Sand Ninja at the Mercy of Others (Five Updates Complete)

For the Konoha Collapse Plan, killing the Fourth Kazekage was only the beginning. The key was how to deceive the entire Sand Ninja.

However, Orochimaru had clearly prepared for this long ago. He transformed directly into Rasa’s appearance, while Kabuto and Allen each became a guard, following him as they swaggered through the main gate into Sand Village, one of the Five Great Nations.

Even more absurdly, not a single person—whether from the Barrier Team responsible for the outer perimeter or the Anbu members inside—noticed that their Kazekage had been replaced.

Forget noticing it; there was not even the slightest hint of suspicion.

"How did the negotiations go?"

The moment he returned to the Kazekage’s office building, Elder Advisor Chiyo impatiently asked.

Because her son and daughter-in-law had both died at White Fang’s hands, and her grandson Sasori had defected as a result, she hated Konoha more than anyone else in the Sand Ninja. She was also the greatest supporter behind this plan.

"Very smoothly! This Chunin Exam will mark the beginning of Konoha’s chaos and decline," Orochimaru, disguised as the Kazekage, replied with a smile.

"Good! Maki! Have Temari, Kankuro, and Gaara begin preparing! This time, we will make Konoha pay in blood!" Chiyo ordered the elite jonin beside her with a grim expression.

"Yes!"

Without another word, Maki immediately vanished from the spot.

As the team leader of the Fourth Kazekage’s three children, he did not entirely agree with this plan, nor did he believe that cooperating with a rogue ninja like Orochimaru served the Land of Wind’s interests.

But now that the Fourth Kazekage and the Elder Advisor had made their decision, all he could do was carry it out to the best of his ability.

Watching the tall, powerfully built man leave, Chiyo finally sat down and said casually, "Ever since the Nine-Tails’ Rampage, when the Fourth Hokage and his wife, along with a large number of elite ninja, died in battle, Konoha has entered an unprecedented period of decline. That is why, when the Cloud Ninja later threatened to start a war, the Third Hokage chose to yield. On top of that, there was the Uchiha Clan Downfall several years ago. Konoha can now be said to be at its weakest point in history."

"I understand. This is our last chance. If the new generation is allowed to grow up, Konoha will once again become that formidable strongest ninja village. That is an outcome we Sand Ninja cannot accept under any circumstances." Orochimaru, disguised as the Kazekage, nodded lightly.

"It is good that you understand. It is a pity that I am old, and any movement on my part would draw unnecessary attention from Konoha. Otherwise, I truly would have liked to go on a killing spree and avenge my son and daughter-in-law." Chiyo sighed with considerable regret.

Even at her age, a ninja of her caliber remained a key surveillance target for enemies and even allied nations. Every move she made could trigger a chain reaction.

"Do not worry. You will have that chance. If the Third Hokage truly dies and all of Konoha falls into unprecedented chaos, whether it is us, the Stone Ninja, or the Cloud Ninja, we will immediately send troops to attack the Land of Fire. When that time comes, you will be able to fulfill your long-held wish." Orochimaru smiled as he comforted her.

"I hope everything goes smoothly."

A trace of longing and anticipation appeared beneath Chiyo’s aged features.

Before long, Sand Ninja’s most senior advisor left the Kazekage’s office to go fishing with her younger brother, Ebizo.

Only after confirming that no other Sand Ninja were nearby did Kabuto smile and flatter him. "As expected of Lord Orochimaru! You turned the entire Sand Village around your finger so easily. Of course, the Land of Wind’s Daimyo constantly cutting their funding was also a major reason. If they do not start a war soon, this village will probably collapse from within."

"Heh! That was also thanks to Allen-kun’s help. If he had not dealt with Rasa so easily, the few of us would likely have had to put in quite some effort." Orochimaru subconsciously stuck out his tongue and licked his lips.

"What do you plan to do next? Stay here until the Chunin Exam finals begin?" Allen asked, somewhat uncertainly.

He vaguely remembered that after killing the Kazekage, Orochimaru had personally infiltrated Konoha to take part in the first half of the Chunin Exam, and had even given Sasuke a cursed seal.

"No, of course not. My time is very precious, so leaving behind a Shadow Clone will be enough. Besides, would you be interested in accompanying me to have some fun at the Chunin Exam?" Orochimaru extended the invitation meaningfully.

"Take part in the Chunin Exam? You and me?" Allen raised his eyebrows in surprise.

"That is right! This Chunin Exam is brimming with talent. It has not only the two great bloodlines of the Byakugan and Sharingan, but also Ninja Clans such as Ino-Shika-Cho, the Inuzuka Clan, and the Aburame Clan. Without any surprises, years from now, all of them will have a place of their own in the ninja world. If you intend to build your own power, now is the best time to select people." Orochimaru offered the reminder as if out of kindness.

Hearing this, Allen could not help shaking his head with a smile. "Sorry, I have no interest in abducting children. Besides, I have already chosen my target, and he has agreed to join my team."

"Oh? If it is convenient, could you tell me who this lucky one you have taken a liking to is?" Curiosity gleamed in Orochimaru’s eyes.

He could not help being curious!

In his eyes, Allen was undoubtedly an extremely picky person. So far, he had only explicitly taken in Karin, the girl with Uzumaki Clan blood.

Even Haku, who possessed the Ice Release Bloodline Limit, had not been formally accepted.

"It is Neji Hyuga, currently the most talented person in the entire Hyuga Clan." Allen casually revealed his chosen target.

"Neji Hyuga? Ah, that Branch Family child." A thoughtful expression appeared on Orochimaru’s face. "But everyone in the Hyuga Branch Family bears the Caged Bird on their foreheads. As far as I know, that cursed seal is engraved upon the soul and cannot be removed through normal means."

Allen responded with a scoff, "Do not worry. I have already removed the Caged Bird from Neji’s forehead, so he is mine now."

"Removed the Caged Bird? You really accomplished that!"

Orochimaru immediately became excited.

After all, the Byakugan had once been a research subject that interested him.

Unfortunately, the Hyuga Clan’s control over the Branch Family was simply too strong. Once they discovered that someone had died in battle, they would immediately activate the Caged Bird cursed seal, completely destroying the brain’s nerves and permanently sealing the Byakugan’s abilities.

If the Caged Bird could be removed, it meant the long-shelved Byakugan research could be resumed.

"Of course. During the Chunin Exam, you can go verify it yourself."

After saying that, Allen vanished from the spot in an instant.

Since he had come to Sand Village, he naturally had to take a look at Gaara, the chronically sleep-deprived Jinchuriki, as well as the true Magnet Release of the One-Tailed Shukaku, rather than the half-baked version possessed by the Third Hokage and Fourth Kazekage.

"Lord Orochimaru, is it really all right to let him leave like that? You must know, our current situation is quite dangerous. Once we are exposed, the entire plan will fall through." Kabuto probed cautiously.

"It is fine. No matter what he wants to do, he should know his limits. Let us make the most of our time and see what interesting things in the Sand Ninja’s forbidden techniques are worth researching…"

As the last word was blurted out, Orochimaru turned his gaze toward the enormous ninjutsu scroll placed in the corner.