The next day, at 5:00 AM.
Orochimaru hurried to Otogakure, but he did not actually enter it. Instead, he stood quietly in the dense forest and began to wait.
The reason was simple!
He knew himself too well; there would definitely be defenses around the ninja village.
Moreover, he sensed the aura of countless snakes in this dense forest, so he predicted that it wouldn't be long before he saw the version of himself from this world.
Thinking of this, his heart instantly grew fervent!
Did this version's research projects differ from his own?
It was truly something to look forward to!
Amidst his anticipation, another Orochimaru arrived not far from him.
Looking at the Orochimaru 2 before him, Orochimaru 1 couldn't help but frown slightly: "Your soul has issues; it's the side effect of Living Corpse Reincarnation. It seems your research is not as advanced as mine."
"Truly disappointing!"
Orochimaru 1's eyes were filled with disappointment.
Meanwhile, on the other side.
Looking at the Orochimaru who was exactly like him, especially with the identical Chakra aura and soul aura, Orochimaru 2 instantly became guarded.
"Who are you?"
"However, it doesn't matter!"
'Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!'
Just as Orochimaru 2 finished speaking, he raised his hand, and a venomous snake darted out from his sleeve, biting Orochimaru 1 firmly on the neck.
Almost instantly.
Orochimaru 1 fell to the ground, his life aura dropping to zero.
Seeing this scene, Orochimaru 2 was full of confusion: "Is he this weak?"
"And he's pretending to be me? Could it be from Danzo's side?"
However.
Just as Orochimaru 2 was about to turn and leave, he suddenly saw that the dead Orochimaru 1's mouth spat out another Orochimaru, while the original corpse looked as if it had shed its skin.
'Orochimaru-Style Substitution Jutsu!'
Seeing this, a chill ran down Orochimaru 2's spine.
He looked at Orochimaru 1 in astonishment; the shock in his eyes could not be hidden. After all, he had never taught this technique to anyone.
Not to mention his current subordinates, even his disciple Anko had never learned this move.
At this moment.
Orochimaru 2's eyes instantly became serious.
"Who are you?"
The exact same question as before, but only his eyes had become serious.
And, to this.
Orochimaru 1 did not hide it either. He licked his lips and said: "I am you. However, I came from another world. I originally wanted to see what unique research directions the version of myself in this world had."
"But—it's quite disappointing!"
"You haven't even solved the side effects of Living Corpse Reincarnation. That's enough to show that your research is too far behind."
Orochimaru 1 shrugged, his eyes filled with emotion and disappointment.
Meanwhile, on the other side.
Orochimaru 2, after hearing these words, immediately confirmed it to be true.
The reason was even simpler!
Only he understood himself best!
First, the soul fluctuations of the person before him were identical to his own. As the developer of the Living Corpse Reincarnation technique, Orochimaru naturally had the deepest understanding of the soul. Perhaps Chakra fluctuations could be hidden, but soul fluctuations could not.
Moreover...
Entering another world?
He believed that if anyone in the Ninja World could do it, only he, Orochimaru, had the ability!
"Another world, huh? That's truly interesting!"
"It seems my choice was correct. Only by solving the problem of immortality is it possible to witness a broader realm."
"Then, other me, how did you solve the side effects of Living Corpse Reincarnation?"
Orochimaru 2 did not hesitate and immediately asked his question.
He didn't think the other version of himself would refuse. If the other person was truly himself, he wouldn't care about the leakage of Ninjutsu, because what he cared about most was immortality and scientific research...
On the contrary, he treated specific Ninjutsu like trash!
If he wasn't even willing to divulge such a small matter, then the other party could only be a fake.
Meanwhile, on the other side.
Orochimaru 1, upon hearing this, indeed did not refuse: "The problem of incompatibility between the body and soul—the solution to this matter is very simple."
"Cloning technology!"
"One's original body is the body most compatible with one's soul."
"Clone it according to your original body. When the clone is about to mature, destroy the new soul born inside, and then use the Living Corpse Reincarnation technique."
After hearing this, Orochimaru 2 couldn't help but be greatly shocked.
It was that simple?
However...
Although he hadn't truly researched it, just by thinking about this information briefly in his mind, he found that there really weren't any issues.
"Can you teach me?"
Although it wasn't difficult to research, it required constant trial and error.
Since the other version of himself was standing right there, he couldn't be bothered to research it specifically; he just needed to ask for the other party's research materials.
Moreover...
He also believed that the other version of himself would definitely not refuse his request.
After all, he knew his own personality very well; as long as a certain technique was successfully researched, it meant that the technique had completely lost its value. He didn't care at all whether the technique was leaked.
The only thing he cared about was researching the unknown!
Facts proved that he had guessed correctly.
Orochimaru 1, upon hearing this, immediately spat out a scroll and tossed it casually to Orochimaru 2.
"I think you have already guessed the purpose of my visit this time."
"Let's go..."
"Let me see your research projects to see if any can give me some inspiration!"
"Of course, at the same time."
"My research projects will also be fully open to you!"
As Orochimaru 1 spoke, Orochimaru 2, who was researching cloning technology, revealed a faint smile upon hearing this and nodded without any hesitation.
Obviously.
He didn't care about these things either. Not to mention the Orochimaru 1 before him, if anyone else was interested, he basically wouldn't be stingy with these things.
After taking a quick look at this cloning technology and feeling that there were indeed no issues with the technical aspects, he took Orochimaru 1 to his laboratory.
Immediately after.
Naturally, he also opened almost all of his research results and all the projects he was currently researching to the Orochimaru 1 before him.
And, likewise.
Orochimaru 1 was not stingy either, directly spreading out all his research successes before Orochimaru 2.
However...
Compared to the extremely excited Orochimaru 2, Orochimaru 1's eyes were filled with disappointment.
There was no helping it!
Orochimaru 1's research had actually already been researched on his side.
Instead, all those things he had helped Jin research now benefited the Orochimaru 2 before him.
"Alright, I have to go!"
"Coming to your world this time, I actually have other missions."
"I have to go do my mission first. Come find me to chat when you have time."
"Of course..."
"If you have anything to find me for, you can just go directly to Konoha."
"Oh, right!"
"Danzo has already been killed by me, and the Old Man of your world has now been forced to choose to abdicate."
"Minato is currently in charge of Konoha!"
"..."