"Truly an unbelievable power..."
Orochimaru licked his lips, his eyes filled with a deep craving for power.
Seeing this, Obito's expression showed that he had expected as much.
Through Zetsu's long-term surveillance of Orochimaru, Obito had come to understand that Orochimaru's heart was never truly with Konoha.
What he cared about was only his research and his pursuit of immortality!
This was precisely why Obito had appeared here.
He dispelled the genjutsu and said:
"Mr. Orochimaru, since you desire power so much, why not join us?"
"Here, your dream of immortality can be realized."
Hearing this, Orochimaru's interest was immediately piqued.
"Oh?"
"How exactly can you offer me immortality?"
Orochimaru's snake-like eyes gleamed with scrutiny.
To be honest, he had no issue with leaving the village.
Ever since Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzō had teamed up to place Minato Namikaze in the Hokage's seat, Orochimaru had felt no attachment to Konoha.
Although his ambitions lay elsewhere, the actions of the village's higher-ups had left him deeply disappointed.
The only thing that still held some appeal was Danzō's promise to secure his position as the leader of the Root.
But even that wasn't a major draw.
After all, what Orochimaru truly desired was the freedom to conduct his experiments without any restraints.
Experiments like human experimentation, reincarnation, and so on.
Unlike Danzō, Orochimaru's test subjects weren't limited to enemies captured on the battlefield or death row inmates.
For him, anyone of value could be used for experimentation.
Including himself!
This philosophy, however, was something Konoha could never accept.
Not even the darkest parts of the Root could tolerate it.
This was why Orochimaru had set up multiple secret bases outside the village.
He was preparing for any unforeseen circumstances.
If this masked man could offer him something substantial, he might just consider it.
"If I'm not mistaken, Mr. Orochimaru, you've been searching for a suitable vessel for reincarnation, haven't you?"
Obito's words immediately made Orochimaru serious.
He had never spoken to anyone about his research on reincarnation techniques.
"How do you know that?"
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes. If he hadn't witnessed the masked man's strength earlier, he might have already attacked.
Because the man was right.
Due to his prolonged human experiments, Orochimaru's body was far inferior to those of his peers, Jiraiya and Tsunade.
He needed to find a suitable vessel for reincarnation soon to maintain his life and combat strength.
However, his self-created [Living Corpse Reincarnation Technique] had specific requirements for the vessel.
First, the vessel's mental strength had to be weaker than his own.
Only then could he erase the vessel's consciousness and fully take over the body.
Otherwise, he might end up like in the original story, where he failed to take over Sasuke's body and was killed instead.
Second, the vessel's body had to be compatible with his soul.
Otherwise, after reincarnation, there could be rejection, damaging his soul, shortening his lifespan, and preventing him from fully utilizing his strength.
Of course, it would be best if the vessel itself had potential.
Perhaps possessing a unique bloodline limit.
This way, Orochimaru could easily gain a new bloodline.
However, the masked Obito didn't answer the question.
Instead, he clapped his hands, and a white figure emerged from the ground.
It was entirely white, with green hair and sharp, intersecting teeth marks in the middle of its body, as if it could split apart at any moment.
"This is Zetsu, a creature I created myself."
Obito spoke in a deep, imposing tone, exuding an air of mystery.
The simple word "creation" made Orochimaru's eyes gleam with interest.
Only the hidden Black Zetsu couldn't help but roll his eyes.
You're just a little Uchiha brat who inherited Madara's legacy...
Not just you, even Madara himself was kept in the dark by me!
Unfortunately, Black Zetsu couldn't say any of this out loud yet.
And Orochimaru, too, was unaware of the truth.
He simply scrutinized the white Zetsu before him and asked skeptically:
"Are you saying this thing can serve as my reincarnation vessel?"
The masked Obito nodded confidently.
"Correct. It can accommodate any soul."
"Accommodate any soul, you say?"
"Interesting..."
Orochimaru licked his lips again.
The biggest obstacle to his [Living Corpse Reincarnation Technique] was the rejection between the soul and the body.
If this white Zetsu could truly accommodate any soul as the masked man claimed, it would indeed be the perfect vessel for him.
However, Orochimaru wasn't one to easily believe others' claims. He immediately stated:
"I need a test subject to verify this."
Obito was very generous in response.
"Take as many as you need."
Zetsu? He had plenty of those!
Giving Orochimaru one or two was no issue at all.
Hearing this, Orochimaru didn't hold back.
He immediately summoned a giant snake from his sleeve, which opened its mouth and swallowed the white Zetsu whole.
"Well then, I wish us a pleasant collaboration, Mr. Orochimaru."
With that, Obito used [Kamui] to disappear right in front of Orochimaru.
Feeling the now-empty space around him, Orochimaru's expression turned serious.
Because that guy, whether coming or going, hadn't triggered any of the barriers or detection techniques Orochimaru had set up!
"Some kind of troublesome space-time ninjutsu, perhaps?"
The experienced Orochimaru quickly made his judgment.
But it didn't matter.
What was most important now was to conduct experiments and determine whether the so-called Zetsu was as incredible as the masked man claimed!
—————————
Back in the village.
In the darkest part of Konoha—
The Root.
"Orochimaru has left again?"
Danzō sat in his seat, asking the nearby Ryoma.
Given the events of the original story, Danzō had never relaxed his surveillance of Orochimaru.
After all, Orochimaru was the kind of person who could personally execute the [Destruction of Konoha] plan.
Until he was fully loyal, he remained a dangerous potential threat.
Thus, Danzō had to remain vigilant at all times.
As it turned out, Danzō's vigilance was justified.
"Yes, he left under the pretext of an A-rank mission."
Ryoma Aburame replied.
"However, Orochimaru's counter-surveillance skills are too advanced. Neither Root ninja nor my insects could get close to him."
Danzō nodded, not blaming them.
If it were that easy to track Orochimaru and find his hideout, it would be a miracle.
"Lord Danzō, I've noticed Orochimaru's recent behavior has been quite suspicious. Should we strike first?"
Ryoma said coldly.
With the Root's current strength, taking down Orochimaru wouldn't be a problem.
They wouldn't even need support from the Hokage's side.
Ryoma's urgency stemmed partly from concern for the village.
As one of the Sannin, Orochimaru was essentially part of Konoha's upper echelons.
Coupled with his status as the Hokage's student, many of Konoha's secrets were open to him.
If he were to defect, it would cause immense damage to Konoha.
The other reason, however, was entirely for Danzō's sake.
After all, Danzō and Orochimaru had collaborated extensively in the past.
If Orochimaru were exposed, would he reveal these dealings?
It was hard to say.
Rather than take that risk, it was better to strike first and eliminate Orochimaru outright.
Hearing Ryoma's suggestion, Danzō didn't respond immediately.
If there was even a sliver of possibility, he didn't want to move against Orochimaru.
After all, Orochimaru's research capabilities were among the strongest in the entire ninja world!
Even his subordinate, Hiruko, couldn't compare.
But it was precisely Orochimaru's terrifying talent and tricky abilities that made him a threat if he ever became an enemy.
Danzō wouldn't show any mercy.
He wouldn't even consider beating him into submission and making him a subordinate, as he had with Hiroko.
Because Orochimaru wasn't a dog—he was a snake!
A venomous snake!
Thus, Danzō had to be prepared.
Or rather, he had always been prepared.
"I'll handle this matter."
"Don't worry. If it comes to that, I won't hesitate."
Danzō finally gave his answer.
Ryoma nodded, saying nothing more.
Clearly, he didn't believe his leader would show any mercy out of some sense of friendship.
Appreciating talent was one thing, but if you stood against Lord Danzō, he would make you understand what it truly meant to be—
The Darkness of the Shinobi World!
___
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