Starting with Wood Release, he survives in Konoha Hospital and becomes a big shot.

"This is the Pain Mask, personally crafted by the Star Lord. Wearing this mask will enhance the power of my ninjutsu and genjutsu, and it will inflict extreme pain on any enemy it hits," Yao Xingji explained simply.

"The Pain Mask?" Orochimaru stared at the mask on Yakusei's face, a fleeting glint of greed in his eyes.

If this mask truly has such a powerful effect, it can indeed be described as terrifying.

As a powerful ninja, Orochimaru understood very well that in ninja battles, a misjudgment could mean the difference between life and death. A mask that could inflict extreme pain on an opponent meant it could render them unable to think for a short period, which was extremely deadly, almost equivalent to being caught in a genjutsu.

"With this mask, we're sure to succeed on this trip," Yao Xingji said with a light laugh.

"Aunt Snake, the Star Lord has many more treasures. From what I know, there are even treasures that can bring the dead back to life," Yao Xingji said, seemingly casually.

Upon hearing this, Orochimaru's expression immediately changed, and shock and desire flashed in his eyes.

Since he could be brought back to life, then what about his parents and all those he cherished who had died...?

Moreover, if resurrection is possible, then eternal life is not a problem.

At that moment, Orochimaru suddenly realized that the high and mighty Star Lord was far more terrifying than he had imagined.

“However, if you want to obtain those things, just coasting along won’t do,” Yao Xingji said.

Orochimaru's performance over the past year has been quite lackluster, with almost no contributions, a far cry from Kisame Hoshigaki's active service to the organization.

Therefore, Yao Xingji felt it was necessary to improve Orochimaru's initiative. As a manager, one must be able to make promises and promises.

"Lord Star, is there really a treasure that can bring people back to life?" Orochimaru asked, his breathing becoming rapid.

"As far as I know, there are such things, but I'm not entirely sure of the specifics. Even if such things exist, they would be the most precious of all," Yao Xingji said.

Orochimaru nodded and didn't ask any further questions.

Because he knew that he wouldn't get any more information by asking; if Yao Xingji knew those things, then there would be a problem.

"When should we make our move?" Orochimaru asked, clearly much more proactive than before.

"It's midnight tonight. The longer it goes, the more things can go wrong. We're not the only ones eyeing the Three-Tails; Yagura from Kirigakure is also after it. We need to capture the Three-Tails before they do," Yao Xingji said.

"Okay." Orochimaru nodded.

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Chapter 168 The Operation Begins

midnight.

Yao Xingji left a sleeping shadow clone in the tent and quietly left the military camp with Orochimaru, heading to the lake where the Three-Tailed Isobu was.

"Are you planning to just leave like this?" Orochimaru asked, looking at Yakusei Kiku beside him.

Even with a mask and cloak, a five-year-old child is still very noticeable.

"Of course not." Yao Xingji shook his head. Chakra was extracted from his body, and his height immediately increased by twenty centimeters. His body size also increased, and he looked like a twelve or thirteen-year-old boy.

Looking at Yao Xingji's transformation technique, Orochimaru revealed a disdainful expression and said mercilessly, "A simple transformation technique is useless. A powerful ninja can easily see through it. You might as well just wear a cloak..."

Having finally found an opportunity to mock Yakusei, Orochimaru spared no effort.

However, the next moment, he suddenly stopped and frowned as he carefully examined Yao Xingji beside him.

This transformation technique seemed to be different from the most basic Three Body Techniques that Orochimaru knew. He couldn't see the flaw in this ninjutsu, and even after careful observation, he still couldn't see through the transformation technique.

"What you're talking about is just ordinary transformation magic. My transformation magic is far superior to that trash," Yao Xingji chuckled.

From his demeanor and body movements, Yao Xingji showed absolutely no trace of transformation.

"I underestimated you." Orochimaru nodded. Even he couldn't see through Yakusei's transformation technique, so there must be very few people in the world who could.

Yao Xingji remained calm. When he treated ordinary ninjas, the most he gained was the Three Body Technique. As a result of constantly acquiring the Three Body Technique, his Three Body Technique had long surpassed the comprehension of ordinary ninjas.

It's not just Orochimaru who couldn't see through it; anyone else would be the same, even eye techniques like the Sharingan and Byakugan.

Yao Xingji didn't know if there were any other special bloodline limits in the ninja world that could be used to see through transformation techniques, but based on his current understanding, there weren't.

"Transformation isn't enough, there's also this." As soon as Yao Xingji finished speaking, he took out two robes with a flick of his wrist.

Orochimaru was already used to the ability of the Star Lord to conjure things out of thin air; he had seen it done before at Ming Shiyin's place, which was said to be a privilege of the Star Lord's messenger.

Orochimaru took the robe handed to him by Yakusei and examined it carefully.

This is a black trench coat cloak, somewhat similar to Ming Shiyin's astrological robe, with the fourteen main stars of the Ziwei Dipper embroidered on it, set against a backdrop of countless stars. The cloak in Orochimaru's hand represents the Ju Men star, which is brighter than all other stars, also foreshadowing Orochimaru's codename in the Yao Tian organization as Ju Men.

The robe that Yao Xingji took out was the same as Orochimaru's, except that the brightest star had been changed to Ziwei Star.

"This is the standard uniform of the Yaotian Organization. From now on, the organization will wear this uniform in all its operations," Yao Xingji explained.

"And this mask, used uniformly to cover the face."

As soon as he finished speaking, Yao Xingji took out a mask that looked very similar to the Pain Mask, but upon closer inspection, one could see that there were still differences between the two, especially in their aura.

Orochimaru took the mask, played with it for a while, and then glanced at the True Pain Mask that Yakushiki was wearing on his face. He immediately felt that it was better to throw it away after comparing the two.

Donning specially made astrological robes and masks, the two slowly disappeared into the night.

Meanwhile, by the lake.

A team of nearly a hundred ninjas from the Land of Water quietly gathered here.

The person standing at the very front was very short, looking like a child; it was none other than Yagura Karatachi.

"Lord Yagura, shall we begin our operation now?" a Kirigakure ninja asked in a low voice.

"Wait a minute." Yagura Karatachi shook his head.

Capturing the Three-Tails is of utmost importance, and Yagura Karatachi doesn't want any more mishaps.

The night was dark, and after an unknown amount of time, a very tall figure appeared in the distant forest and slowly walked towards them.

"Who?" the ninja who was closer immediately asked alertly.

Yagura turned his head and looked over, his expression calm, clearly knowing who the newcomer was.

Seeing Yagura's reaction, the other ninja from Kirigakure immediately realized that this was probably the person they had been waiting for.

"Yagura, didn't you say you had a way to capture the Three-Tails? Why do you need me to come and help? This isn't like you." A voice came, and the tall man finally appeared in front of everyone.

By the starlight, one could vaguely see that the newcomer had short black hair, no eyebrows, sharp teeth, a large cross-shaped scar on his right cheek, bandages wrapped around his ears and neck, and red stripes painted on half of his face.

Behind him was a large sword almost as tall as him.

Upon seeing this, almost all the Hidden Mist ninja knew who had arrived. Even if they didn't recognize the person, everyone knew about the sword on his back.

Juzo Biwa, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, carries the Executioner's Blade on his back.

“When we tried to capture the Three-Tails, we were discovered by Konoha ninjas. I’m worried that things might go wrong, so I need your help,” Yagura Karatachi said.

Although Hatake Sakumo had promised not to interfere in Yagura's affairs anymore, Yagura still made more thorough preparations just in case. He not only dispatched more Anbu ninjas, but also brought over the powerful Biwa Juzo.

"Just providing some assistance? Don't you need me to help you capture the Three-Tails?" Juzo Biwa chuckled.

As soon as he finished speaking, he drew the decapitation sword from his back and pointed it at the lake not far away with one hand.

"You can just stay hidden and wait for your chance. You don't need to worry about capturing the Three-Tails," Yagura said indifferently, glancing at Juzo.

"Alright, feel free to contact me anytime if you need anything. I'd like to test just how powerful the Tailed Beasts really are, hehe..." After saying that, Juzo Biwa didn't say anything more, turned around and entered the forest, disappearing from sight.

Not far from Yagura, among the ANBU ninja, a boy of about twelve years old, with short black hair, a headband worn slightly to the left, bandages wrapped around his lower face and neck, and sharp teeth, stared at the direction where Juzo Biwa had disappeared, a greedy and bloodthirsty glint in his eyes.

"Is that a decapitation sword? It looks really cool..."

The boy murmured softly.

"Begin the operation!" Yagura Karatachi ordered directly.

In an instant, all the ninjas sprang into action. Some headed straight for the lake, each carrying a huge scroll, while others scattered in all directions to monitor every move around them.

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Chapter 169 Assassination Techniques

It is located more than ten kilometers away from the lake.

Yakusei and Orochimaru, dressed in black astrological robes, stood on a high ground, gazing at the distant lake.

Looking out from here, the distance is pitch black, with only the starlight reflected off the water indicating the boundary between the lake and the forest.

"The Eye of Salvation".

Yao Xingji activated his pupil technique, and red light appeared in his eyes as he looked into the distance.

The once black world changed at this moment, with one green light and shadow after another appearing. Most people were scattered in the forest around the lake, while a small group of people were gathered by the lake, busy with something.

"The people from the Hidden Mist have arrived," Yao Xingji said softly.

Orochimaru frowned slightly. Capturing the Three-Tails Isobu was already a very risky thing. If there were still Kirigakure ninjas here, would their operation still be successful?

Especially since there are only two of them now, Orochimaru doesn't know just how powerful the medicine Xingji is.

"Are there many people?" Orochimaru asked.

Yao Xingji made a rough count and said, "About a hundred people."

"One hundred people?" Orochimaru's expression turned somewhat grim.

Orochimaru knew about Yagura, who was very strong, comparable to the current Third Mizukage. With such a person leading more than a hundred people, Orochimaru really didn't know how to snatch the Three-Tails Isobu from them.

And even if they manage to repel the Hidden Mist ninja, what's next? How are they going to capture the Three-Tails under the watchful eyes of so many Hidden Mist ninja?

Thinking about these issues, Orochimaru felt a headache coming on, as if he had been tricked.

He originally came here to slack off, but after being brainwashed by Yao Xingji with the Pain Mask, he unknowingly became involved in such a dangerous mission. Now that he's calmed down and thought about it, who knows whether Yao Xingji's description of the Pain Mask is true or false?

"Where's Taiyin? Why haven't we seen him yet?" Orochimaru asked.

Orochimaru had mentioned before that Ming Shi Yin was also on this mission, and Orochimaru was only willing to come because Ming Shi Yin possessed Wood Release.

But they were already almost at the lakeside, and they could no longer see Ming Shiyin.

"It might be a while before we arrive," Yao Xingji said casually.

Orochimaru's lips twitched, and he almost turned around and left.

"The Star Lord is watching," Yao Xingji suddenly said with a light laugh, pointing to the starry sky.

Orochimaru took a deep breath and stood still.