Just as the Land of Whirlpools was caught in a tense standoff due to the appearance of the mysterious giant turtle, a fast ship bearing the mark of Hidden Sound Village was cutting through the waves at an astonishing speed, racing toward the Land of Whirlpools.

At the bow, Yakushi Kabuto stood against the wind. The sea breeze ruffled his short grey-white hair, but his body remained as steady as a rock, without the slightest wobble.

His gaze looked far into the distance at the island looming on the horizon, his eyes filled with a complex and solemn expression.

As Orochimaru's most trusted confidant, he knew better than anyone that this mission to the Land of Whirlpools was more important than any S-Rank mission they had ever executed.

Lord Orochimaru had actually taken the initiative to request a technical exchange with another person.

In Orochimaru's proud scientific career, this was unprecedented.

This was enough to prove that the young Uzukage, Uchiha Kei, held a weight in Orochimaru's heart that had reached an unprecedented height.

He was no longer just a simple, perfect vessel, but was viewed as a peer who could engage in equal dialogue in the field of scientific research.

“Uchiha Kei...”

Yakushi Kabuto silently repeated the name in his heart.

In his mind, all the intelligence regarding this man surfaced.

Leading the Uchiha clan to defect from Konoha with the force of a thunderbolt, and thwarting the encirclement of the Third Hokage and Danzo without shedding a drop of blood.

Building a modern city at a miraculous speed upon the ruins of the Land of Whirlpools.

Developing, by his own strength, a forbidden drug capable of ensuring the Mangekyō Sharingan never goes blind.

Activating the God's Maelstrom barrier, which left the entire Shinobi World speechless, with a terrifying lineup of seven Mangekyō Sharingan users.

And just now, creating a terrifying weapon with power comparable to, or even exceeding, a Tailed Beast Bomb.

Each and every one of these feats, if taken individually, would be enough to make a Ninja famous throughout the world.

Yet Uchiha Kei had completed all of this in less than a year.

The word 'genius' was no longer sufficient to describe him.

He was a monster.

A true monster who, like Lord Orochimaru, attempted to reach for the domain of the gods with a mortal body.

“Will such a person really agree to cooperate with Lord Orochimaru?”

Kabuto's heart was full of uncertainty.

Taking it by force was impossible; both he and Orochimaru were well aware of that.

Thus, the only bargaining chips were the forbidden techniques and biotechnology in Lord Orochimaru's hands that could drive any Ninja mad.

For example... Impure World Reincarnation.

For example... Living Corpse Reincarnation.

For example... Cloning Technology and Genetic Modification.

These were the ultimate masterpieces Orochimaru had spent his life researching.

Using these masterpieces to exchange for the rapidly advancing Chakra technology in Uchiha Kei's hands.

The deal seemed fair on the surface.

But Kabuto had a premonition that the young Uzukage might want even more.

The fast ship slowed to a stop ten nautical miles away from the main island of the Land of Whirlpools.

Ahead, a Coast Guard patrol ship flying the emblems of the Uzumaki and the Uchiha fan blocked their path.

“The waters ahead belong to the Land of Whirlpools! Approaching without permission is prohibited! State your identity and purpose immediately!”

A cold warning came from the patrol ship.

Dozens of Ninjas dressed in the Land of Whirlpools' standard combat uniforms, holding strangely shaped weapons, stared at them like tigers watching their prey.

Yakushi Kabuto straightened his clothes, a gentle and harmless smile appearing on his face.

He walked to the bow and said loudly, “I am Yakushi Kabuto, sent by Lord Orochimaru, leader of Hidden Sound Village, to request an audience with the Uzukage, Lord Uchiha Kei, and to deliver our most sincere greetings.”

“Orochimaru?”

The captain of the patrol ship, Uzumaki Shibuki, frowned instantly upon hearing the name.

She was naturally no stranger to this former Sannin of Konoha and subsequent S-Rank Rogue Ninja.

Especially since Hidden Sound Village had previously sent a squad to attempt an invasion of the Land of Whirlpools.

Now, what was this fellow sending an envoy for?

“Wait here.”

Uzumaki Shibuki replied coldly, then immediately reported the situation to the Uzukages Office via internal communication.

Meanwhile.

On the walls of Uzushiogakure, the standoff with the giant turtle continued.

That massive, island-like ancient summoning beast made no further moves after letting out its long cry.

It simply used its giant eyes, filled with the passage of time and wisdom, to quietly examine the city and everyone on the walls.

Uchiha Kei was also observing it.

He became increasingly certain that his guess was correct.

This giant turtle definitely had some unknown, deep connection with the Uzumaki Clan.

Just then, Uzumaki Shibuki's communication came through.

“Lord Uzukage, the envoy from Hidden Sound Village, Yakushi Kabuto, requests an audience. He claims to be here on Orochimaru's orders.”

“Orochimaru?”

Kei's brow twitched slightly.

Speak of the devil. Or rather, that most sensitive venomous snake lurking in the darkness had finally caught the scent of profit and come knocking on his door.

The test fire of the Chakra Cannon had indeed alerted him.

“Let him come.”

Kei made the decision without the slightest hesitation.

He knew exactly what Orochimaru's intention was.

It was nothing more than taking an interest in his Chakra technology and wanting to perform a technical exchange.

And Kei was equally interested in the dark technologies in Orochimaru's hands.

Especially Impure World Reincarnation and Living Corpse Reincarnation.

These two ultimate forbidden techniques—one involving the soul and the other involving life.

If he could obtain their research data and use the system for deep analysis, perhaps he could gain a deeper understanding of the rules of this world.

He might even find a way to counter them.

“Yes!”

After receiving the order, Uzumaki Shibuki immediately granted passage.

Soon, the fast ship carrying Yakushi Kabuto, escorted by the Coast Guard, slowly entered the port of Uzushiogakure.

When Yakushi Kabuto stepped off the ship and onto the city's soil, even though he had already learned about the city through intelligence, he was still deeply shocked by the sight before him.

The wide, smooth streets.

The neatly planned buildings with a unified style.

The strangely shaped streetlamps along the roads that could glow at night.

And... the spirited, upward-looking mental outlook in the air, full of vitality, hope, and confidence.

Was this... really a city built from ruins in less than a year?

It didn't seem like a Ninja village at all.

It was more like... a Utopia.

“Mr. Kabuto, please follow me. Lord Uzukage is waiting for you on the wall.”

A member of the Kage Guard Squad appeared silently by his side, interrupting his shock.

“Thank you.”

Kabuto composed himself, pushed up his glasses, and followed the Kage Guard Squad's lead all the way up, finally ascending the towering wall.

When he saw the giant cannon on the wall emitting a terrifying aura, his pupils contracted uncontrollably once more.

Is this... the weapon that can fire an attack comparable to a Tailed Beast Bomb?

Indeed, it was even more oppressive than the intelligence had described.

And when his gaze crossed the wall and saw the island-like giant beast on the distant sea, his entire being completely froze.

“That... what is that?”

He asked out loud, his voice filled with disbelief.

“A... neighbor who was just woken up from his slumber by our new toy.”

Kei's voice came from the side.

Kabuto whipped his head around and saw the young Uzukage standing by the giant cannon.

Still in that black Hokage Robe with gold trim, still with that calm face that showed no ripples.

But at this moment, set against the giant cannon and the mythical beast in the distance, his figure appeared incredibly grand and unfathomable.

Kabuto took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down.

He walked up to Kei and bowed respectfully.

“Lord Uzukage, I am Yakushi Kabuto, here to visit on the orders of Lord Orochimaru.”

“I know.” Kei nodded and got straight to the point. “Speak. Why did Orochimaru send you here?”