บท 119: Chapter 119 : Stone of Gelel
"It's quite remote here. It seems this place hasn't seen much conflict."
Orochimaru walked through the dense layers of forest, arriving at a wilderness scene before him. No paved road existed, so he followed the beaten path through the grass.
"Could there be a significant source of energy here? Perhaps a Tailed Beast?"
"No, that's unlikely."
Orochimaru dismissed this unrealistic thought.
Using the Kusanagi sword, he effortlessly cleared the weeds in front of him. A suspension bridge spanning a mountain stream appeared ahead.
"It's cleverly hidden, resembling a paradise. However, there's nothing valuable enough for other countries to spy on such a small location."
Orochimaru activated his sensory perception and noticed the scarce individuals on the opposite side, mostly appearing as ordinary people.
The suspension bridge was well-maintained, but as Orochimaru crossed to the other side, two men dressed as samurai emerged.
"Who goes there? Why are you here?"
Two individuals with hats and black hoods suddenly emerged from the bushes, drawing their swords on Orochimaru.
"...I was merely passing through, interested in exploring this place."
Orochimaru felt somewhat awkward, as these two were just ordinary individuals and posed no threat.
"Wait a moment."
The two guards were about to order Orochimaru to leave, but just as Orochimaru was using an illusion, a man in samurai-like armour stepped in to stop them.
"Who are you? A wandering warrior?"
Orochimaru disguised himself as a young man, the Kusanagi sword still at his side, much like when he visited the black market.
"Captain Takahiro, why are you here?"
The two guards respectfully greeted the approaching samurai.
Orochimaru assessed this Captain of samurai. The chakra he emanated was at the Chunin level, though he didn't appear to be a ninja. He was likely a new-style warrior skilled in chakra usage.
"That's correct."
Orochimaru replied calmly.
"Oh, I wonder if you possess considerable strength. We're urgently recruiting guards. Would you be interested?"
The guards were too weak to gauge Orochimaru's true power. While Takahiro couldn't fully grasp Orochimaru's essence, his posture and aura indicated a significant difference.
"Indeed? Are guards being recruited even in such a small place?"
Orochimaru concealed the Kusanagi sword within his robes, giving the appearance of sheathing it.
"This...haha, our royal family has faced some turmoil recently. Lord Takumi, our ruler, requires skilled warriors to eliminate traitors. Please maintain discretion."
Takahiro smiled at Orochimaru while the two guards inched closer.
"Yes, I am intrigued by this place and believe I can contribute effectively."
Orochimaru pretended to contemplate, feigning ignorance of the guards' movements.
"Excellent, please accompany me, kind sir. I'll make necessary arrangements."
Takahiro welcomed Orochimaru into the village with a radiant smile.
"Haha." Orochimaru chuckled to himself, following without hesitation.
"What a gullible fellow, agreeing so easily. This youngster might end up as cannon fodder for Captain Takahiro."
As the two departed, the guards returned to their posts, engaging in hushed conversation.
"Our nation's secrets mustn't be carelessly revealed. Otherwise, outsiders might exploit them. If that lad refuses, I'll deal with him."
Another guard scoffed, "It's infuriating how those rebels remain unsatisfied. Their delusional expansion will surely lead to disaster..."
Orochimaru strolled leisurely, the exchange between the guards keenly audible to a concealed white snake.
"Hehe, even a place like this fancies itself a nation or royal family. Doubtless, they lack even basic ninjas here."
Orochimaru murmured under his breath, following closely behind Takahiro.
"What?!"
Takahiro turned in astonishment.
"It appears there's an undisclosed secret here. I might have found the right spot."
Orochimaru's voice was barely audible as he spoke.
"You...an outsider! What do you seek—"
Takahiro's fury and panic surged, his drawn knife retreating into its sheath due to Orochimaru's powerful illusion surpassing Kage-level.
"Takahiro, there you are. The master and Lord Takumi are convening at the palace."
A samurai approached the two with suspicion.
"Very well, Brother Ryusen!"
Takahiro respectfully acknowledged, "This is a powerful warrior I just recruited. He'll surely assist Lord Takumi."
"Indeed?"
The newcomer glanced briefly at Orochimaru. "We hope so." With that, he departed.
"Who was that?"
Surrounded by samurai guards, Orochimaru inquired after walking for a quarter of an hour.
It appeared that this place intentionally isolated itself from the outside world. Without guidance from White Snake Sage, Orochimaru struggled to navigate this corner.
"That was my senior, Ryusen Ichiro. He's our teacher's most skilled disciple."
Takahiro spoke with a touch of envy. "Our teacher Rudolph is our nation's mightiest warrior, vastly superior to so-called ninjas!"
"Hehe, as expected. There truly are no ninjas here?"
Orochimaru gazed at the primitive surroundings, murmuring.That, Ryusen Ichiro possessed the strength of a Jōnin, but Orochimaru could overpower him.
According to Takahiro, Teacher Rudolph shouldn't be too powerful. This relatively remote and uncelebrated location likely housed a lesser-known figure.
"It seems their force isn't formidable. I might have a substantial opening. It's just this rebellion they mentioned that could introduce complications."
Orochimaru continued onward, the heart of this small nation soon within reach. However, Orochimaru was astounded to see that its residents were relatively affluent.
"How peculiar, something's amiss."
Orochimaru halted near a farmland, puzzled by the scene unfolding before him.
Across endless fields, flourishing crops indicated an imminent harvest. Yet, how could a small country with a modest population and technological resources cultivate such vast crops, especially out of season?
Upon careful observation, Orochimaru noted only a few farmers in the fields, the majority appearing idle.
Drawing nearer, Orochimaru noticed a pipe threading through each field, emitting a blue-green light into the water along the channels, nourishing the crops.
"How's this possible?"
Orochimaru found himself utterly incredulous as he realized the energy was a diluted natural energy. The pure natural energy merged seamlessly with high-quality chakra, exceeding even the energy generated in Sage Mode!
Though weak, this energy was being used to irrigate crops. The potential abundance of Sage Chakra was staggering.
"Here... um..."
Takahiro, who was under Orochimaru's control, appeared highly vigilant, attempting to resist answering the question. Orochimaru had to intensify his mental influence.
"... This is our nation's hidden treasure—the mystical energy extracted from the Gelel Stone Mine!"
"The Gelel Stone Mine?!"
Takahiro's words triggered Orochimaru's recollection of the previous storyline, though it appeared to be a theatrical rendition. Given it was still in its early stages, Orochimaru struggled to recall it immediately.
"Our ancestors stumbled upon an energy-rich ore here and began extracting its mystical energy.
This energy accelerates crop growth, eradicating concerns about sustenance for all.
It possesses the ability to mend injuries, having revived many gravely wounded individuals.
Furthermore, it can grant individuals heightened strength and extended lifespans."
Orochimaru-controlled Takahiro divulged this staggering piece of information, leaving Orochimaru astonished.
"How is that feasible? Can regular individuals assimilate this form of natural energy? How pure is it!"
Orochimaru found it difficult to fathom how the shinobi realm could possess such potent capabilities. Solely the chakra of primordial origin could nurture all living things within the world. If this power was indeed as miraculous as it seemed, Orochimaru even speculated that it could rival the wood release and healing techniques of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju.
But why did ore veins form here?
Orochimaru was confounded!
It explained why the residents used this magical chakra for farming, and why they sought seclusion from outsiders.
If Orochimaru acquired these ore veins, he could devour and refine them into true essence, dramatically enhancing his might!
"As for the so-called rebellion, our ruler, Lord Takumi, believes that this power must be used prudently, for the greater good." Takahiro continued.
"Indeed, that makes sense."
"However, Lord Takumi's brother, Troy, contends that with such might, we should assemble an army, bolster our national strength, and expand our territory!"
Takahiro's excitement was palpable.
"Hehe, he's astute indeed..."
"Yes!" Takahiro affirmed. "With this precious power, tranquillity and prosperity can reign. We cherish peace. Why should we covet the outside world?"
Orochimaru: "..."
"Our ancestors advocated humility and pacifism. These traitors will not disrupt our harmonious lives!" Takahiro declared with conviction. "Seems you and your master could learn a thing or two about wisdom." Orochimaru mused.
Overestimating their strength, are they? Their touted love for peace hides a desire for silent riches.
"Troy enjoys limited support, as most are reluctant to forsake their content lives. Nevertheless, the malevolent Troy unearthed even purer Gelel Stones, using them to enhance his followers and conduct horrific human experiments!"
Takahiro revealed, "And he succeeded. After countless sacrifices, three of his subordinates acquired formidable power, rivalling even Lord Rudolph!"
"Haha, conducting experiments already? Any place would frown upon human experimentation! Success likely stems from this Sage Chakra."
Orochimaru remembered the plot, where the two factions eventually shook hands and made peace, sealing the Gelel Mine.
Decades later, insiders learned of the mine and nurtured the royal family's descendants, attempting to unlock the seal and harness its power to conquer the world, clashing with the mine's guardians.
Running low on power, the mine's guardians sought Konoha's aid, prompting Team Naruto's intervention.
Those attempting to exploit the mine's energy remained confident and provoked Gaara's Sand Village.
Ultimately, Konoha and Sand Village teamed up, thwarting the usurpers' plans and leaving the mine in the ancestors' care—powerful space-time ninjutsu engendered a black hole, swallowing the mine whole.
Recalling the plot, Orochimaru's eyes glistened with greed.
"Conservatives emerged victorious, but it's a bittersweet triumph. I must exploit the chaos to gain control of this mine's energy. Its seal mustn't hold, nor should it be destroyed!"
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