"Peacock Miracle Method - Wings!"
Azure blue peacock feathers sprouted from Orochimaru's back. With a gentle shake of his three pairs of ethereal wings, Orochimaru's body slowly floated into the air.
The Third Star Kage raised his tired face, his eyes filled with shock as he looked at Orochimaru flying high above.
"This Lord Kongchen..."
"To have cultivated the Peacock Miracle Method to such a degree after only one night of practice?"
Natsuhi and Hotaru, who had been yawning, instantly sobered up, staring dumbfoundedly at the figure in the sky, their eyes filled with longing and admiration.
A flash of jealousy and resentment crossed Akahoshi's eyes, but he quickly put on a look of envy.
The Nine-Tails glanced at this guy who wanted to play tricks in front of him and Orochimaru, and snorted disdainfully.
"Hmph!"
"Little Akahoshi, you'd best put away your petty thoughts before that guy comes down."
"The Third Star Kage might protect you once, and that's only because the Star Hidden Village willingly offered up the Peacock Miracle Method."
"Now that he has succeeded in his cultivation, whether he'll let you off again is anyone's guess!"
Akahoshi panicked and quickly lowered his head.
"Esteemed... Summoned Beast Lord, I would not dare harbor any dissatisfaction towards Lord Kongchen!"
"I was merely envious to see Lord Kongchen succeed in cultivating the Peacock Miracle Method so quickly. Please forgive me, Lord!"
The Nine-Tails bared its teeth at him, threateningly.
"You'd better mean it!"
"Besides you, there isn't a single person who dared to play mind games and scheme in front of that guy who is still alive."
"Your little schemes are no different from shouting them out loud in front of me and that guy!"
"Cherish your life, and don't let the sacrifices of your Third Star Kage be in vain!"
"If you have time, ask your Star Kage if your Star Hidden Village can withstand even one of that guy's ninjutsu before you consider your future attitude!"
As a protector of the Ninja Sect, the Nine-Tails still gave this ungrateful Akahoshi a chance on Orochimaru's behalf.
Akahoshi trembled inwardly and cautiously glanced at the Third Star Kage.
The Third Star Kage sighed and shook his head at the ambitious child.
"Akahoshi, I know some of your thoughts."
"For the past two years, I promoted you to Star Kage's Assistant, and I had indeed considered you as the next Star Kage."
"But your selfishness is too great, so great that it makes you blind to the village's weakness, and so great that you would dare to use someone who can casually destroy a country to achieve your goals when they appear before you."
"Your actions have greatly disappointed me!"
Akahoshi's lips trembled, and he lowered his head unwillingly.
The Third Star Kage swept his gaze over the young Star Ninja, then continued in a deep voice.
"Taking advantage of Lord Kongchen's visit to our Star Hidden Village, I wish to announce something I have considered for a long time."
The young Star Ninja looked at the Third Star Kage with confusion. Natsuhi and Hotaru exchanged a look, suddenly remembering the issue the Third Star Kage had mentioned last night.
"Lord Star Kage, are you planning to..."
Facing Hotaru's somewhat anxious inquiry, the Third Star Kage waved his hand gently, signaling him to refrain from speaking for the moment.
"Lord Kongchen, could you descend and hear an old man's words?"
Orochimaru, who was sensing the flow of power from the Star Stone within him, slightly opened his eyes, retracted the peacock feathers behind him, and landed. He gently stroked the Nine-Tails' head, gave Akahoshi a playful look, and then smiled at the Third Star Kage.
"I am not someone who repays kindness with ingratitude. Since I have received benefits from your village, Lord Star Kage, just state your demands directly."
The Third Star Kage's expression flickered, and he bowed respectfully to Orochimaru with a somber look. Under the shocked gazes of the young Star Ninja, he uttered words that surprised Orochimaru slightly.
"Lord Kongchen, could you give me a definitive answer regarding your specific origins..."
Orochimaru's lips curved into a meaningful arc.
"Didn't Lord Star Kage already guess?"
"Why ask what you already know!"
The Third Star Kage let out a long sigh and lowered his head even further.
"Although I have some guesses, I still wish to receive a definite answer from Lord Kongchen to be at ease."
"I venture to ask, Lord Kongchen, what is your status in Konoha?"
The Nine-Tails beside him looked up at the old man, who Orochimaru said was nearly a hundred years old, and chuckled heartily.
"You can't solve your village's Star problem, so you throw the difficulty onto this guy. You old fox is quite discerning!"
"I don't mind telling you, besides Hiruzen Sarutobi, this guy's words carry the most weight in Konoha."
"Does that explanation make it clear for you?"
A flicker of joy appeared in the Third Star Kage's eyes, and his long-dormant heart suddenly leaped with excitement.
"So it is Lord Orochimaru, one of the Sannin, present. I beg your pardon!"
Orochimaru looked at the Third Star Kage with some surprise.
"Oh?"
"Lord Star Kage, you know of me, a junior, as well? That is indeed an honor!"
The Third Star Kage quickly shook his head, repeatedly claiming he dared not.
"I have merely lived longer and have a lot of free time, so I've paid more attention to the news of the ninja world."
"The information that Lord Orochimaru was chosen as the next Hokage successor, I only learned about it half a month ago from a ninja returning from the Land of Birds."
"Since it is Lord Orochimaru, then I shall speak my mind!"
Orochimaru nodded slightly, watching the Third Star Kage's performance with a smile.
The Third Star Kage rearranged his thoughts and then spoke with a solemn expression.
"I hope the Star Hidden Village can receive Konoha's protection!"
Orochimaru raised an eyebrow, looking at the Third Star Kage with a half-smile.
"Protection?"
"Lord Third Star Kage, you seem to have forgotten. The Peacock Miracle Method was merely the price for the Star Hidden Village to save Akahoshi's life."
"Or perhaps..."
"Does Lord Star Kage wish for me to kill Akahoshi now and change the previous condition to this new one?"
Akahoshi's face changed drastically, and he looked helplessly at Orochimaru and the Third Star Kage.
The Third Star Kage gave him a reassuring look and quickly shook his head at Orochimaru.
"Lord Orochimaru misunderstands!"
"Although my abilities are humble, I would not engage in such a dishonorable act of breaking promises."
"As the price for receiving Konoha's protection, I am willing to lead the ninja of the Star Hidden Village to become an affiliated force of Konoha, just like Lord Demigod's Amegakure!"
Orochimaru chuckled lightly and turned to look at the meteorite, which was still emitting a hazy starlight.
"After all, you've lived a hundred years, you're not entirely foolish!"
"Becoming an affiliated force of Konoha..."
"Then you can borrow Konoha's strength not only to resolve the hidden dangers of the Peacock Miracle Method but also to strengthen the Star Hidden Village."
"However..."
Orochimaru's tone shifted, and he turned to face the Third Star Kage with a cold gaze.
"Konoha is the leader of the Five Great Ninja Villages. Countless forces wish to form an alliance with Konoha!"
"What qualifications do you, a small Star Hidden Village, possess for me to agree to your request?"
"Is it because of the Peacock Miracle Method? Or the number and strength of your ninjas?"
The Third Star Kage's throat felt dry, and he gritted his teeth.
"Sir!"
"The ninja who fought with you last night was likely Roshi, the Four-Tails Jinchuriki from Iwagakure, correct?"
Orochimaru glanced at him, his tone cold.
"Correct!"
The Third Star Kage cautiously observed Orochimaru's expression and said sincerely.
"In the future, when Konoha and Iwa go to war, the Star Hidden Village can serve as Konoha's surprise force..."
"Even if we cannot defeat the Third Tsuchikage Onoki's Dust Release, I believe that with the power of the Peacock Miracle Method, I can hold him off for Konoha for a while."
"All the ninjas of the Star Hidden Village can fight bravely for Konoha!"
The Third Star Kage's words immediately caused gasps of astonishment from the young Star Ninja present.
"Lord Star Kage..."
The Third Star Kage ignored the reactions of these children and looked at Orochimaru with earnest eyes.
Orochimaru silently regarded the Third Star Kage for a moment, then suddenly laughed.
"Heh..."
"Still not quite enough!"
"You want these children to learn the Peacock Miracle Method from me without harming their bodies, and these sacrifices are still insufficient!"
The Third Star Kage's expression became miserable. All his thoughts were seen through by Orochimaru.
Indeed, as Orochimaru had said, becoming an affiliated force of Konoha was mostly just a verbal promise. His ultimate goal was to obtain Orochimaru's improved method for cultivating the Peacock Miracle Method for the Star Hidden Village.
"Sir..."
Orochimaru waved his hand gently.
"Since you've requested it yourself, I can give you an opportunity."
"It depends on your choice!"
The Third Star Kage's eyes lit up, and he nodded forcefully.
"Please speak, Sir!"
Orochimaru's gaze swept over the children of the Star Hidden Village, finally settling on Natsuhi and Hotaru.
"Konoha and Iwa will have a war sooner or later, but not now."
"Six months from now, a batch of new students will graduate from the Konoha Ninja Academy."
"I will hold a joint Chunin Exam after that. The Star Hidden Village must send a group of young, talented ninjas to compete!"
"Those who perform exceptionally well, I can allow them to join Konoha with special dispensation!"
Before the Third Star Kage could object, Orochimaru continued with a scrutinizing tone.
"To learn the true Peacock Miracle Method, this is the only way!"
"Before the joint exams and Chunin assessments next year, if the Star Hidden Village sends people to Konoha, the alliance between the two villages will naturally be established."
"If not..."
Orochimaru shook his head gently and turned to walk west towards the Land of Bears.
"Kurama, it's time for us to attend to our business!"
The Nine-Tails grinned at the stunned Star Ninja.
"Heh heh, before we go, I'll remind you one last time. If you don't want your descendants to die young, you'd best throw this thing somewhere no one can find it."
"Otherwise..."
The Nine-Tails left a warning and trotted off to catch up with Orochimaru.