"Thank you for this operation. I owe you a favor."
Konan's gaze softened as she looked at "Kabuto." The cold hostility in her expression had faded, replaced by a hint of warmth.
Earlier, when she didn't know his true intentions, she had maintained full vigilance. But now that he'd proven he harbored no malice, it was only natural to express gratitude.
"There's no need for thanks," Orochimaru replied with a half-smile, studying Nagato. "But there's one thing I'd like to ask. Would you satisfy my curiosity?"
"Ask," Nagato said, nodding slightly. He was in a good mood and, unless it was too sensitive, didn't mind answering.
"The fusion solution I used in the second phase of the procedure is incredibly corrosive. When I underwent a similar process, I nearly died from it," Orochimaru said slowly, his eyes fixed on Nagato. "Yet you seemed to adapt to it instantly—regaining control almost as soon as your strength returned. Why is that?"
The question genuinely puzzled Orochimaru. His instincts told him the Rinnegan might be involved, but if its power was truly that extraordinary, then Nagato would have resisted the cell erosion from the start, not just recovered quickly afterward.
"…That's…"
Nagato hesitated, then after a pause, he spoke in a calm, cryptic tone.
"It's simple. I've been fighting off that level of erosion for years."
He didn't elaborate further—revealing more would touch on his body's deepest secrets.
"I see," Orochimaru nodded. "That must've been difficult."
He didn't press for more. "Two operations in a row is exhausting. I'll leave you to rest."
Nagato nodded and turned to Konan. "See Kabuto out."
Both the one lying on the table and the one performing the surgery had been drained. Konan stepped forward, gestured with her hand, and began floating down the corridor. Orochimaru sealed up the medical equipment into a scroll and followed her out.
Just as they reached the entrance, a red glow flickered in the darkness—and a figure appeared silently.
Obito stepped out of the shadows. His Sharingan gleamed as he cast a sharp glance at "Kabuto."
"What a surprise," Obito said coldly. "Konan escorting you herself. I expected you to come out alone."
Before Orochimaru could reply, Konan stepped forward, her eyes icy. "Madara," she said firmly, "Kabuto performed the surgery flawlessly. You don't need to stand here making accusations."
"Surgery completed? Hmph."
Obito scoffed. "Maybe we should have the other medics examine Nagato, just in case he slipped something in."
"That's not your concern."
Konan understood the necessity of double-checking the procedure—she intended to have it reviewed herself later. But not here, not in front of Kabuto. It wasn't about trusting Kabuto fully; it was about trusting Nagato. If Nagato had sensed anything wrong, he would've said so. Until then, there was no reason for suspicion.
Still, Obito's condescending tone set her on edge.
"What exactly are you doing here?" Konan snapped. "What are you trying to pull?"
She could understand wanting to monitor the operation. But with Obito, it never felt like concern—it felt like surveillance. Manipulation.
Obito narrowed his eyes.
"I'm here to guard against potential threats," he said quietly.
He had distrusted Kabuto from the start, suspecting him of being Orochimaru's agent. And now, with Nagato—the Rinnegan's bearer—undergoing risky surgery, his vigilance was at its peak.
The Rinnegan, Madara's legacy, was the key to the Eye of the Moon plan. He couldn't let it fall into anyone else's hands.
And yet, Kabuto had done nothing but heal Nagato.
That confused him. If Kabuto's target wasn't the Rinnegan… then what was he after?
He couldn't figure him out. Which was precisely why he'd come, even knowing it would irritate Konan.
"Malicious intentions?" Konan narrowed her eyes. "Shouldn't you be asking yourself that?"
Just as Obito didn't trust Kabuto, Konan didn't trust Obito. Anyone who came into close contact with Nagato's body was a potential threat.
"…"
Orochimaru found the whole exchange amusing.
He had assumed Konan's suspicion was aimed only at him because of his identity. But seeing her treat Obito the same way… he realized she simply didn't trust anyone around Nagato.
"If you two want to keep bickering, do it somewhere else," Orochimaru said with a grin, brushing past them. "I'm going to rest."
Konan and Obito exchanged another sharp look before turning away with simultaneous scoffs.
—
Back in Konoha, once Orochimaru confirmed there were no observers, he dissolved the transformation and broke the summoning contract with Kabuto.
Returning to his underground lab, Orochimaru retrieved the data from Nagato's operation. As he studied the results, he let out a long breath.
Nagato had been evasive, but Orochimaru—who now knew his body better than anyone—quickly deduced the truth.
"…The God Tree."
He narrowed his eyes.
The aggressive cellular erosion of the First Hokage's tissue… matched the unique traits of the sacred tree.
Whether by mutation or lineage, Hashirama Senju had inherited something beyond normal bloodlines—something that even surpassed the Sage's two sons.
"Fascinating," Orochimaru murmured. "Perhaps this surgery will trigger an even deeper transformation in his bloodline."
He was already looking forward to the next phase.
And the data from Nagato's recovery? It was invaluable.
"More importantly," said a voice from above, "have you figured out how to deal with the Roran situation?"
A pale figure—Djinn—floated midair, rubbing his hands together like a scheming spirit.
"We can't use force this time, you know. It'll backfire."
"It's nothing serious," Orochimaru replied. "The Roran people are weak. They're easy to handle."
He grinned. "You just have to know how to talk to their kind."
—
A week passed.
Konoha's reconstruction was halfway done. Orochimaru had placed a cloaking barrier over his lab and spent the rest of the time preparing for the next surgery. Everything was nearly in place.
Boom!
A puff of smoke filled the lab as a viper materialized, slithering to Orochimaru and dropping a small scroll at his feet before vanishing.
He opened it and read the contents.
"Oh?" He smiled. "That was fast. Looks like they really do have something for me."
—
Meanwhile, the streets of Konoha bustled with life. The grief around the memorial had faded in the face of celebration.
Naruto stood on a rooftop, tugging Karin along as he looked down at the crowds below.
"Something big's going on," he said excitedly. "Think the old man's finally stepping down and naming Orochimaru the next Hokage?"
"Don't say stupid things!" Karin yanked on his cheek. "If my mom hears you, she'll make you drink her awful tomato juice again."
"Ugh... okay, fair," Naruto muttered, rubbing his face. "But seriously—why is everyone gathering like this?"
"I don't know either," Karin admitted. "But I know someone who does. Come on."
She took the lead this time, dragging Naruto through narrow alleys and rooftops until they reached a familiar face.
"Uncle Yamato!" Karin called.
"…Uncle?" Yamato flinched and eyed her suspiciously. "How did you know I was here?"
He wasn't that easy to find. Was he slipping as a ninja?
"Tell us why the village is so lively, and I'll tell you later," Karin said, eyes gleaming with mischief.
"…Fine. It's not classified."
Yamato sighed.
"The priestess from the Land of Demons is here. She's performing a purification ceremony on the kappa monster this afternoon."
"Oh!" Naruto's eyes lit up. "We gotta see that!"
He grabbed Karin's hand and leapt onto the rooftops.
As they took off, Karin turned back and grinned, "Uncle Yamato, I've got great eyesight—better hide better next time!"
"…That kid," Yamato muttered, though he couldn't help smiling. "She's just like her mother. I'd better report this to Orochimaru later."
He launched himself after them, as it was his job to watch over Naruto's movements closely.
—
The two children darted across rooftops like squirrels. They weren't fully trained ninjas yet, but their raw talent already put them ahead of their peers.
"There!" Naruto stopped, pointing toward a wooden platform.
In its center, a dark green humanoid creature with a turtle shell knelt in shackles. It stared at the crowd with wide, fearful eyes, even as villagers jeered.
"So that's the monster…" Karin whispered.
Naruto said nothing.
Seeing the creature bound and shivering, something stirred in him. It was different from humans—but not so different from himself.
He too had a monster inside.
Karin noticed his silence and nudged him. Then she shouted, "Look! A pretty girl over there!"
"Huh? Where?!"
Naruto immediately looked around, his melancholy forgotten.
"Works every time," Karin smirked. "I wonder who he learned that from."
—
Not far away, a slow-moving carriage made its way through the village.
Inside sat Shion, daughter of Mareya—the priestess of the Land of Demons.
She wore red-and-white ceremonial robes, her long golden hair cascading over her shoulders.
"Lady Shion, you can relax," her guard Ashiho said gently. "Mareya believes you're more than capable of handling the purification. Just breathe."
"But… there are so many people…" Shion muttered, trembling.
Her homeland had nothing like this. Even the largest town couldn't compare to a single Konoha street.
"It's okay," Ashiho reassured her. "Just pretend they're tree leaves… or buried sweet potatoes. Nothing to worry about."
"Leaves… sweet potatoes…"
Shion nodded nervously, trying to calm herself.
The carriage came to a stop.
Under the crowd's gaze, Shion stepped forward, standing before the restrained kappa monster.
Kakashi, supervising nearby, saw her hesitation.
"You don't need to rush," he said kindly. "With us here, it won't escape. You can take a moment to breathe."
But Shion shook her head. "No… I'll do it now."
She removed the red rope from her wrist, cracked open a small container, and took out a glowing red crystal. Holding it tightly, she formed a hand seal.
A gentle light rose from her palm.
The ceremony had begun.
_____________________
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