Standing on the edge of the cliff, you can overlook the center where rock mountains and desert converge, an oasis full of life.
Crossing the desolate Land of Wind, even for a character like Orochimaru, the scenery would inevitably feel monotonous.
Now that he saw the vibrant oasis between the rocky mountains and the desert, he couldn't help but smile with relief: "Finally arrived at the destination. If this place hadn't been specially sent to pay attention to, it would have been easily ignored."
His skin was as transparent and white as a candle, his long black hair was hanging down, and his yellow snake eyes showed excitement.
Next to him, a slender figure suddenly descended from the sky, wearing clothes with red clouds on a black background. The moment it landed, the paper wings behind it turned into white butterflies that scattered in the air, and it was unknown where it went.
It was Xiaonan.
"Judging from the environment, it is indeed a very remote country."
Xiao Nan looked at the small oasis between the rocks and the desert. There was a city built by humans, which was the destination of their trip.
"Because of its isolation, there are very few decent records of this country in the documents of the five major countries. Most of them describe this country from the side in the form of poetry. According to the ancient documents I have interpreted, it can be seen that for thousands of years The first six immortals have stayed in this country for a long time. This is the country of peace and beauty - the Lietuo Kingdom."
Orochimaru stood there talking.
Konan nodded slightly. Although he didn't like Orochimaru very much, his pursuit of knowledge and truth was obviously different from ordinary ninjas.
She had never heard of a small country like Lietuo Country. When Orochimaru first proposed to visit this country, both she and Nagato looked shocked.
Even in the documents Madara left behind, there is no introduction to this country. This shows that the remoteness of this country has reached an appalling level.
Orochimaru is different. He is very keen on interpreting historical documents. He found out about the existence of Lietuo Kingdom from the documents. As for whether the Immortal of Six Paths had ever stayed in this country, he could only guess based on the few words in the documents.
Therefore, Orochimaru is more like a scholar than a ninja.
"But peace and beauty happened centuries ago. Although Lietuo Kingdom is in an oasis, the water source of this oasis is not enough to supply the people. In addition, it has been closed for hundreds of years, and it has no recognition of the outside world. Knowledge can be described as shallow. The last time I met with the ruler of this country, his understanding of the world seemed to be still in the Warring States Period."
Speaking of this, Orochimaru was quite speechless.
He knew that in the ninja world, there were many small countries that, in order to protect themselves, adopted self-isolation and did not communicate with the outside world.
However, the understanding of the world is limited to one's own land. For the ruler of the country, this is very unqualified.
"Isn't this place annexed by the Kingdom of Wind?"
Xiaonan was quite surprised.
Our understanding of the world is stuck in the Warring States Period. How closed is this kind of country?
"You can't say that. The main reason is that few people go out in this country, and almost no outsiders set foot on this land. For hundreds of years, the people of Lietuo Kingdom have relied on this oasis to be self-sufficient. Naturally, there is no need to have any influence on the outside world. What kind of knowledge, and thus avoid being invaded by other countries. The citizens don’t even know that there is a war outside and what the purpose of the war is.”
As long as it is remote enough and the land and resources are desolate enough, even big countries will disdain this land and feel that attacking such a small country is simply a humiliation to themselves.
Xiaonan didn't know what to say when he heard Orochimaru say that the Redo Kingdom had enjoyed hundreds of years of peace and that people were far away from the fear of war.
This small country that has enjoyed hundreds of years of peace is really happy compared to the Country of Rain.
In the past few decades, the Kingdom of Rain has encountered many wars. Every war has shattered the Kingdom of Rain.
In the past, the Rain Country was preserved because of Hanzo's existence. Now the Rain Country needs to rely on Nagato to barely survive in the ninja world and not be enslaved by the big powers.
For Xiaonan, these two people are of great significance to the Kingdom of Rain, and they are both great ninjas who have made great contributions.
"But we also have to thank the country's closure for giving us the opportunity. After hundreds of years of supply, the water source in this oasis is getting less and less. I have sent people to provide this country with a large amount of water in advance. , to supply the survival needs of this country’s citizens. So just contact this country in a normal diplomatic way.”
Konan glanced at Orochimaru unexpectedly.
It seems that it is very unusual for someone like Orochimaru to contact the ruler of a small country through normal diplomatic methods.
Orochimaru did not feel embarrassed and laughed: "There is no way. Apart from ancient documents that have no significance to the country, here are just some ancient relics of unknown purpose. I can easily get the water source that this country urgently needs. to what I want.”
Avoid as much trouble as possible.
This is what Orochimaru thinks.
Although Lieduo Kingdom is a small country that does not receive much attention, if it makes too much noise, it will inevitably make people suspicious. Orochimaru did not want his actions to be hindered.
"I hope that, as you said, what this country has can be of help to Nagato."
Xiaonan said.
After the civil war in Rain Land ended, she was entrusted by Nagato to follow Orochimaru to the Lietuo Kingdom to assist Orochimaru in his operations.
Orochimaru is not currently considered a combatant of Akatsuki, but serves as Akatsuki's support staff, switching from front-stage to behind-the-scenes work.
Compared to Orochimaru's fighting ability, his mind is what Nagato really values.
In this way, the various documents and ninjutsu materials left behind by Madara can be put to use.
"I'm not sure whether it will be helpful to Nagato, but it is absolutely true that the Sage of Six Paths once left some things in this country. With the methods of that sage, the things left behind should be very precious. Items. Maybe it’s related to the Samsara Eye, or at least it’s something related to the tailed beast.”
Orochimaru is not a baseless guess.
In the documents that Nagato gave him, it was clearly recorded that the Sage of Six Paths was a real person.
Not only was he the holder of the Rinnegan, he was also the first Ten-Tails Jinchuuriki.
The items left behind by the opponent are mostly related to the Samsara Eye and the Tailed Beast.
No matter how bad it is, leaving some unknown Six Paths Noble Phantasms with special abilities, Orochimaru is not unacceptable.
"Then what to do next?"
Konan directly asked Orochimaru about his next arrangements.
This operation was led by Orochimaru, and she was responsible for assisting in the operation.
"Because we have reached an agreement with the ruler of Lietuo Kingdom, we can just follow the formal process. You take this letter and go to the palace. When the time comes, they will send someone to take you to the country's library. You can go there and Document transfer."
With that said, Orochimaru took out a letter and handed it into Konan's hand.
"how about you?"
"I'll go to the country's mines and then join you in the national library."
Orochimaru said.
"The mine? What are you doing there?"
Xiaonan looked suspicious.
Are there any precious mineral resources in this country worth paying attention to?
However, even if that thing is mined, their background is not enough to put it into use immediately because of the lack of supporting technical capabilities.
If it is hard currency such as gold mines, it can be calculated separately.
Orochimaru chuckled, as if to create some mystery, and said in a very casual tone: "Nothing, just a pile of rocks. My men went there to mine and are preparing to carry them back."
stone?
Konan looked at Orochimaru with a strange look.
"Is there something wrong with those stones? Are they the products left by the Immortal of Six Paths?"
If it were an ordinary stone, Konan didn't think Orochimaru would be so interested in it.
The items that Orochimaru valued must not be ordinary things.
Even if it is referred to as 'stone', it must have a special meaning.
"Those are some of the secrets I stumbled upon while surveying the land of this country."
"Do you still know how to read geology?"
Konan looked very surprised.
She found that Orochimaru seemed to know a little bit about everything.
Sure enough, this guy is not a serious ninja at all.
"I know a little bit. I have taught myself some geological knowledge in the past, but in front of real experts, I am a bit impractical. But there is one thing you said wrong. These stones have nothing to do with the Six Paths Immortal. But if I expected Yes, if you make good use of these stones, you can create a powerful army."
Orochimaru smiled.
"Legion? It sounds very similar to the ghost legion created by the demon sprites from the Kingdom of Ghosts. Lietuo Kingdom is also very close to the Kingdom of Ghosts. Could it be the remnants of the demon sprites?"
"You will know when I analyze it. Okay, you go to the national library of Lietuo Kingdom and wait for me."
Seeing Orochimaru pretending to be mysterious, Konan had no choice but to stop her inner curiosity and disappear from Orochimaru's side as a white film that filled the sky.
"Paper Release? It's really an interesting secret technique. Jiraiya is so naive, but the disciples he teaches are more powerful than the last."
Looking at Konan's elusive movement, Orochimaru showed an interested expression.
Let’s leave aside Yahiko who is already dead.
Nagato, who possesses the Samsara Eye, and Konan, who developed the secret technique of paper escape on his own, have all been taught by Jiraiya.
Even the yellow flashing wave Feng Shuimon, whom he praised endlessly, was also a disciple of Jiraiya.
Thinking about it carefully, Orochimaru felt an emotion called jealousy in his heart.
Although he had accepted disciples, the disciples taught by Jiraiya... shook his head, and Orochimaru sighed helplessly.
Maybe he was really not as good as Jiraiya when it came to treating heirs.
◎
In the hotel in the capital of Lietuo Kingdom.
"Lin, do you know who I saw when I went out just now?"
After Obito entered the hotel room, he mysteriously spoke to the young woman sitting in the room, as if he was deliberately whetting her appetite.
Lin, who was packing her bags, tilted her head and looked at Obito, who had a mysterious face. She sighed helplessly and said, "Obito, we are about to return to the Kingdom of Demons. If you have time to play guessing games with me, why not come here?" Help me pack my things."
Lin was really a little indifferent to Obito's out-of-touch temperament.
Last year, at Shiraishi's suggestion, she and Obito started traveling in various countries in the ninja world, and Lietuo Country was the last stop on their journey.
I originally hoped that this ancient country with a history of thousands of years would bring some novelty to me.
But after arriving at the capital of Lietuo Kingdom, I discovered that this ancient country was not as peaceful and beautiful as described in the poem.
Peace is real, but this country has nothing to do with beauty.
Due to lack of water, the oases that have supported this country for thousands of years have begun to turn into deserts, and there have been several droughts in recent years.
Water resources have become extremely scarce in this country, and even hot spring shops have closed due to this.
Therefore, after staying for a few days, Lin no longer wanted to stay in Lietuo Country. She wanted to return to the Ghost Country as soon as possible and return to her normal work.
"Don't be so anxious, Lin. I really found an amazing person in this country. I thought I was wrong at first, but later I found out that it was that person - Orochimaru, one of the three ninjas, the president. It’s the snake man who spits out disgusting things from his mouth, and he’s also come to this country.”
Obito didn't show off, and told Lin directly that he saw Orochimaru when he went out just now.
"Orochimaru?"
Lin was stunned when she heard this familiar title.
To her, Sannin was not an unfamiliar title.
Speaking of which, her former mentor, the Fourth Hokage Namikaze Minato, was also a disciple of Jiraiya, one of the three ninjas.
Strictly speaking, she and the Sannin had a relatively close relationship.
However, this kind of intimacy was limited to Jiraiya and Tsunade in the past.
As for Orochimaru, she, like Obito, didn't want to make contact.
It is true that this Sannin's fighting style is so unique that it makes people respect and fear him.
Just as Obito said, Orochimaru can always spit out messy things from his mouth, which makes people feel extremely nauseated.
Girls have certain mysophobia, both physically and psychologically. Orochimaru's unique fighting style made Orochimaru a person that Rin really disliked.
"Yes. When I was wandering out just now, I accidentally discovered Orochimaru's traces."
Obito nodded definitely.
As he said that, he started to guess strangely: "However, the strange thing is, what is Orochimaru doing in a place like this? Is he here for tourism like us?"
"Obito, that's Orochimaru, he won't do such boring things."
"But Orochimaru is also a human being. He would like to go out and relax for a while while working."
Obito guessed this.
"No, do you think this country is really suitable for tourism?"
Let’s not talk about the large area of rocky mountains and deserts surrounding this country. Normal people may get lost in the endless desert and die of thirst or starvation in the desert before arriving in this country.
Coupled with the closed nature of Lietuo Country, neither the five major countries nor the Kingdom of Ghosts paid attention to this country.
Because the location is too remote, so remote that people feel that conquering such a country is a waste of effort.
Lietuo Kingdom is not so much a country as it is a city.
Just like Loulan, a country within a country in the Kingdom of Wind, the territory is so small that even today's standard ninja map will subconsciously miss this place.
She also accidentally learned about Lietuo Kingdom based on some poems.
But in order to find the location of Lietuo Kingdom, she and Obito almost got lost in the desert.
In this kind of country, let alone tourism, it is difficult for outsiders to obtain the location of this country.
Therefore, it is obvious that Orochimaru came to this country for some purpose.
Like wanting to get something in this country.
"Then what is Orochimaru here for?"
"Maybe there are some secrets in this country that even we don't know about. It seems that our return to the Ghost Country will be delayed for a while."
Lin pondered for a moment, put down the gifts she had packed in her hands, and planned to stay in the hotel in Lietuo Country for a few more days to find out what Orochimaru's purpose was in coming to this country.
"Do you want to fight Orochimaru? If the opponent is Orochimaru, I don't want to fight. His ninjutsu is always slimy and looks disgusting."
Obito waved his hand, repelling the idea of taking action with a disgusting guy like Orochimaru.
"Even so, we can't leave Orochimaru alone. Moreover, we don't need to fight Orochimaru. We just need to figure out what his purpose is in coming to this country. This shouldn't be difficult for you, Obito."
Lin looked at Obito and said.
"That's fine. In fact, I'm quite curious about the purpose of Orochimaru's appearance in this country."
According to the intelligence collected by the Kingdom of Ghosts, Orochimaru masters many strange and bizarre forbidden arts, and can even bring the dead from the underworld to the living world to assist the practitioners in fighting together.
Fighting with such a character is undoubtedly a very dangerous thing.
Obito might find it difficult to confront Orochimaru head-on, but if it was just surveillance, it wouldn't be a problem for him.
He was confident that his Spacetime Eye Technique would be difficult for even Orochimaru to detect.
"Orochimaru, I'll leave it to you. I'll also contact the Headquarters of the Kingdom of Demons immediately to collect more information about the Lietuo Kingdom."
However, since the Lieduo Kingdom has little presence in the ninja world, Lin cannot guarantee that the Demon Kingdom will be able to find anything useful.
The deeds of the Lietuo Kingdom are all understood through poetry, but the poems also record the Lietuo Kingdom several centuries ago.
The Lietuo Kingdom may be peaceful now, but due to the serious desertification of the environment, the livelihood of the people in the country has become increasingly difficult.
Water has become the most precious resource in this country.
Lin really couldn't think of anything in this kind of country that deserved Orochimaru's attention.
Obito nodded, and the air around his body began to twist, and then turned into black spots and disappeared from Lin's eyes.
◎
Lietuo Kingdom, in the cave where the mine is located.
Stones of different sizes were piled together to form a rock pile, and Orochimaru appeared next to him, followed by many ninjas.
These ninjas wear uniform ninja uniforms, and the ninja forehead protectors worn on their foreheads are marked with musical notes, representing their status as ninjas of Otogakure Village.
Otogakure is a ninja village established by Orochimaru in the territory of Tian Country after winning over the daimyo of Tian Country.
Since it is a ninja village that was only recently established, it is not very popular in the ninja world, but everything about this village is undoubtedly the work of Orochimaru who poured his passion into it.
Moreover, unlike other ninja villages, Otogakure Village was a private ninja village established to serve his research work.
"Lord Orochimaru, these are all the stones. Next, workers will come and move all these stones to the designated location, and our people will receive them."
An Oiniki ninja stepped forward and spoke respectfully to Orochimaru.
"Thank you for your hard work. Anyway, you have to move these stones back to the base of Otoyin Village as soon as possible."
Orochimaru couldn't help but nodded with satisfaction at the efficiency of his subordinates.
But not only all his subordinates understood Orochimaru's move, one of them couldn't help but ask:
"Speaking of which, Orochimaru-sama, what are these stones used for? Could they be building materials used to build a village? But the shape of these stones..."
In terms of building materials, these stones are all deformed and completely irregular.
But apart from building materials, none of the Otogakure ninjas understood what Orochimaru was going to do with the stones he was carrying.
Moreover, they have also checked and found that this kind of stone has no reaction to chakra and does not help ninjas at all.
"These stones are not ordinary stones. Your task is to transport these stones safely back to Yinyin Village. If something goes wrong, I will be angry."
Orochimaru licked his tongue, his yellow snake eyes filled with indifference.
The Otogakure ninjas were in awe.
"Yes, I promise to complete Lord Orochimaru's mission!"
Everyone looked serious together and promised Orochimaru.
"Okay, I'll leave this to you for now, I still have things to deal with."
Compared with these stones, the National Library of Lietuo Kingdom was the ultimate goal of his trip.
In the final analysis, these rocks are just a by-product of this operation.
After Orochimaru and all the Otogakure ninjas temporarily left, the air suddenly distorted, and Obito's figure appeared silently in the deepest part of the mine.
Looking at the various strange-shaped stones of different sizes in front of him, Obito took a closer look. With his knowledge, he couldn't tell what was so strange about these stones that they deserved Orochimaru's attention.
But considering the name of Orochimaru Sannin, he would never deliberately look for some ordinary-looking stones.
The more ordinary these stones are, the more it shows that they are not simple.
"Take it back and show it to Lin. Maybe Lin can see something."
Obito thought for a moment, and activated the kaleidoscope's space-time ninjutsu, distorting the space in front of him.
A few inconspicuous small stones in the pile of stones were immediately taken into the different space and time. The space around him was twisted again, and Obito's body disappeared. It was as mysterious as when he came.
