In Kabuto's eyes, the young lady of the Yamanaka Clan might just be idly chatting, showing off some information she had read from who-knows-where. At first glance, her words seemed absurd, but upon closer consideration, they appeared to hold some truth. However, these truths were beyond the reach of ordinary people, which is why they had become akin to folklore.
Ordinary ninjas believed that the Sage of Six Paths was a myth, a legend, but Kabuto knew very well that he was a real historical figure.
Myths have an exaggerated side, but they also contain elements of truth.
Kabuto felt that he wouldn't get any answers from Ino, so he decided to consult his life mentor.
Two days later, Kabuto secretly arrived at the Sound Village and met Orochimaru, who had once been ranked alongside Jiraiya and Tsunade as one of the Legendary Sannin of Konoha.
During the Great Ninja War, Orochimaru had long served as a battlefield commander, leading armies against Iwagakure and the Cloud Hidden Village, achieving great feats in defending the Hidden Leaf Village. However, due to conflicting ideologies, Orochimaru eventually defected from Konoha and became a rogue ninja.
As a spy sent by Orochimaru to Konoha, Kabuto occasionally relayed information back. The Third Hokage was growing increasingly frail, and with the Chunin Exams approaching, Orochimaru's long-awaited Konoha Crush Plan was entering its final countdown.
After reporting the information, Kabuto should have left, but today he hesitated for a few seconds. Under Orochimaru's curious gaze, he asked, "Lord Orochimaru, where do we go after we die? Will we meet those who have passed away?"
Orochimaru was puzzled, wondering why such a strange question was being asked out of the blue. He valued Kabuto's abilities greatly, so after careful consideration, he gave his answer: "I believe we won't see those people. Death is death—disappearance. We cease to exist in this world. Kabuto, don't hold onto illusions."
Kabuto had pondered this philosophical question of "where people go after death" for two days. The smarter one is, the more likely they are to overthink, and Kabuto was among the top minds of his time.
Ino's theory about the underworld hadn't exactly opened doors or windows for him, but it had made him think deeply.
"Lord Orochimaru, I've heard legends of the King of Hell from ancient times. It's said that after death..." He recounted the information he had heard from Ino, combined with the scattered historical records he had studied, and asked like a student facing a teacher: "Does the King of Hell truly exist in our world?"
Orochimaru chuckled darkly, his laughter cold. "What if I said yes? What would you do?"
Kabuto stared at him and pressed further, "If we could find the King of Hell, could our world return to normal? Children wouldn't lose their parents at a young age, mothers and sons wouldn't draw swords against each other due to misunderstandings... Everyone could find their purpose in life..."
His voice trailed off, and Orochimaru, who had lost both parents at a young age, was slightly moved.
Orochimaru had never seen the King of Hell, but he knew about the Rinnegan and had seen Pain's Rinnegan. According to some ancient texts, the Rinnegan was the Sage's Eye, an eye capable of controlling life and death.
The King of Hell, the Rinnegan, reincarnation, the madness within natural energy—things that had been overlooked before now seemed to connect in a way that made sense, thanks to Kabuto's words.
Is it because the King of Hell is enslaved by those eyes that the whole world has turned into this mess? For a moment, he really wanted to return to the Akatsuki, stir up some trouble, and get his hands on the Rinnegan to study it. But as soon as this thought emerged, he quickly dismissed it. It wasn't that he didn't want to, but he couldn't. Pain was too strong! He was no match for him, not even a sliver of hope for victory.
He coldly said, "Kabuto, I can only tell you that there's some truth to what you're considering, but your level is too low, and your strength is too weak. This world is far more terrifying than you imagine. To confront someone who controls life and death, you can only make yourself immortal. Enough with the nonsense. You can leave now."
Kabuto lowered his head, a flash of contemplation in his eyes. "Is it because I'm too weak? I understand, Orochimaru-sama.Two days later, when Ino saw Kabuto again at the Konoha Hospital, she noticed that he wasn't just looking at records of difficult and complicated cases, but also flipping through myths and legends.
Ino asked, "Kabuto-senpai, why are you reading these myths and legends? They're just stories to fool children."
Kabuto sighed softly, "My ninja talent is lacking. My Ninja Techniques are weak, my Body Techniques are weak, my Genjutsu is even weaker, and I don't have much talent for Medical Ninja Techniques either. But I still want to follow my Ninja Way. Ino, what is your Ninja Way?"
What is my Ninja Way? Is my girlfriend my Ninja Way? No! Is my Ninja Way just my girlfriend? No! Ino doesn't have a Ninja Way at all—causing trouble is her Ninja Way! She stammered, unable to articulate it clearly, and Kabuto didn't press her for an answer.
"I wish for everyone to be safe and happy, which is why I studied Medical Ninja Techniques. When I realized I didn't have the talent for it, I turned to studying the theory behind Medical Ninja Techniques, hoping that the theories I develop could help other Medical Ninjas. Unfortunately, I have no talent at all. So I thought, maybe people in ancient times were happier? Perhaps they had a panacea back then? I want to find that medicine and cure everyone!"Ino nodded repeatedly beside him, but in her heart, she was mocking, 'Are you kidding me?" Every single word out of your mouth is a lie. I don't believe a word of it!" Kabuto scratched his head with a particularly sunny demeanor, "Haha, no need to hide it. I know my ideas are a bit childish, but I still want to try."
Ino encouraged him, "Well, Kabuto-senpai, I support you.Kabuto used a tone reminiscent of forming a "Junior Detective Club" to rope Ino into joining him in developing a panacea that could solve all the difficult and complicated cases in the world.
He would handle the theoretical part, while Ino would be responsible for finding ancient myths and legends for him.
With his abilities, he could easily sneak into the libraries of major ninja clans late at night, completely unnoticed. The problem was, there were too many books! Hundreds, even thousands of them, scattered across the major ninja clans. Was he supposed to sneak in every night and flip through them one by one? He'd exhaust himself to death! In his eyes, Ino was just a tool to help him gather information.
To give Ino a sense of mission, he named the panacea "King of Hell," and the study group followed an ancient name, calling it the "Baroque Workshop"! He appointed himself as the president and named Ino the vice president.
He specifically instructed Ino not to draw too much attention, fearing that if they couldn't produce results, they would be ridiculed.
Ino also didn't want to be affected in a few days when this guy might defect from the village. Both sides were in agreement, and thus, a highly secretive organization was formed almost as if it were a joke.