This puppeteer is a bit... well...

Chapter 159 Hidden Trap (Please subscribe and vote with monthly tickets)

"If it's about recalling souls, I have a way."

Upon hearing this, Ryuji and Tsunade looked directly at them.

Orochimaru calmly picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and then said, "I know a forbidden technique that can temporarily summon a person's soul from the Pure Land back to the mortal world."

"A short time won't work; it has to be permanent."

Long Er gently shook his head.

"Then there's nothing we can do."

Orochimaru spread his hands, indicating to Tsunade that he was powerless to help.

His ninjutsu for summoning back the souls of the dead is the Impure World Reincarnation technique developed by the Second Hokage. It can use the relics left behind by the deceased to summon their souls from the Pure Land back to the living offerings for manipulation.

However, at this stage, this forbidden technique is still an imperfect and flawed product. Not only is the success rate of summoning extremely low, but the summoned dead are also far less powerful than they could be in life, and cannot be maintained for long.

"Is it necessary to permanently summon back the soul?"

Tsunade bit her lower lip, her face showing resentment.

Ryuji hesitated for a moment, but still replied truthfully, "We must permanently summon their souls. Otherwise, even if we create new bodies for them and allow their souls to return to their bodies, they will eventually fly away again after a while."

"Hoo~" Tsunade took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled, forcing a bitter smile on her face. "I understand. I'll try my best to find a way to permanently summon back the soul."

"I advise you not to go looking for it," Orochimaru said.

Why?

"Most techniques involving the soul are forbidden and come at a price. With your personality, even if you found one, you wouldn't use it, and in the end, it would just be a disappointment."

"...I see!"

Tsunade remained silent for a while, the bitterness in her mouth intensifying.

She slammed her hand on the table and stood up. "You guys talk, I'm going to have a drink."

After saying that, he ignored their reactions and turned to leave.

Neither of them tried to stop them.

They all sensed the bitterness in the woman's heart, and at that moment, only wine could soothe her wounded soul.

boom!

Hearing the paper door slam shut, Ryuji turned his gaze to Orochimaru.

Orochimaru also looked over at that moment.

Ryuji chuckled softly, "How are you going to consider what happened last time?"

The previous matter naturally refers to the exchange of the Soul Creation Technology for the Book of Seals.

Although it wasn't explicitly stated, Orochimaru understood.

He shook his head slightly and said, "I haven't decided yet."

"It's alright. It's normal to be cautious about important matters, but..." Ryuji paused, then continued, "I don't want the original Book of Sealing. A handwritten copy is fine too. What I care about is the forbidden techniques on it, not the scroll itself."

"Of course I know that."

As he spoke, Orochimaru smiled slightly, "However, even so, I need to consider this carefully."

"Okay, then take your time to think about it!"

Long Er said nonchalantly, picking up a piece of pastry from the plate and eating it.

He sparred with Gin for most of the day, and then fought with Jiraiya when he got back. He was a little hungry, and started eating without a care for his image.

This piqued Orochimaru's curiosity.

Although Ryuji is a 15-year-old boy, his usual behavior makes people never expect this, and they only think he is a seasoned old fox.

But now, eating without any regard for his image, he actually looks like he's doing it.

(Which side of you is the real you?)

Orochimaru became interested.

His eyes darted around, and he suddenly asked, "Xuanqi-kun, what are your thoughts on war?"

Long Er paused in his eating and asked, "Which aspect are you referring to?"

After asking the question, he started eating again.

"all."

"Complete……"

Ryuji swallowed the food in his throat, then picked up his teacup and drank it all in one gulp. After letting out a loud burp, he said, "If you want to know everything, I could talk until dawn the next day and still not finish."

"Oh~"

Orochimaru neither confirmed nor denied it.

After a moment's thought, she continued, "Xuanqi-kun, you've achieved so much at such a young age. Have you thought about what kind of person you want to be in the future, or what your dreams are?"

"no."

Without a second thought, Ryuji blurted out the answer, which surprised Orochimaru.

Generally speaking, people who achieve fame at a young age have a deep obsession with a certain pursuit, and only this extraordinary obsession can give people the motivation to strive for it.

Otherwise, with so many talented people, why are you so outstanding?

Orochimaru always thought that Ryuji was someone who, like himself, Jiraiya, or Tsunade, had a deep obsession with something, but the answer was completely the opposite.

"I've never thought about what kind of person I want to become, nor have I thought about what I want to pursue in the future. I just want to cherish every day now."

"So you've already achieved your goal? I see."

Orochimaru suddenly realized, and his face revealed undisguised envy.

Ryuji shook his head. "It's not quite right to say that we've achieved our goal. We've only achieved it temporarily. If we don't work hard to become stronger and protect it, even the goal we've achieved will be destroyed."

"Dragon Two" refers to a potential future crisis.

For example, Madara Uchiha, Kaguya-hime, and even Momoshiki and Isshiki Otsutsuki.

The arrival of these people will disrupt the existing peace, and all his preparations are in preparation for the coming crisis.

Orochimaru was unaware of these things and only thought that Ryuji was being cautious and worried about the chaotic situation in the ninja world.

He couldn't help but silently admire her: intelligent, hardworking, exceptionally talented, and famous at a young age, yet humble and unassuming. Ryuji Ayaki might surpass everyone and reach unprecedented heights.

Afterwards, the two chatted for a while until the moon rose above the willow branches before saying goodbye and leaving.

"Today is finally over."

Ryuji sat up, stretched, and prepared to go to the laboratory to research new auxiliary armor.

But just then, there was a knock on the door.

"Please come in."

The door was opened, and Wanlijiang, wearing a low-cut mesh ninja outfit, walked in.

"What's up?"

Long Er asked while stretching his stiff neck.

"that……"

A soft, sweet voice came from the other person's mouth.

Ryuji looked over curiously and saw the girl with her head down and her face flushed. He couldn't help but feel puzzled.

"What's up?"

"..."

The girl fiddled with the hem of her clothes, remaining silent.

If Long Er still doesn't understand this, then he's lived two lifetimes in vain.

but……

"I'm not interested right now."

Although it's been more than ten days since I last did it, I went on such a crazy spree for the past month and a half that I'm somewhat dismissive of this kind of thing now that I've changed bodies, and I still can't muster any interest in it.

"I've come up with a great idea that will definitely pique your interest."

The girl looked up at Ryuji with anticipation, her plump face as red as a ripe apple.

Long Er looked at the girl, remained silent for a moment, and then said, "...I'll give you ten minutes. If you can't finish in ten minutes, then we'll call it a day."

"It definitely can."

Wanlijiang smiled as he knelt before Long Er...

The moon departed with 40,000 words of information about preventing censorship.

……

Silent all night.

The next day.

Long Er slowly woke up, while the girl beside him was still fast asleep.

He did not disturb Wanlijiang.

The girl was exhausted from trying to please him last night, so let her get some more sleep.

Ryuji gently pulled his numb left hand out, then got up, dressed, and left the bedroom.

Hong was waiting outside the door with her toiletries and hot water.

After quickly washing up, Long Er went to Training Ground No. 32, munching on a red steamed bun.

He wasn't fully used to the current fighting style yet, so he practiced more whenever he had free time.

……

Time flies, and years pass by.

Soon, December arrived.

The weather has entered the coldest period of winter, and the major ninja villages seem to have agreed to stop fighting.

Although everyone knew this was the calm before the storm, the ninja world also enjoyed a rare period of peace.

As a result of the brief period of peace in the ninja world, Konoha regained some of its former prosperity.

However, beneath this glamorous exterior, undercurrents are surging.

Because the Sand Village delegation has been in Konoha for half a year.

According to the peace treaty signed between the two villages, Sunagakure will send a team of students to Konoha to study medical and ninja education for six months, and Konoha shall not deliberately withhold anything from Sunagakure.

Now, there are three days left before the end of the study abroad period.

Ryuji has already prepared his application to return from his studies abroad. He will present it to the Third Hokage for review in three days and then return with the Sand Village delegation.

But it's clear that Konoha doesn't want to let this team go back.

Because the war with Iwagakure was not yet over, Konoha did not want to break off relations directly, but instead prepared other reasons to keep this team around.

For example, they could send their subordinates to provoke others, and if the other side dared to retaliate, they would immediately arrest and investigate them.

It's not really about setting charges or anything; it's just about keeping them in Konoha and preventing them from going back.

Ryuji had anticipated this situation and held a meeting every day, instructing those going out to keep a low profile and not to retaliate even if provoked. As a result, Konoha made frequent moves, but Sunagakure remained completely unfazed.

Although everyone was seething with anger, they were all ninjas and had received the corresponding training.

Seeing that the plan had failed, Konoha was preparing to completely break off relations.

Dark forces, Root forces, security forces...

On the streets of Konoha, a large number of ninjas can be seen patrolling every day, indicating that the area is fully on wartime alert.

Such blatant behavior was known to every Sand Village resident, who were all secretly preparing for the day when the truth would be revealed.

However, on the very last day before the end of his studies abroad, an unexpected incident occurred.

……

In the conference room.

"What did you say?!"

Ryuji jumped up from his seat, his eyes fixed intently on the ninja who had come to report.

The person below replied to the previous report at an astonishing speed, "Lord Karura clashed with the guards on the commercial street and is now fighting fiercely with the people of Konoha."

"How is this possible!?"

Everyone in the conference room stared wide-eyed, their expressions one of disbelief.

The Sand Village delegation consisted of about a hundred people, and anyone could potentially clash with the people of Konoha, except for the Karura siblings.

Because they are so gentle, it is impossible for them to have any conflict with others.

(End of this chapter)