At that moment, Kakashi, Might Guy, and the others returned after finishing the battle to report.
"Lady Hokage, all invading hostile forces have been eliminated. We've sustained some casualties and are currently treating the wounded and conducting a headcount," Kakashi reported in his usual calm tone, though a trace of gravity lingered in his eyes.
The enemies' madness and utter disregard for their own lives had caused considerable trouble.
Tsunade drew in a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the anger and frustration in her heart. The decisiveness of the Hokage returned to her expression.
Glancing at the twisted, fanatical corpses of the experimental "believers" scattered across the ground, she gave a low, firm order:
"Immediately organize a team to properly seal all of these bodies. Prioritize the relatively intact ones for special handling."
"Yes!" Though puzzled, Kakashi and Guy accepted the order without hesitation.
"Tsunade, what are you planning?" Jiraiya asked.
"Bring them back to the village. The Medical Corps and the Analysis Team will examine them," Tsunade replied sharply.
She had to seize any possible lead. Konoha could not remain passive forever.
Thus, the large-scale interception mission—personally led by some of Konoha's strongest forces: the Fifth Hokage Tsunade, one of the Sannin Jiraiya, the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, along with numerous elite jōnin—came to an end.
They had crushed hundreds of experimental fanatics and briefly confronted two Shadow Clones from the enemy.
And yet, the operation concluded in a manner that felt almost like returning empty-handed—frustrating and deeply unsatisfying.
The turmoil at the border quickly sent ripples throughout the shinobi world.
The other Four Great Shinobi Villages immediately pressured or contacted Konoha through various channels, demanding shared intelligence.
This time, Tsunade did not conceal much.
She even proactively offered to provide each of the Four Great Nations with several relatively intact experimental corpses for research and analysis.
Orochimaru's Secret Base
After expending considerable effort and persuasion, Orochimaru finally managed to calm the near-rampaging "demonic child," who had been shouting about destroying Konoha.
Honestly, everyone seemed to want to destroy Konoha these days…
Watching Karin finally settle down—for now—and skip excitedly deeper into the base to figure out how to convert new "materials" into more "high-quality" believers, Orochimaru let out a rare sigh of relief.
He raised a hand and wiped nonexistent sweat from his brow, murmuring in a tone that blended helplessness, pride, and faint absurdity:
"Raising children… I truly am a professional."
"Orochimaru-sama," a gentle young voice tinged with amusement drifted from the shadows, "this is the first time I've seen you so… mentally taxed."
Kabuto Yakushi adjusted his glasses, wearing his usual inscrutable smile as he stepped out from the corner of the corridor.
Apparently, he had witnessed at least part of Orochimaru's "babysitting."
"Is that so? Heh…" Orochimaru turned, smiling dismissively at the teasing remark.
His golden, slit-pupil eyes swept over the subordinate he valued highly.
"Kabuto. From today onward, you will no longer carry out long-term solo missions. Stay by my side."
He paused, noting the flicker of surprise behind Kabuto's lenses.
"Karin's emergence—and the kind of power she represents—has introduced unprecedented variables and research subjects."
"I require an assistant who is sufficiently capable, sufficiently calm, and sufficiently familiar with my line of research. You, Kabuto, are a very suitable choice."
It was a clear acknowledgment of Kabuto's ability.
The surprise on Kabuto's face quickly gave way to a humble, respectful smile. He bowed slightly.
"It is my honor to be so valued by you, Orochimaru-sama. I will devote myself fully to assisting you."
Orochimaru smiled, about to reply—
When a faint yet synchronized chant, filled with fervor, echoed through layers of rock from deeper within the base:
"Demon God-sama! Demon God-sama! Demon God-sama!"
Though muffled by thick earth and stone, the unified rhythm of sacrificial devotion resonated clearly down the corridor.
Orochimaru habitually extended his long tongue to lick his lips, revealing a smile tinged with helplessness, satisfaction, and faint amusement.
"Fortunately, this base was constructed deep enough—and with sufficient structural complexity and concealment. Otherwise, with something like this happening every few days, the commotion would be impossible to hide."
He sounded as though he were complaining, yet there was little genuine concern in his tone.
Kabuto did not respond. He simply adjusted his glasses, the light behind the lenses flickering subtly as he looked toward the source of the chanting.
The so-called "demonic child"—the one who could force even Orochimaru-sama to expend such effort, and who could so efficiently "produce" fanatical followers—had indeed sparked Kabuto's keen interest.
Not out of kindness or sympathy.
But out of pure curiosity—the curiosity of a researcher and observer.
What kind of power system was this?
What sort of mental structure allowed a child of such a young age to wield such bizarre ability and influence?
"It seems Karin-sama has achieved another 'new result,'" Kabuto said evenly, as if commenting on routine laboratory progress. "Shall I go take a look? Perhaps offer some suggestions regarding 'material' management?"
Orochimaru glanced at him, clearly pleased by his perceptiveness and initiative.
"Go, Kabuto. Record the baseline data and performance of the newly 'converted' individuals while you're at it. And be careful—do not interfere with her 'sermon.' More importantly, do not allow her to influence your will."
The warning suggested he was still wary of her strange persuasive ability.
"Understood." Kabuto inclined his head slightly, that flawless gentle smile never leaving his face as he walked calmly toward the direction of the chanting.
Through Karin's perspective, Yin An was observing everything within Orochimaru's secret base with great interest.
Soon, his gaze passed over the excitable Karin, fully absorbed in "developing followers," then over the calculating Orochimaru, immersed in new research possibilities.
Finally, his attention settled on the calm, mild-mannered young man with glasses—Kabuto Yakushi.
"Oh? Isn't this… a very interesting 'subject'?"
Yin An smiled.
Kabuto Yakushi—a man of complex origins, navigating multiple identities and loyalties, possessing exceptional medical ninjutsu and espionage talent, yet internally filled with confusion and a longing to understand his own "self."
"With a bit of refinement…"
Yin An began organizing what he knew of Kabuto's background.
Very quickly, a framework began to take shape in his mind—a "demonized" reimagining of Kabuto that could cleverly connect with the figures previously exposed by the mysterious Heavenly Display.
The outline grew clearer. Fuller. More complete.
◇ BONUS & SUPPORT ◇
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 10 reviews — drop a comment!
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ Read 70 chapters ahead on P@treon → patreon.com/Sagamaster789