After two months of development, Celebi's strength has made considerable progress.
What's a bit unfortunate is that the skill proficiency of the time-space power is increasing rather slowly; it's still at the entry level right now.
"Once Celebi's time-space power reaches a proficient level, I'll go visit Mount Myoboku," Mokgetsu thought as he closed Celebi's panel.
Learning the Immortal Technique is definitely necessary, as Sage Mode is purely an enhancement.
The Thoughtless Slash using ordinary Chakra can already shatter an 80-meter Susanoo. If it were the Thoughtless Slash with Sage Art Chakra, wouldn't it be even more terrifying?
And there's also the Immortal Technique-driven Armament and Taijutsu enhanced by Sage Art Chakra.
...
The next day.
Orochimaru was contemplating what means to use to test Mokgetsu when he suddenly sensed someone approaching his residence.
"Lord Orochimaru, please proceed immediately to the Hokage Office, the Third Lord summons you," said an Anbu as they knocked and entered.
"I understand," Orochimaru replied flatly, standing up and heading towards the Hokage Building.
Clearly, he hadn't been exposed yet, or perhaps Mokgetsu knew but hadn't told Sarutobi Hiruzen about his information.
Otherwise, it wouldn't have been a summons from Sarutobi Hiruzen, but a group of elite Anbu carrying weapons.
Knock knock.
Orochimaru reached the Hokage Building and stopped near the Hokage Office, knocking on the wooden door.
"Come in."
Upon hearing Sarutobi Hiruzen's voice, Orochimaru pushed the door open and walked in.
"Orochimaru, I have a very important task for you here," Sarutobi Hiruzen said straightforwardly, wasting no words.
Orochimaru closed the door and quietly stepped forward, waiting for Sarutobi Hiruzen to elaborate.
Sarutobi Hiruzen picked up a scroll, handed it to the approaching Orochimaru, and continued to speak:
"Regarding the incident of Danzo's assistant being killed, you should be aware of it."
Orochimaru nodded. Shimura Danzo was indeed an important collaborator for him.
"Sosuke is the culprit who killed Danzo's assistant. His actions have significantly endangered Konoha; it's a challenge to Konoha's strength."
Orochimaru rapidly recalled the intelligence on Sosuke.
Sosuke hadn't made many appearances, but his most dazzling feat should be suppressing Hanzo's Water Release with his Fire Release.
Orochimaru had fought against Hanzo during the Second Ninja World War and knew his strength. A Fire Release ability like Sosuke's is absolutely number one in the Ninja World, something even Sarutobi Hiruzen can't achieve.
If they were to assassinate Sosuke, Orochimaru would definitely require all team members to master Water Release; if one person can't block it, bring more.
"However, Konoha is currently at a critical juncture, so it's not suitable to act rashly. Therefore, Orochimaru, your task is to lead the negotiation team to the Ninja Sect to negotiate and try to resolve the issue through negotiations," Sarutobi Hiruzen stated the specific mission.
Orochimaru remained calm, having initially thought he was going for an assassination, but it turned out to just be a negotiation.
"Our bottom line is that Sosuke must pay a life for a life; the rest is negotiable."
Orochimaru showed a contemplative expression.
From what he knew, Sosuke is the soul figure of the Ninja Sect. Would the Ninja Sect agree to such a demand?
But Sarutobi Hiruzen isn't foolish; he wouldn't propose a completely impossible demand.
Orochimaru speculated that his mentor, Sarutobi, likely intended to use Konoha's formidable influence to pressure the Ninja Sect and make Sosuke himself agree to this demand.
If Sosuke cared enough about the Ninja Sect, there was indeed a good chance he would agree.
"During negotiations, Orochimaru, your attitude must be sufficiently strong. We, Konoha, are reluctant to act easily, not incapable of acting, and certainly not lacking the strength to act against the Ninja Sect," Sarutobi Hiruzen emphasized.
Apart from his personal relationship with Shimura Danzo, Sarutobi Hiruzen also aimed to uphold Konoha's dignity.
If a minor force killed their high-ranking members and they made no move, would the outside ninjas praise Konoha for being kind and friendly?
No, they would only think Konoha has no backbone and seize the opportunity to step on them.
"I understand." Orochimaru nodded.
It's about scaring them first, to see if they can intimidate Sosuke. If not, then they would truly take action.
"The other members of the negotiation team have already assembled and are waiting for you by the mission area on the first floor."
Although it was merely a negotiation, considering the opponent was Sosuke, who killed Hanzo and Shimura Danzo, Sarutobi Hiruzen worried that ordinary ninjas wouldn't withstand Sosuke's aura. After careful consideration, he ultimately chose Orochimaru.
Orochimaru, both in power and personality, was a suitable choice for this task.
Orochimaru left the Hokage Office, opening the scroll to review its contents while heading towards the first floor.
"Lord Orochimaru!"
Upon seeing Orochimaru, the negotiation team members greeted him.
Orochimaru nodded slightly in acknowledgment and focused his gaze on the shortest ninja present.
Feeling the gaze upon him, Shisui was somewhat puzzled; Orochimaru seemed to have particular interest in him?
"If there's no issue, let's prepare to depart." Orochimaru withdrew his gaze and said.
The scroll Sarutobi Hiruzen gave him contained information about the negotiation team's ninjas.
Therefore, Orochimaru knew that Shisui belonged to the new Root, which was part of the training squad.
Of course, being merely a member of the training team wasn't worth excessive attention from Orochimaru. There were also other training team members in the negotiation team, but the key point was that Shisui was Mokgetsu's disciple.
He was very eager to know whether Mokgetsu had any information on his collaboration with Shimura Danzo.
Orochimaru wasn't simply afraid of having his secrets discovered; he even hoped that Mokgetsu had information on their collaboration.
The fact that he was still able to carry out tasks unharmed meant there were only two possibilities. The first was simple: Mokgetsu had no information.
The second possibility was that Mokgetsu might not oppose human experiments as much or had a considerable fondness for him.
Of course, Orochimaru hoped for the second possibility, as it meant he could gain a new collaborator, one whose power and potential far exceeded Shimura Danzo.
In fact, Orochimaru was quite interested in Mokgetsu himself. The cells of Senju Hashirama possessed miraculous power. What would the cells of Mokgetsu, potentially the second Senju Hashirama, be like?