Chapter 72 : Hidden Village

With the amount of chakra Orochimaru has, it was difficult for him to travel more than ten kilometers using flight.

This location was essentially beyond the range of Konoha's monitoring, yet the distance fell shorter than Orochimaru had anticipated. Travelling long distances in this manner seemed somewhat unrealistic.

The Kusanagi sword pierced through the solid rock, and Orochimaru leaped ahead of time, executing a roll and landing gracefully. From this vantage point, the splendid silhouette of Konoha was also visible.

"The world is vast, and I yearn to explore~"

Orochimaru sheathed the sword and employed a transformation technique to adopt the appearance of his older self, Orochimaru in his twenties. He altered certain details, such as darkening his skin tone and donning the black garb. Familiar faces wouldn't recognize him.

"The ninja world is quite chaotic. I initially believed that even with the establishment of Konoha, conflicts would persist. However, it seems much improved compared to those smaller nations."

Orochimaru strolled aimlessly down the solitary path, the surroundings exuding a desolate atmosphere. On occasion, tattered garments, shattered timber, and broken swords lay half-buried in the roadside earth. The iron sword hadn't been traded. It remained washed away and forgotten, a relic of bygone eras.

The villagers he encountered bore pallid faces and thin complexions, glancing at Orochimaru with wary eyes.

In contrast to Konoha's villagers, these commoners appeared more destitute and marked by hardships. Many carried tools like sickles and axes, and even roving swordsmen brandished their swords.

Orochimaru, walking alone, often sensed the odd glances directed his way, yet he paid them no mind. These individuals possessed low thresholds for tolerance, armed civilians at best. Should anyone harbour ill intent, they would merely wound themselves.

No matter how influential and benevolent First Hokage Hashirama had been, his scope was limited to the Land of Fire's dominion. He had founded Konoha with the intent of ensuring his clan's tranquil existence. For the villagers of Konoha, he was a saviour but for those beyond Konoha, he posed a formidable threat.

Henceforth, conflicts shifted from clan confrontations to clashes among ninja villages.

Apart from external warfare, clandestine internal strife persisted within the village.

At the time, Konoha's might was unrivalled, discouraging most Ninja Villages from inciting hostility. However, the competition among minor clans and smaller Ninja Villages, which had lost their territorial and resource advantages, proved fiercer.

Orochimaru traversed the small settlements, distanced from Konoha. In certain places, only a few structures stood, leaving elderly inhabitants and orphans behind. This plight weighed on Orochimaru, whose nature was typically more self-centered.

Observing those youngsters who cast longing yet wary gazes upon him, Orochimaru conceived a notion: If I establish my own small Ninja Village and offer refuge to orphans and refugees, I could save numerous lives. Furthermore, I could cultivate my own power.

Should I independently proclaim my leadership, concurrently possessing the ultimate strength while clutching the lifelines of all, I could become a pillar supporting Konoha. None would oppose me, no one could resist me—not even a fraction.

An ideal scenario unfolded: Hashirama would eventually die but Orochimaru may possess the ability to live forever in the future. Thus, tumultuous times might be averted.

Once Hashirama perished, the ninja world would endure decade-spanning conflicts.

Even before, following the Sage of Six Paths demise, the Ninja Sect crumbled, plunging into ceaseless warfare.

Reform aimed to stave off leaders' despotism, but the absence of robust power and resources invariably birthed chaos.

Eternal life, an enchanting concept, held the key to emancipating oneself from constraints. An invincible, everlasting leader could eclipse all systems.

While gods ruled the heavens and demons guarded the abyss, in dire scenarios, pandemonium often prevailed. Yet, some situations morphed into inextricable anomalies, didn't they?

As for Kaguya Otsutsuki's downfall, Orochimaru could only reason that she was deficient in wisdom or invincibility.

Orochimaru mulled over the inception of canon Orochimaru's Hidden Village.

Though many who joined the village became transformed by Orochimaru and met their demise, his subordinates remained loyal. Without Orochimaru, these individuals might have perished in battle.

The cursed, mutated souls primarily comprised past commoners. Despite Orochimaru's notoriety, numerous sought his intervention, desperate to acquire his might. Orochimaru held out the prospect—a mere fraction of a chance—of empowering ordinary folk beyond the world of ninjutsu, potentially elevating them to Sound Four-tier competence. Those in despair, devoid of all else, sought Orochimaru, longing for his strength.

Hence, Orochimaru's standing within Orochimaru's Hidden Village remained stable, drawing a steady stream of adherents and "volunteers."

Others found themselves ensnared by Orochimaru, including surviving ninja and foes covertly abducted by Orochimaru, and even "resources" covertly provided by Danzo from Konoha.

These individuals endured miserable fates as experimental subjects, yet their plight seemed inconsequential.

This trajectory suggested a promise for founding a Ninja Village. Mastering core techniques, particularly human enhancement, and securing potent backing could yield a moderately scaled operation, devoid of threat to the Five Great Shinobi Nations. Financial concerns naturally loomed large.

A ninja shirking shadow crafting is an unexceptional traveller. What if success transpired? Orochimaru stood halfway successfull.

Given the opportunity, Orochimaru might establish a Ninja Village akin to canon Orochimaru's Hidden Village.

In terms of locale, Orochimaru's Hidden Village remained in close proximity to Konoha, its obscurity not withstanding. Such longevity implied high-level Konoha's tacit endorsement.

With Konoha's protection and endorsement, the Ninja Village's prosperity was almost certain. Consequently, the Land of Sound proved a prudent choice.

Yet, should Orochimaru cultivate personal might, a schism with Konoha was ineluctable. The decisive step involved severing ties, enabling the Ninja Village's formation.

Forsaking Konoha risked exposing Orochimaru's secrets, and technological breakthroughs might be pilfered, undermining progress and relegating Orochimaru to a state of captivity. In principle, even Sarutobi Hiruzen would withhold assistance.

"What must I do? I'm at a loss again!"

.....

A day of aimless wandering passed before Orochimaru studied refugees, acquainting himself with the landscape of the Land of Neck.

"A 'country' in this miniature expanse—a mere county at best!" Orochimaru chuckled, the ninja world's layout appearing rather diminutive.

The contemporary map of the Ninja world remained in flux, smaller nation borders often vague and warfare ubiquitous.

Evidently nestled between the Land of Grass and the Land of Hot Water, this region seemed absent from official cartography—a microcosm the "Land of Neck" designated. A full-fledged Ninja Village's presence was doubtful.

As to whether ninja world constituted a continent or planet, Orochimaru inclined toward the latter. Uncharted locations suggested sparse habitation and desolation, akin to the deserts of the Land of Wind or the sea of the Land of Water.

Upon surveying the divine tree, one could infer the terrain's curvature upon closer inspection.

But such places seemingly held little allure.

"Hey! Who goes there? What brings you here?"

Lost in thought, Orochimaru unknowingly encountered a mountain, an area remote enough to facilitate human encounters.

Orochimaru's gaze fixated on three individuals adorned in samurai attire. The leader bore resemblance to a ronin, sporting a slightly worn, black samurai robe, a single braid trailing from the rear of his head, and twin facial scars.

With scant chakra fluctuations detectable, the leader, though, projected a chunin-level ninja's aura.

"Our elder's addressing you! Can't you hear?" The two younger samurai chimed in, their chakra distinctly detectable—a contrast from the leader.

Only the samurai from the Land of Neck could traverse Mount Noboru unimpeded that day; intruders met death's embrace!

"Enough chatter. Dispatch him. He's nothing more than a vagabond!" The brashness of one samurai prompted his drawing his sword, an action halted by the leader's silent rebuke.

"Fool! Halt!" The leader's internal scolding remained hidden. Unable to gauge Orochimaru's might, restraint was wise.

"Ah? What's this? You obstruct my path?" Orochimaru mused aloud.

"Only our Land of Neck's samurai may traverse Mount Noboru this day. All others are adversaries. Retreat or meet your demise!" The leader's icy retort resounded.

"Say no more. Dispatch him. He seems like a mere beggar!" A genin-ranked samurai unsheathed his sword, lashing out at Orochimaru.

"Ha!"

"What—"

Before the trio's horrified eyes, a monstrous snake's head emerged from Orochimaru's sleeve. The genin warrior, bewildered, was ensnared and swiftly met a venomous bite.

"Know your place when addressing me."

Orochimaru's voice remained stern, his serpent-like eyes an eerie scarlet. This intervention sidestepped the forehead protector's language barrier.

"Kaka! The snake's jaws reduced the ninja to a lifeless husk, discarded with contempt.

"Agreed. Dispatch him. He resembles a pitiable wanderer."

A genin-level samurai yielded, drawing his sword as Orochimaru approached him like a spectre. Swiftly, A kunai pierced his heart.

"Conduct yourself with decorum. Or face dire consequences."

Orochimaru's scarlet gaze transfixed the sole surviving samurai, who cowered in terror. The figure before him bore the visage of a ninja, perhaps even a Jonin.

Echoing harrowing memories, he abandoned his samurai facade, bowing his head.

"Raise your head. Look upon me."

Orochimaru's serpent-like pupils exuded a hypnotic allure, and as the samurai complied, a trance-like stupor gripped him.

"A fallen kingdom reduced to remnants, its soldiers guarding the city. Yet the city's treasures remain untapped, enticing the covetous individuals to exploit them."

The samurai's lips yielded Orochimaru's motivations, elucidating their roadblock.

"A nation's wealth consolidated in one's grasp... intriguing."

Orochimaru selected a longsword, assuming samurai guise. The entranced samurai followed Orochimaru, led by an illusion.

"Venture forth and amass riches for me!"

**********

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