The Terumi Mei in Orochimaru's memory was the Fifth Mizukage tall, bold, and confident, a mature and passionate woman. But now...
She was still beautiful, but under twenty years old, dressed in the standard Kirigakure ninja attire, and still wearing her forehead protector.
She was able to recognize Orochimaru immediately, which surprised him. However, Orochimaru being able to call her name left her even more astonished.
But now was not the time for such thoughts.
Her mind was already calculating a way to retreat.
After all, how could Terumi Mei, in such a chaotic Kirigakure, rise to prominence and overthrow the Fourth Mizukage's reign of terror?
Could it really have been just her two bloodline limits? That would've been far too simplistic.
Having a bloodline limit implied belonging to a clan, and a clan meant influence and power.
Other Kirigakure ninjas might abandon their mission upon encountering Orochimaru, but Terumi Mei knew enough about him to realize retreat was the only option.
She was strong, but Orochimaru was on an entirely different level.
"Kabuto, this is your chance to get accustomed to combat," Orochimaru said with a faint smile.
"Yes!" Kabuto nodded, gripping the kunai in his hand tightly.
At just twelve years old, Kabuto was still quite young, even in a war-torn era.
Facing six or seven Kirigakure ninjas and Mei, who was already nearing Kage-level strength, there was no way he could handle them alone.
But with Orochimaru by his side, anything felt possible.
---
Elsewhere, in the Land of Fire, Konoha Village:
Tsunade sat at her desk, hands folded, a serious expression on her face.
She wasn't too concerned about Kirigakure's sudden attack on Konoha.
What weighed on her was the question: Was Orochimaru planning to start a war?
Since Orochimaru's departure from Konoha, this thought had lingered in her mind.
Part of her wanted to stop him. But deep down, she knew she didn't have the strength to do so, no matter how hard she tried, whether through persuasion or force.
Click!
The door to her office opened, and Konoha's four advisers entered one after another.
"Tsunade, what's the matter?" Hiruzen asked directly as he stepped in.
Though he had been reluctant to step down as Hokage, Hiruzen now served as one of Konoha's advisers. Fortunately, Tsunade had proven herself to be a competent leader, managing the village with precision and order.
Tsunade exhaled lightly and said, "There's something I need to discuss with all of you."
"What is it?"
"Orochimaru... he's asked for Konoha's help to start a war."
"What?"
"Start... a war?"
Tsunade's short explanation left the four advisers visibly stunned.
They all understood the complex relationship between Tsunade and Orochimaru, but the idea of her even considering such a thing...
For a moment, silence filled the room as they processed the news.
Finally Hiruzen broke the silence, his expression solemn. "So, what I feared has finally happened." He turned toward Danzo, narrowing his eyes. "Danzo, what's your role in this?"
It was clear Hiruzen suspected Danzo had played a part in this development.
Danzo frowned, suppressing a smirk. "Sarutobi, what are you implying?" he asked coldly. "Yes, I've had dealings with Orochimaru in the past. I even considered recruiting him as a subordinate.
"But after what happened back then, do you think I could control him now? With his current power?"
"Is that so?" Hiruzen studied Danzo for a moment, then exhaled, blowing out a smoke ring. "Fine, I'll believe you for now. But Tsunade, what are your thoughts on this?"
"I... I think we should agree to his request," Tsunade said hesitantly.
"What?"
"Agree?"
"Konoha has always stood for peace! How can you suggest supporting Orochimaru to provoke a war?"
Koharu and Homura, two of the four advisers, immediately voiced their objections.
Unlike Danzo, who was always in favor of aggressive action, the two of them generally sided with Sarutobi's more peaceful approach.
Hiruzen also tried to reason with her. "Tsunade, they're right. You should reconsider. Don't let your history with Orochimaru cloud your judgment..."
"Reconsider? What's there to reconsider?" Danzo interrupted, his voice sharp. "You all keep preaching about peace, but true peace can only come through unification."
He turned to Hiruzen with a glare. "Haven't you learned anything from all your failures? Peace gained through tolerance is nothing but self-deception.
"In the past, Konoha had no choice but to tread carefully around the other major villages. But now? Konoha has defeated four villages at once! If that doesn't give you confidence, what will?"
Hiruzen retorted, "That victory was only possible because of Orochimaru's help."
"And isn't that still the case?" Danzo shot back.
"That technique of his, Edo Tensei, it's a forbidden jutsu that goes against the natural order."
"As long as it wins wars, what does it matter? Do you really think other villages haven't researched forbidden techniques?"
"Danzo, you—"
"Enough!" Koharu quickly interjected, trying to diffuse the argument. "Let's hear Tsunade out first. After all, she's the Hokage now, and she likely has more information than we do."
She turned to Tsunade. "Tsunade, as Hokage, I trust you wouldn't suggest this lightly. Is there something we're missing?"
Tsunade nodded reluctantly. "Even if I don't agree to assist him, a war will still happen. And it won't just be a small-scale conflict."
"What do you mean?" Hiruzen asked, frowning. "Is Orochimaru planning to use his Edo Tensei army to attack the major villages?"
"No," Tsunade replied, shaking her head. "That's not his primary force.
"Orochimaru's main army is made up of clones."
"Clones?"
"How... how is that possible?"
"How many?"
"I don't know the exact number," Tsunade admitted. "But based on his preparations over the years, I'm certain it's no less than 20,000. Otherwise, he wouldn't be so confident."
"20,000?"
"Twenty thousand clones?"
The room fell into stunned silence.
***
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