Naruto: I have an attribute panel

Chapter 514 Revealing Traces

The music ended and the audience dispersed.

A satisfying barbecue feast.

Taichi and Kai patted their round bellies, with a tearful Kakashi following behind them. The three said goodbye to each other at the store entrance and returned to their respective homes.

On the way, Taiyi experienced the bustling street scene alone. People who knew him would bow and greet him from time to time, and Taiyi would respond to them with a smile, until a familiar figure appeared in his field of vision.

"Hey, what a coincidence today, I keep running into acquaintances."

Taiyi took two quick steps and came to the side of that figure.

"Lord Orochimaru, I didn't expect you to be shopping too."

"Isn't this Taiyi? You caused quite a commotion today!"

Orochimaru chuckled lightly and continued walking forward without looking to the side, but his words made Taichi embarrassed once again.

Taiyi repeated his explanation of the Dark Division, and then made a self-deprecating remark.

"I guess it's because I made a breakthrough in my cultivation today, which made me more sensitive and led to this misjudgment."

Orochimaru smiled dismissively after hearing this. Such situations did indeed occur after a breakthrough in strength; he was simply envious of Taiichi.

Their current strength is still able to maintain a rapid pace of improvement.

"By the way, something interesting happened to me today."

"Oh? What's so interesting?"

Taiyi moved a few steps closer, adopting an attitude of listening attentively.

"The White Snake Sage of Ryuchi Cave actually asked me about the situation in the ninja world. This is really strange. In all these years, this is the first time I have ever seen them take the initiative to ask me questions, especially these kinds of questions."

What was said in jest was taken seriously by the listener.

Taiyi frowned slightly, instinctively sensing that something was wrong.

He quickened his pace, slightly overtaking Orochimaru, then turned and winked at him. The two of them quietly changed direction and arrived at a deserted place.

"Lord Orochimaru, when exactly did this matter occur?"

"That is to say—"

Orochimaru stopped halfway through his sentence, but Taichi already knew the answer.

"It was when I made that commotion!"

Orochimaru nodded silently.

A series of thoughts flashed through their minds, and now it seemed that the two things must be related.

Otherwise, it would be too coincidental that the two events happened almost one after the other.

"In that case, your feeling of being watched might actually be real, and this watching isn't limited to you, or even just in Konoha; it might include the entire ninja world."

This is not an exaggeration. Although the entrance and exit of Ryuchi Cave are in the Ninja World, the entire cave is hidden in another dimension.

The White Snake Sage's inexplicable questioning of Orochimaru about the ninja world must have been triggered by some kind of stimulus.

Considering the timing of both events, it's not hard to guess that she was also aware of this spying.

"Taiyi, use your spirit to summon a slug and ask if there are any unusual movements in the Wet Bone Forest."

Tai nodded without hesitation and immediately began forming hand seals.

The little slug raised its head, its pair of antenna-like eyes peeking out. It looked around and, finding no fighting or wounded, made a puzzled sound.

"Lord Taiichi, is there something you need from me?"

"Slug, was anything unusual in Shikkotsu Forest this evening?"

The slug's two antennae on its head twitched, and its smooth body surface undulated rhythmically, a sign that it was thinking.

"Nothing special, everyone was just like usual, eating moss and sleeping."

Taiichi and Orochimaru exchanged a glance, both seeing the suspicion in each other's eyes.

"Is that slug immortal also normal?"

"As for the main body, there is something a little abnormal about her. In the evening, she suddenly woke up from her deep sleep, threw a tantrum, and then fell asleep again."

From the slug's perspective, there's nothing wrong with saying this.

"Do you know why?"

"I don't know. These memories aren't shared. I just saw them."

The little slug crawled forward a little and continued, "If Lord Taiyi wants to know, I'll ask him for you when his true form wakes up next time."

Taiyi smiled. "Is that alright? I wonder when the Slug Sage will wake up next?"

"I don't know, maybe a few months, maybe a few years, but it won't be very long."

Taiyi's smile froze on his face. Sure enough, these immortal beings had a different concept of time than they did. They didn't know how long they would sleep.

But at least, we know what we need to know.

After seeing the little slug off, Taiichi and Orochimaru had a general idea in mind.

First of all, this matter has indeed affected the entire ninja world. Ryuchi Cave and Shikkotsu Forest have both reacted, so it's likely that Mount Myōboku will not be left behind.

Secondly, although this matter was sudden, it should not be urgent. Otherwise, given the relationship between the three holy lands and Konoha, at least Shikkotsu Forest and Mount Myōboku would have issued a statement to inform them.

Finally, and most importantly, the power level of the person conducting the investigation must be at least at the level of the three great immortals; otherwise, it would be impossible for them to be the only ones to have noticed it.

Thinking of this, Orochimaru couldn't help but feel a little strange. He looked up at Taiichi and thought to himself that he hadn't expected the kid's strength to improve so quickly. Even if he hadn't reached the level of the three great sages, he should be close.

He wasn't sure what level the three sages were at, but he figured they were at least far beyond the Kage level, and even stronger than the First Hokage.

At this moment, Orochimaru felt a pang of sadness, as if he had wasted all those years of his life.

Taiichi felt a chill run down his spine under Orochimaru's strange gaze, a gaze that contained so much: envy, admiration, and jealousy.

Jealousy, regret—the list goes on and on.

"Lord Orochimaru, look at us!"

Taiichi quickly interrupted Orochimaru's gaze, and Orochimaru came back to his senses. He looked at the sky and saw that the moon was already high in the sky.

"This matter is important, but not that urgent. You can report to the Hokage tomorrow during the day."

Taiichi thought about it and realized that it was true; Konoha really couldn't do anything right now.

Silent all night.

The next morning, Taiichi took Orochimaru to the Hokage's office and reported the situation to Minato.

Minato took this very seriously and immediately summoned the sage Fukasaku to inquire about it.

Unfortunately, the Great Toad Sage is an even more homebody and sleepy guy than the White Snake Sage and the Slug Sage.

Fukasaku knew nothing about whether the Great Toad Sage had awakened or sensed anything.

"Then, Fukasaku, based on your understanding, is there anyone else in the ninja world with this level of strength?"

Minato looked at Fukasaku, who was standing on the desk, and asked with a serious expression.

Shen Zuo's long eyebrows trembled slightly as he pondered in his mind that, apart from the Three Holy Lands, there seemed to be no other living beings.

To what level of destiny does one reach?

Wait a minute, there are none alive, but there are still some dead, and more than one.

Thinking of this, Fukasaku subconsciously looked down at his feet, but these things were not suitable to be said to these children, and besides, if it were them, they would not pose any threat to the ninja world.

"I have some clues, but I'm not sure yet. I need to confirm with the Great Toad Sage after he wakes up, but I don't think there should be any major problems."

After giving his final instructions, the hermit Fukasaku hurriedly canceled the summoning ritual and returned to Mount Myōboku.

In the office, the three looked at each other. They were all experts, and they had seen through Fukasaku's subconscious reaction just now, so they naturally had the answer in their hearts.

"It seems the waters of the ninja world run deeper than we imagined."

Minato had his head down, and it was unclear what he was looking at.

"Isn't this even more interesting? Death is not the end, but may be the beginning of a new journey."

Orochimaru's eyes gleamed, and he unconsciously licked his face, showing how excited he was. "Fourth Hokage, I request permission to research the Impure World Reincarnation technique. It is the link between us, life and death."

Minato's expression turned serious, and he tapped the table with a single finger, making a "tap tap tap" sound.

The Impure World Reincarnation technique is not a merciful ninjutsu. The fact that it requires the sacrifice of a life each time it is used makes it even more taboo than researching Wood Release and Hashirama cells.

Moreover, disturbing the peace of the deceased is itself an unethical act.

However, since Orochimaru has already brought this up, he certainly won't give up on it.

The village doesn't allow it; he could easily conduct his own research privately, but that would completely exceed the village's control. It's better to bring him under the village's management.

Most importantly, the Second Hokage set a good example for everyone.

It makes no sense that the Second Hokage could research and even develop inhumane ninjutsu like the Impure World Reincarnation, yet forbid his successors from continuing this research.

"This matter is of great importance, and I need to discuss it with the Third Generation Lord. However, I personally support this research."

Orochimaru showed a hint of disappointment on his face, but he quickly came to terms with it. The village was already very open-minded, so he could afford to wait a little longer.

"As for what you reported, Taiichi," Minato turned to Taiichi again, his smile full of satisfaction, "this matter is for the three of us to know for now. There's no need to reveal it to anyone else. It won't make any difference if they know; it will only cause them more trouble."

"Okay, I understand."

Tai nodded, promising not to tell anyone.

After leaving the Hokage's office, Taichi walked alone on his way to Konoha Hospital.

Having found the answer to yesterday's probing, recalling that vague feeling now evokes a completely different experience.

That's a ninjutsu performed by the Sage of Six Paths; only a handful of people in the entire ninja world can recognize it.

Recalling all his feelings at the time, Taiyi also hoped to be able to analyze a trace of the mystery of the Six Paths level.

But even after entering Konoha Hospital, he still found nothing. He hadn't sensed any ninjutsu fluctuations yesterday; it was just that his mysterious sixth sense had given him a warning.

"Sigh, it seems I'm still some distance from that level. I need to train even harder."

Taiyi composed himself and, under the respectful gazes of everyone at the hospital, began another day of work.

October 17, Konoha 53.

The Land of Winds, a vast desert.

Even within the Land of Wind, this place is considered a forbidden zone. The entire area is located in the northwest corner of the Land of Wind, occupying approximately one-fifth of its area.

Such a vast area has not a single oasis, nor a single source of water, which is why it is called a desolate wasteland.

Meanwhile, atop a towering sand dune in this desolate place, a figure dressed in a black robe with red cloud patterns gazed into the distance.

If you look closer, you can see that the guy is shaking all over, like he has Parkinson's disease, and it doesn't stop at all.

"Finally—finally—I finally found it!"

White Zetsu was in tears at this moment. Heaven knows how much suffering he had endured in this deadly dry place since he accepted the mission assigned by Pain.

White Zetsu is better suited to places with pleasant weather and lush vegetation, such as the Land of Fire.

But a place like the Land of Wind, where there isn't even a blade of grass in sight, is practically his natural enemy.

Unable to use his most proficient mayfly technique, he could only move with difficulty through the sand using earth-遁 (earth-遁 is a technique that allows one to escape through the sand).

The dry weather caused even his fair skin to become dry and cracked.

What's most infuriating is that the guy who used to fight him for control of his body has now shrunk his consciousness to the deepest part of his mind and become a coward.

So, while White Zetsu suffers all the hardships and sins, Black Zetsu ultimately gets credit for all the good deeds.

The more White Zetsu thought about it, the angrier he became. If before he was trembling with excitement at finding his target, now he was simply being...

He was so angry that he was trembling all over.

Unfortunately, what you hate most is often what will happen.

Before Bai Jue could even fully savor his feelings, a strange sense of dread washed over him.

"No! Wait a minute! Let me savor this novel feeling a little longer—"

But before he could finish speaking, White Zetsu's consciousness was forcefully suppressed to the deepest part of his mind.

At this moment, Black Zetsu appears.

"Finally found it." The same sigh, but filled with coldness, "What a pair of useless fools, it took them so long to find it."

Two kilometers away, beneath that sandy area, Black Zetsu could faintly sense a unique life force hidden beneath the desert.

Unlike ordinary creatures brimming with vitality, it possessed a peculiar quality, as fierce as a raging storm and as restless as the scorching sun.

"They really know how to hide it. With such a seal, no wonder even the Byakugan couldn't detect it."

Their target, Shukaku, had used a seal to shrink his enormous body to the size of a house cat. It was this newly acquired technique that allowed him to roam freely in this vast desert for so long.

At this moment, Yiwei had been enjoying himself outside for three days and three nights, and was now curled up underground to rest.

His body, which is made of sand, blends perfectly with the surrounding desert. In addition, with his current small size, it's practically impossible for humans to find him again.

She rolled over, hugging her big tail, and a smile appeared on her lips. This was the life Tanuki truly wanted. Those Jinchūriki were just torture. Tanuki wanted to live a carefree life here!