I, who just wanted to be lazy, was forced to become the Hokage.

Chapter 588 The Mature Ninja's Choice: A Complete Crackdown!

It was probably around the end of Konoha 50.

Nara Rinkachi then sensed that Orochimaru's "personal signal" remained in the Land of Fields and no longer moved over a large area.

Because the mark of [Shadow Blade] remained in the Land of Fields for far too long.

Nara Ranke thought Orochimaru had discovered the mark of the Shadow Blade and forcibly discarded the charred severed arms.

To check on Orochimaru's situation, Nara Rinka made a special trip to the Land of Fields.

Then he discovered that Orochimaru had built a stronghold in the Land of Rice Fields.

Orochimaru established his stronghold in the Land of Rice Fields.

This is not surprising.

In the original timeline, Orochimaru, after defecting from and leaving Konoha, also established his "personal foundation" in the Land of Rice Fields.

The most important method was that Orochimaru established a small village called "Otogakure" in the Land of Rice Fields.

It's hard to say whether "Sound Village" is a ninja village in the Land of Rice Fields or Orochimaru's personal testing ground...

cough cough.

all in all.

When they discovered in Nara that Orochimaru was no longer hiding and was instead establishing his own stronghold and lying low.

He secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

A wandering Orochimaru is certainly more dangerous and troublesome than a settled Orochimaru.

And then again...

A Orochimaru who no longer runs around aimlessly makes it easier for Nara to carry out his "fishing" plan.

as predicted.

During a subsequent random inspection, Nara Rinka discovered that Orochimaru had already colluded with Black Zetsu.

Although Nara Rinka did not witness Black Zetsu and Orochimaru meeting.

However, he discovered traces of a living White Zetsu in Orochimaru's private laboratory!

The only ones in the entire ninja world qualified to obtain a living White Zetsu are Black Zetsu and White Zetsu Tobi, the black-and-white duo!

Through that living White Zetsu that had been dissected and mangled.

Nara Rinka deduced that Orochimaru had successfully connected with Black Zetsu.

This is such a pleasant surprise!

But if you think about it carefully...

Black Zetsu's decision to cooperate with Orochimaru was both unexpected and perfectly logical.

Now, looking at the entire ninja world...

How many more people can meet Black Zetsu's requirements and join his "plan to save his mother"?

Even if it's not a real "plan to save mother," but rather a "plan to achieve infinite Tsukuyomi" disguised as something else.

Which ninjas are qualified to access this kind of information?

Madara Uchiha is dead, Obito Uchiha has not completely turned to the dark side, Nagato has lost his Rinnegan, and the new Ashura and Indra reincarnations have not yet come to power...

All the tools that Black Zetsu had painstakingly selected were completely rendered useless due to the influence and interference of Nara Rankei.

Orochimaru.

This is practically Black Zetsu's last remaining target.

After all, Orochimaru's abilities in various aspects are quite in line with Black Zetsu's requirements.

In fact.

To catch the "big black fish" Black Zetsu, Nara Rinka prepared more than just Orochimaru as bait.

Nara Langui also set up two baits and two spare baits.

The first one is the Crimson Sand Scorpion that stayed behind in Loulan!

In terms of strength and talent, Sasori of the Red Sand and Orochimaru are almost equal.

Sasori of the Red Sand even has the impressive feat of "assassinating the Kazekage," which surpasses Orochimaru's achievements.

Orochimaru has no record of killing a Kage-level shikigami...

As for reputation...

Orochimaru is one of the legendary Sannin of Konoha.

Sasori of the Red Sand was also an S-rank rogue ninja from Sunagakure.

If Black Zetsu really does target Sasori of the Red Sand, then Nara Rinka wouldn't be too surprised.

Apart from Sasori of the Red Sand.

Nara Rangsuke also set up another "bait".

Naruto Uzumaki, who still resides in Konoha Village!

Although Nara Rinkazu did not make any special arrangements for Naruto Uzumaki.

However, as long as Naruto Uzumaki stays in Konoha, he is the most suitable "bait" to lure Black Zetsu!

Because Naruto Uzumaki is the reincarnation of Ashura!

Moreover, he is an adult Ashura reincarnation with half of the Nine-Tails inside him!

Nara Rinka firmly believed in Naruto Uzumaki's allure to Black Zetsu.

As for the other two "backup baits"...

This refers to Naruto Namikaze and Sasuke Uchiha, the fake brothers.

As the reincarnation of Indra and Asura in this generation.

Naruto Namikaze and Sasuke Uchiha should also be somewhat attractive to Black Zetsu.

However, there's Naruto Uzumaki, the adult reincarnation, here.

Nara Langui only listed Namikaze Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke as backup bait.

After a long period of fishing work.

Black Zetsu abandoned Naruto Uzumaki, ignored Sasori of the Red Sand, and went after Orochimaru, who had a grudge against Nara Rinka.

That counts as taking the bait!

Nara Rinka was very satisfied with this.

You have to understand, he had been coveting Black Zetsu, this "big black fish," for far too long.

Even though Nara Rinka had already acquired enough strength to protect himself, obtained Nagato's (Uchiha Madara's) Rinnegan, and completely controlled the start of the Fourth Shinobi World War.

He was still very wary of Black Zetsu.

Nara Rinka had tried to capture Black Zetsu more than once, but unfortunately he had never succeeded.

Back in the Land of Rain, Nara Rinka had already used the Shadow Binding Technique to forcibly control the other party.

But to my surprise, Black Zetsu still managed to escape.

This time.

Black Zetsu approached Orochimaru.

Orochimaru then took the initiative to approach Nara Rinka.

Nara Rinka doesn't intend to let either of these two guys go!

"So, what is the Fourth Hokage's plan?"

"Of course, I'll go and give Lord Orochimaru a surprise little gift in advance!"

Nara Rinka stretched out a big yawn.

"I'm going to Konoha New City. If anything happens here, Shikaku-nii, you can handle it yourself."

The Jonin squad leader just nodded.

The Fourth Hokage then disappeared from the Hokage's office.

The next instant.

Nara Rinka then appeared at the Senju outpost in Konoha's new city.

When he arrived, he happened to see Tsunade drinking.

"Nara? They're here."

Tsunade picked up her wine glass and swirled it casually.

"Judging by the time, it's about time."

"Um?"

Nara Rinka raised an eyebrow and sat down next to Tsunade.

"Tsunade, it seems you knew I was coming?"

"So... Orochimaru has also contacted you, is that right?"

"right."

Tsunade drank the wine in her glass in one gulp.

"That idiot found me."

He said we would meet again outside Kikyo Castle in three days.

That's what he told me too.

Nara Lan Gui shrugged.

"So, what's your decision, Tsunade?"

Tsunade remained silent for a long time before finally speaking in a deep voice.

"Since that idiot is determined to die, then... I'll have to trouble you, Nara!"

Nara Rinka sensed the inner conflict in Tsunade's words.

It's not that he can't understand.

Although Orochimaru was cold-blooded, he used fellow village ninjas for human experiments and even desecrated the body of the First Hokage.

However, Orochimaru was also a teammate who fought alongside Tsunade for many years, sharing life and death.

On the surface, Tsunade is an incredibly powerful woman.

But Nara Rinka knew that this big fat sheep was incredibly soft inside.

Tsunade has always been somewhat indecisive when it comes to her own people.

Like now.

Even though Tsunade said she would leave the matter of Orochimaru's life or death to Nara Rinkei.

But if Nara Rinka really kills Orochimaru, this fat sheep will probably be disappointed for a long time.

"This is indeed a troublesome matter."

Nara Rinka said in a very serious tone.

"So, Tsunade, could you please come with me to see Orochimaru?"

"I think it's better for the three Sannin to handle their own conflicts."

Upon hearing this, Tsunade gave Nara Rinka a resentful look.

"Nara, you're so cunning!"

No way.

Nara Lan Gui smiled and shook her head.

"Besides, Orochimaru invited both of us; there's no reason for me to go see him alone."

"……All right!"

Tsunade took another sip of sake.

"Then, three days from now, I'll go with you to see Orochimaru!"

"Not three days, but tomorrow."

Nara Lan Gui said softly.

"Tsunade-neechan, let's go to the Land of Rice Fields together tomorrow and settle things with Orochimaru!"

Third update.

(End of this chapter)