Naruto: Eating Kaido's Azure Dragon Devil Fruit-Chapter 292: Reputation
First.
The Sword of Totsuka, that spiritual weapon of Uchiha Itachi. Those stabbed by it are forever sealed in an illusionary world of drunken dreams. It is the perfect weapon to deal with Orochimaru.
But Sora estimates the Sword of Totsuka is likely not a physical sword. Instead, it is a spiritual weapon unique to the Susanoo, formed from the ocular power of Uchiha Itachi’s Mangekyo Sharingan.
After all, in the original work, the Sword of Totsuka never appeared in a physical form. It was always bound to Uchiha Itachi’s Susanoo.
It leans more towards a conceptual creation of rules.
The difficulty of seizing it is no less than directly gouging out Uchiha Itachi’s Mangekyo, and there’s no guarantee it could even be used afterward.
Second.
The Dead Demon Consuming Seal, the most overbearing sealing technique of the Uzumaki clan. It can directly drag out and seal the target’s soul.
But this is a mutually destructive technique. Sora directly passes on it.
After all, sacrificing himself for an Orochimaru is not worth it.
Third.
Six Paths: Planetary Devastation. Even Otsutsuki Kaguya could be sealed by it. Dealing with Orochimaru would naturally be no problem.
’But this one goes without saying. It requires the power of the Rinnegan, which I do not have now.’
After thinking it over, Sora found he seemed to have fallen into an unsolvable dilemma.
To obtain the complete version of "Living Corpse Reincarnation", he could not act before Orochimaru finished his research.
But once "Living Corpse Reincarnation" was completed, trying to thoroughly eliminate Orochimaru, whose survival skills were maxed out, would become exceptionally difficult.
’Could I first obtain an incomplete version, then spend time researching and perfecting it myself?’
Sora immediately rejected this idea.
Leaving aside whether he had the scientific talent and energy like Orochimaru, the time cost alone was unaffordable.
Moreover, Living Corpse Reincarnation involved the dangerous realm of the soul. Experimenting recklessly was no different from suicide.
The carriage jolted again, snapping Sora out of his contemplation.
He looked at the trees speeding past on both sides of the road, his gaze gradually turning sharp.
’Just an Orochimaru...’
’Perhaps I don’t have a hundred percent certainty now. But when I advance further, develop the Azure Dragon Fruit to a higher level, or achieve Kekkei Mora...’
’Crushing him would be a trivial matter.’
’In fact, I might not even have to wait that long. Borrowing Uchiha Itachi’s Sword of Totsuka by then is not impossible either.’
Once he broadened his perspective, Sora suddenly felt everything become clear.
His previous entanglement was purely due to being stuck in the mindset of seeking a "perfect solution".
’In that case, the goal remains unchanged.’
’The Third Shinobi World War will probably end within this year or the next. Once the war ends and the various forces reshuffle, that will be the best time for me to make my move against Orochimaru!’
Sora made his decision.
However, waiting did not mean doing nothing.
This Orochimaru guy had too many schemes. He needed to stoke the fire, to urge his progress.
As for the front lines, Sora no longer planned to go.
The purpose of testing his strength had been achieved. Going back to fight and toil for Konoha for free held no meaning.
...
Evening.
A temporary camp built by Konoha ninja.
Sora leaned against a large tree, quietly watching the others busy themselves.
Just then, several ninja looked at each other and walked towards Sora together.
Sora looked up and recognized them.
They were members of that Konoha squad he had saved from Ōnoki’s Particle Style a few days ago.
The leader was a middle-aged ninja from the Inuzuka clan, with a grey dog, Gurōmaru, beside him.
Next to him were a burly member of the Akimichi clan, a silent Aburame clan member wearing sunglasses, and two ninja who appeared to be of civilian background.
The group walked up to Sora and bowed deeply in unison.
"Lord Azure Dragon! Thank you for saving our lives!"
"If you hadn’t stepped forward at that time, we would have been turned to dust long ago!"
"We will remember this kindness."
Their expressions carried excitement and gratitude. Clearly, that narrow escape had impacted them greatly.
Sora looked at the people before him and nodded calmly.
"No need for that. We are all from Konoha. I just did what I could."
His intervention at the time was more about testing his own power and "doing it in passing", not purely for the sake of saving them.
But that didn’t prevent him from accepting this gratitude.
"It might have been a casual act for you, but for us, it meant getting our lives back!"
The Inuzuka clan member said seriously, "Lord Azure Dragon, if you ever have any use for Inuzuka Ten in the future, just say the word!"
"And me, Akimichi Dōnan!"
"Aburame Shisei."
"Yamagami Kenji."
"Gekkō Yobu."
They each reported their names, their eyes burning as they looked at Sora.
Sora looked at these faces and said plainly,
"Good. I have received your sentiments."
Seeing Sora’s calm attitude, without the airs of a powerful figure, they felt even more favorable towards him.
After saying a few more words of gratitude and admiration, they respectfully saluted and withdrew, not disturbing Sora’s "rest" further.
Watching their retreating backs, Sora’s eyes were profound.
He suddenly realized, unconsciously, his status and reputation among Konoha ninja, especially these mid and lower-level ninja, seemed to have reached a considerable height.
His powerful performance on the battlefield, his willingness to save comrades at critical moments, plus his usual low-key style...
This reputation might not compare to the brilliance and breadth of "Konoha’s Yellow Flash" that Namikaze Minato built through countless missions and his Flying Thunder God Technique.
But among these ninja who experienced the Iwagakure battlefield, it was probably not far off.
In fact, due to his feat of directly confronting Particle Style, it caused in certain aspects was even stronger.
"Reputation, huh..."
Sora murmured to himself.
This was something he hadn’t deliberately pursued but unexpectedly gained.
Although he felt no sense of belonging to Konoha, this intangible reputation might play an unexpected role at certain times.
At the very least, if Sarutobi Hiruzen and Danzo really wanted to move against him, they would have to weigh the impact more carefully.
...
One month later.
Konoha Village, the orphanage.
Sora’s arm was still wrapped in white bandages. He sat quietly cross-legged under the tree in the center of the yard, his eyes lightly closed.
Occasionally, passing Konoha villagers and ninja would instinctively soften their steps, casting respectful and concerned glances his way.
The story of Lord Azure Dragon returning severely wounded for the village and still striving to train and recover had already, through deliberate or unintentional spreading, become one of Konoha’s recent hot topics.
However, no one knew that the figure sitting quietly under the tree was merely a shadow clone used to deceive others.
Sora’s main body had long since, on a quiet, late night, just like when he breached the Kirigakure barrier, quietly departed.
...
The capital of the Land of Fire.
As the political and economic center of the nation, it was far more bustling and lively than any ninja village.
Carriages and horses flowed like water, crowds streamed like weaving. Nobles and wealthy merchants moved along the broad streets. It was a scene of revelry and peace.
The dark clouds of war were kept outside by the towering city walls and extravagant life.
Sora changed into a set of ordinary dark casual clothes. Like a dusty rōnin, he blended into the endless flow of people.
His target was the largest underground black market hub in this city, the one with the most well-informed sources.
Over the past month, his shadow clone held the fort in Konoha, while his main body traveled between several key intelligence hubs within the Land of Fire, continuously spreading "black material" about Orochimaru.
Now, it was time to drop the bomb in this final, vital location.
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