Chapter 97

Tsunade's frustration reached its peak as Hiruzen proposed to personally visit the Tsuchikage to settle the matter of the delayed war reparations.

"Sensei, are you out of your mind?" Tsunade's voice was sharp, and her eyes flashed with anger. "What do you hope to achieve by going to Iwagakure yourself? Do you think Onoki will suddenly have a change of heart and hand over the remaining payment? He's been stalling us for too long."

Hiruzen sighed, knowing he couldn't convince Tsunade to change her mind. "Tsunade, I understand your frustration, but escalating tensions further won't help anyone. Let me try to reason with Onoki peacefully."

Tsunade shook her head, her resolve unwavering. "No, Sensei. We've been lenient enough. If Onoki wants to play games, then we'll play hardball. I'm issuing a bounty mission targeting every merchant and trader from Iwagakure. Let them feel the consequences of their leader's actions."

Hiruzen sighed again, realizing he couldn't sway Tsunade from her decision.

"Very well, Tsunade. I'll respect your decision. I'll excuse myself now and let you proceed with your plan."

With a heavy heart, Hiruzen left the office, knowing that Tsunade was determined to take matters into her own hands.

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In a secluded, dimly lit laboratory hidden deep within a secret base, Orochimaru was fully engrossed in his experiments. The atmosphere crackled with an air of secrecy as he meticulously worked, his pale hands moving deftly over vials and scrolls.

Beside him, the newly healed Kimimaro, his loyal follower, assisted with unwavering dedication. The young man's eyes gleamed with determination as he dutifully carried out Orochimaru's instructions.

Suddenly, Orochimaru paused, his senses tingling with an ominous premonition. With a sharp intake of breath, he straightened up, his golden eyes flashing with concern. "Kimimaro, gather whatever is essential. We need to leave immediately."

Kimimaro's brow furrowed in confusion as he hurriedly complied with Orochimaru's command. "What's wrong, Orochimaru-sama?"

"Our location has been compromised," Orochimaru replied tersely, his voice laced with urgency. "If we linger here, it would cause us unnecessary problems."

With practiced efficiency, they began to collect their research notes and valuable equipment, wasting no time in their preparations. As Orochimaru meticulously secured his findings, a sense of foreboding hung heavy in the air.

"[Katon: Ryuka no Jutsu]" (Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique)

Moments later, Orochimaru unleashed a powerful blaze of fire ninjutsu, engulfing the laboratory in flames. The inferno roared to life, consuming everything in its path as Orochimaru and Kimimaro made their escape.

Dashing through the dense forest, they moved swiftly, their senses heightened for any sign of danger. After a tense few minutes, Orochimaru abruptly came to a halt, his keen instincts alerting him to a hidden presence.

"I know you are there; reveal yourself." Orochimaru's voice echoed through the stillness of the forest, his tone a commanding force to be reckoned with.

A pregnant pause followed, the silence broken only by the rustling of leaves in the breeze. But Orochimaru remained vigilant; his senses were honed to detect even the slightest movement.

"[Ninpo: Sen'ei Jashu]" (Ninja Art: Hidden Shadow Snake Hands)

Without warning, Orochimaru unleashed his serpent-like jutsu, his chakra-infused snakes slithering forth with deadly precision. The foliage and trees before them rippled and shifted into thousands of papers, revealing a figure concealed within the tree.

"Ah, Orochimaru... Always so perceptive," came a voice from the shadows, resonating with an air of authority. Emerging from the foliage, Pain, accompanied by his loyal companion Konan, stepped into view, their expressions unreadable as they regarded Orochimaru with calculated interest.

Orochimaru's instinctive shock was masked behind a veil of composure as he laid eyes on the figure before him, his gaze drawn to the unmistakable ripple pattern of the Rinnegan. Internally, his heart quickened its pace; if this person truly possessed the legendary ocular ability, it would indeed alter the course of events.

"Who are you, and why have you sought me out?" Orochimaru's voice remained steady, though a flicker of curiosity danced in his eyes.

The figure, unyielding in demeanor, dismissed Orochimaru's inquiry with a wave of his hand. "My identity is of no concern to you. What matters is that I am here to extend an invitation on behalf of my organization, Akatsuki."

At the mention of Akatsuki, Orochimaru's interest was piqued. He knew little of their reputation, their power, and their ambitions. To be sought out by such an organization was both intriguing and unsettling.

"And what, exactly, does this invitation entail?" Orochimaru's tone was measured, betraying none of the curiosity brewing within him.

Pain's gaze bore into Orochimaru, unwavering. "You have two choices," he declared, his voice carrying an air of finality. "Join Akatsuki willingly and lend us your expertise. Or resist and face the consequences."

The ultimatum hung heavy in the air, the weight of it pressing down on Orochimaru's shoulders. Yet, behind his mask of indifference, a spark of interest flickered. Aligning himself with Akatsuki could offer boundless opportunities, but it also carried significant risks.

"Consider your offer duly noted," Orochimaru replied, his voice betraying none of the turmoil within. "But know that I am not one to be coerced."

Before anyone could react, Orochimaru's hands blurred into intricate seals, channeling chakra with deadly intent. "[Doton: Dochū Senkō.] (Earth Style: Earth Spear Jutsu) With a guttural roar, he unleashed a barrage of earthen projectiles, materializing sharp, spear-like projectiles from the ground beneath him. These jagged spikes of hardened earth shot forth with deadly precision, aimed directly at Pain, seeking to impale him and aiming to catch the Rinnegan holder off guard. The air crackled with anticipation as the attack hurtled towards its target.

Pain, however, was no ordinary adversary. With a casual flick of his wrist, he sent out a barrier of gravitational force, effortlessly deflecting Orochimaru's assault. The projectiles shattered, despite their sturdiness, harmlessly against the invisible shield wave, leaving Orochimaru momentarily stunned.

Undeterred, Orochimaru lunged forward, his form a blur of speed and precision as he closed the distance between himself and his opponent. With a swift motion, he unleashed a volley of kunai imbued with his signature venomous chakra, aiming for Pain's vital points.

But Pain was already prepared. With a mere thought, he activated his Deva Path abilities.

"[Shinra Tensei]," manipulating the very forces of gravity to repel Orochimaru's attack. The kunai veered off course, harmlessly embedding themselves in the rocky terrain behind Orochimaru. However, the repulsive force did not stop there; it sent Orochimaru flying through the air like a broken doll. His sturdy figure broke through various trees and was deposited a few hundred meters away.

As Orochimaru crashed onto the forest floor, Kimimaro moved to aid his master, his loyalty unwavering even in the face of overwhelming odds. But before he could reach Orochimaru's side, Konan intercepted him with a swift and decisive strike, her paper ninjutsu forming a formidable barrier between Kimimaro and his target.

"Stay out of this, boy," Konan warned, her voice tinged with authority as she held Kimimaro at bay with her paper constructs. "This is between Orochimaru and Pain."

As the dust settled around the broken forest floor, frustration flickered in Orochimaru's eyes as he realized the futility of his efforts. With a snarl of rage, he unleashed a torrent of fire ninjutsu, the flames engulfing the battlefield in an inferno of destruction. But even as the flames raged around him, Pain remained unfazed, his expression one of calm determination.

The same scene repeated itself, with Pain casually repelling all the incoming attacks as if it were a joke. However, before Orochimaru could react, a sudden pull made him falter.

"[Banshō Ten'in]," despite his resistance, Orochimaru was pulled towards Pain by an invisible force. Pain caught Orochimaru by his neck, and he smirked. The snake sannin knew that at close proximity he had many ways to strike, but he also thought of a possibility that his opponent would repel his attacks like before, treating them as if they were nothing.

Pain, his victory assured, regarded Orochimaru with a mixture of pity and disdain.

"It seems your ambitions have outweighed your abilities, Orochimaru," Pain remarked, his voice tinged with a hint of remorse. "You would do well to remember your place in the grand scheme of things; you have a week to consider your options."

With that, Pain vanished into the shadows alongside Konan, leaving Orochimaru to lick his wounds and contemplate the consequences of his defeat. And as the dust settled on the battlefield, Orochimaru knew that this encounter would not be the last, for the wheels of fate continued to turn.

"Orochimaru-sama, are you alright?" Kimimaro, now free of Konan's obstruction, quickly made his way to where Pain had dropped his master. However, despite his expectations, Orochimaru's face did not show any bitterness regarding the loss. Instead, his expression resembled that of a madman who had found his long-lost treasure.

"Hahahahaha!" Without explaining anything, Orochimaru burst into laughter. The cold, chilling sound would have sent shivers down anyone's spine had they been listening.

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Meanwhile, on the Hyuga clan training grounds, the grand elder and another elder from the main branch were taking a leisurely walk around the area.

"Was it wise to announce support for the kid from the branch family with the resources and make him compete for the bijuu?" The elder couldn't help but ask. Certain matters couldn't be discussed openly during the meeting.

The Hyuga clan members, especially most of the main branch members, were largely prejudiced and held a mindset where they instinctively believed that the branch members were meant to serve them for life. Anyone who tried to rise above their station had to be crushed.

"Heh, do you think I would have declared such a thing without proper reason?" The grand elder responded. "Most of you underestimate our clan's curse seal. It has been refined for centuries to keep our clan strong and the branch families in check. As long as the kid holds the curse mark, he cannot escape from our clutches, even if he were to become a jinchuriki in the future."

"He would be our perfect weapon, who would follow our every whim. No matter how strong he grows in the future, he will always be subservient to us and not to the village," the Grand Elder declared haughtily. As the senior-most person from the Hyuga clan, he held knowledge of many hidden secrets about the curse mark that others didn't, accessible only to those in his position.

"Grand Elder, you are wise indeed. However, there is another matter of grave concern that the main branch members have asked me to address with you," the elder interjected, indicating a pressing issue that couldn't be deferred any further. He raised his brows, prompting the other elder to clarify the matter he wanted to discuss.

"It's about the matter of the young Hyuga Princess. As much as it pains me to mention it, she is less than mediocre. We cannot have such a talentless person lead the next generation of Hyuga. It spells doom for us all. Now that Hiashi has another daughter, why don't we consider nurturing his second child as the next heiress?" The elder broached the topic cautiously, aware of the Grand Elder's lingering affection for his progeny.

"Sigh, that child, Hinata, is truly pitiful. She is too kind to be part of a ninja clan, especially one such as the Hyuga. But you are right; we cannot have such a mediocre person leading the future of our clan. I will discuss this matter with Hiashi, and I am sure he will request some time. As our tradition demands, I will give him until Hanabi turns three years old. On that day, like it or not, Hiashi will have to let go of Hinata. Maybe Hanabi's talent is better than Hinata's. So, let's wait for now and nurture Hiashi's second daughter."

The grand elder casually decided the fate of a little girl as if it were a normal occurrence. For him, the glory of the Hyuga clan came first, and he was willing to sacrifice anything for its sake.

"What about the Fuin Grandmaster of the Nara clan? Have you received any updates regarding the identity of the person?" The grand elder inquired, as the only anomaly he could think of regarding the matter with Neji was the grandmaster. Tsunade had already declared that the sealing would be carried out personally by the fuin grandmaster. Despite the Hyuga not being assigned a bijuu, they arrogantly considered the last remaining three tails to be theirs, despite their Hokage declaring it would be left to the Ninja Academy.

"No, we don't have any news regarding the matter. Shikaku has been unusually tight-lipped regarding the matter, and we have been getting even more pressure from the Daimyo faction to help them discover the identity of the said person," the elder shared the details.

"Tch, the Daimyo. He is just a fool. I originally wanted to take advantage of him to help raise our clan's position within the village. But now that the Senju princess is the Hokage, he has become nothing more than a joke. I am sure soon enough the Hokage will purge the Daimyo faction in its entirety and appoint a new Daimyo for the Fire Country with her support," the grand elder casually revealed a shocking secret regarding the purge. Having lived for close to a century, he knew how politics worked.

"Grand Elder, you don't mean? Will Hokage-sama be able to handle the backlash?" The elder couldn't help but sweat at the revelation.

"Backlash? What backlash? If the Senju Princess, with her current status, wanted it, she could erase the entire Daimyo family root and stem, and none would speak a word. Every clan would happily send their own shinobi to carry out the deed. Just make sure that we cut all ties with the current Daimyo family, erase all traces. I have already sent a personal letter of apology to the Hokage, so we do not have to worry about being implicated by the aftermath," the grand elder, the moment he realized that Tsunade became the Hokage, knew that the Daimyo was done for. So, he had taken ample measures to safeguard the Hyuga clan from the coming onslaught.

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Dear Readers,

I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to express my deepest gratitude for your unwavering patience and understanding during the recent interruption in our regular updates. I understand how eagerly you anticipate each chapter, and I sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused by the delay.

As a token of my appreciation for your continued support and loyalty, I am thrilled to announce that we will be having a special event this weekend. In what we are calling a "mass release," I will be sharing all the missed chapters in one go. It's my way of saying thank you for your understanding and for being such dedicated readers.

I understand that the unexpected pause may have left some of you feeling disappointed, and for that, I am truly sorry. Your enthusiasm for the story means the world to me, and I am committed to delivering the best possible experience for you.

Once again, thank you for your patience, your understanding, and your unwavering support. I am incredibly grateful for each and every one of you, and I can't wait to continue this journey together.

With warmest regards,

[Silent_stiele]