Unlike Minato Namikaze, a warrior with lofty ideals, international spirit, and a noble heart, Sasori and Orochimaru were simply intrigued by the technology and the power of the Ryūmyaku (Dragon Vein) that the Kingdom of Rōran possessed.
Referring to intelligence that described the puppet techniques controlled by the noble class of Rōran, Sasori mused, "I've heard that Rōran's puppetry originates from the same ancient source as the techniques used in the Land of Wind, but because Rōran is such a weak nation, its puppet techniques have been ignored by the outside world."
"But now, that perception seems incorrect. Rōran's puppetry is extremely intricate, offering conveniences even Sunagakure doesn't have. Such precise control is difficult even for elite Jōnin-level puppeteers. Therefore, this likely isn't purely chakra-based power."
Orochimaru chuckled, "So, Sasori-kun thinks this is the convenience brought about by the Dragon Vein?"
Sasori replied, "Just a guess. We'll know for sure once we get there."
Orochimaru continued smiling, "Then let's waste no time and go."
Sasori nodded, ready to accompany Orochimaru.
Why did these two geniuses speak this way?
It turns out that, according to intelligence relayed by one of Minato's shadow clones, the puppet techniques possessed by Rōran's nobility were not as strong in combat as Sunagakure's but offered high convenience in daily life.
These puppets had basic intelligence and could perform household chores and follow nobles to serve as bodyguards—almost like autonomous humanoids.
Crucially, these puppets didn't require a puppeteer to control them with chakra threads at all times. They operated autonomously, powered by an unfamiliar energy source, not chakra.
Clearly, it was the power of the Dragon Vein.
The ruling class of Rōran, having long researched this unique energy system, had already integrated it into daily use.
Unfortunately, only the ruling class enjoyed these conveniences and the safety afforded by the Dragon Vein, while the commoners were excluded. The ruling class touted this as proof of their superior bloodline—an idea they themselves had fully embraced.
To Sasori and Orochimaru, these Rōran nobles were complacent fools wasting the power of the Dragon Vein. Even in terms of mere utility, the Dragon Vein far surpassed the chakra system.
Their method of travel to Rōran? Simple—via Hiraishin no Jutsu (Flying Thunder God Technique).
Yes, direct teleportation from Konoha to Rōran was now possible.
All thanks to the generous chakra supply from the Nine Tails and the genius research of Orochimaru and Sasori.
As known from the original story, the Nine Tails' chakra wasn't just powerful—it also connected minds. The applications of this ability were astonishing.
Orochimaru and Sasori had studied these properties and developed a ninja tool that amplified the Hiraishin no Jutsu using Nine Tails chakra.
That tool was now with one of Minato's shadow clones, who had brought it to Rōran.
This clone, using the teleportation tool, could turn himself into a teleportation node, linking with the real Minato in Konoha and enabling a super-teleport across thousands of kilometers.
Furthermore, Orochimaru and Sasori developed a new function for this super-teleportation based on Uchiha Kei's "Genjutsu Network."
The idea: make the clone a signal relay point, so they could use the Genjutsu Network even far from the fixed signal zone.
They had completed this function. Thanks to the connectivity of the Nine Tails' chakra, the clone only needed to maintain the lowest level of teleportation ability to preserve the network link.
Of course, it had limitations—continuous chakra drain, a required temporary signal station near the clone, and weak signal range (only 500 meters).
Essentially, it was the shinobi version of Wi-Fi—hard to use, costly, not scalable, and purely temporary.
Still, it allowed them to use the network even far from Konoha.
Most importantly, the tech tree had been unlocked. With more research, it could improve.
But for now, it was shelved. Orochimaru and Sasori had other priorities and lacked the time to pursue this further.
It exposed the severe shortage of researchers—something that couldn't be fixed overnight and needed long-term education and cultivation.
Soon, the teleportation was complete. Orochimaru, Sasori, and Uchiha Kei's shadow clone arrived outside Rōran.
Yes, Uchiha Kei had also sent a shadow clone.
As for why…
"Lord Kei, you've finally arrived."
A White Zetsu emerged from the ground, smiling and respectfully greeting Uchiha Kei. With his white, plant-like humanoid form, he radiated a classic villainous aura.
The others were surprised but said nothing—it was no secret in their circle that White Zetsu had defected to Kei.
Uchiha Kei asked, "What's Black Zetsu's status?"
White Zetsu replied cheerfully, "He came to this country a few days ago, had some contact with Rōran's nobles, then left. Now he's heading to the capital of the Land of Fire."
As for his true intentions, the White Zetsu could only speculate. Since Black Zetsu was constantly moving and hadn't left behind any clones, they had little intel.
But learning that Black Zetsu had indeed come to Rōran confirmed they were on the right track.
Though Black Zetsu hadn't directly interfered with the Dragon Vein, he had contacted the nobles. Given his nature, he surely planned to manipulate them into using it.
His activities in the Land of Fire would depend on what their White Zetsu units could uncover.
Unlike the Land of Wind or Rōran, the Land of Fire was already under Uchiha Kei's surveillance. Any movement from Black Zetsu there would be swiftly known and reported to Kei's main body.
For now, everyone's attention turned back to Rōran.
Uchiha Kei immediately inquired about which noble had met with Black Zetsu. Upon learning the identity, they headed off to find him.
On the way, Uchiha Kei passed Minato's main body's message to his shadow clone: that they had decided to take control of Rōran and rescue the nation.
Though the rescue applied only to ordinary citizens and not the elite, this resolution reinvigorated Minato's shadow clone.
Witnessing Rōran's misery firsthand had stirred Minato's emotions. Unlike Naruto's independent-minded shadow clones, this one perfectly aligned with the main body's will.
Thus, the shadow clone's view on Rōran was Minato's own.
Deeply influenced by Uchiha Kei and having studied political theory in the Mental Network's grand library, the Yellow Flash was now a warrior driven by internationalist ideals.
This wasn't naive idealism but a sincere sympathy for the suffering masses, especially under tyrannical rule.
The Land of Wind's people were poor but not hopeless; Rōran, however, was a disaster. That's why Minato felt compelled to act.
Some aspects of the shinobi world were too grotesque to ignore—any "awakened" soul would be shaken.
Soon, with White Zetsu's guidance, they located the noble.
This man, a traditional noble and current high minister of Rōran, held great power and access to the Dragon Vein. Outwardly amiable, he was inwardly rotten—his mansion screamed excess, adorned with gold and jewels, rare desert greenery, fruits, and vegetables. He kept many beautiful young maidservants and squandered precious water with a 100-square-meter bath.
Basically, it was the kind of wealth that would make Sunagakure's shinobi want to kill him out of jealousy.
These nobles were clearly a species apart from the common people.
And this was just a noble of a minor nation—one could hardly imagine how extravagant the elites of the Five Great Nations must be.
Uchiha Kei was filled with envy. He too wanted such a life of decadent luxury.
At least Kei still had some conscience. He only wanted to live like a rich man, not a feudal overlord.
Minato, now a true internationalist, was cold and disgusted. He wasn't opposed to enjoying wealth in itself, but Rōran's nobles could only afford such extravagance by sucking the lifeblood from the masses. That alone filled him with killing intent.
Still, Minato didn't act rashly. There was intel to be gathered.
After infiltrating the mansion, Uchiha Kei used his Sharingan to control the noble and began the classic Sharingan-style interrogation.
Though the noble had some chakra, he was too weak to resist Kei's elite three-tomoe Sharingan and spilled everything.
Black Zetsu had come two days earlier and offered him a life-extending drug in exchange for access to the Dragon Vein's power.
He didn't demand the energy immediately—just access when needed. The agreement was verbal.
For a sixty-something noble whose life was nearing its end but hadn't had enough of luxury and power, the offer was irresistible. He excitedly agreed.
Even under hypnosis, the noble was thrilled when speaking about it. He claimed the drug was amazing—he had been impotent, but after taking it, he felt revitalized and even boasted of bedding three women that night.
His pride was such that one might think he was bragging to an equally impotent friend.
Minato frowned slightly, Sasori showed no reaction—he was used to this kind of behavior from nobles. Uchiha Kei cursed "beast" with envy, and Orochimaru grew curious about the drug and asked to see it.
But when they examined it, they all fell silent.
Because that drug… was a male enhancement pill Orochimaru had "developed" and already sold in the market.
Well then. Black Zetsu had scammed some rural bumpkin with Viagra, selling it as a miracle elixir—and the noble was thrilled.
In another setting, this would be a classic senior-citizen-targeted scam.
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