Chapter 349 Return and Curse

Two weeks later, Bai Ye, Biwa Juzo and others returned to the Hidden Rain Village.

Feeling the cold and damp air, Bai Ye and Biwa Juuzou felt inexplicably at peace. Perhaps it was because this was the base of the Akatsuki organization, and there were like-minded companions everywhere.

After expressing his feelings, Bai Ye asked Biwa Juzo to go find Nagato to report.

He took Bai and Kimimaro to the Amegakure Building to discuss the placement of the two young men with Yahiko.

Not long after, Bai Ye skillfully pushed open the door of Yuyin's office and saw Yahiko who was warming his hands with a thermos.

Yahiko looked up at Bai Ye, then looked at Baihe Kimimaro behind Bai Ye, and said with a smile:

"Bai Ye, didn't you go to the Hidden Mist Village with Biwa Juuzou? Why did you bring back two children? You couldn't have just picked them up."

“It’s almost the same as what I found.”

Bai Ye nodded, and then talked about the identities of the two people: "This is Bai, a ninja from the Snow Clan, who has awakened the Ice Release Bloodline. The other one is Kaguya Kimimaro, who has awakened the Corpse Vein."

Hearing this, Yahiko was slightly stunned and said, "Ice Release and Corpse Veins, aren't these the bloodline limits of the Hidden Mist Village? Does the Hidden Mist Village have any objections to you bringing them back?"

"The Hidden Mist Village won't have any objections...nor would they dare to have any objections."

After a brief pause, Bai Ye continued:

"These two children are the orphans of the Snow Clan and the Kaguya Clan. It was the ninjas from the Hidden Mist Village who destroyed these two ninja clans. I brought them here to train them in a ninja school..."

After knowing Baihe Kimimaro's purpose, Yahiko felt relieved.

He was actually a little worried whether these two people were abducted by Bai Ye. After all, Bai Ye had abducted back most of the Uchiha clan in his previous attempts.

Thinking of this, Yahiko chuckled and said:

"Put them in a ninja school? You can just ask Konan for this little thing. She has always been in charge of the ninja school, so it's very easy for her to arrange a few transfer students."

Bai Ye shook his head and explained:

"These two are not ordinary transfer students. They already have the strength of Chunin, so they need to be specially trained. Kimimaro is also suffering from a bloodline disease, so he needs to go to the Root base from time to time to receive treatment."

"You have the strength of a Chunin. No wonder you came to inform me."

Yahiko glanced at Shiro and Kimimaro, wrote a note and said, "I will send someone to register the identities of Shiro and Kimimaro, so you can rest assured."

Bai Ye took the note, used the Wood Clone Technique, and took Bai and Kimimaro to register their identities.

After they left, Yahiko asked Bai Ye's real body, "Bai Ye, what did you gain from this trip to the Hidden Mist Village? You didn't support another puppet to take the throne like last time, did you?"

"If this continues, I suspect that the leaders of the five major ninja villages will all become your puppets."

"What do you mean by supporting a puppet?"

Bai Ye frowned, "Red Sand Scorpion is the grandson of Sunagakure Chiyo, and he saved the Sand Village from Shukaku. If the position of Kazekage is not given to him, is it going to be given to Rasa, who persecuted his own son and brother-in-law?"

"Besides, if I really have the ability to control the Five Kage, wouldn't that be a good thing for us?"

Yahiko held his forehead. What Bai Ye said seemed to make some sense, but he wanted to know the details of this trip to the Hidden Mist Village, so he waved his hand and said:

"Don't change the subject in front of us. Tell us the specific information."

Seeing that Yahiko had asked directly, Bai Ye did not continue to keep him in suspense. After choosing his words, he said:
"This time I went to the Hidden Mist Village. I originally planned to support Biwa Juzō to become the Mizukage, but on the way I met Zabuza who failed to assassinate the Mizukage. From Zabuza I learned the information about the Fourth Mizukage..."

After hearing Bai Ye's report, Yahiko frowned.

Bai Ye originally planned to support Biwa Juzo, but in the end he cooperated with the Master and allowed the Hidden Mist Village to join the Akatsuki organization and become a partner of the Hidden Rain Village.

Among them, Byakuya showed his strong strength as always, but how come the Fourth Mizukage was controlled by someone?

Who is the masked man? Why does his dress and address make him feel familiar, as if he has heard it somewhere before?

Soon, Yahiko remembered the masked man.

Wasn't this the masked man who attacked Konoha and caused the Nine-Tails Rebellion? Later, he persuaded Uchiha Itachi to destroy the Uchiha clan. How did this guy run to the Hidden Mist Village? What's going on?

As if sensing Yahiko's thoughts, Bai Ye said, "I also felt very strange when I met the masked man this time. I don't understand why he wants to control the Hidden Mist Village."

"However, it was precisely because the Fourth Mizukage was controlled that I was able to successfully reach a cooperation with the Master this time, using the threat of the masked man to make the Hidden Mist Village join the Akatsuki organization."

Yahiko pondered for a few seconds, then asked, "What's the information about the tailed beasts? Isn't your goal this time to collect the tailed beasts? After saving the Fourth Mizukage, how will you collect the tailed beasts?"

"The Vulpix has been taken away by the masked man, and the Fourth Mizukage is seriously injured. I believe it won't be long before the Three-Tails will be free again, and then we can complete the collection."

At this point, Bai Ye frowned and said:
"However, I don't know why the masked man wants to collect the tailed beasts. We have the Samsara Eye and the Outer Path Demon Statue, so we can use the tailed beasts to revive the Ten Tails, but why does the masked man also want to collect the tailed beasts?"

Could it be that their goal is also to revive the Ten-Tails... Thinking of this, Bai Ye and Yahiko looked at each other and saw solemnity in each other's eyes.

After a moment's silence, Yahiko asked Bai Ye: "Bai Ye, I think the masked man's target is also the tailed beast, otherwise he would not have to attack Konoha, nor would he have to use illusions against the Fourth Mizukage."

After a pause, Yahiko said in a doubtful tone: "By the way, there is one more thing. Is what you and Master said true?"

"What's the matter?" Bai Ye asked back.

Yahiko stared at Bai Ye and said, "It's just that the masked man is the descendant of Uchiha Madara, but you are the descendant of Senju. You can't really be a descendant of Senju, after all, only the Senju clan can use Wood Release."

Bai Ye sighed and said:
"I'm not sure about this. I may be a descendant of the Senju clan, but I remember that I should be a ninja from the Uzumaki clan."

"However, there is no point in dwelling on this. The Senju and Uzumaki are both dead."

Bai Ye sorted out his thoughts and seemed to remember something, and said:

"Yahiko, your suspicion of the masked man just now is very reasonable. I also think that the masked man's target is the Ten-Tails. Maybe the information I got was also spread by the masked man."

Yahiko nodded, agreeing with Bai Ye's idea, and said:

"It is indeed possible. The masked man deliberately revealed the information that the Ten-Tails has great power in order to make you want to collect the tailed beasts. After you have collected all the tailed beasts, he will attack us."

"If you hadn't gone to the Hidden Mist Village to collect the tailed beasts this time, we might still be in the dark."

After thinking for a moment, Yahiko said earnestly:

"Bai Ye, we can't let the masked man's conspiracy run wild. Let's stop for now. I'm worried that if we continue to collect the tailed beasts, we will have a bigger conflict with the masked man. If we fail..."

Yahiko's words made Bai Ye frown, and he said solemnly: "Once the plan to collect the tailed beasts is started, it cannot be stopped. Besides, the masked man's target is not only the tailed beasts, but he is also likely to attack Nagato. After all, if he wants to revive the Ten Tails, the Outer Path Demon Statue and the Samsara Eye are necessary."

"Right now, we have two tailed beasts, the Rinnegan and the Outer Path Demon Statue. We have no reason to hand over the Ten-Tails to others. Even if the masked man really has some conspiracy, we can just crush him."

Yahiko was silent for a long time, repeatedly thinking about what Bai Ye had said.

With the current strength of the Akatsuki organization, there is really no need to be afraid of the masked man. Even if we don't include the two Hokage-level powerhouses, Byakuya and Nagato, the strength of the remaining masters exceeds that of any of the five major ninja villages.

However, he was not worried about the Ten-Tails being taken away, but was worried about Byakuya and Nagato.

If the masked man hiding in the dark can control the Fourth Mizukage silently, then it is not impossible for him to control Byakuya and Nagato silently. Everything is too dangerous.

The Akatsuki organization has now grown very powerful. As long as they follow the procedures, they will be able to form a huge ninja village alliance spanning half of the ninja world.

At that time, they only need to rely on the strength and influence of the alliance to gradually annex the three major ninja villages of Rock, Fire, and Cloud, and unify the entire ninja world without bloodshed.

After pondering for a long time, Yahiko finally did not express his concerns.

If Bai Ye knew about Yahiko's ideas, he would only sneer at them. To unify the entire ninja world through an alliance, an immortal leader is needed.

I use this method because I can get system rewards by getting the ninja village to join.

If the ninja world wants to achieve complete integration, it must go through a chaos that is no less than the previous three ninja wars. Only when an enemy appears that the entire ninja world can only unite to deal with, will the ninja villages put aside their prejudices and unite together.

……

After completing the identity registration for Bai and Kimimaro, Bai Ye took the two back to the Akatsuki base.

Compared to the Hidden Rain Village, the atmosphere in the Akatsuki base was obviously much more depressing. Any patrolling ninja brought great psychological pressure to Bai and Kimimaro.

After entering the Akatsuki laboratory, Bai Ye found Orochimaru wearing a white coat.

Because of his identity, Orochimaru does not often stay in the Akatsuki organization. He wanders around the ninja world looking for suitable experimental materials.

This time he went to the Akatsuki base because Bai Ye specially summoned him.

The reason why Bai Ye summoned Orochimaru was very simple. He wanted Orochimaru to meet Baihe Kimimaro. Orochimaru must be very interested in this rare and endangered bloodline.

After noticing the footsteps behind him, Orochimaru turned and looked at the three people.

Orochimaru's gaze first lingered on Bai and Kimimaro for a while, then fell on Bai Ye, and said slowly: "Master leader, are these two the last descendants of Ice Release and Corpse Bone Vein?"

Bai Ye nodded and said:
"Yes, they are the last descendants of Ice Release and Corpse Bone Vein, Haku and Kimimaro. As for this one? He is Cold Lord Orochimaru, one of the Three Ninjas of Konoha, and also the most famous researcher in the organization."

"Orochimaru?!" Upon hearing this name, Baihe Kimimaro was slightly stunned.

Orochimaru's identity is not ordinary. He is more famous than their last Lord Zabuza. This person is actually a subordinate of Lord Byakuya. What kind of person is Lord Byakuya?

After listening to Bai Ye's introduction, Orochimaru swallowed his saliva. He really wanted to study these two children.

Bai Ye frowned and said to Orochimaru:
"Orochimaru, these two children are my subordinates. I don't allow you to attack them. However, you can collect some blood from time to time, but you must ensure that there will be no problems with their bodies."

After hearing Bai Ye's warning, Orochimaru finally reacted and reluctantly looked away.

This is not his Sound Village, but Bai Ye's base. He has long realized how terrifying Bai Ye is, and he will not offend Bai Ye without absolute certainty.

Recovering his gradually scattered thoughts, Orochimaru asked Bai Ye: "The leader called me here this time, it should not be just for me to collect blood."

Bai Ye nodded and said:
"Kimimaro has contracted the bloodline disease of the Corpse Vein. I asked you to come here this time because I want you to find a way to cure the bloodline disease. Besides that, I also want to ask about the development of the curse seal."

"The bloodline disease of the Corpse Vein?" Orochimaru fell into deep thought, then said, "As far as I know, every enhanced Kaguya ninja will suffer from a bloodline disease, and this bloodline disease is incurable."

"Others can't do it, but I believe you, Orochimaru, can."

After a pause, Bai Ye continued:

"After spending the past few days with Kimimaro, I have almost guessed the cause of the bloodline disease. Kimimaro's corpse bone vein is very strong, but his body can't keep up. If he had a physical fitness similar to mine, he would not have had the bloodline disease at all."

"Is it because of my physical condition? Since the leader has spoken, I will try my best to solve it."

Orochimaru took note of Bai Ye's words and continued:

"As for the development progress of the curse seal, the success rate is still very low. Except for Jūgo who was born with a celestial body, the success rate of transplantation for the other experimental subjects is less than one in ten."

"Ten is less than one?"

Bai Ye nodded slightly and said, "It's already pretty good. The success rate is slightly higher than that of Wood Release, but it's still not enough to arm ordinary ninjas on a large scale."

"Can we find a way to reduce the mortality rate of curse seal transplantation?"

Orochimaru shook his head, and then explained the specific success probability of the curse seal:

"The success rate of transplantation for ordinary people is 1%, for Genin it is 10%, and for Chunin it is 15%. A Jonin will not die. To achieve a transplant without any side effects, one needs at least the strength of an elite Jonin."

After listening, Bai Ye fell into deep thought.

The weak have a high mortality rate, and the strong are of little use. This is the most embarrassing point about the curse.

The curse has a very obvious effect on ordinary people.

This is because the curse seal can develop human potential, allowing ninjas to use powers that are normally unusable. This process can easily result in death.

Even without the curse seal, the elite jonin have developed the human potential to the limit.

The effect of the curse seal on elite jonin is minimal, and sometimes there will even be embarrassing scenes of a decline in strength.

The only seals that can increase the strength of elite jonin are the Sage Mode of the three holy places, except for the Heaven and Earth Seal which is still under development.

However, the success rate of Sage Mode is even lower than that of Curse Seal, and it is exclusive to geniuses in the ninja world.

Retracting his gradually scattered thoughts, Bai Ye patted Orochimaru's shoulder and said:
"Keep working hard. I've always been optimistic about you. I think the potential of the Curse Seal in the future will be even greater than the Sage Mode of the Three Holy Lands. Orochimaru-kun might be able to develop his own Sage Mode."

Hearing this, Orochimaru knew that Bai Ye was just being polite, but he was sure of the idea in his heart, and he was still very happy after getting Bai Ye's agreement.

After all, in the entire ninja world, there are not many ninjas who agree with him, and even fewer who are willing to provide him with money.

(End of this chapter)