Chapter 239: Always Bring Your Sister: Did I Arrive Too Late?

Since the Akatsuki organization had moved from the shadows into the open, the people of the Land of Rain had essentially all learned who truly ruled their nation.

Naturally, they also learned what the Akatsuki members typically wore.

But since the remaining living members of the Akatsuki were mostly shut-ins, few ever got to see them in person.

Uchiha Sasuke felt the gazes coming from all around him, his expression utterly unmoved.

Back in Konoha, he had already grown accustomed to such scenes.

But unlike then, the people lining the streets now were not looking at him—they were looking at the clan member standing before him.

At this moment, Orochimaru, who had remained silent since seeing the three Susano'o, suddenly spoke: "I suddenly regret leaving the organization, Long Jun."

"I can only guarantee the leader won't lay a hand on you." Li Ang didn't turn his head. "And isn't the 【Kong】 ring still with you?"

"Hehehe."

Orochimaru emitted a meaningless laugh.

Unlike Uchiha Sasuke, this evil scientist did not believe Li Ang's self-proclaimed identity, but he chose not to expose him.

The answer was simple: doing so did not serve his interests.

Whether it was how the man had fused these Kekkei Genkai, or the information he had previously shared about the Ōtsutsuki clan, Orochimaru was deeply curious.

Under Li Ang's lead, the three arrived at the highest point of the Rain Village—the current meeting place of Akatsuki members.

But at this time, the only Akatsuki member present in the Land of Rain was Li Ang; Changmen and Xiao Nan had gone to capture the Eight-Tails' jinchūriki, while Kakuzu and Sasori had gone to receive the Five-Tails' jinchūriki from Iwa.

"Then where is the body you prepared for me, Long Jun?"

Since he needed to perform the Dead Demon Consuming Seal's release and Impure World Reincarnation, Li Ang naturally had to prepare the Sacrifices in advance.

But he didn't need to worry about this issue, since the original plot had already provided the answer.

White Zetsu.

The indisputable choice for Impure World Reincarnation—everyone who used it said it was excellent.

In a certain sense, White Zetsu was practically a universal material in the Naruto world.

And as Li Ang, who had inherited Obito's legacy, he could command White Zetsu effortlessly—even without speaking, two blank-faced White Zetsu rose from the ground.

Seeing this scene, Orochimaru's face showed a flicker of curiosity: "Isn't this Zetsu?"

As a former Akatsuki member, Orochimaru naturally recognized the origin of White Zetsu, but he had never imagined the member responsible for intelligence gathering could be used for such a purpose.

Moreover, with his keen eyes, he could see White Zetsu was an excellent vessel—at least far superior to his current body.

"Hehehe," Orochimaru emitted a raspy laugh, then pulled out the Death Mask he had taken from the Uzumaki clan and placed it on his face. "Long Jun, don't forget your promise."

"Don't worry. I'm not the type to break my word."

Li Ang's tone was calm.

Would Orochimaru believe him so easily? Of course not.

The fact that this Sannin dared to act meant he had already arranged an escape route—like the Cursed Seal on Mitarashi Red Bean in Konoha.

He might have even prepared it before even approaching him, since Uchiha Sasuke was clearly no longer viable as a new vessel.

Thinking of this, Li Ang glanced at Sasuke, who stood silently beside him.

He had no intention of hiding what he planned next from the boy—some things he needed the boy to relay to the Fourth Hokage.

At that moment, Orochimaru spread his arms wide, and a grotesque spectral figure of the Death God, clutching a short knife in its mouth, appeared behind him.

Li Ang carefully observed this being, utterly unlike any ninja.

From the fact that souls consumed by it could not be revived via Impure World Reincarnation, he deduced the Death God's power must differ from that of ninjas.

'But does it truly possess self-awareness?'

Watching the Death God manipulated by Orochimaru, Li Ang's mind flashed this thought.

Before he could ponder further, Orochimaru had already completed the Dead Demon Consuming Seal's release.

As a horrific wound split open across his abdomen, clusters of blue energy resembling chakra burst forth from the Death God's belly.

Without pause, Orochimaru swiftly formed hand seals, then slammed his palm onto the ground.

"Impure World Reincarnation!"

As his words ended, a burst of blue energy shot toward the White Zetsu designated as the Sacrifice.

After completing this, Orochimaru immediately performed Living Corpse Reincarnation to take over the body of another White Zetsu beside him.

But Li Ang's full attention was fixed on the White Zetsu inside the room, whose form was continuously shifting—he had never witnessed the Impure World Reincarnation technique, this ultimate cheat of a jutsu, before.

'Pity this resurrection jutsu relies on the Naruto world's unique properties—it's only of reference value to me.'

Li Ang knew without even trying that Impure World Reincarnation couldn't function outside the Naruto world, unless he could somehow create his own Pure Land.

As he thought this, a sudden spark flashed in his mind.

'Wait.'

Li Ang's expression turned peculiar—he had thought of a good idea.

But now was not the time to study it.

Looking at the blond man now standing in the room, his face cracked, Li Ang spoke: "Welcome back, Fourth Hokage."

"So I've been revived," said the blond man in the white hakama, his face showing slight shock. "I didn't expect Senior Orochimaru could undo that technique."

"Hehe," Orochimaru, still adjusting to his new body, let out a raspy laugh. "Don't underestimate me, Water Gate."

Hearing this, Bofengshui Jintai fell into a brief silence, then turned his gaze to the other two present.

Li Ang, and Uchiha Sasuke.

Before he could speak, Li Ang spoke first: "Fourth Hokage, I wish to obtain the other half of the Nine-Tails within you."

Though he phrased it as a request, he didn't truly care if the man refused—those revived by Impure World Reincarnation couldn't defy the caster's will.

Of course, some exceptions existed.

Upon hearing Li Ang's words, Bofengshui Jintai's face flickered with surprise—he hadn't expected anyone to know the Nine-Tails had been split in two by him.

Not only was he unaware of this news, but even Orochimaru had never known it before.

"." Bofengshui Sect's expression was complex as he asked: "Where is Naruto?"

In his view, since the man before him had learned this secret, he had likely already obtained the other half of the Nine-Tails sealed within his son.

Once a jinchūriki has had their tailed beast extracted, there is only one outcome: death.

In response to the question, Li Ang shook his head slightly: "He's fine. I have no intention of touching him."

As he spoke, he glanced at Sasuke beside him and whispered: "The Fourth Hokage is Naruto Uzumaki's father."

Upon hearing this, Sasuke was momentarily stunned.

After a while, the boy asked: "Does the Fourth Hokage know how Naruto has lived these past years?"

Bofengshui Sect was taken aback; before he could ask anything, Sasuke began recounting the story of Naruto Uzumaki.

The more he listened, the more silent he became.

He had never imagined that after making such a great sacrifice for the village, his own son had lived such a hard life.

After a long while, the Fourth Hokage chose to change the subject: "You're from the Uchiha clan, aren't you? How have things been lately?"

Li Ang shrugged: "Now, the entire Uchiha clan is just the two of us left."

Hearing this, Bofengshui Sect froze again.

What on earth has the village been doing these past years!?

He couldn't comprehend it—he had already begun addressing the Uchiha issue during his tenure, so how had things come to this?

As he stood stunned, Li Ang spoke: "Fourth Hokage, I wish to learn the Flying Thunder God Technique and the sealing arts you know."

Others might see Bofengshui Sect as the Golden Flash, but Li Ang, having read the original plot, knew his sealing arts were equally powerful.

Thus, while Changmen and the others had not yet returned, Li Ang naturally intended to squeeze every last drop from this golden-haired man.

Though in direct combat he would be no match for Li Ang, techniques like the Flying Thunder God and sealing arts were simply too valuable.

Especially the Flying Thunder God.

Explain to me what you mean by "the Flying Thunder God's markings never disappear"—it's far too convenient for ambushes.

"So that's why," Bofengshui Sect now understood why these people were willing to talk so much with him. "Fine, I'll teach you."

He nodded in agreement almost without thought.

Seeing this, Li Ang couldn't help but smile.

With the Fourth Hokage's instruction, he wouldn't need to go to Konoha later to study their sealing arts.

And not just the Fourth—could I not also summon the First Hokage via Edo Tensei?

As for that evil old Senju ghost—

Better not.

As the inventor of Edo Tensei, he would surely have countermeasures; dealing with him would still be slightly troublesome.

'Pity—I could've had him teach Sis Nan the Mutual Multiplication Explosion Tags.'

Thinking of this, Li Ang said:

"Then I'll leave it to you, Fourth Hokage, for the next few days."

"I'll be counting on you for the next few days after that, Fourth."