Naruto: Did i Just Get Reincarnated as Gojo?

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....

"Gojo Kaigetsu is about to die."

"Is it true or false?"

For two or three consecutive days, Orochimaru had been seriously pondering this question.

He, Orochimaru, had long ceased to be aligned with Konoha.

Having witnessed the deaths of Tsunade's brother Nawaki, Dan Katō, and his own parents, Orochimaru felt the extreme fragility of life.

A single explosive tag could deprive "Konoha's rightful heir" Nawaki of his life; such a ninja world was utterly absurd.

It seemed that death was the only destiny for a ninja. No matter what great achievements were made or how powerful one became, a ninja... would eventually die, no different from ordinary people.

All the fame and fortune achieved in life could vanish with the detonation of an explosive tag.

From that moment on, Orochimaru developed a death anxiety.

Afraid of his own disappearance, he became trapped in an unsolvable dilemma. Having gained a clear understanding of the concept of "death," he began to feel that everything was meaningless.

Orochimaru found it hard to accept that one day he would no longer exist, and then all the knowledge, ninjutsu, relationships he had acquired would be wiped out as if by Dust Release, leaving no trace of him in the world.

Since then, Orochimaru's ninja way had changed.

No longer centered on Konoha, no longer aiming to increase his own strength; everything he did was for immortality.

Eternal life, immortality. the body was merely a vessel; consciousness would continue forever.

Perhaps originally, he could have been pulled back onto the right path, but after failing in the Hokage election against Minato, the last shred of attachment in Orochimaru's heart was gone; he was completely disillusioned.

He infiltrated Konoha's forbidden jutsu archives, perusing sealing techniques and numerous ninjutsu scrolls, all in search of ninjutsu that could grant immortality.

Among them, what fascinated Orochimaru most was the ultimate forbidden technique invented by the Second Hokage-**Edo Tensei (Impure World Reincarnation)**. Thus, Orochimaru began to spend a vast amount of time studying Edo Tensei and researching other ninjutsu related to immortality.

This pathological ninja path became increasingly extreme, and Orochimaru began to be dissatisfied with conventional experiments.

He started to secretly resume the terminated Hashirama Cell Transplant experiments, kidnapping Genin, Chūnin, and infants from villages around Konoha, extracting Hashirama's cells from the First Hokage's corpse and injecting them into infants, seeking the possibility of immortality.

If not for the high risk of capturing Jōnin, Orochimaru would have attempted it. Perhaps his experiments would yield results on materials like Jōnin, or even those above Jōnin!

But with the rise of the Fourth Hokage, and Gojo Kaigetsu's successive martial law policies... Orochimaru's experiments became increasingly difficult.

Despite being one of the top few ninjas in Konoha.

It was no longer possible to frequently obtain live subjects as before without leaving traces.

If it were just that live subjects were hard to obtain, Orochimaru could still endure.

But the following points made Orochimaru's already twisted ninja way become even more impatient and distorted.

- The development progress of Edo Tensei had stalled;

- Danzo's political struggle failed, and he was expelled from Konoha's core power structure by Gojo Kaigetsu; without Root's assistance in Konoha, the risk of exposure greatly increased;

- Gojo Kaigetsu's ambiguous hostility, the inappropriate strengthening of patrol intensity...

All these unfavorable factors were agitating Orochimaru's sensitive heart.

After embarking on this path, Orochimaru had already prepared himself mentally. What he was doing couldn't remain hidden; sooner or later, it would be exposed due to some chance occurrence.

Perhaps, it might happen the next time he disposed of failed experimental materials.

With such a mindset, an extremely bold idea sprouted in Orochimaru's heart-

**[Defect from the Village]**

Yes, as long as he could leave Konoha.

He could settle down in any small neighboring country, where there would be endless experimental materials to use, and he wouldn't have to worry about being watched by Konoha's Anbu and Police Force.

But... he couldn't easily leave; he had no excuse.

This involved the ambiguous hostility he felt from Gojo Kaigetsu.

Normally, as a ninja-a profession wielding military power and violence-they are not allowed to leave the village without cause. To go out, they have to accept missions, write mission reports... This was troublesome for Orochimaru, who wanted to delve into the pursuit of immortality.

Originally, as one of the Legendary Sannin, he could go out freely-Tsunade could, Jiraiya could, but when it came to him, Orochimaru, it wasn't allowed.

He was bound to Konoha by Gojo Kaigetsu under the pretext that "the Fourth Hokage is inexperienced, the village's defensive forces are weak, and we need the esteemed senior Sannin to stay."

As the one with the highest achievements among the Sannin, staying in Konoha was something Orochimaru almost couldn't refuse.

He could have disregarded such moral coercion, but excessively aggressive and unreasonable behavior would inevitably increase the Hokage faction's suspicion of him.

His teacher, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was inviting him to the Sarutobi residence for tea more and more frequently.

This was a warning to him!

How suffocating!

Without Root's assistance, transporting the equipment and finished materials needed for experiments out of the village was very difficult. Orochimaru suppressed his frustration and lay dormant.

Like a venomous snake coiled in a dark cave, silently waiting for an opportunity to defect.

And now, the opportunity he had been waiting for seemed to have come to him?

Gojo Kaigetsu's life and death were uncertain; this was undoubtedly great news for Orochimaru.

That annoying guy was possibly dead, and the deep waters of Konoha were stirred up and muddied.

Although the village was once again under martial law, as long as he got past this critical moment...

He, Orochimaru, would take his talents and disappear into the dust of the ninja world.

Sitting quietly at home, Orochimaru slowly opened his snake-like pupils; it was time to make a decision!

Just then...

*Knock, knock-*

"Enter."

Orochimaru looked up and saw that the visitor was Kakashi Hatake.

"Orochimaru-sama, the Fourth Hokage requests your presence."

....

"According to the latest intelligence gathered, Hidan from the Yugakure is a six-year-old boy. Despite his young age, he has already shown outstanding ninja talent but displays extreme bloodthirstiness and brutality, completely incompatible with our Konoha Village's Will of Fire."

"Although the Yugakure claims externally that it has formed a comprehensive partnership with the Kumogakure, because its geographical location is surrounded by our Konoha, Sunagakure, and Amegakure, the Kumogakure can hardly reinforce it."

"Moreover, the village's own defensive forces are not strong. As long as we, Konoha, are willing, we can take it down with overwhelming force on the first day we issue our external statement."

"The only concern might be the Daimyō."

Nara Shikaku held the intelligence report in his hands, reporting with a serious expression.

After all, for an external special military operation, comprehensive internal plans must be made before officially releasing a statement.

Currently, the outside world only knows that Konoha is investigating the culprits and will launch the most severe retaliation. Each village is anxious but doesn't know which village Konoha plans to retaliate against.

But in Konoha, they have already planned the number of ninja squads to dispatch, the leading commanders, and the enemy villages' military facilities that need to be targeted.

When the Five Great Villages fight each other, the Daimyōs usually don't interfere.

But invading small ninja villages, especially neutral or friendly ones, is another matter. Relationships between Daimyōs are often intertwined through marriage, vassalage, or main and branch families.

To launch an invasion without reporting to the Daimyō is tantamount to slapping the Daimyō's face; it's a taboo.

Regardless of the battle results achieved, there will likely be repercussions from the Daimyō afterward.

Questions like, "Does the Hokage of Konoha Village not have me, the Daimyō of the Land of Fire, in his eyes?" or "Today you dare to invade friendly neighboring countries without the Daimyō's permission; will you dare to launch a surprise attack on the Daimyō's residence tomorrow?" are unavoidable.

If it's more serious, the Daimyō's financial aid might face epic reductions, and legal procedures might be used to interfere with the village's political ecology, supporting another faction...

In the past, the Daimyō's funding was like a leash on the ninja village, treating the ninja village like a dog, making the village afraid to have other thoughts.

From Nara Shikaku's perspective, it's not worth violating these taboos just for a six-year-old talented ninja.

After all...

In the eyes of these traditionalist ninjas, the Daimyōs still hold considerable authority. Especially for the Nara clan, who are allowed to participate in political discussions in the Land of Fire, this authority is even more important.

But the Daimyōs' authority doesn't work on Gojo Kaigetsu, nor does it work well on Minato Namikaze, who has been influenced by Gojo.

Minato's expression was gentle:

"As for the Daimyō, I will go explain afterward; it's not a big problem."

In the past, Minato, as Hokage, would have had some concerns about his duties. But looking at Konoha's economy now, even without the Daimyō's funding, the gap can be quickly filled.

The shackle once placed around the ninja village's neck has been broken!

"This... alright then."

Nara Shikaku was somewhat helpless.

He was loyal to the Daimyō of the Land of Fire but also loyal to Konoha. The Nara clan needed the Daimyō's monarchical authority but also needed to ensure their status as a ninja clan in Konoha.

Everything should prioritize Konoha first, and then consider the Daimyō.

Nara Shikaku continued reporting:

"As for the situation in the Village Hidden in Grass, it's a bit more complicated..."

The Village Hidden in Grass has been maneuvering between all sides in the ninja world, being friendly with Konoha while also being friendly with the Kumogakure, almost becoming an uncontroversial village by default.

Their internal politics are corrupt, but externally they are pragmatic, maintaining good relations with the royal families of the Lands of Lightning and Fire. The political turmoil after invasion is a foreseeable trouble.

At the same time, Grass Ninja was one of the first villages to respond to the Kumogakure's call and joined the 'Cloud Alliance' militarily.

Economically, they enjoy the Kumogakure's support, at the cost of relinquishing some military control, carving out a piece of territory for the Kumogakure to station ninja troops.

"Uzumaki Momohime's identity is somewhat special. According to our intelligence personnel's investigation, she is used as a 'medicine bag' in the Village Hidden in Grass and holds great significance to them."

"The likely situation is:"

"When we announce that the Village Hidden in Grass must hand over Uzumaki Momohime, they will firmly reject our extradition request. From the Daimyō and Kumogakure, they will exert pressure on us, Konoha."

Nara Shikaku pointed at the map.

It must be said that the Kumogakure's Council of Elders has some strategic vision. By stationing troops in Grass, they have established a supply line. Invading the western world of the ninja world now has a forward base.

"According to my analysis, there's at least a 70% chance of a real military conflict breaking out."

"To achieve our goal, we will dispatch Konoha ninjas to enter the Village Hidden in Grass for combat."

"To minimize losses... I suggest that from the first moment the 'Konoha Special Military Operation Declaration' is announced to the ninja world, we dispatch elite forces to blitz the Grass Ninja."

"Before the Daimyō and Kumogakure can react, we will defeat the Grass Ninja and the Kumogakure's stationed troops at the fastest speed, achieving our predetermined objectives."

Minato listened and nodded repeatedly, acknowledging Nara Shikaku's plan.

In Konoha, for the big picture, they listen to Gojo; for the details, they still need to consider the advice of the senior members of the Nara clan.

"In that case, we need to confirm the personnel."

"Who will be responsible for serving as the commander of this blitz force?" Nara Shikaku asked and answered himself: "I propose that Orochimaru take on this role."

"In terms of strength and prestige, Orochimaru is qualified to lead this blitz squad."

For a surprise attack, at the very least, it should be one of the elite ninjas of the village to ensure the smooth progress of the plan.

Preferably, a ninja with high mobility. In the ninja world where communication methods are not yet developed, transmitting messages mostly relies on manpower or ninja birds. As long as the mobility is sufficient, there's a lot that can be done during the gap when messages are being transmitted.

...

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