Chapter 51: Decisions

As soon as Sato arrived back, he began preparing Plan B, he contemplated whether he should devour Orochimaru. However, upon recollecting crucial plot points from the original story, Sato abandoned this idea. It wasn't that he feared causing a significant disturbance, but rather that consuming the present Orochimaru might not enhance his abilities and would result in a substantial loss.

This was because Orochimaru, a civilian ninja without any inherent bloodline, possessed knowledge of ninjutsu that was comparable to that of the Third Hokage and most other Konoha shinobi. Meanwhile, Sato's focus lay solely on Reanimation Jutsu within the Forbidden Technique. Thus, by devouring the Third Hokage alone, Sato could acquire most of Orochimaru's ninjutsu—more than Orochimaru himself knew. After all, Orochimaru lacked the status of Hokage, preventing him from accessing the sealed book and limiting his repertoire to the stolen Impure World Reincarnation.

On the other hand, the Third Hokage had almost mastered all of Konoha's ninjutsu, except for a few high-comprehension Forbidden Techniques. Therefore, devouring Orochimaru and the Third Hokage would result in overlapping techiniques. Considering this, what loss would Sato incur by devouring the current Orochimaru?

Would it concern the perfected version of Impure World Reincarnation in Shippuden? One could argue both yes and no. For Sato, who only needed to consume the soul to obtain all the memories and lifelong learning of the other party, it didn't truly matter whether Impure World Reincarnation was incomplete or perfected.

However, the perfected version of Impure World Reincarnation could lead to a series of consequential effects. Without it, Kabuto would not become one of the major antagonists in the Fourth Ninja World War, and Black Zetsu, the greatest manipulator, would not guide the opposition to Uchiha Madara's body. Furthermore, without Orochimaru's guidance, Sasuke, the final reincarnation of Indra, would not rapidly progress to the level of an elite Jōnin.

The absence of these two individuals' actions would result in Sato's greatest loss. If Orochimaru were to remain, Sato could train these two individuals in the future, maximizing the benefits of consumption. Consequently, after much consideration, Sato decided to spare Orochimaru.

Of course, if Sato failed to obtain Impure World Reincarnation through the Yamanaka clan's Mind Reading Technique, he would still devour Orochimaru without hesitation, even if it meant losing these advantages. Fortunately, Impure World Reincarnation was an S-level Forbidden Technique in the Summoning category. This technique did not require a Summoning contract; it merely necessitated the preparation of a medium and the utilization of Chakra to draw corresponding seals in the form of runes. By doing so, one could open the door to the world of the dead and summon the soul of the medium's owner back to reality. This process would "resurrect" the person through possession.

Having read Orochimaru's memories, Sato had already mastered this S-rank Forbidden Technique. Thus, in Sato's eyes, Orochimaru was left only to train Kabuto and Sasuke, enabling them to create chaos in the ninja world while also serving Sato's interests.

Returning to the present...

After perusing Orochimaru's memories for over half an hour, Sato finally found the desired information. Consequently, Sato withdrew from Orochimaru's memories. Immediately, Sato's Three Tomoe Sharingan focused on Orochimaru, and he released Yin Chakra, rendering Orochimaru completely defenseless.

Orochimaru's complexion turned pallid, then suddenly became repulsive, as if he were about to vomit. He opened his mouth and expelled a storage scroll, not excessively large but of a size easily held with one hand.

This storage scroll was one of the two treasures that had caught Sato's attention in Orochimaru's possession. It contained the records of past Hokages, as well as parts of the Third and Fourth Kazekage.

Perhaps due to the filth on the scroll, or perhaps as a deliberate display to Orochimaru, Sato did not stoop to pick it up. Instead, he raised his hand covered by a black glove, and from his palm emerged wood not colored like Yamato's or Obito's, but an emerald green branch. Gradually, the branch transformed into a small wooden hand that seized the storage scroll. It then turned into a rectangular wooden box, which, guided by another branch, flew into Sato's hand.

With a swish, these actions completed, Sato untied the Adamantine Sealing Chains that bound Orochimaru and Kabuto and promptly vanished.

"I have my life back..." gasped Orochimaru, his face drenched in sweat, whether from cold sweat or exhaustion. He fixed his gaze on the spot where Sato disappeared and let out a deep laugh. "Sharingan of the Uchiha clan, Adamantine Sealing Chains of the Uzumaki clan, the Yamanaka family's Mind-Reading Technique, and Wood Style... Unexpectedly, the ninja world harbors such a prominent figure..."

"For how long has he remained dormant to obtain such rare and legendary abilities?"

"Now that he has come to me without killing me, someone who knows his secrets... Is it because I still hold an unknown usefulness, or has he no longer the need to conceal himself?"

"Hehe... first the leader of the Akatsuki's Rinnegan, and now a mysterious individual possessing Sharingan, Wood Style, and various kekkei genkais and secret techniques. This world is becoming increasingly intriguing and bizarre."

Upon closer observation, one would notice Orochimaru's deep confusion. It was no wonder he felt this way.

Several years ago, before being crushed by Pain, he had been one of the Konoha Sannin, thinking he could go anywhere in the vast ninja world. However, after being utterly defeated by Itachi, Orochimaru realized that the ninja world was far more complex than he had imagined. His current fixation revolved around the Sharingan.

Yet now, witnessing another person possessing Sharingan, Adamantine Sealing Chains, and Wood Style before him, Orochimaru couldn't help but question himself. Faced with individuals possessing the Rinnegan and abilities like these, what use was there in acquiring the Sharingan, as will still be a ant compared to these monsters.

Sato had unknowingly bewildered Orochimaru with his actions. Having obtained the Impure World Reincarnation and the body tissues of previous generations of Hokages, Sato's Plan had reached 99.99% completion.

Returning home to retrieve his backpack, Sato left a note for Karin, who had gone out to buy vegetables, and swiftly departed from the bustling Street.

Half an hour later, Sato arrived at a secluded field far away from the bustling streets.

"Wood Style·Wood Clone Technique!" Sato formed a hand seal, generating four Wood Clones that dispersed in the four cardinal directions. Meanwhile, he fully activated his Byakugan and Mind's Eye of the Kagura.

Using Wood Style, he promptly constructed a wooden house on the spot. Sato entered the house and commenced the long-awaited transformation process, moving closer to becoming a dragon.