After leaving, Itachi was trying new ways to control his Chakra on the training field. At the same time, he was wondering if Uncle Swain would be willing to teach him how to train.
From a professional point of view, we call this: quitting without a plan.
The seal of Swain's holy ground was becoming more and more complete. The Empire's seeing stone hung high between the tree mountain and the rock mountain, looking very strange.
It seemed so cold, even in the sunlight.
This was the result of Swain and Orochimaru's work over the past month: the Tower of Cages.
More than a thousand crows marked with cursed seals by Orochimaru were drawing Senjutsu Chakra and sending it back to the Tower of Cages, strengthening the connection between the crows.
The communication range was successfully expanded to the entire Land of Fire. At the same time, it served as an energy source for the transformation of the Four Homura Formation. At four key points, Swain placed four Soul Shards. With Orochimaru's strong support, he added enlarged versions of self-sufficient cursed seals, specially expanding the activity of the Soul Shards. Driven by the cursed seals, they were self-sufficient.
Time is always so fascinating, and can't wait.
With the cursed seals and Nine Tails as laborers, Swain estimated that it would take about three years for this holy ground to take its initial shape.
Then he wouldn't have to worry about Senjutsu Chakra issues and could open the seal.
His own body had also completed half of its transformation, and he was about to take that final step to become a Sage.
Orochimaru was very attentive and expectant about this. The White Snake Sage of Ryuuchi Cave had lived for who knows how many years. This was the longevity that Orochimaru was pursuing. If Swain's method worked, and not because of the Soul Shards, then could he also clone a body, and then use Senjutsu and Chakra to find a balance point to extend the body's lifespan, or even directly become a Sage?
Of course, this was very difficult.
Even someone as strong as the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, could only instantly enter Sage Mode and had a Sage body, but still couldn't reach the true Sage realm.
But that's the charm of exploration.
"Put away that perverted look in your eyes, Orochimaru. I'm asking you, have you found the Three Tails?"
Orochimaru grinned eerily, "Not yet, Lord Swain. But is what you said true? Is the Mizukage being controlled?"
"So the Fourth Mizukage isn't dead yet. It's okay, wait a little longer, he'll probably be dying soon. The difference won't be too big."
"Let's wait a bit longer. What about the child you brought back?"
The best human trafficker among the Hokage was definitely Orochimaru. He was best at giving people a ray of light in despair, guiding them to follow him wholeheartedly.
Swain always scoffed at this, definitely not because he was jealous.
"Kimimaro's body is very weak. Why, is Lord Swain interested in the Bone Pulse?"
Uchiha Swain waved his hand, "Not really. It's just that I haven't been home in a long time, and I'm just reminiscing about the past."
Orochimaru didn't understand what this meant, but he knew that some things didn't need to be asked. He just stood aside quietly, waiting for Swain to finish reminiscing.
When people get old, they always easily remember the past, while what's happening in front of them becomes blurred.
"Hey Orochimaru, do you feel regret that Danzo pushed you out of becoming Hokage?"
In Orochimaru's cold eyes, a rare hint of gentleness appeared. It was affection for Sarutobi Hiruzen, who was like a teacher and a father to him. "There's some regret, too. I'm afraid."
"Oh? Is there anything that the Cold-Blooded Orochimaru is afraid of? You're actually afraid of the Third?"
Orochimaru's tone was cold, but the sincerity expressed in his words couldn't be faked. "I'm afraid he'll grow old and die buried in unfinished documents. That's not how a hero of the ninja world should end."
Swain jokingly said, "Go kill Danzo, and I'll hold everyone else back for you."
The killing intent in Orochimaru's eyes flickered, but only for a moment. "Some things have to be done by someone. There really isn't anyone more suitable than him in Konoha right now."
Orochimaru's feelings for Konoha still existed. The bonds came from the lecherous Jiraiya, the knowledgeable Sarutobi Hiruzen, and the comrades he had fought with in the past.
Anyone with eyes could see that Orochimaru's departure was just a clear trick. Wouldn't Danzo conduct human experiments?
Finding an excuse to eliminate a competitor. The pity is that the lineage of the Third Hokage is eternal.
Even if he lived to the Five Kage Summit after Pain's attack on the village, Danzo was just a pitiful and hateful passerby.
"I don't want to be Hokage. In fact, it's the same for you and Jiraiya. After I gave you a goal of longevity, your hearts have never settled down again.
Orochimaru, join Konoha's holy ground. Konoha doesn't want you, but Konoha's holy ground does."
Orochimaru was who he was. He revealed a look of "as expected". "I knew it. Senior Swain is trying to recruit me.
I'm very familiar with this method!"
Swain cursed inwardly, "Damn, I made a mistake. I forgot that the most famous human trafficker in the Hokage world is him."