Late at night, Orochimaru sat alone in his laboratory, sifting through recent research data.
"The legendary power of the First Hokage, the one who ended the chaotic Warring State Period, is truly becoming more fascinating," he mused.
Though there had been little progress in his studies of the Wood Release bloodline limit, the failed experiments sparked a new wave of interest.
"Even a few cells hold such astonishing vitality. I can't imagine how formidable the First Hokage must have been," he thought.
As Orochimaru set the documents aside, he leaned back in his chair, intending to close his eyes for a brief nap. But just as he began to drift off, a sudden buzzing noise filled his mind.
In an instant, the familiar, hazy black mist rolled in like a tide. After his previous encounter, Orochimaru was still a bit tense, but not panicked.
This time, however, it wasn't the usual "gathering." Out of the swirling black mist emerged a figure seemingly made of light, with six radiant wings extending from its back.
The figure radiated an ancient and boundless energy, like a star. Its piercing gaze was fixed on Orochimaru's spirit.
"Not a gathering?" Orochimaru was taken aback. He expected to be transported to the Corpse Cathedral like last time.
He's not one to be easily fooled. After a moment of thought, he deduced who this figure was: "It's a rare guest, Mr. Adam. I didn't expect to see you here. What brings you to me?"
"I'm here to deliver good news, Orochimaru," replied Uchiha Sogetsu, who appeared in this dreamlike form thanks to ritual magic.
"Oh?" Orochimaru's eyes lit up, his curiosity piqued.
Sogetsu wasted no time with small talk. "It's about [immortality]," he stated plainly.
Immortality?
Orochimaru's pupils dilated slightly, and his throat tightened. He tried to speak, but the words seemed stuck.
It wasn't that he suspected Adam of lying—he'd seen his power firsthand—but the prospect of achieving immortality was overwhelming, leaving him momentarily speechless.
After a few moments, Orochimaru realized his reaction was impolite and quickly apologized. "Forgive me, Mr. Adam. I've been researching immortality for a long time without success. This news is so surprising that it caught me off guard. I hope you understand."
"It's perfectly understandable," replied Sogetsu calmly.
"Excuse me, Mr. Adam, what price do I need to pay?" Orochimaru asked, his voice steady, but his eyes betrayed a hint of suppressed excitement. He was controlling the rush of ecstasy bubbling within him, forcing himself to remain calm.
He had always known that everything came with a cost—but this was immortality. The very thing he had been pursuing for so long was now within reach. No matter what the price, he was determined to pay it.
"The cost will be revealed to you later," Sogetsu replied, a hint of mystery in his tone. He then continued, "Five kilometers east of Konoha, you'll find what you seek. It's an unfinished story from thousands of years ago. The beings from that mythology era still live today. I'm sure it can meet your requirements."
Sogetsu was referring to "Black Zetsu." If Black Zetsu thought he could just escape after offending him, he was sorely mistaken. Black Zetsu might believe he could come and go as he pleased, but Sogetsu had other plans.
"The Age of Mythology? Creature that has lived for thousands of years?" Orochimaru's initial shock had now turned into outright disbelief. The implications of that one sentence were staggering, enough to nearly freeze his brain.
Was Adam suggesting that these ancient myths from the ninja world were real? Orochimaru's thoughts spiraled out of control. He was shivering, his mind racing to comprehend the scope of this revelation.
"If you don't go soon, he'll vanish," Sogetsu said, with a smirk. "After all, your friend doesn't seem all that reliable. He won't be able to hold him for long."
"My friend?" Orochimaru paused, then realized who Sogetsu was referring to. "You mean Jiraiya?"
Out of everyone in Konoha, there were only a few Orochimaru could consider friends, and Jiraiya was the least dependable among them. It made sense now.
"Go," Sogetsu said. With that, his figure, as radiant as a god, dissolved into black mist, fading away.
Back in reality, Orochimaru opened his eyes abruptly. In the depths of his purple irises, a fierce murderous intent flickered. "Creature from the mythical age, thousands of years old? This is getting more and more interesting. I had no idea there were so many secrets hidden in the ninja world."
Meanwhile, deep in the forests outside Konoha, Black Zetsu was taking a brutal beating. If Uchiha Fugaku was a minor annoyance, then the legendary Sannin Jiraiya was making Black Zetsu's life a living nightmare.
Jiraiya had a mastery of all the chakra nature of ninjutsu, with a particular talent for earth and fire techniques. He was a formidable opponent, one that Black Zetsu wasn't prepared for.
However, what makes Black Zetsu even more desperate is that Jiraiya is from Mount Myoboku. It was that wretched toad from that very place who deceived Hagoromo and Hamura, leading them to betray and seal their mother, Kaguya.
"We can't afford to wait any longer." Black Zetsu decided to employ his usual escape tactic: splitting his body into many parts and scattering them.
"The smelly toad at Mount Myoboku has the power of prophecy. If I linger too long with Jiraiya, it's only a matter of time before he figures me out!"
With a loud "Bang!", Black Zetsu's body exploded into countless black droplets, dispersing in all directions like a splash of ink.
"Trying to escape?" Jiraiya, lying on the ground with his hair standing on end like a lion's mane, quickly reacted: "Ninjutsu: Needle Jizo!"
The sound of swishing needles filled the air as Jiraiya's hair hardened into steel-like spikes, raining down on the scattered black droplets. While many droplets were pierced and destroyed with a sharp scream, a few managed to slip away.
"I've never seen this kind of ninjutsu before," Jiraiya muttered to himself, halting his attack when he realized he couldn't catch all the droplets.
He furrowed his brow, deep in thought: "There's something strange about this guy. Not only is his ninjutsu odd, but his body structure is also peculiar. I need to find some time to visit Mount Myoboku and talk to the Great Toad Sage."
Meanwhile, Black Zetsu, in his desperate attempt to escape, suffered heavy losses. Though not a living being in the conventional sense, but rather a ball of Yin-type chakra separated from Kaguya's body, the events of the night had taken a toll on him.
He'd lost about two-thirds of his "body," and it would take at least six months to recover fully.
"Damn Uchiha Sogetsu! I'll make you pay for this!" Black Zetsu seethed with rage, blaming the Uchiha for his misfortune. "Just wait, Uchiha Sogetsu. When I get back, I'll ensure you experience the most agonizing suffering imaginable. You will lose everything and endure endless torment!"
As Black Zetsu stewed in his anger, a hissing sound drew his attention. The grass beside him rustled, and several snakes slithered out. The venomous serpents raised their heads, their scarlet eyes glaring at him as they flicked their tongues, making an ominous hissing sound.
"Just a few snakes? Do they think they can scare me?" Black Zetsu was startled at first, but when he saw they were just snakes, he grew enraged. He waved his hand, ready to rip them to shreds.
But something felt off. Why were there snakes here?
"Hehehehe."
An eerie laugh filled the air, sending a chill down Black Zetsu's spine.
No. This can't be happening, right? There's no way he'd be that unlucky, right?
He turned his head, which felt as if it had been turned to stone, toward the source of the sound. Under the glowing moonlight, he saw a handsome man dressed in a white kimono, with long black hair, narrow eyes, and a cold demeanor.
The man walked towards him with a serpent-like grace, his hands clasped casually behind his back, and a thin smile on his lips.
It's Orochimaru!
Black Zetsu thought he might have offended the god of luck somehow.
Otherwise, how else could he be cursed enough to meet two legendary Sannin in one day?
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