible.

After a brief thought, Aoba neither confirmed nor denied it.

"Regarding that question, I can reveal something for free. The ninja world has enemies—not mine, not yours, not Konoha's, nor any other ninja village's enemies, but enemies that the entire ninja world must face together."

"Enemies of the entire ninja world?" Orochimaru repeated, his expression contemplative.

He had already sensed something unusual about Aoba's actions. What Aoba seemed to be pursuing was power.

He weakened the influence of ninja clans, elevated the status and strength of civilian ninjas, and even engaged in large-scale business ventures through Konoha, amassing enormous wealth.

These actions were clearly things a Hokage would do.

From Orochimaru's understanding, however, Aoba didn't seem like the type who would enjoy being Hokage.

Now he understood. It wasn't that Aoba liked the position of Hokage—he was consolidating resources.

Though somewhat begrudgingly, Orochimaru had to admit that he likely wasn't Aoba's match anymore.

In other words, the young man before him might already be one of the most powerful figures in the ninja world. Yet, the enemies Aoba spoke of required him to consolidate the resources of all of Konoha, or even the entire ninja world.

By this reasoning, just how terrifying were the enemies Aoba referred to?

With a mind full of questions, Orochimaru left. Aoba didn't say much more, mainly because certain information wasn't yet ready to be revealed.

With Obito, Nagato, and Madara still unresolved, and the Ōtsutsuki clan not yet provoked, Aoba needed to buy himself more time.

After Orochimaru departed, Aoba immediately sent a message to Shin.

Even though he now possessed the technique, Aoba still couldn't use it. He wasn't immortal and didn't have access to the Living Corpse Reincarnation technique. To complete this jutsu, Shin's help was necessary.

Meanwhile, the Konoha reinforcement squad, which had made a name for itself during the Suna crisis, returned home only to be consumed by yet another wave of heavy tasks.

Due to Konoha's reforms, a large number of ninja were dispatched to participate in maritime trade, mineral operations, and even the grain trade, all of which brought in substantial wealth for the village.

As a result, Konoha was perpetually understaffed.

At Aoba's suggestion, Tsunade established a new department: the Konoha Ministry of Commerce.

Unlike previous departments responsible for managing missions, the Ministry of Commerce oversaw large-scale commercial ventures involving Konoha's considerable resources.

For instance, the mission to restore the Land of Snow's monarchy was handled by the Ministry of Commerce. In return, the Land of Snow agreed to permanently reduce tariffs, open its borders, and even... allow a Konoha garrison.

Strictly speaking, the Land of Snow was now a subordinate ally of Konoha.

There were many similar actions. For instance, the Land of Hot Water was forming its own ninja village and had hired a consulting team from Konoha at a high cost.

In the Lands of Fields and Waves, the daimyōs had seen significant turnover.

For a time, the other four great ninja villages suddenly realized that Konoha had changed. It had become stronger, more aggressive, and even unrestrained, with no attempt to hide its expansionist ambitions.

Under this pressure, the previously hidden undercurrents of the ninja world began to surface, creating noticeable ripples.

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