Long black hair, golden vertically slitted pupils, purple eye shadow extending to the sides of the nose, pale skin, bluish-green magatama-shaped earrings, and an outfit featuring a light yellow sash tied at the back with a light purple rope knot.
Orochimaru, the man once known as the "disaster wind," still exuded his otherworldly presence.
He stared at Naruto, no longer showing the contempt he once did.
This was inevitable, for within Anko, he had seen Naruto's current abilities.
"Uzumaki Naruto, the stupid boy who once followed behind Sasuke, seems to have taken on the appearance of a true ninja... So, you went through all this trouble to meet me, someone who once wronged you. What is it that you want?"
Naruto spoke bluntly:
"Orochimaru, I won't beat around the bush. I want to gain immense power and create a completely new ninja world... For that, your knowledge and Ninjutsu are essential."
Upon hearing this, Orochimaru's gaze deepened:
"I thought this was something easily done, like letting you meet your father, Namikaze Minato. I didn't expect your desires to be so great..."
Naruto replied: "It seems you're unwilling."
Orochimaru answered: "My goal is to uncover all the truths that exist in this world, not to serve any person or organization. Villages and organizations like Akatsuki will only become chains that hold me back!"
Naruto said: "I won't become your chain. While you help me, you can continue your research, as long as…"
Orochimaru smiled and spoke,
"So, what exactly are you saying? That it won't harm the Shinobi World, right?"
Naruto, however, surprised him by saying,
"Completely harmless? That's impossible. I just hope you'll act within certain boundaries..."
"Oh?" Orochimaru raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised.
"To hear such realistic words from you, I'm curious now. What exactly happened to you..."
Naruto replied,
"If you're interested, I can tell you about it later~."
Orochimaru chuckled,
"Better not. Reason tells me not to dig too deep into these matters..."
At this moment, Konan stepped in and said,
"Orochimaru, you need a stable place right now. As long as you're willing to cooperate with Naruto, the Rain Village is willing to do everything possible to provide you with a lab and shelter."
Orochimaru responded,
"That sounds tempting, but I must refuse..."
"Really? What a shame." Konan's gaze grew colder as she subtly watched Naruto's reaction. He was looking down, deep in thought.
Orochimaru seemed to want to make Naruto give up completely,
"Let me be honest with you, Naruto. I've already studied the power of the Uzumaki clan. Their immense vitality can suppress the Tailed Beast's chakra, along with a series of powerful sealing techniques. Their potential is no less than the Senju clan's. But compared to all that, the power of the Uchiha clan is far more beautiful and captivating."
The shock that Itachi had brought to Orochimaru was profound, which is why he had such an obsessive interest in the Uchiha power.
Naruto lifted his head and said,
"So, you still can't let go of Sasuke, huh?"
Orochimaru replied,
"To pursue truth, one must be single-minded, Naruto. Even though your current strength surprises me, I will never give up on Sasuke. He is the perfect vessel I've chosen! He has the potential to surpass Itachi, no... even Uchiha Madara!"
Unlike the events in his past life, Orochimaru had been resurrected before seeing the outcome with Kabuto, so he was still plotting to take over Sasuke's body.
Naruto's gaze turned cold,
"Then no matter what, I can't let you leave now..."
"That's not up to you..."
Rustle, rustle, rustle!
Orochimaru's legs turned into snake tails, and he quickly slithered toward the exit of the cave!
*Whoosh!*
Naruto appeared at the entrance of the cave, where he had set up a Flying Raijin mark, blocking Orochimaru's escape route!
"Flying Raijin Jutsu, huh..." Orochimaru thought.
"My hands are still inside the Death God's stomach, sealed by the Shinigami's soul-sealing jutsu. Any jutsu that requires hand signs can't be used. I saw it inside Anko... Naruto's basic combat ability is now on par with that of an elite Jonin. If he activates Sage Mode, the situation will be very unfavorable for me...!"
*Whoosh!*
As Orochimaru moved quickly, his neck suddenly stretched out, wrapping around Naruto's neck. His sharp fangs sank deep into Naruto's neck!
"I'll use the cursed seal's power to bind his body for now!"
Buzz!
Black cursed seal markings flowed from Naruto's neck, spreading all over his body.
But just then, Naruto suddenly raised his hand and locked Orochimaru's neck with his elbow joint, preventing Orochimaru from pulling his head back!
"Hm!?" Orochimaru was shocked.
"Could it be... he did that on purpose, letting me bite him?"
"You used your fangs to inject chakra into my body. Well..." Naruto said,
"I can do the same to you."
Naruto closed his eyes and entered a state of meditation for Sage Mode while remaining still.
Whoosh! The natural energy surged in, and Orochimaru's beautiful face twisted in pain. "Mmm... The natural energy... it's flowing through the path connecting me and him, reversing into my body... Aghhh!"
Naruto opened his eyes and smiled. "How does the Sage Power of Mount Myoboku differ from that of Ryūchi Cave, Orochimaru-sensei? Can you share your thoughts?"
Crash! Orochimaru suddenly opened his mouth wide. His arm shot out first, followed by his head and body... A few seconds later, a completely new Orochimaru landed and distanced himself from Naruto.
Zzzzz! Orochimaru's curse mark was suppressed by Naruto, and he looked at the shriveled snake skin in his hand. "Orochimaru's substitution technique is truly unparalleled..."
"It seems it won't be so easy to make me leave..."
—Hundred Snake Formation!
Orochimaru grinned and lay flat on the ground. Hundreds, even thousands of snakes burst out from his mouth. Once free, the snakes opened their mouths and spat out countless grass-cutting swords, creating a torrent of blades that surged forward!
"Sister Konan, please take care of Anko!" Naruto shouted as he quickly retreated outside the cave!
Konan picked up Anko and moved her out of the danger zone.
Boom! The shadow clone Naruto had set up outside the cave vanished, and Sage Chakra flowed back to his body. The orange eyeshadow appeared, and his right eye revealed the horizontal pupils of a toad. He entered Sage Mode!
Boom! A new shadow clone appeared in midair. Naruto, using one hand, released a Rasengan[later on, Naruto could form a Rasengan with just one hand] and changed its properties!
Buzz! The sharp slicing sound was accompanied by wind blades forming. Naruto gathered his energy in mid-air and hurled his "weapon" toward the massive flood of snakes and swords below!
—Sage Art: Wind Style: Rasengan Shuriken!
Boom!!! The white storm shattered everything, destroying the incoming snakes and swords. The cave trembled under the force of the storm!
Boom!!! Suddenly... with an even louder crash, the cave collapsed completely. Standing in front of Naruto was a giant creature with eight snake bodies!
Rustle, rustle! Orochimaru's slippery, sticky body emerged from the middle snake's head and laughed hoarsely. "Hehehe... Sorry, Naruto... your technique is strong, but it can't defeat me completely!"
"Is that Orochimaru's strongest technique, the Yamata no Orochi Technique?"
Naruto landed, his expression serious.
Since my return, the Nine-Tails doesn't want to listen to me. Should I summon the Great Toad for help? But explaining the current situation will be difficult...
In midair, Konan asked, "Naruto, do you need me to help?"
"No need. Even if we force Orochimaru to leave, if we can't make him willingly submit, it wouldn't be of much use..."
Swish! As he spoke, he removed the bandage covering his left eye, revealing a pale purple background with three concentric ripples, shining with a noble glow!
The Rinnegan, the symbol of the Six Paths!
Orochimaru's pupils shrank. "Hmm!? That left eye, could it be...?"
Naruto raised the corner of his mouth: "This should be a little more interesting..."
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