"Kiyohara-kun,"
Orochimaru's voice carried a trace of curiosity.
"The aura around you, is somewhat unusual. The 'Power of the White Snake' that I bestowed upon you years ago seems to have reached a level of activity that even surprises me."
"This is not something the original version of those cells should have been capable of achieving. Did something interesting happen to them?"
Orochimaru was genuinely curious.
It was like he had handed someone Version 1.0 of something, only for the other party to somehow upgrade it into Version 1.2 on their own.
The problem was, even he himself had not yet upgraded it to Version 1.2.
Kiyohara's heart stirred slightly.
Was it because of White Snake Kiyohara possessing him? Or was it the influence caused by his attempts to guide the natural energy of Ryuchi Cave?
No matter what the reason was, there was naturally no way Kiyohara would reveal everything truthfully.
Instead, he put on a puzzled expression and said, "Is that so? Recently, I have indeed felt that my body's recovery ability has improved, and my flexibility has also become better. But as for the exact reason, I'm not too sure myself. Perhaps it's simply the overall improvement brought by training?"
Orochimaru's golden vertical pupils stared at Kiyohara without blinking.
After a long while, so long that Kiyohara was beginning to question Orochimaru's gender again, Orochimaru finally withdrew his gaze.
He let out a low chuckle.
"Hehe Kiyohara-kun, the secrets hidden within you seem to be even greater than I imagined. This body of yours, truly is a fascinating treasure trove."
His tone carried an undisguised, burning desire toward the unknown.
"So then, Kiyohara-kun's visit today is probably not merely for reminiscing?"
Kiyohara smoothly followed the topic.
"There are indeed a few matters I wish to ask you about, my lord. Regarding the research into cursed seals, I wonder how the progress is coming along? Perhaps I may be able to assist in some way."
He needed to understand the current state of Orochimaru's cursed seal research and also prepare for his own future cultivation plans.
As expected, Orochimaru's attention was immediately drawn away.
He began explaining in detail some of his newest discoveries regarding natural energy and the cursed seal transformation state.
Kiyohara listened carefully, occasionally raising a few crucial questions that demonstrated his profound reserve of related knowledge, causing Orochimaru's interest in the conversation to grow even stronger.
After the exchange gradually came to an end, Kiyohara casually asked, as if unintentionally, "Orochimaru-sama, recently I've become rather interested in secret techniques related to snakes. I wonder if you possess any such techniques here that I could use as reference?"
"The techniques I saw in the Scroll of Seals did not seem especially suitable."
A gleam flashed through Orochimaru's eyes.
"The forbidden techniques recorded within the Scroll of Seals are indeed numerous, but they may not necessarily satisfy Kiyohara-kun's special needs. However—"
He deliberately dragged out the last syllable like a serpent observing its prey.
"To obtain my personal secret techniques, one must naturally pay a corresponding price."
"Kiyohara-kun, if you are willing to promise that, over the next ten years, you will remain in Konoha as one of my important assistants and aid me in my various research endeavors…"
Orochimaru's voice was filled with temptation.
"Then I can teach you truly powerful ninjutsu."
Kiyohara secretly laughed inwardly.
Orochimaru's human experimentation was an enormous hidden danger. The day the war ended would also be the day those crimes would eventually come to light.
This thunderbolt was not one that would never explode. The timing simply had not yet arrived.
And when it did explode, it would be enough to give Orochimaru a severe headache.
There was absolutely no possibility he would still have another peaceful ten years left for research.
In Kiyohara's estimation, from this very moment onward, the countdown to Orochimaru's defection had already begun.
The war itself was already nearing its conclusion.
And from the end of the war until Orochimaru defected, how much time had there actually been?
Although Kiyohara was thinking one thing internally, the expression he showed on his face conveyed a completely different attitude.
He appeared to seriously contemplate the proposal, then slowly nodded after a moment.
"To study under Orochimaru-sama is something one could never finish in a lifetime. Of course I am willing."
Kiyohara said this sincerely.
Thus, Kiyohara and Orochimaru looked into each other's eyes, and both of them felt that they had profited immensely from the deal.
Orochimaru smiled in satisfaction and began listing his offerings as though naming precious treasures one by one.
"Very well. I happen to possess several different paths. I wonder which direction Kiyohara-kun wishes to pursue?"
"Please elaborate."
Kiyohara replied.
Orochimaru began, "I possess the art of summoning contracts. I can allow you to sign a summoning pact with Ryuchi Cave. Once the contract is established, you will be able to summon the serpents of Ryuchi Cave and learn exquisite snake-type ninjutsu such as 'Summoning: Snake Gaze Curse Binding' and 'Hidden Shadow Snake Hands.'"
Kiyohara shook his head.
"No need, no need. I already possess a summoning contract with Shikkotsu Forest. It would not be convenient for me to establish another contract with a different sacred land."
Orochimaru did not become annoyed and continued speaking.
"Then I also possess fuinjutsu. I can teach you advanced sealing techniques such as the 'Five Elements Seal' and the 'Evil Sealing Method.' Once you master them, you will become a powerful sealing shinobi and compensate for your shortcomings in other areas."
Kiyohara shook his head again.
"No need. Kyoko-neesan of the Uzumaki Clan is already teaching me fuinjutsu. For now, that is more than enough."
The interest in Orochimaru's eyes grew even stronger.
"Oh? Then I have another technique called the 'Face Copying Technique.' It is essentially a disguise secret art and far superior to ordinary Transformation Techniques, to the point where it is almost impossible to detect."
Kiyohara still refused.
"No need. Although that ninjutsu is indeed good, I conduct myself openly and honestly. At present, I have no need for disguises."
After being rejected several times in succession, not only did Orochimaru show no displeasure or think Kiyohara overly picky, he actually smiled instead.
Suddenly, he recalled that the young man before him not only possessed terrifying growth in strength but was also extraordinarily knowledgeable, to the point of even recognizing an obscure kekkei genkai like the Ketsuryugan.
In that case, did he perhaps also know something about those truly hidden forbidden techniques?
A thought slowly formed within Orochimaru's mind.
He lowered his voice further and instructed Anko to head upstairs first.
Anko looked somewhat puzzled. What could Orochimaru-sensei possibly have to say that he could not say in front of her?
Still, she knew when she was supposed to leave.
Thus, she quietly walked out alone, intending to continue her training elsewhere.
Only after Anko had left did Orochimaru look back toward Kiyohara.
"Kiyohara-kun, your vision truly is extraordinary. Ordinary techniques cannot enter your eyes. In that case…"
He paused deliberately, carefully observing the changes in Kiyohara's expression.
"I possess another secret technique known as the 'Great Snake Charmer Technique.' When used, the caster can shed their skin and transform into the body of a gigantic serpent composed of countless smaller snakes. It can absorb an opponent's chakra and abilities. This ninjutsu, would you be interested in learning it?"
Kiyohara's heart stirred slightly.
He knew the real show was finally beginning.
However, he only raised his brows slightly, showing a moderate amount of interest.
"This technique sounds quite powerful. It's just that, I wonder if Orochimaru-sama possesses something even more formidable?"
Hearing Kiyohara's words, Orochimaru slowly shook his head.
It seemed Kiyohara-kun's ambitions were not small at all.
But that was good. He appreciated that very much.
"Kiyohara-kun,"
Orochimaru spoke each word slowly and deliberately.
"Have you ever heard of…"
"'The Eight Branches Technique'?"
Upon hearing this, Kiyohara deliberately displayed confusion and bewilderment before shaking his head.
"'The Eight Branches Technique'? I've never heard of it. What kind of ninjutsu is it?"
Orochimaru stared at him intently for several seconds.
In the end, it was as though he had confirmed something, yet also felt a trace of regret.
He sighed softly and said, "This technique is a forbidden art that I myself am currently conceiving and developing. It allows one to transform into the legendary eight-headed, eight-tailed giant serpent, possessing power capable of destroying everything. Unfortunately, there are still many difficulties that remain unresolved. At present, it is merely an incomplete product."
Then Orochimaru suddenly opened his mouth wide.
From within it, he spat out a ninjutsu scroll.
Afterward, Orochimaru unfolded the scroll.
"This is the 'Eight Branches Technique.' Unfortunately, because it is still only a half-finished product, the risks are extremely high and the probability of success is exceedingly slim. If an ordinary person were to obtain it, they would most likely completely transform into a snake themselves and could even lose their life because of it."
Orochimaru explained calmly.
"Kiyohara-kun possesses exceptional knowledge. Perhaps, you may be able to research something useful from it as well. And if one day you and I work together to perfect it."
Kiyohara accepted the scroll with both hands.
"Thank you for your trust, Orochimaru-sama. This ninjutsu truly does sound extremely powerful. I will study it carefully."
Orochimaru watched as Kiyohara stored away the scroll, and that meaningful smile once again appeared on his face.
"Of course, if I perfect this technique in the future, I will definitely provide Kiyohara-kun with the completed version."
Orochimaru continued speaking.
Both men harbored their own schemes.
Kiyohara had successfully obtained the "Eight Branches Technique."
Meanwhile, Orochimaru had used an unusable and highly dangerous incomplete prototype, along with an empty promise, to paint Kiyohara a grand fantasy.
Naturally, Kiyohara knew perfectly well that Orochimaru was merely dangling bait before him.
But he did not care.
He had no intention whatsoever of truly transforming himself into a snake.
As long as he could fulfill the second last will, that would be enough.
Even if Orochimaru actually handed him the completed version, Kiyohara still might not dare to use it.
As time passed, the degree of Orochimaru's corruption only grew deeper, making it increasingly likely that he would secretly leave hidden contingencies inside the technique.
Thinking carefully about it, nearly everyone who spent a significant amount of time with the future Orochimaru ended up carrying one of his hidden backdoors.
Kabuto, Sasuke, Anko. Not a single exception existed.
Afterward, Kiyohara exchanged a few more pleasantries with Orochimaru before finally taking his leave.
When Kiyohara departed the laboratory and his figure vanished into the depths of the corridor, Orochimaru stood beneath the dim lighting, lightly licking his lips as he muttered to himself in a low voice:
"How truly more and more interesting."
...
"I've completed your second last will, haven't I?"
After returning home, Kiyohara immediately summoned White Snake Kiyohara out before anything else.
White Snake Kiyohara temporarily possessed Kiyohara's hand and carefully unfolded the scroll to examine it in detail.
"Not bad. There is definitely something here. This should indeed be the so called 'Eight Branches Technique.'"
White Snake Kiyohara nodded slightly.
This technique was essentially a method that allowed seven additional heads to grow from the user's body.
And each of those seven heads could cast ninjutsu simultaneously.
Furthermore, after transforming, the user's defensive power and regenerative ability would also increase tremendously.
For snakes, this was indeed an extremely rare secret art.
"Then that's enough."
Seeing that even this incomplete version counted as fulfilling the second will, Kiyohara could not help but feel relieved inside.
Soon afterward, a glowing sphere floated out from within White Snake Kiyohara's body.
The sphere merged directly into Kiyohara's own body.
The White Snake's chakra nature seemed to be Yin Release. Kiyohara could clearly feel that his talent in Yin Release had become even stronger.
Using genjutsu and certain Yin Release ninjutsu now felt much smoother and more natural to him.
As for his spiritual energy and chakra reserves, those naturally increased once again.
Other than that, Kiyohara had also inherited several techniques used by the White Snake.
"'Shedding Skin Technique'?"
Kiyohara muttered inwardly.
The technique he inherited felt somewhat similar to Orochimaru's self developed "Orochimaru Style Body Replacement Technique."
Thus, Kiyohara drew out his shinobi blade and slashed directly across his own arm.
Puchi.
A bloody cut instantly appeared.
Yet before even a single drop of blood could fall, the wound had already sealed itself shut.
Kiyohara shook his arm slightly and discovered that no blood flowed out at all.
Then he used his fingers to scratch at the location of the wound and found that he could peel away a layer of white skin.
Beneath that layer was completely unharmed flesh.
"Not bad."
Kiyohara nodded faintly.
Although it was not like Orochimaru's "Orochimaru Style Body Replacement Technique," which could replace the entire body, being able to shed skin locally in order to restore injuries was already quite good.
After all, this technique did not require activating the chakra stored inside the Yin Seal.
The only flaw in Tsunade's developed jutsu was that once activated, it continuously consumed chakra.
Then afterward, one had to wait for the chakra reserves to gradually accumulate again.
Although once the seal had successfully formed once, subsequent accumulations would become much faster, it would still ultimately recover more slowly than Kiyohara's own natural chakra recovery speed.
Having alternative healing ninjutsu available was not a bad thing at all.
Especially because this was a seal-less ninjutsu that required no hand signs whatsoever.
Deep within Ryuchi Cave, the shrine dedicated to the White Snake Sage remained perpetually shrouded in damp, cold mist.
The enormous white-scaled serpent coiled upon a gigantic throne slowly opened its orange-yellow vertical pupils. The smoking pipe held in its mouth trembled lightly as a wisp of pale smoke slowly curled upward.
No one knew exactly how long the White Snake Sage's body truly was. It almost seemed as though she had already merged together with the shrine that worshipped her.
"Hmm?"
The White Snake Sage let out a deep nasal sound. The golden rings around her snake body lightly collided against one another, producing crisp chiming sounds.
As one of the sages of the Three Great Sacred Lands, the White Snake Sage also possessed methods for perceiving the entire shinobi world and glimpsing fragments of fate itself.
The Great Toad Sage of Mount Myoboku relied on dreams and the "Telescopic Technique" to observe the shinobi world.
But the White Snake Sage listened.
Through that unique form of perception, countless events occurring throughout the shinobi world naturally reached her ears.
And now, she had sensed a disturbance.
From the distant direction of the Land of Fire, a unique fluctuation of natural energy was attempting to resonate with the frequency of Ryuchi Cave's sage arts.
That was clearly the embryonic form of "Ryuchi Cave Sage Mode"!
The White Snake Sage frowned.
Some time ago, she had already vaguely sensed traces of this fluctuation, but today, it had become clearer than ever before.
What shocked her even more was that the source of this fluctuation did not come from any official contract holder of Ryuchi Cave.
Nor had it been cultivated through any orthodox method.
Yet despite that, someone was actually cultivating using "Ryuchi Cave Sage Mode."
Could it be that Orochimaru had leaked it out?
The White Snake Sage frowned deeply.
Back then, Orochimaru had also come to train in sage arts. According to tradition, he had needed to endure the natural energy infused through the White Snake Sage's fangs.
Unfortunately, Orochimaru had failed.
Though he had fortunately survived, there should still have been remnants of natural energy lingering inside his body.
The White Snake Sage slowly closed her eyes as the immense Sage Chakra accumulated over a thousand years gradually began circulating.
She started conducting a more detailed perception.
"This is…"
The White Snake Sage's vertical pupils suddenly contracted.
Within her perception, the young shinobi's bloodline composition was unbelievably complex.
The bloodline of the Uchiha Clan.
The bloodline of the Yotsuki Clan.
The aura of the Mount Myoboku toad lineage.
And even White Snake cells originating from Ryuchi Cave itself.
But even that was not the most astonishing part.
What truly shocked the White Snake Sage was that this young man genuinely possessed "Ryuchi Cave Sage Mode."
"It is like a serpent of Ryuchi Cave attempting its very first shedding…"
The White Snake Sage muttered to herself while smoking from the enormous pipe.
She had lived for more than a thousand years and had seen countless geniuses, including researchers like Orochimaru.
Yet all of them were different from the young man before her.
Because no one else possessed so many bloodline limits.
Having lived for over a millennium, the White Snake Sage naturally understood exactly what that implied.
After all, just like the Great Toad Sage, she had lived through the era of the Rabbit Goddess.
She had personally witnessed how the Sage of Six Paths brothers and the Rabbit Goddess had ravaged this land until it was riddled with devastation.
That kind of power was something no one in the current shinobi world could possibly resist.
And now, from Kiyohara, the White Snake Sage sensed a certain possibility.
If he truly was a descendant of the Sage of Six Paths...
Then if he cultivated "Ryuchi Cave Sage Mode," could he perhaps walk a completely different path?
As far as the White Snake Sage knew, the Sage of Six Paths had mastered a power known as "Six Paths Senjutsu."
"A serpent that leaps through the dragon gate…"
A strange gleam flashed through the White Snake Sage's eyes.
Within Ryuchi Cave's ancient legends, there existed a unique kind of being.
Not a pureblooded snake, yet one that continuously evolved through cultivation until it eventually crossed beyond the threshold of "snake" and transformed into a higher form of life.
A dragon.
Throughout these thousand years, she had only ever seen one such existence.
That existence was Orochimaru.
Unfortunately, although his intellect was more than sufficient, the quality of his physical body had fallen short.
But this young man before her.
The White Snake Sage slowly exhaled a cloud of smoke.
"Tagorihime."
Her voice echoed throughout the vast and empty shrine.
Moments later, a graceful figure emerged from the shadows.
She was a beautiful woman dressed in a white kimono, her face charming and alluring. Her long black hair was arranged into an exquisite bun, while snake-like vertical pupils shone within her eyes.
"White Snake Sage, what are your orders?"
Tagorihime bowed respectfully, her voice soft and seductive.
"Go inform Ichikishimahime and Tagitsuhime. Tell them to contact Orochimaru."
The White Snake Sage paused briefly.
"Tell him that Ryuchi Cave has discovered an interesting little fellow and that he should pay closer attention."
"Yes."
A trace of surprise flashed through Tagorihime's eyes, but she did not ask any questions. Her figure slowly sank back into the shadows.
The White Snake Sage closed her eyes once more as her massive body lightly coiled upon the throne.
"Let me see just how far you can go, little one."
....
Konoha, Hokage Tower conference room.
More than ten people sat around the long table, all of them representatives of Konoha's major clans and commanders from the front lines.
Kiyohara sat beside Tsunade with a calm expression as he quietly listened to the discussion.
Hiruzen occupied the main seat while white smoke slowly drifted upward from the pipe in his hand.
"In summary, after the death of the Third Mizukage, the internal faction conflicts within Kirigakure have intensified. Figures led by Genji are currently supporting Karatachi Yagura as the candidate for Fourth Mizukage."
Shikaku placed the report in his hand down upon the table and adjusted his glasses.
This intelligence had been sent back by spies within the Land of Water.
Whether it was Root or the Anbu, both possessed intelligence division shinobis responsible for infiltrating other countries and hidden villages.
"At present, the war on that front has entered a stalemate. Both Kiri and Suna have shown intentions toward peace negotiations."
Low discussions immediately spread throughout the conference room.
"Peace talks? Kirigakure lost their Mizukage. Can they really accept that?"
"What choice do they have? They can barely handle their own internal chaos now."
"Sunagakure really got lucky this time. If we hadn't provided reinforcements in time—"
Hiruzen lightly tapped the table.
The discussions gradually quieted down.
"Regardless of whether Kirigakure is willing to accept it, continuing the war benefits no one."
He spoke slowly.
"Although Konoha currently holds the advantage, the threat posed by Kumo on the eastern front still exists. It would not be wise for us to remain engaged in a prolonged war on two fronts."
He paused and swept his gaze across everyone present.
"I have decided to accept Sunagakure's proposal for peace talks. At the same time, we will restore the Chunin Exam system that was suspended due to the war. This time, we will invite Sunagakure to jointly host it with us."
The moment those words were spoken, the conference room immediately became lively again.
"A joint Chunin Exam? That really is a good method for restoring relations."
"But regarding security—"
"We can simply have Sunagakure's examinees come to Konoha. We'll handle all security arrangements."
Kiyohara quietly listened while rapidly calculating within his mind.
This should be the beginning of Pakura's death.
If he wanted to interfere in this matter, now was the best opportunity to move.
Then he could rescue Pakura and use her hatred toward Sunagakure to recruit her as a subordinate.
Pakura was a genius.
She had simply died far too young.
If Kiyohara invested effort into training her, she should be able to go much further than she ever did in the original story.
And become one of Kiyohara's most valuable elite enforcers.
(End of Chapter)
TN: Might have a lot of errors in here, was too sleepy when I edited this.