Konoha: Starting with Sage Mode

Kirito took the towel and pretended to wipe his sweat.

White Zetsu is a plant-like creature, so naturally it doesn't sweat. The sweat it's producing now is actually water with a little salt, which it secretes on its own.

While Kirito was wiping his sweat, Ryoko Uzumaki skillfully arranged things on the coffee table, brewing a pot of fragrant tea for him.

After more than two months of living as a maid, Ryoko Uzumaki has become completely familiar with life here and has initially gained Kirito's trust, becoming the head housekeeper of the mansion, taking care of Kirito's daily life and monitoring every move in the mansion.

At the same time, Kirito planted the Night Mark on Ryoko Uzumaki, officially making her a core member of the Night Organization.

Kirito wouldn't give away the Mark of Night, a valuable item that can enhance strength and later grant the benefit of sensing natural energy, casually. He would only bestow it upon those he could trust and nurture.

Fuma Ichiro and Itsufune were exceptions, representing a desperate measure taken when the makeshift team was first established.

However, the Night Organization has already gotten on track and has hundreds of members, but most of them are peripheral members who are basically unaware of the organization's internal situation. Only a small number of people are core members who, as extensions of Kirito's will, manage a large number of peripheral members.

The Mark of Night is currently a treasure bestowed by Kirito upon the core members, and it is also the symbol of the core members of the Night Organization.

As a core member of the Night Organization, Ryoko Uzumaki's strength is naturally not to be too weak. She is now a ninja, and a rare sensory ninja at that, who can determine the location of others by sensing their chakra.

The only problem is that the range of perception is a bit small, only a few tens of meters.

Since Ryoko Uzumaki was unwilling to learn the Uzumaki clan's sealing techniques and preferred to learn powerful escape techniques, Kirito taught her a modified version of the Akimichi Secret Technique, which he had learned from the soft body modification technique he obtained from Orochimaru.

The improved Akimichi Secret Technique no longer enlarges the body, but instead temporarily enhances physical strength using Yang-attribute chakra. As long as the body has sufficient capacity, the more Yang-attribute chakra consumed, the greater the enhancement.

Ryoko Uzumaki possesses the physique of the Uzumaki clan, making her body far more resilient than ordinary people. Coupled with her abundant chakra, she is perfectly suited to use this modified version of the Akimichi Secret Technique.

Because of her Yang-attribute chakra and excellent healing abilities, combined with the outstanding healing abilities inherent in Ryoko Uzumaki's Uzumaki clan constitution, as long as her chakra is not exhausted or she is not instantly killed, she is a humanoid tyrannosaurus that is not afraid of injuries.

Ryoko Uzumaki doesn't like fighting people directly with her fists, so after learning the modified version of Akimichi's secret technique, she chose to use a huge spiked club.

During this period, Kirito's character, Gojo Makoto, was assassinated multiple times, but few assassins managed to get close to him. Most of them were discovered in advance by Uzumaki Ryoko, and most of them were killed by her with a single blow from her spiked club.

Kirito estimates that Ryoko Uzumaki's overall ability is currently at the level of an elite Chunin, but if a Jonin is accidentally hit by her with a single blow, he could very well be instantly killed.

"My lord, Mr. Kado just wrote to you, asking if the plans in the Land of Rain can begin?"

Ryoko Uzumaki handed Kirito a cup of hot tea and smiled.

Chapter 86: Clouds in the Mountains

“Kado is indeed a shrewd businessman, but the war between Konoha and Amegakure has only just ended, and the situation in the Land of Rain is not yet stable. Moreover, Amegakure is currently quite xenophobic, so it will be difficult for foreign businessmen to do business there. Let him wait a while longer.”

Upon hearing this, Kirito took the tea, thought for a moment, and replied.

The Land of Rain's geographical location is actually quite advantageous, bordering the three major ninja nations and several smaller countries. In peacetime, the Land of Rain could make a fortune by setting up checkpoints and collecting tolls.

Unfortunately, the Land of Fire, the Land of Earth, and the Land of Wind all coveted this benefit and did not want the Land of Rain to grow stronger. The Land of Rain itself was also unable to protect this benefit, leading to frequent wars.

Therefore, during times of war, it was very difficult for merchants to do business in the Land of Rain, and they could easily lose everything.

After all, banditry within the Land of Rain is still a very serious problem.

Kado's Higanbana Pharmaceutical Company is now thriving thanks to its high-quality products, the protection of Gojo Makoto, a noble descendant with a White Zetsu clone in the Land of Waves, and the Night Organization, as well as his own ruthless business acumen.

The Higanbana Pharmaceutical Company is now Kirito's biggest source of income, serving as a crucial financial foundation for his large-scale biological experiments, research and development of new drugs, recruitment and training of talent, and funding for nighttime activities.

However, Gato's ambitions clearly extend beyond the small-scale operations in the Land of Waves, where he only does business with nearby coastal countries. He wants to expand the business of Higanbana Pharmaceutical Company throughout the entire ninja world and earn more money.

For him to achieve this, a pharmaceutical production base with an excellent geographical location is essential.

Clearly, he had his eye on the Land of Rain.

Barring unforeseen circumstances, once he establishes a large-scale pharmaceutical production base in the Land of Rain, he can leverage the Land of Rain's advantageous geographical location to sell the products of the Other Shore Flower Pharmaceutical Company to any continental country, while significantly reducing transportation costs.

Kado has a great business sense, but unfortunately his political acumen is lacking. Given Amegakure's xenophobic nature, the chances of him successfully investing in and building a factory in the Land of Rain are extremely low.

If it were before, Kirito would have told Gato to give up on his idea without hesitation when he learned of it. But things are different now. Hattori Masanari, another alias of the White Zetsu clone, gave him hope that he could further expand the treasure trove that was Higanbana Pharmaceutical Company.

"Yes, I know. Besides Mr. Kado, Mr. Yun also sent a message saying that recently some goods belonging to merchants controlled by Konoha Root are going to be transported by sea. He asked if you should send someone to intercept these goods."

Ryoko Uzumaki noted down Kirito's instructions and then moved on to the next matter.

As she spoke, a look of eager anticipation appeared on her face, indicating that she would immediately apply to assist in the operation once Kirito agreed.

"It seems that the Root Group has been having a really tough time lately. They've already sent out the merchants they control so quickly. I remember the last time they sent out goods was just a week ago."

Upon hearing this news, Kirito scoffed, then a hint of doubt appeared on his face.

Since the Night Organization got on the right track, he began to use it to deal with Danzo's Root organization, suppressing and weakening it.

The Night Organization is behind all the assassinations of high-ranking nobles from the Land of Fire who trade with Root, as well as the raids on goods belonging to Root's merchants at sea.

So far, the results have been astonishing. After losing its source of income, serious problems have arisen within the Root organization. Danzo is too preoccupied with his own problems to deal with Danzo.

As for Mr. Yun that Ryoko just mentioned, he is none other than Yamanaka Kumo, an elite Jonin of the Yamanaka clan who defected from Konoha two months ago.

This elite Jonin of the Yamanaka clan is now an important member of the Night Organization, codenamed Cloud.

How did Kirito manage to win over Yamanaka Kumo?

It's actually quite simple. He just secretly delivered one of his fiancée's belongings and a letter to the photo frame in the bedroom of Shan Zhongyun's house.

The letter contained very simple information: the location of his fiancée's burial place.

How did Kirito know the burial place of these mountain cloud fiancées?

This was all thanks to Aburame Ryoma, Danzo's right-hand man, who learned of this matter after reading Ryoma's memories.

Those Root members who participated in destroying the Senju clan's barrier were secretly executed within the Senju clan's territory, and Kirito naturally wouldn't let go of this opportunity to obtain a lot of Root information.

He used the Spirit Transformation Technique to bind the souls of all the deceased Root members, and then read their memories one by one, thereby learning about the many dirty deeds and ninjutsu that Danzo and Root had done.

Danzo thought he had completely covered up the truth, but in reality he had not succeeded in burying it completely. Aburame Ryoma had discovered this matter using parasitic insects back then.

Of course, he didn't do it on purpose.

He was only secretly sending parasitic insects to follow Danzo out of habit, and eventually learned about it by chance.

Ryoma Aburame was able to become Danzo's right-hand man, so his strength and emotional intelligence were certainly not low. He was not foolish enough to tell Danzo about this matter. Instead, he kept it as a secret in his heart and decided to take it to his grave.

But man proposes, God disposes, and the secret was eventually discovered by a third person.

Yamanaka Kumo's strength was undoubtedly formidable. With the clues given by Kirito, he quickly found an opportunity to sneak past the ANBU's surveillance and secretly go to his fiancée's burial site. He then successfully found his fiancée's remains and used them to uncover part of the truth from back then. Combining this with some clues he had found over the years, he finally deduced that his enemy was Danzo.

Yamanaka Kumo has been a member of Root for some years, so he naturally understands Danzo and Root's style of doing things. Using enemies who are unaware of the truth to do things for him is just normal practice.

Although he was shocked by the truth, he was not too surprised and became even more convinced that his deduction was correct.

Later, Kirito secretly met with Yamanaka Kumo, who had become suspicious, using a White Zetsu clone. Through genjutsu, he showed Yamanaka Kumo the truth of what happened back then, successfully turning this elite Jonin of the Yamanaka clan against his own side and making him the vanguard against Danzo and Root.

The assassination of a high-ranking nobleman from the Land of Fire was Yamanaka Kumo's pledge of allegiance.

His purpose in joining Kirito's Night organization was simple: to kill Danzo himself in the future.

"Yes, you remember correctly."

Ryoko Uzumaki nodded in agreement upon hearing Kirito's words.

“There must be something fishy going on. Root has suffered so many losses at our hands, they can’t keep taking the hits. Tell Yun that this time we can have Kirigakure scout ahead for us again. If anything unexpected happens, don’t rush to attack. See who Root has sent, and then wait for me to act together. Let’s play the long game.”

After thinking it over carefully, Kirito made a decision and said...

The Night Organization's foundation is still too weak. There are only two Jonin, him and Yamanaka Kumo, and about ten Chunin. Most of them are just small fry. These people can only bully Genin-level enemies when they team up, but they will only become a burden when facing Chunin or higher-level enemies.

"Yes, Your Excellency, I will convey your instructions immediately."

"That's what Uzumaki Ryoko said respectfully," she said, then bowed and left.

Meanwhile, in Konoha Village, an emergency high-level meeting was underway in the Hokage's office.

"Everyone, this is a plan that Tsunade recently sent to me. Please take a look. There's a new situation in Amegakure."

The Third Hokage handed three identical project proposals to the three Hokage advisors in front of him and spoke with great interest.

At the same time, in the clinic where Kirito himself was located at Konoha Hospital, he received a special patient.

Chapter 87: Goodbye Orochimaru

Long black hair, pale skin, narrow purple eyeshadow, golden vertical pupils, and a cold and gloomy aura.

At that moment, Orochimaru, one of the Legendary Sannin, appeared before Kirito.

"It's been a while, Kirito. I didn't expect you to become a medical ninja so quickly. That's quite surprising."

Orochimaru entered the consultation room and smiled at Kirito in a hoarse voice.

This time, Kirito felt that Orochimaru's behavior was much more normal. He wasn't as terrifying as when they first met. He could completely suppress his murderous aura, and his emotions were very stable. Now he just looked like a pale-skinned, gloomy old man.

If it weren't for his overly cold demeanor and somewhat frightening, snake-like eyes, he might actually be a quiet and handsome man that everyone loves.

"So it's Lord Orochimaru. Are you here to see a doctor?"

Upon hearing this, Kirito smiled, then glanced at the blood-stained bandage wrapped around Orochimaru's right hand and asked.

"Yes, I came here today specifically to see Kirito's Palm Healing Technique."

Orochimaru nodded in response, then naturally sat down in front of Kirito, unwrapping the bandages from his hand to reveal a deep wound.

Kirito glanced at the wound and immediately realized it was a fresh cut inflicted by a kunai not long ago. He couldn't help but think to himself, "This wound is so fresh, could it be that he just made it himself?"

Despite his inner grumbling, Orochimaru is still a hero of Konoha, not the mad scientist who later disregarded and trampled on life.

Considering the great contributions Orochimaru had made to Konoha on the battlefield of the Land of Rain over the years, Kirito carefully treated Orochimaru's wounds, meticulously disinfecting them before beginning to treat him with Healing Palm Technique.

Kirito has been a medical ninja for over a month now, but there's only one hospital in the entire Hidden Leaf Village, and the number of medical ninjas is currently far from meeting the needs of the village's huge population.

Even a young medical ninja like him, who had just graduated, was treated like cattle by his superiors every day, and faced a huge number of patients every day.

With such intense work, the number of times he used the Palm Immortal Technique naturally increased rapidly.

As the saying goes, practice makes perfect.

With a large number of surgeries to support him, coupled with his outstanding learning ability, Kirito's mastery of Healing Palm Technique can be described as rapid and leapfrog.

On his attribute panel, his Palm Immortal Technique level has reached 5.

Kirito estimated that his Healing Palm Technique skills were already comparable to those of seasoned medical ninjas.

In just a minute or two, the wound on Orochimaru's hand was completely healed, without a single scar remaining.

"What an excellent palm technique, Kirito. If you were on the battlefield, it would definitely give your comrades a great sense of security."

Orochimaru looked at the healed wound, moved his arm, and found that he felt no discomfort. He praised it with an appreciative expression.