Orochimaru stood in the dimly lit room, his golden eyes glinting as Uzumaki Naino approached, her steps soft yet unsteady. She forced a small smile, though the fatigue in her movements betrayed her.
"I'm fine… just a bit weaker than usual," Naino said quietly, brushing a strand of faded red hair behind her ear. A hint of worry clouded her eyes. "Will I always feel like this?"
Orochimaru's expression softened for a brief moment.
She didn't regret the choice she had made — using a forbidden technique to save her people — but the toll it had taken on her vitality was undeniable. Even her once-bright scarlet hair had dimmed.
"Don't worry," Orochimaru replied with that familiar, snake-like calm. "My research on the Zero-Tails is nearing a breakthrough. Once I'm done, your chakra flow — and your hair — will return to their full strength."
Her eyes brightened. "Mm! I believe you, Lord Orochimaru!"
Before he could react, she stepped forward and hugged him tightly.
For all his coldness, Orochimaru allowed it — if only for a heartbeat.
---
Then, as his lips curved mischievously, he whispered, "Ah, by the way… Chief Chigusa mistook me for a waitress earlier. Said she wanted sake."
Naino froze. Her eyes widened, then narrowed dangerously. "Chief Chigusa… is what he said true?"
"Huh? Wait—" Uzumaki Chigusa stammered, glancing helplessly between them. But Orochimaru was already wearing that infuriating 'plan succeeded' smirk.
"I've told you a hundred times!" Naino's hair rose, swirling with chakra as she clenched her fists. "You're still recovering! No alcohol!"
"E-Ehh?! Naino, I'm sorry!" Chigusa's wail echoed through the roof.
Moments later, Orochimaru found himself on the receiving end of a glare from the humiliated chief. Chigusa lowered her hood dramatically, muttering, "Orochimaru… you troublesome little brat…"
He chuckled under his breath, satisfied with his chaos.
"Now, now," he said, waving off her anger. "Let's go. We're visiting Grandma Mito."
---
The Senju Residence — Land of Fire, Konoha
To welcome Uzumaki Chigusa, Uzumaki Mito had already set up a powerful barrier, concealing the gathering from prying eyes. She had even coaxed her grandson Nawaki to sleep early — the boy's curiosity was boundless, and she preferred no interruptions tonight.
As she held the marked kunai inscribed with the Flying Thunder God seal, Mito's eyes gleamed. "They're here."
Shhh—!
A flash of light signaled their arrival. Orochimaru and Chigusa appeared within the Senju residence, the faint ozone scent of teleportation lingering in the air.
"Lady Mito…" Chigusa began, but her voice faltered as Mito stepped forward and embraced her warmly.
"You've worked hard," the elder said softly, patting her back.
Tears welled in Chigusa's eyes. "I… failed to protect our village."
"No," Mito whispered, her tone motherly and full of compassion. "You did everything you could. The fact that so many survived is a blessing."
She smiled faintly. "And seeing you alive… that's enough."
---
As the conversation settled, Mito listened carefully to Chigusa's stories — tales of rebuilding, of surviving in the Land of Waves, and of how the Uzumaki clan, despite their losses, still held hope.
When Chigusa finished, Mito's shoulders relaxed for the first time in years. "So the people live well… That brings me great comfort."
Her gaze shifted toward Orochimaru, who was scribbling notes in a small black book, as if nothing around him mattered. "Orochimaru… it was your idea, wasn't it? The Sealing Team?"
Orochimaru froze mid-sentence, then turned slowly with a forced smile. "How could that be—? Fine, yes, it was my suggestion."
"Mm-hm." Mito pinched his cheek with grandmotherly mischief. "You and your bright ideas. Always causing me trouble."
"Grandma Mito," he said in protest, "it was Hiruzen's decision! He's the Hokage. I only gave a little advice! You can't possibly blame me!"
"Do you think everyone has your curiosity?" she scolded gently, still smiling. "Researching is one thing, child. Taking responsibility is another."
Orochimaru sighed, utterly defeated. "Fine… blame the Hokage. He's used to it by now."
Chigusa giggled quietly from behind her sleeve, clearly enjoying the rare sight of Orochimaru being scolded.
When he caught her smirk, Orochimaru shot her a sidelong glare that clearly said, You'll pay for that later.
---
"I agree with forming the Sealing Team," Mito declared. "And since you suggested it, you'll help train them."
"What?!" Orochimaru's composure cracked. "Grandma Mito, I'm… quite busy."
"Oh?" Her sweet smile turned slightly terrifying. "Too busy for Konoha's future?"
"…I regret every word I've ever spoken," he muttered under his breath. But there was no escaping her.
"That's settled then." She patted his head fondly. "You'll do fine."
Orochimaru's golden eyes twitched. Her smile is scarier than any curse mark I've seen…
With a resigned sigh, he asked, "Do you two have anything else to say? I'll send Chigusa back soon — the barrier's been active too long already."
Mito nodded gently. "No, dear. Just knowing the survivors are safe is enough."
Her wise eyes softened. She had watched Orochimaru grow from a curious six-year-old into a cold, calculating genius. She knew better than anyone that his 'cooperation' with the White Snake Pharmaceutical Company was more than just business.
"Chigusa," she said warmly, "you did well. Even Hashirama once said, no one can save everyone. Not even the God of Shinobi."
Chigusa smiled faintly and bowed her head. "Yes, Lady Mito."
---
The Underground Laboratory — Later
In the vast subterranean chamber, the air thrummed with power. The monstrous form of the Zero-Tails coiled like a massive serpent, its inky body wrapped in intricate sealing formulae that spiraled across its skin.
It raised its eyeless head, sensing Orochimaru's presence.
The serpent sage held a syringe, drawing blood from the creature's hide. The crimson liquid glowed faintly in the tube, pulsing as though alive.
This was not the first extraction. Bound by the Twin Extremes Seal, the Zero-Tails remained docile — for now. But its chakra continued to swell, feeding on ambient natural energy.
Orochimaru studied it carefully, a spark of excitement flickering in his eyes.
It consumes natural energy and converts it to chakra… just like the Tailed Beasts.
Perhaps this is how the gods once shaped life.
In another corner of the lab, a dozen data sheets fluttered under the ventilation. Orochimaru examined his own recent analysis — and smirked.
His cells had changed.
Through countless experiments and exposure to Ryuchi Cave's Sage energy, his body had begun to mutate, drawing closer to the physiology of the Three Snake Princesses — the immortal sages of Ryuchi Cave.
He estimated his current life expectancy at over a century and a half.
"Still far from perfection," he murmured, watching the data turn to ash in his hands. "A thousand-year lifespan like the Snake Sages remains beyond reach… for now."
---
Just then, the laboratory door creaked open. Hyuga Mio entered, elegant yet cold, her white eyes gleaming behind gold-rimmed glasses. Her long black hair was tied neatly into a bun, and her white lab coat swayed as she walked.
"Orochimaru," she said, placing a clipboard on the table. "These are the new Zero-Tails blood reports."
Her mesh shirt and slim armor gleamed faintly under the lights — more ceremonial than functional, but it suited her.
She frowned slightly as she noticed the ashes in the bin. "What did you burn?"
"Old data," Orochimaru replied. "Researching my own cells is a waste of time. The Zero-Tails' potential is far more promising."
He waved the syringe lazily. "We're shifting our experiments. Prepare new test subjects."
"As you wish," Mio said calmly, then paused. "But… what about your unfinished training at Ryuchi Cave?"
Orochimaru stopped mid-step, a grin creeping across his face. "It's complete," he said simply. "No need to return. My Sage Mode is… perfect."
He wasn't exaggerating. His body had shed its humanity, evolving from serpent to dragon — the highest form Ryuchi Cave could offer. Dangerous, yes. But worth every drop of pain.
Still, his mind never stopped racing.
If I could create a fluid contact lens infused with Sage Chakra, it might counter Genjutsu — even the Mangekyo Sharingan's illusions.
Or perhaps… a serpent's cornea, capable of filtering hostile chakra frequencies…
He chuckled softly. There's always another project.
---
His laboratory was a fortress of ideas.
Research on Chakra poisons continued — toxins that devoured chakra and multiplied within the victim's body. Progress on Zero-Tails cell biotechnology was promising, offering regeneration beyond even Hashirama's.
Meanwhile, at his secondary lab, work on Sage Art Explosives — chakra bombs fueled by refined natural energy — was nearing completion.
Even the Eye Sealing Curse Mark, his countermeasure to ocular jutsu, was under refinement. Though it couldn't yet restrain Rinnegan-level eyes, he considered the time invested worthwhile.
He hadn't abandoned his dream of creating Truth-Seeking Orbs manually. Despite endless failures, he persisted. Those orbs represented the pinnacle of chakra control — purer than any bloodline limit.
"If I could forge one…" he whispered, his eyes glowing with madness and longing, "…even Kusanagi would be worthless in comparison."
---
Then, he groaned audibly as a thought struck him.
"Oh, right. Grandma Mito's Sealing Team lectures…"
He buried his face in his hands.
"Of all things, teaching. And I can't even send a clone — she'd see through it immediately!"
Hyuga Mio tilted her head, expression unreadable. "You're the one who volunteered."
Orochimaru sighed in defeat. "I was young… foolish… talkative."
"You're fourteen."
"Exactly my point."
Mio chuckled under her breath as she left the lab, leaving him to his thoughts.
When the door closed, Orochimaru exhaled slowly and turned back to the restrained Zero-Tails, its eerie hum vibrating through the chamber.
"So many projects… so little time," he muttered, eyes gleaming with unholy light.
He placed a hand against the beast's seal and smiled faintly.
"Don't worry. We'll both evolve soon."
The serpent within him stirred — and the laboratory lights dimmed.
---
To be continued…
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