Chapter 135: Orochimaru: The Power of Dragon-Bone Comparable to Might Duy!

"Third Mizukage completely misjudged the situation with Obito, but what he said makes sense."

"I'll continue forging Ninja tools as usual. Obito won't lower his guard against me if I stop. Neither will Konoha. On the contrary, the more Zanpakuto I forge, the more members in the Shinigami Squad, the stronger my 'influence' becomes. Moreover, with the Peach Hermit Garden Box, my self-defense capability has actually been significantly enhanced."

Soma returned to his room and made a plan.

"First, complete the development of Sage's Polishing Technique. Then, recruit Blacksmith guards to gain a wave of reputation, enough to qualify for Lottery. Once I achieve the Excellent level in Forging Technique, possibly breaking through to beyond Proficient with the bonuses from Forging Island and God's Hand, I'll be more effective in gaining reputation. This is the only way to gain reputation this time."

"After all, the Peach Hermit Garden Box is unlikely to bring me reputation boosts. At least not in the short term."

Soma didn't want anyone else to know about the abilities of the Peach Hermit Garden Box. Unless there are intruders who can infiltrate Forging Island.

After completing the Peach Hermit Garden Box, Soma focused all his energy on researching Sage's Polishing Technique, leading a focused and straightforward life.

"Natural energy gathers here."

"It seems like it has irregular movement. But in reality, it's like a mass of liquid. It is influenced to a certain extent by gravity. Air currents also affect it."

"Even though I can't control this natural energy, but maybe I guide it?"

Except for Water Release Ninjas, others cannot manipulate water directly.

But they can guide water.

For example, storing water in a container or making a water pipe and letting water flow through it.

"Peach Hermit's Senjutsu cannot absorb the natural energy of this world, but guiding it poses no problem."

Once Soma found the right approach, he immediately began to try it out.

"Guiding natural energy into a flowing water state."

"And I will polish the Ninjato using this flowing natural energy state."

Soma took out a Ninjato and placed it on the polishing workbench.

"Let's begin!"

The sound of sharpening blades echoed.

Soma picked up the Ninjato and looked at it, his eyes shining.

"Indeed, just as I expected."

"This kind of polishing effect is much better than ordinary polishing."

"During the polishing process, natural energy not only makes the Ninjato smoother and sharper, but also permeates into it."

"This proves that my approach is correct."

"If I continue like this, I'm sure I can successfully research the Sage's Polishing Technique!"

...

While Soma was immersed in researching Forging Techniques.

In the Land of Hot Water.

Orochimaru finally arrived at the possible location of Kaguya Neko.

A small town.

The Land of Hot Water does not have its own ninja village.

There used to be one long ago, but it no longer exists.

The main issue is that the Daimyo of the Land of Hot Water has decided against it.

Considering their situation, major nations are generally not interested in them.

Apart from hot springs, there are hardly any other resources worth attracting others.

Most wars are caused by ninja villages.

So why not just abolish the ninja villages?

As a result, it turned out just as the Daimyo of the Land of Hot Water expected.

After the ninja villages were gone, the Land of Hot Water entered a period of peace.

Like the Land of Iron, it became a neutral country.

But unlike the Land of Iron, which relies on its own strength and the ninja tools industry,

the Land of Hot Water relies on being laid-back.

"I have no ninja, so you can't strike my ninja."

The Land of Hot Water relied on this strategy to achieve peace.

However, this doesn't mean there are no issues within the Land of Hot Water.

There are problems such as oppressive nobility, corrupt officials, and rampant cults.

The reason Kaguya Neko chose the Land of Hot Water is twofold.

Firstly, it is closer to the Land of Water, allowing quick support if something happens to the Hidden Mist Village.

Secondly, after awakening the Shikotsumyaku Kekkei Genkai, Kaguya Neko experienced pain when using this Kekkei Genkai. Immersing in the hot springs of the Land of Hot Water helps alleviate some of this pain.

Kaguya Neko's entire body was submerged in the warm water of the hot spring, with only his head exposed as he analyzed the recent intelligence he received.

"Third Mizukage is missing, suspected to be the work of Orochimaru from Konoha."

"Yagura succeeded as the Fourth Mizukage."

This news made Kaguya Neko feel somewhat uneasy.

Initially, Kaguya Neko's heart was solely devoted to the village and absolutely loyal to Third Mizukage. Regardless of the orders given, Kaguya Neko would unquestioningly execute them.

But now, Kaguya Neko's beliefs have changed.

However, Kaguya Neko still feels gratitude towards Third Mizukage after he followed the proposal that came from Soma.

It suggested preserving some members of the Kaguya Clan to prevent the complete extinction of the clan. However, this proposal needs Third Mizukage's approval.

Moreover, with Yagura in power now, Kaguya Neko, like Kaguya Masui, worried about Yagura's attitude towards the Kaguya Clan.

"Konoha... Orochimaru..."

Kaguya Neko blamed Orochimaru for all his troubling emotions.

Just then, a figure entered.

"Kaguya Neko."

Upon seeing Kaguya Neko and confirming his identity, Orochimaru couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement.

Even though Orochimaru is a highly experienced veteran ninja, being defeated by Yagura and others has caused Orochimaru to lose face throughout the ninja world.

Moreover, Orochimaru is well aware that without achieving something significant enough to overturn this situation, the probability of succeeding as the next Hokage will be much lower than Minato Namikaze's.

This is how things are in Konoha.

A single failure can nullify all previous achievements.

Kaguya Neko, a rogue ninja from the Hidden Mist Village.

Regardless of whether Kaguya Neko has truly betrayed the Hidden Mist Village, there are hidden motives behind the extinction of the Kaguya Clan.

Kaguya Neko might just be the scapegoat on the surface.

However, the Dragon-Bone in Kaguya Neko's hands is genuine. It is a true Zanpakuto.

Orochimaru doesn't expect Kaguya Neko to cooperate with him. But regardless, Orochimaru can simply kill Kaguya Neko and take the Dragon-Bone for himself.

After studying the Zanpakuto he won't be so passive when facing it again in the future, but rather he might find an opportunity to find a way to deal with it.

At the same time, Orochimaru could obtain information about the Hidden Mist Village's blacksmiths from Kaguya Neko.

"Orochimaru?"

When Kaguya Neko saw the person walking in, he was momentarily stunned. Then, his eyes narrowed slightly. In Kaguya Neko's heart, there was a moment of hesitation.

Initially, Kaguya Neko wanted to take action immediately. The situation with the Third Mizukage had filled Kaguya Neko with extreme hatred towards Konoha and Orochimaru.

However, Kaguya Neko worried that attacking Orochimaru might make him suspicious about the truth behind the Kaguya Clan's extermination. But soon, Kaguya Neko realized he was overthinking.

After all, he was the ruthless criminal who exterminated his own ninja clan. Did he need a reason to act? Absolutely not.

He was already a madman. Anything he did could be justified, right?

With this thought, Kaguya Neko hesitated no longer.

"Dragon-Bone!"

With a deep voice, Kaguya Neko leaped out of the hot spring and appeared before Orochimaru in an instant.

Kaguya Neko lifted Dragon-Bone high and swung it towards Orochimaru.

Orochimaru's pupils contracted.

"What?"

He had just walked in, hadn't even started speaking, and the other party attacked directly?

Kaguya Neko's actions caught Orochimaru off guard.

Orochimaru thought, whether friend or foe, there should at least be a few words exchanged first. Wasn't that the customary "rule" in the ninja world?

But Kaguya Neko didn't play by the rules.

"Snake Hand!"

A snake appeared and entangled Orochimaru's arm, resembling a protective sleeve.

Kaguya Neko's Dragon-Bone fell.

Orochimaru's snake hissed but didn't die; instead, it climbed up Dragon-Bone and lunged towards Kaguya Neko's arm.

"Splurt!"

Just as the snake was about to bite Kaguya Neko, a white bone protruded from Kaguya Neko's arm.

In an instant, it pierced through the snake.

Orochimaru narrowed his eyes.

"Is this your Zanpakuto's ability?"

"No, that's not right. This should be your Kaguya Clan's Shikotsumyaku Kekkei Genkai, right?"

"I heard that it's been a long time since anyone awakened this Kekkei Genkai."

"Did you kill so many Kaguya Clan members relying on this?"

"And what about your Zanpakuto?"

Dragon-Bone's performance didn't convince Orochimaru that it was a Zanpakuto.

Its ordinary slashes didn't seem special to Orochimaru.

"So, is that speculation true?"

"Was the annihilation of the Kaguya Clan done by the Hidden Mist Village?"

"Things like Dragon-Bone, are they just distractions? Did Kaguya Neko not even bring out a Zanpakuto?"

Orochimaru couldn't help but speculate like this.

The first strike of Dragon-Bone left Orochimaru feeling underwhelmed.

Compared to Kiriichimonji, Blue Rose Sword, and Water Dragon Possession, it was far from impressive.

However, Kaguya Neko's second strike followed immediately.

This time, Orochimaru adopted the same approach to defend against it.

However, the effect was completely different.

Crack!

A tremendous force descended.

Not only were Orochimaru's snakes directly severed into two pieces,

but also the bones in Orochimaru's arm. Orochimaru's face changed color.

"This power, it's so strong!"

Orochimaru kept retreating. However, close combat was Kaguya Neko's specialty.

Already close, how could Kaguya Neko give Orochimaru a chance to pull away?

When Orochimaru retreated, Kaguya Neko pursued.

Under a series of attacks, Orochimaru immediately bore numerous wounds.

At this moment, Orochimaru finally understood.

What was in Kaguya Neko's hands, it was indeed Dragon-Bone, a Zanpakuto.

"Intermittent explosive power."

"A power that doubles his strength completely. I can't stop it."

"Unless it's Might Duy with Eight Inner Gates opened, no one from Konoha can face him in Taijutsu"

"And it would have to be opened to the sixth gate, no, even the sixth gate might not be enough."

Orochimaru's expression became extremely serious.

With Orochimaru's judgment, naturally there would be no mistake.

However, this doesn't mean that Kaguya Neko is truly stronger in Taijutsu than Might Duy in his Sixth Gate state.

Kaguya Neko excels in Taijutsu.

But relying on Dragon-Bone, the power unleashed in its strikes is exceptionally outstanding.

This was what Orochimaru was comparing.

In other aspects of Taijutsu, Kaguya Neko might be relatively weaker.

However, in terms of overall strength, Kaguya Neko also possesses the Shikotsumyaku Kekkei Genkai.

Whether in defense or offense, he is extremely powerful.

Meanwhile, Orochimaru, unable to summon Manda and with many of his Snake style Ninjutsu techniques still haven't recovered, he was subtly restrained by Kaguya Neko.

"Many Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"

Several large snakes appeared on Orochimaru's arms.

Some were for defense. Some were for attack.

However, facing these snakes, Kaguya Neko grinned.

"Break for me!"

A slash fell.

Under the immense power, these snakes were instantly severed into two.

However, this also bought Orochimaru a bit of time.

"Formation of Ten Thousand Snakes!"

Even more venomous snakes than before emerged from Orochimaru's mouth in vast numbers densely packed. At a glance, they numbered in the thousands, all swarming towards Kaguya Neko like a surging tide, threatening to overwhelm him.

This time, Kaguya Neko was restrained.

The number of venomous snakes was overwhelming.

"Shikotsumyaku Hedgehog!"

A large number of white bones emerged from Kaguya Neko's body.

They were numerous though not long, resembling bamboo shoots, tightly protecting Kaguya Neko's body like a suit of armor.

The venomous snakes attacked, but could find no openings.

Both parties' methods this time were somewhat similar.

Aside from their normal abilities, they also used psychological attacks, and anyone suffering from intense fear would likely struggle against Orochimaru and Kaguya Neko.

"Kaguya Neko, I didn't come here to be your enemy. Can we talk?"

Kaguya Neko didn't respond. Orochimaru took a deep breath.

"If you truly are a rogue ninja of the Hidden Mist Village, Konoha can offer you a place to stay."

"If you are not a rogue ninja of the Hidden Mist Village, burdened with such heavy accusations, are you sure that the future Hidden Mist Village will clear your name?"

"Even Third Mizukage has disappeared. If you are not a rogue ninja, how many people in the village knows your true identity?"

"Have you ever thought about it?"

"In the end, people should think about themselves."

Orochimaru had made what he considered to be the most sincere attempt at persuasion.

As one of the esteemed Sannin, reaching this point, Orochimaru felt he had already lowered himself enough.

However, Kaguya Neko still did not respond to Orochimaru.

Instead, the strikes with Dragon-Bone in his hand became faster.

On the ground lay the bodies of countless venomous snakes.

The stench of snakes mixed with blood.

What Orochimaru said indeed made some sense.

But even without Third Mizukage, with Soma still in the Hidden Mist Village, compared to Third Mizukage, Kaguya Neko trusted Soma more. Regardless of who becomes the Mizukage, Soma's position will remain unshaken.

This gave Kaguya Neko a certain amount of confidence!

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