"How about it, Kirito-kun," Orochimaru asked, his golden eyes glinting.
"Do you want to begin this experiment?"
If it were anyone else—someone with a physique capable of withstanding Wood Release—Orochimaru would have already strapped them to an operating table without a second thought.
But Namikaze Kirito was different.
First, he was Orochimaru's leader. In principle, that alone meant obedience.
Second and far more importantly—even if he wanted to use force, Orochimaru knew it was pointless.
Facing Namikaze Kirito and Uchiha Itachi at the same time meant facing two Kage-level combatants.
To fight them head-on, one would need to stand on equal footing first and only then consider ability gaps.
Five or six Kage-level shinobi working together?
In the current ninja world, such a lineup simply didn't exist.
The Akatsuki might come close but after several conversations, Orochimaru was certain of one thing:
Namikaze Kirito knew more about the Akatsuki than he did.
That was not an organization one confronted casually.
Besides, Orochimaru had no need to oppose him.
At this point, his greatest interest lay elsewhere—
In the mysterious, unprecedented power within Namikaze Kirito himself.
"This can wait," Kirito said calmly.
"There's no rush."
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes slightly.
"The priority isn't becoming stronger," Kirito continued.
"It's my goal."
Then he looked up.
"How is the research on the Reanimation Technique?"
"Hehehe…" Orochimaru chuckled.
"As expected of Chiyo. This jutsu does possess the power to resurrect the dead."
"Though it can only revive those who have died recently," he added, "it's still… extraordinary."
Testing the Reanimation Technique was simple.
Kill someone.
Then have another person cast the jutsu to bring them back.
The price was equally simple.
One life for one life.
The caster's vitality was consumed completely.
But to Orochimaru, human life was the cheapest resource imaginable.
If not his own cultivated test subjects, he could simply seize two shinobi and use control techniques to force the ritual.
The exchange would still function.
"If it works," Kirito said, eyes burning,
"then begin."
He had waited far too long for this moment.
"As you wish," Orochimaru replied smoothly.
He turned his gaze toward the man standing nearby.
Yakushi Kabuto.
Orochimaru's most capable subordinate.
Master of medical ninjutsu.
A genius in biological research.
And, most frightening of all...possessing an ironclad psyche and unmatched intelligence gathering ability.
In the future, he would go on to wield countless resurrected legends in the Fourth Great Ninja War.
Even Sage Mode—something Orochimaru himself failed to master—would be attained by Kabuto.
Kabuto met Orochimaru's gaze, nodded once, and silently disappeared into the darkness.
Moments later, he returned—bringing two thin men with him.
Their eyes were vacant.
Their expressions empty.
They had no self-awareness left.
"Shall I proceed?" Kabuto asked respectfully.
"Kirito-sama. Orochimaru-sama."
Kirito gave a single nod.
A blue Chakra Scalpel formed in Kabuto's right hand.
He stepped forward and drew it cleanly across one man's throat.
Blood sprayed.
The man collapsed without a sound.
Within moments, his breathing ceased.
Kabuto then moved behind the second man and tapped him twice.
Immediately, the man stiffened.
Kabuto began forming hand seals.
And with dull, lifeless eyes—
The second man mirrored the seals perfectly.
"Reanimation Technique!"
The caster dropped to one knee, placing both hands on the corpse.
Visible blue chakra flowed from his body into the dead man's.
Slowly—
The wound on the corpse's neck closed.
Breath returned.
Life re-emerged from nothing.
At the same time, the caster's body aged rapidly.
Wrinkles spread.
His vitality drained.
"The Reanimation Technique transfers one's own life force to another," Orochimaru explained calmly.
"For ordinary injuries, it can also function as a healing technique."
"And for immortality," he continued, voice soft with fascination,
"it only requires others to continuously share their vitality with you."
To Orochimaru, achieving immortality through such a method should have been exhilarating.
And yet—
It barely stirred him.
All of his attention was fixed on Namikaze Kirito.
He couldn't wait.
What kind of storm would this man bring to the ninja world?
Behind Kirito, Uchiha Itachi watched in silence.
His mindset had changed.
He had followed Kirito at first for the sake of the village.
But after leaving Konoha—
After seeing the wider world—
He realized how narrow his former ideals had been.
After understanding part of Kirito's plan, Itachi had already made his choice.
To follow—without hesitation.
At last, the resurrected man stood upright.
Though his eyes remained dull—
The caster, now frail as a dying candle, collapsed moments later.
Life extinguished.
Even Uchiha Itachi, expression usually unmoved, was visibly shaken.
"It seems the jutsu is complete," Orochimaru said, smiling.
"Then it's my turn," Kirito said.
He stood up.
His body trembled—not from fear, but from overwhelming emotion.
Darkness surged.
The power of the Dark Fruit activated.
Two figures appeared before them.
Namikaze Minato.
Uzumaki Kushina.
Their time frozen—
Exactly as it had been seven years ago.
Kabuto directed the resurrected man forward.
The seals were formed again.
The Reanimation Technique was cast—
This time on Namikaze Minato.
Time crept forward.
The caster aged rapidly.
Minato's life force returned little by little.
Sweat slid down Kirito's forehead.
At last, the caster collapsed—utterly drained.
Minato's breathing stabilized.
His body was alive.
But—
His eyes remained closed.
"…What happened?"
A terrifying pressure erupted from Kirito.
The air screamed.
The ground cracked.
Dust rained from the ceiling as the walls groaned under the strain.
Orochimaru felt no fear.
Only exhilaration.
Another power.
Another secret.
But something was wrong.
He knelt beside Minato, examined him carefully, then stood.
"…Kirito-kun," Orochimaru said slowly,
"I think we overlooked something."
"The Fourth Hokage used the Reaper Death Seal to seal the Nine-Tails."
"At this moment—"
"His soul is still inside the Shinigami's stomach."
He looked up.
"Reviving the body alone is meaningless."
"The soul must be retrieved."
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