Whether it was Nagato's power or his unique physique, both held immense research value in the current era.
To only gather indirect data from such a promising specimen would be an enormous waste.
No wonder Orochimaru was tempted to perform the operation on Nagato himself.
"You were just fighting him, and now you want to operate on him?"
Djinn chuckled with a tinge of irony. "This world really is full of contradictions."
While Djinn didn't know Nagato's exact thought process, it was obvious that their recent clash—where Orochimaru had come close to defeating him—left a mark. That near-defeat must've played a part in Nagato's decision.
To become stronger, he was willing to rely on the very enemy who nearly crushed him. However absurd it seemed, that was the reality.
Still, neither Orochimaru nor Djinn were the type to be shackled by pettiness. If the opportunity to recreate a perfected Sage Body was within reach, they would not let old grudges or pride get in the way.
From the beginning, Djinn hadn't warned Orochimaru about the risks of creating a stronger opponent. But he also understood: feeding a tiger until it bites your own throat was still foolish.
"If you're serious about operating on Nagato," Djinn said, shrugging, "you'd better be cautious. He's distantly related to the Senju clan. If anyone has the potential to master the First Hokage's power, it's him."
The Rinnegan wasn't even the main concern. If Nagato gained even 70% of Hashirama's strength, Orochimaru wouldn't stand a chance. The only reason Orochimaru could fight him before was because Nagato's physical condition was a critical weakness.
If that weakness were removed—if he gained access to Wood Release and the regeneration of the First Hokage—he could become a godlike force in his own right.
"Don't worry," Orochimaru replied coolly. "I'm not going to give him another opportunity to strike—at least not until I've had the surgery myself and obtained the Sage Body."
---
Suddenly, a knock at the door interrupted their conversation.
Knock knock knock…
"Lord Orochimaru, the Hokage requests your presence."
A boy's voice called from outside.
"Yamato, huh?" Orochimaru opened the door. "Lead the way."
"Yes, sir!" Yamato bowed and vanished ahead of him.
---
In a temporary meeting room, the Third Hokage waited. When Orochimaru entered, he spoke immediately:
"After the sealing team's inspection, we've confirmed the village's outer barrier is completely destroyed and beyond repair."
"We're planning to establish a new one."
"The sealing team can handle that, can't they?" Orochimaru asked casually, though inwardly he found it odd.
Restoring the village was important, but compared to something like the white cell enhancement surgery, it seemed trivial.
Besides, Uzushiogakure—the home of advanced barrier techniques—had long since fallen. Even if they somehow reconstructed a village-scale barrier, could it stop Obito's infiltration? Or Nagato's direct assault?
"Take a look at this."
The Third passed him a thick stack of documents. "Then you'll understand."
Orochimaru took the papers, skimming them carefully. This was sensitive intel—core infrastructure secrets he'd never have access to if the village hadn't been so battered.
As he read, his eyes widened.
"They used earth vein energy as the foundation for the original Uzushiogakure barrier…?"
It made sense. Konoha was massive. Covering it with a village-wide barrier required a power source far beyond what conventional chakra could support. Orochimaru had once assumed it was purely the power of the Uzumaki's sealing arts—but now he realized there was more.
"But the Uzumaki clan… I've never heard of any of them using natural energy."
Then it clicked.
"Of course—the First Hokage was a Sage."
Hashirama Senju was perhaps the strongest Sage of all. With his help, it was entirely plausible that the Uzumaki built such a formidable barrier system.
Now Orochimaru understood why the Third had summoned him.
But his stance hadn't changed. Building a barrier at this point was a poor use of time and resources. His work with the First Hokage's cells was only just beginning. And besides, he had a valuable "subject" waiting in Amegakure.
"We're not rebuilding the entire barrier," the Third clarified. "Just placing a few key nodes. It's for early warning only."
In short, a symbolic reconstruction—a shallow defense to reassure the public.
Not enough to stop a serious attack, but better than nothing.
"Tch… what a hassle." Orochimaru sighed. But he had no reason to refuse. With Jiraiya away at the border, he was the only one left in the village capable of using Sage Mode.
"Fine. Have the sealing team call me when they're ready. Anything else?"
"One more thing," the Third said. "We've run out of medical supplies. The next shipment will take time."
It had only been two or three weeks since the release of the Physical Strengthening Surgery, and even Konoha was struggling to keep up with demand.
"You'd better not stop," Orochimaru warned. "I told you—the Akatsuki might develop their own version of this surgery. When that happens, our supply chain will be as valuable as a gold mine."
The cost of medical supplies could skyrocket at any moment. And Konoha couldn't afford to turn into a bandit state to get what it needed.
"Understood. I'll increase priority," the Third agreed.
"You know," Orochimaru said with a smile, "there's no need for the village to foot the bill at all."
"Let the shinobi pay for it—just like weapons or armor. It's an enhancement, not a necessity."
Initially, the village funded the procedure to strengthen elite ninja for the Akatsuki threat. But the war was clearly going to drag on. It was time to scale.
"Jonin can afford it. They're not poor."
The Third thought for a moment, then nodded. "Alright. But the village will handle purchasing."
"Fine by me," Orochimaru said. "As long as I get my cut."
"You've been setting up something behind the scenes, haven't you?"
The Third gave him a long look.
"Don't worry. It's not the village's concern." Orochimaru grinned. "You and I understand each other."
The Third Hokage didn't respond—but then came another knock.
"Hokage-sama, urgent report!"
"Come in."
The door burst open—and Hyuga Hiashi entered, slightly out of breath.
"Orochimaru-sama, you're here—good."
After composing himself, he said gravely:
"The seal on the Box of Bliss—something's gone wrong."
"Already?" Orochimaru frowned.
He had only sealed it the day before yesterday. He expected erosion—but not so soon.
"Old man, handle the rest. I have work to do."
Orochimaru turned to Hiashi. "Lead the way."
Hiashi bowed to the Third, then hurried out, with Orochimaru close behind.
---
At the lake where the Box of Bliss had been hidden, Orochimaru quickly saw why Hiashi was alarmed.
The water was dark green, murky, and reeking—like a swamp.
Dead fish floated to the surface. Strange, discolored aquatic plants bobbed in the current.
"When did this start?" Orochimaru asked, pointing at the foul lake.
"By the time we investigated, it was already like this—though the change likely began last night," Hiashi explained grimly.
The area had been laced with poison to prevent enemy infiltration—especially from Sharingan or Rinnegan users like Obito. But now the lake was visibly tainted—proof of human tampering, or worse.
"Disgusting," Orochimaru muttered, activating Sage Mode.
"We need to retrieve the box—now."
The water parted slowly. A stone platform rose, carrying the black box from the lake's depths.
Hiashi watched in awe.
"As expected of Orochimaru-sama…"
Few ninja could manipulate two types of jutsu simultaneously—earth and water, no less.
Suddenly—
Swoosh!
Two jets of water shot from the lake—aimed directly at Orochimaru.
"Look out!" Hiashi dashed forward.
"Soft Fist: Great Rotation!"
A whirling shield of chakra deflected the streams—but Hiashi staggered back. The attacks were laced with poison.
"Still too restrictive," Orochimaru muttered. He abandoned the box and summoned a stone wall to defend them both.
Hiashi winced, hiding his burned hands behind his back.
"Apologies, Orochimaru-sama…"
"Treat your wounds."
Orochimaru tossed him an ointment pouch and focused on the water.
His eyes narrowed.
"Let's see who dared sneak in."
With a flick of his finger, water coiled like a whip and yanked something out of the lake.
Boom!
A heavy body hit the ground.
Hiashi looked—and recoiled.
"What is that…?"
It was humanoid, but warped. Dark green skin, a turtle-like shell on its back, stubby limbs, and a bird-like beak. Its face was eerily human.
Even Orochimaru frowned. He had never seen such a creature.
But Djinn looked intrigued.
"A Kappa…?"
_____________________
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