"There's something I need you to do."
Standing atop the boulder, the breeze lifting his bangs, the youthful Orochimaru spoke bluntly to his older self. "I need you to go to Ryūchi Cave and fulfill a promise for me."
"A promise?"
The older Orochimaru narrowed his eyes. He immediately understood—this was about assisting the White Snake Sage with her transformation.
He gave his younger self a once-over and smiled. "So, even after all that, your transformation didn't make you all-powerful. Otherwise, you wouldn't be sending me in your place."
He frowned slightly. "Then why not create another clone?"
He understood the limitations. The younger Orochimaru's current soul and body weren't compatible with frequent splitting. Still, it was strange to send someone who had never undergone the transformation themselves.
"My body can't handle the split technique right now," the younger Orochimaru replied.
After his transformation, he had gained a deeper understanding of the Slug Sage's secret—the way she multiplied through mass and energy. That kind of sheer "quantity" was exactly what he now lacked at the Six Paths level. He needed more of it—and helping the White Snake Sage ascend might provide it.
In his current state, casual cloning was out of the question.
"Maybe in the future, when my techniques are more refined, I'll be able to pull a strand of hair and summon ten thousand snakes," he added dryly. "But not yet. This is the next best option."
He met his counterpart's eyes. A golden gleam flashed in his gaze. "If things go well, you can return to me through the Spiritualization Technique… or perhaps through a curse seal."
"Heh… and if I fail, you still get to keep this body," the older Orochimaru chuckled. "Efficient as ever. Still… I don't mind."
He had always been ruthless—even to himself. Being used as a pawn in his own grand design was something he accepted.
"Then it's decided," the younger Orochimaru said, nodding. Suddenly, his gaze turned downward, lips curling into a small smile.
"Zetsu," the older version murmured, following his gaze. "So… you're not hiding this from them?"
"No point in hiding it," the young one replied.
Breaking the seal of Chibaku Tensei was hard—but restoring it was even harder. Especially without the true power of the Rinnegan, it would be impossible in the short term.
"Let them watch. I'll know soon how the Akatsuki will respond."
He turned his eyes toward the horizon.
"For now… my focus is on Ryūchi Cave."
---
Somewhere in a dark cave
Zetsu lingered in the shadows. But even hidden in the pitch-black silence, there was a tremble in his dull eyes.
The Earth Gravitational Seal—Chibaku Tensei. The strongest sealing jutsu in the ninja world. In his opinion, it was unbreakable without the Rinnegan. Yet somehow, Orochimaru had escaped it.
How?
Confusion twisted his thoughts into knots. He, who had lived since the time of the Sage of Six Paths, who had watched the ninja world evolve across millennia, found himself at a loss.
It's impossible… completely impossible.
Even the Sage himself rarely intervened in the shifting tides of the world. But Zetsu was different. As Kaguya's hidden agent, he had shaped history from the shadows for centuries. Every conflict, every upheaval—he had observed and manipulated it all.
And still… he couldn't explain what Orochimaru had done.
There's no trace of how he did it…
With narrowed eyes, Zetsu issued an immediate order: all White Zetsu clones were to search for any trace of Orochimaru in the past few weeks. Something had changed between the battle over a month ago and now.
I need to act before it's too late.
His mind raced. Orochimaru… he's not just dangerous. He could threaten everything. Even Madara's Rinnegan.
Without another word, Zetsu vanished into the earth, wrapped in the petals of a massive black pitcher plant.
---
In the conference room atop the black spire
A swirling vortex opened in midair. Obito stepped out, facing Nagato, who now sat up in full control of his body.
Obito's eyes narrowed. The rumored effect of the Hashirama cell transplant was true—Nagato radiated power now, more even than Madara had in his old age.
Can I really take his Rinnegan now…?
He pushed the thought aside. This wasn't the time. He had come to discuss a greater threat.
"I just received intel from Zetsu," Obito began slowly. "The clone of Orochimaru you sealed with Chibaku Tensei… has escaped."
"I know. I sensed it," Nagato replied evenly. "Did your agents learn anything else? Any measure of his new strength?"
Obito shook his head. "A White Zetsu clone can't get close. Even before, Orochimaru was nearly on par with Hashirama or Madara during the Warring States. Most shinobi are nothing to him."
Nagato raised an eyebrow. "Interesting. You've dropped the act—you're no longer calling yourself Madara."
Obito smirked under his tiger-striped mask. "Times change. Besides, I'm sure Konan's people have already pieced together my identity. There's nothing left to hide."
He pulled off his mask, revealing his scarred face.
"And I didn't lie. I am Madara's successor. That much is still true."
Nagato didn't react. "Let's skip your redemption arc. You came here with a plan."
Obito nodded. "It's simple. Accelerate the collection of the Tailed Beasts. Your power has grown—but we'll need more than that to stop Orochimaru. If you can break free from the Gedo Statue's limitations and turn it into a weapon instead, we'll have a real chance."
It was a gamble. Obito didn't know how long they had—or what Orochimaru truly wanted.
Nagato fell silent. Then, "Agreed. Forget the Nine Tails for now. But I'll begin the hunt for the other Jinchuriki tomorrow."
He glanced at Obito. "I'll take care of the Two-Tails and Eight-Tails in Kumogakure. You deal with the ones in Iwagakure. If the Four-Tails' host is dead, focus on Kirigakure's Jinchuriki."
Obito's Sharingan lit up. "With the Three-Tails already in our hands, that'll give us six beasts. How long will it take you to seal them into the Gedo Statue?"
"Not long," Nagato said, rising from his bed. "Just bring me the beasts."
"Perfect," Obito replied, disappearing into a swirling vortex. "I'll move now."
Nagato watched the space where he vanished. Then he turned to the shadows.
"Konan… I'm going to the Land of Lightning. Amegakure is yours for now. Stay safe."
"You too," Konan stepped into the light, concern etched across her face. "Don't push your body too hard."
"Yugito and Killer Bee pose no threat to me anymore," Nagato said simply.
His eyes gleamed, and six phantom figures began to form behind him.
"I'll be back soon."
---
In Amegakure Village, the rain finally stopped.
As Nagato rose into the sky, the heavy clouds parted. It was as if he alone had carried the storm away.
---
Outside Konoha Village
Two Orochimaru stood face-to-face in the forest.
Only half a day had passed since the Chibaku Tensei seal broke—but their attempt at reintegration had failed.
"Pity," the young Orochimaru muttered, shaking his head at his weakened counterpart.
Though the Spiritualization Technique and Curse Seal were simple enough, their souls had already grown too different. When the original's soul tried to re-enter his body, the reaction was immediate—rejection, almost like digestion.
Had he been hostile, the body would have turned into a powerful corpse.
Still, it wasn't a total loss.
Young Orochimaru glanced at Djinn. "You'll have to handle the rest."
The Djinn could wield almost all his powers through that body. But even he had limits—the vessel might not hold under certain techniques.
Not that it mattered. Orochimaru had prepared for this.
Golden light flickered in his eyes. "Seal Transfer."
A surge of chakra burst from his gaze and entered his other self.
"Agh…!"
The older Orochimaru collapsed, clutching his eyes. After a long pause, he slowly stood, breathing hard.
"…Incredible power. Just receiving it nearly destroyed me."
Even as versions of the same being, the transfer had been punishing. His eyes burned as if they would burst—but it was worth it.
With this new power, he might have something valuable enough to trade with the White Snake Sage.
_____________________
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