The tunnel leading to the underground laboratory of Root was deep and long. The air was thick with a long-standing musty smell, mixed with the sharp scent of formaldehyde and an indescribable, sickly sweet odor.
Footsteps echoed in the narrow space, sounding exceptionally hollow.
Jiraiya walked at the front, his shadow stretching long and appearing somewhat hunched under the flickering torchlight.
"If..."
Jiraiya suddenly spoke, "I mean, what if that guy has already run away? With Orochimaru's caution, he should have received word the moment Danzo died. It's possible that what's waiting for us inside is just a Shadow Clone."
He paused, his hand instinctively reaching toward his tool pouch.
"Or maybe he's already destroyed all the data and left a Shadow Clone just to say goodbye?"
Tsunade followed behind him, her brow furrowed. Her usually refined face looked somewhat grim due to her previous anger and the current oppressive atmosphere.
Hearing Jiraiya's words, she clicked her tongue in irritation.
"Shut your jinxing mouth, Jiraiya."
Tsunade's voice was cold and hard. "That bastard's obsession with research is deeper than anyone's. Those test subjects... that child named Kinoe is his only successful case so far. He won't bear to destroy everything before he gets the final data."
"Minato deliberately left information; Orochimaru will want to know the specifics."
Tsunade's teeth gritted as she mentioned the words 'successful case.'
As a medical ninja, she knew better than anyone how domineering the Hashirama Cells were.
Thinking about how many inhumane trials and lives it took to achieve that delicate balance made her stomach churn.
But she also had to admit a cruel reality.
That child's physical condition was extremely unstable; he could turn into a tree at any moment due to his cells going out of control.
With her current medical ninjutsu, she could only suppress it, not cure it.
The one who tied the knot had to be the one to untie it.
If they wanted to save that child and resolve the mess left by Root, Orochimaru's technology was an unavoidable obstacle.
She hadn't expected to encounter such darkness so soon after returning to the village.
"Whether he's there or not, we have to go in," Minato Namikaze said calmly from the back.
"If he's there, we talk. If he's not..."
"I only hope you two can lend me your strength."
Minato's words were brief, but everyone understood the killing intent behind them.
After all, as one of the Sannin, Orochimaru possessed a wealth of Konoha's intelligence. He couldn't be allowed to leak it.
He only hoped that when the time came, Lord Jiraiya and Lady Tsunade wouldn't hesitate.
"Don't worry, he's definitely there."
Perched on Minato's shoulder, Gamakon let out a lazy yawn. "For Orochimaru, running away is a means of survival, but only on the premise of being able to live to fight another day. If he finds that the potential gains of staying far outweigh the risks of fleeing, that snake is more greedy than anyone."
Jiraiya looked back with a complicated expression at the purple toad.
"Gama-kon, how can you be so sure? Do you understand Orochimaru? Even I can't see through what that guy is thinking right now."
"I don't understand him, but I understand 'desire'."
Gamakon reached out a claw and scratched his belly, his tone carrying the confidence of someone in total control. "What does Orochimaru seek? The ultimate pinnacle of ninjutsu and the unraveling of all truths in this world. And without a long lifespan, how can he achieve that?"
Gamakon paused, his voice turning low and enticing.
"And I can give him all of those things!"
If one compared his past life to the 'Domain of the Unknown' that those in the ninja world could never reach, then for him—who held the script—this ninja world was his 'Domain of Omniscience.'
Though it sounded a bit boastful, he was indeed the intersection of these two worlds.
"Orochimaru wants immortality? I can tell him of a life form far superior to Living Corpse Reincarnation. He wants truth? I can tell him the origin of chakra, the secrets of the God Tree, and even... the existence of those from beyond the stars."
Gamakon grinned broadly, showing a meaningful smile.
"For a mad scientist starving for knowledge, the information in my head is the most lethal poison. As long as I let him catch a whiff of it, he'll crawl forward even if there's a mountain of blades or a sea of fire ahead."
"Furthermore..."
Gamakon glanced at Minato. "Future enemies won't just be the insignificant riff-raff of the Hidden Cloud or Hidden Stone. Facing the upcoming Otsutsuki Clan, Orochimaru's research capabilities and those bizarre black technologies will be indispensable strategic resources."
"Otsutsuki?"
Tsunade sharply caught the unfamiliar term, her brow furrowing even tighter. "What is that? A new hostile force?"
"You'll find out later; it's too much trouble to explain now."
Gamakon waved a claw dismissively. "In short, all you need to know is that I have enough chips to make him stay."
Jiraiya opened his mouth, seemingly wanting to say something or perhaps endorse Gamakon's grand words, proving the toad actually had the ability to back them up.
But at that moment, everyone stopped.
The path ahead was blocked.
A heavy steel door covered in sealing formulas stood before them.
Carved on the door were two intertwined snakes with flickering tongues, facing the newcomers as if hissing silently.
"Reached."
Minato looked up, his gaze piercing through the thick metal door.
As a top-tier sensory ninja, he could clearly feel the chakra behind the door.
Cold, thick, and slimy.
It felt like a cold viper slowly coiling around one's neck, making one's skin crawl.
That was Orochimaru's chakra.
Moreover, it was being released openly without any concealment, as if saying to those outside:
Come in, I've been waiting for you for a long time.
"Phew..."
Jiraiya exhaled a long breath, his previously slightly hunched back instantly straightening.
He reached out and pressed his hand against the cold metal.
"Are you ready?"
It was unclear if he was asking his companions or himself.
"Open it," Tsunade said coldly, chakra already gathering in her fist.
"Creak—"
There was no need for a forced entry. As Jiraiya pushed, the seemingly impregnable iron door slowly opened inward.
There were no traps like they had expected.
Behind the door was a vast, empty laboratory.
Harsh white lights illuminated the place like broad daylight. Rows of large glass jars lined the walls, containing various bizarre biological tissues floating in pale green nutrient solution.
In the very center of the lab sat a large examination table.
A man with long black hair and skin as pale as paper stood with his back to the door, holding a test tube and focusing intently on the reaction inside.
He wore a simple grey kimono with a purple belt tied loosely around his waist.
Hearing the door open, he didn't turn around, nor did he even pause his movements.
"You've arrived."
Orochimaru's voice was raspy and melodic. "A bit later than I expected. It seems Danzo's death cost you quite a bit of time."
"Orochimaru!"
Jiraiya took a step forward and barked.
That shout contained a multitude of emotions.
There was anger, disappointment, and heartache.
"What exactly do you think life is?!"
Jiraiya questioned, "Do you know what we discovered outside? Do you know what you've done? Do you really think our past friendship can grant you immunity from death?!"
Orochimaru finally set down the test tube.
He turned around slowly. In those golden, slitted snake eyes, there was no trace of fear, only a calm indifference.
"Run?"
Orochimaru chuckled, his long tongue licking his lips. "Jiraiya, you're still so naive. The world is large, but the places that can accommodate me are small. If I leave Konoha, I lose the best experimental subjects and equipment. And besides..."
His gaze swept across the furious Tsunade and finally settled on the expressionless Minato.
"The current Konoha seems to have become quite interesting. That fool Danzo has fallen, replaced by a young, strong, and ambitious Hokage. I wonder if such a Konoha can tolerate my 'existence'?"
"Tolerate?!"
Tsunade could no longer suppress the rage in her heart.
She lunged forward, slamming her fist onto the lab table in front of Orochimaru.
"Boom!"
The hard alloy surface dented instantly, and various glass instruments were shattered into flying shards.
"Look around you! Look at what's in those jars!"
Tsunade pointed at the nauseating specimens, her eyes bloodshot. "Is this what you call 'existence'? Satisfying your curiosity with the lives of innocent children? Desecrating Grandfather's cells to pursue your twisted power?!"
"Orochimaru! You're a complete lunatic! Even if Konoha needs you, I'll be watching you constantly!"
Facing Tsunade's fury, Orochimaru merely stepped back half a pace. His expression shifted slightly as he avoided the flying glass shards.
"Life?"
Orochimaru looked at Tsunade, a hint of mockery in his eyes. "Tsunade, it's precisely because you're so accustomed to death that you've become so weak. When Nawaki died, when Dan died, what could you do besides weep and tremble in fear?"
"Human life is too fragile."
Orochimaru spread his arms as if to embrace something. "It breaks with the slightest touch. What is there to revere about such a fragile thing? What I do is merely to shed this weak mortal coil and achieve eternity!"
"The sacrifice of those children is a necessary price for the exploration of truth. If successful, they shall achieve immortality alongside me."
"Fallacy!"
Tsunade trembled with rage, chakra light flaring on her fist. "I'll kill you right now!"
Unable to hold back any longer, Tsunade prepared to strike.
The moment she was about to move, a golden flash suddenly blocked the path between her and Orochimaru.
Minato Namikaze.
He didn't draw his kunai, just stood there silently, isolating the pressure between the two.
"Lady Tsunade, please remain calm."
Minato's voice wasn't loud, but it carried an unquestionable authority.
He turned and looked at Orochimaru.
"Senior Orochimaru."
Minato's address remained polite, but his gaze was freezing. "Konoha cannot agree with your theories. The crimes you've committed are also capital offenses. According to the law, I should execute you immediately."
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes, his body tensing slightly.
He could feel that Minato wasn't joking.
That suppressed killing intent was even sharper than the 'White Fang' of years past.
"However."
Minato's tone shifted. "Someone told me you still have value. Value in living that outweighs the value of your death."
Orochimaru's gaze bypassed Minato and landed on the purple toad perched on his shoulder.
He had been observing this toad since the beginning.
Its gaze wasn't that of a summoning beast; rather, it carried a sort of all-knowing arrogance. Combined with the rumors in the village, it proved this summoning beast was anything but simple.
"Oh?"
Orochimaru became interested. "Minato, you actually trust a toad from Mount Myoboku so easily."
"Correction, we are partners."
Gamakon hopped down from Minato's shoulder and landed on the glass-strewn lab table.
With a body tempered by natural chakra, he ignored the sharp shards and swaggered up to Orochimaru.
"Nice to meet you, Orochimaru."
Gamakon looked up, his golden horizontal pupils meeting the slitted snake eyes. "I am the Sage Sovereign of Mount Myoboku. Of course, you can call me Gama-kon or Gamakon."
Orochimaru studied Gamakon with interest. "How rare. A toad that gives itself such a name."
"So what? Don't you go by Orochimaru too?"
Gamakon retorted bluntly. "I know your method for immortality. You plan to turn yourself into a snake and switch bodies every few years, living like a parasite? Is that your idea of immortality?"
Orochimaru's smile froze on his face.
The development of Living Corpse Reincarnation was currently only in the theoretical verification stage. Aside from a few confidants who knew some details, absolutely no one knew about it.
How did this toad know?
"Don't look at me like that; I know far more than you can imagine."
Gamakon held up a claw and shook it. "Your vision is too narrow, Orochimaru. You're staring at this small corner of the ninja world, staring at those Kekkei Genkai, thinking that's the ultimate end."
"But have you ever wondered where chakra came from? Was the Sage of Six Paths really the ancestor of ninjutsu? What is the source of the Sharingan and Byakugan?"
Orochimaru's pupils constricted into needle points.
These were questions he had pondered as well, but he could never find the answers.
All ancient records came to a halt with the Sage of Six Paths.
"Do you know about 'Karma'?"
Gamakon suddenly dropped an unfamiliar term.
"It's a technology infinitely more advanced than your Cursed Seal. It doesn't just back up the soul and power; it allows the host to perfectly 'uncompress' into another body after death, even evolving into a higher-dimensional life form."
"That is true immortality. True divine technique."
Orochimaru's breathing became rapid.
As an expert, he could sense the terrifying technical complexity just from that description. That was the realm he dreamed of.
"You... know this technology?" Orochimaru's voice was dry.
"Of course I know."
Gamakon grinned like a demon tempting a child with candy. "I don't just know that. I know the origins of Princess Kaguya, how to plant the God Tree, and even... that deep in the distant starry sky, a group of beings calling themselves 'Gods' is watching this world."
"To them, the forbidden techniques you take pride in are nothing more than the toys of primitive men."
"What do you say, Orochimaru?"
Gamakon leaned in, his voice dripping with temptation. "Do you want to see that wider world? Do you want to know the real truth?"
"Partner with me. I'll give you direction, provide materials, and even tell you the secrets of those 'Gods'."
"In return, you only need to pay a small, insignificant price—work for Konoha and help us solve some minor technical difficulties."
Orochimaru stared fixedly at Gamakon.
His logic told him this toad was extremely dangerous, perhaps even painting a pipe dream.
But those unknown terms and techniques... he couldn't refuse.
That thirst for the unknown and greed for immortality burned in his chest like a fire, leaving him parched.
If what this toad said was true...
Then his previous research truly was as laughable as a child's scribbles.
"Hehe..."
Orochimaru suddenly let out a low laugh.
"Interesting! So interesting!"
Orochimaru cut his laughter short, his eyes burning with intensity as he looked at Gamakon. "I admit, you've moved me. Regardless of where you learned this, as long as you can prove what you say is true..."
"What harm is there in selling my life to Konoha?"
He turned his head to Minato, a signature sinister smile appearing on his face.
"Fourth Hokage, it seems we need to redefine our relationship."
Minato looked on, his tensed body finally relaxing slightly. He knew it had worked.