With Dragon (Daichi's Shadow Clone)
Dragon moved like a shadow through the dimly lit corridors of Orochimaru's western base. The metallic scent of sterilized surfaces were mixed with a faint, lingering odor of chemicals and preservatives. The further he advanced, the more unsettling the environment became.
Walls lined with reinforced glass cylinders which were filled with organic tissue samples, half-formed appendages suspended in glowing green liquid, and intricate machinery humming with activity.
'Orochimaru certainly spared no expense for a diversion. Or maybe…' The eyes behind the mask narrowed as Dragon thought of the possibilities. 'I doubt he expected us to even make it this far. Even if we figured out that sensei was in this country he must have had a lot of confidence that we wouldn't get to him or trace his shipments…'
Dragon walked up to one of the large circular glass chambers and inspected it. 'So then that means this could be one of Orochimaru's secondary research stations. Given the sophistication of the equipment, this might even be a redundancy lab. A backup in case the main base was compromised.'
"I'll need to work fast," Dragon muttered under his breath, pushing open a reinforced door.
The chamber in front of him buzzed with faint mechanical hums. Rows of cylindrical glass tubes stood in rigid order with some of them half-filled with amniotic-like fluid.
'Cloning vats,' he realized. Each connected to a tangle of wires and pipes. 'I can't believe he's progressed this much in cloning technology.'
The shadow clone's sharp eyes scanned the area, noting the complex interface of control panels. A long console stretched across the far wall, its flickering monitors displayed bio-readouts, chakra simulations, and genetic data.
Inside the incubation chambers were half-formed and grotesque—failed clones, incomplete cellular structures, and what appeared to be experimental tissue growth projects. 'So he's already started experimenting here huh. This is similar to the medical technology I found in his base in the Land of Rice. I was right. This is one of his contingencies, huh… To create these kinda labs all over the world, how much money did he spend? Where in the world did he get the funding for it?'
Dragon shook his head, steeling himself. "No time for curiosity. Must gather everything." He reached into his pouch and unfurled a sealing scroll. A swirl of ink spread across the floor, forming an array of intricate sealing circles. Churning up a surge of chakra, he began the standard storage technique.
'Orochimaru was planning something major. This level of advanced tech isn't just for minor experiments. He was working on long-term modifications… perhaps even trying to create the most perfect vessels. Hmm. It seems he's trying to perfect the art of bodily reconstruction. If he succeeds, he might be able to create new hosts with enhanced abilities.'
One by one, the giant machines vanished into the swirl of mystic symbols: the cloning vats, the fluid containers, monitors, tubes, each sealed away in a single large scroll. The clone strained at times, but Orochimaru's absence granted him precious minutes.
'Now that he's preoccupied with Danzo and the others, I'll have time to take everything. Combined with all the stuff I took from the other hideouts, I'll be able to create one of the most advanced laboratories in the world. Once all this mess is sorted out I'll have to start putting my plans into motion.'
Dragon crossed the lab to another set of consoles. They bore several monitors, each flickering with readouts of cell growth rates, strain tests, wood-style data. "So he was analyzing the possibility of replicating Senju DNA here too," Dragon muttered, scanning the screen. 'He must have made these experiments to show the finance minister. A proof to keep him on the hook.'
Dragon clenched his fists but quickly pushed aside the rising irritation. 'This isn't the time for emotions. Just focus on the task at hand.'
—-
Far away in another part of the Land of Earth, the battle between Danzo Shimura and Orochimaru had come to an end. All that was left was a large circular crater filled with dust and a corpse at the bottom of it.
Danzo's jutsu ended with a final flare of sealing ink. His body collapsed to the ground, the crater around him signifying his sacrifice.
And all that remained of Orochimaru in that spot was… nothing.
In the Hidden Leaf Village, Hiruzen, who was connected to Tobirama's senses, watched Danzo's last moments unfold. Through the Reanimation Jutsu's link, he glimpsed Danzo's regret-laced expression and heard his final question meant for him.
"Hiruzen… in the end… What do you think of me? What was I to you?" And then darkness claimed him.
"So this is how it ends…," he murmured. The Third Hokage closed his eyes briefly, let out a trembling breath and allowed himself a moment of quiet sorrow. 'You were a comrade, a rival, a friend—once.'
He felt a pang of sorrow, remembering better days, the laughter of youth with Tobirama guiding them, the dreams they shared. "Farewell, old friend," he whispered.
No matter their disagreements, Hiruzen had to admit to himself that Danzo had fought for the village in his own twisted way.
On the battlefield silence settled over the crater. Danzo's suicide jutsu had consumed him, leaving only quiet devastation. Tobirama, in his Anbu disguise, leapt down from a high ridge and landed near Danzo's lifeless body.
Dust swirled around them. With heavy resignation, Tobirama reached for a scroll from his belt.
He pressed his hands together in a short sequence of seals, murmuring, "Ninja Art: Corpse Sealing."
A shimmering barrier of chakra formed around Danzo's fallen body, and in an instant, the remains were drawn into the containment seal. The scroll glowed for a moment before rolling shut. 'Hiruzen will want to bury him properly, no doubt.'
With that done, Tobirama rose, looking up into the distant night sky. "Rest now, Danzo. Whatever your sins, you died a Leaf shinobi."
He jumped out of the crater and looked around for any signs of Orochimaru. 'I don't sense anything. It seems his desperate last ditch effort didn't pan out.'
Then Tobirama swiftly moved back inside the underground labyrinth, heading for the place where Daichi, Jiraiya, and Shizune were gathering Tsunade. 'We have to hurry. This battle was bound to attract attention.'
—-
Inside Orochimaru's Lab
Daichi carefully sealed batches of medical notes and obscure vials into a large scroll. The rummaging for valuable instruments was nearly done.
Shizune hovered protectively over Tsunade while stabilizing the older woman with her healing chakra. Meanwhile Jiraiya had finally removed the last few remaining seals Orochimaru had placed.
At that moment, Tobirama appeared from the corridor, his eyes flicking around the nearly vacant chamber. The disguised Anbu stepped forward, speaking in a quiet tone, "Danzo is gone. He died fighting Orochimaru."
Jiraiya stood still for a split second hearing that but then continued on with his work.
"What about Orochimaru?" Shizune asked the masked Leaf ninja.
"Danzo used a suicide jutsu on that snake and I don't sense him now. I have to think that he didn't survive." The disguised Tobirama replied. Shizune nodded and focused her attention back on her teacher.
But at that moment Jiraiya spoke in a soft tone. "Orochimaru isn't that easy to deal with. There might be a chance that he survived."
Tobirama walked forward and came near the white haired Sannin. "At the moment, our goal is right in front of us. If he survived then it's a battle for another day… Go and help Kakashi. I'll finish up here."
Hearing the order, Jiraiya nodded. "I'll handle it." He quickly left the chamber and began making his way outside.
Around a couple minutes later Daichi had finally stored the last of Orochimaru's research materials. At that time Tobirama had also completed his work and was ready to take them away.
The large scroll in the Genin's hands contained invaluable information. Data that could help them counteract or heal the damage done to Tsunade.
Turning, he passed the scroll to the Second Hokage. "This has everything I could salvage. Cloning data, medical research, biological records. Everything."
Tobirama took the scroll, nodding in approval. "Well done. This will be invaluable when we get her back to the village. Now let's leave here."
As Tobirama was about to carry Tsunade, Daichi stepped forward. "Allow me."
He gently lifted the unconscious ninja and held her in his arms. He looked at her with a gentle smile. "Time to take you home sensei."
Tobirama placed his hands on Daichi's and Shizune's shoulders and a moment later all of them disappeared from Orochimaru's lab.
—-
Outside the Base
Jiraiya swiftly made his way through the corridors and in a few seconds he was back outside. He looked around and as he scanned the area he saw the marks of the battle that took place minutes ago.
The ground was littered with craters, scorched marks and broken rubble. Suddenly, a blur of silver and black appeared near him, putting the man on guard but only for a moment.
Kakashi's hitai-ate was slightly askew, his clothes had a few tear marks on them and there was a faint glow in his Sharingan eye. His breathing was a bit ragged, but his posture was relaxed and he didn't look too wounded. "Master Jiraiya." he greeted, voice controlled.
Jiraiya halted, raising an eyebrow. "You made it back fast. I was on my way to back you up." The toad sage said as he glanced around, noticing the absence of Orochimaru's guards. "Where's Orochimaru's people?"
Kakashi exhaled, lowering headband and covering his Sharingan eye. "They're down. They won't be going anywhere. I figured they'd have some valuable intel for us so I kept them alive. It was a bit tricky, especially once they unleashed Curse Seal, but I handled it…"
The Sannin let out a breath of relief and gave a small smile. "So that's another problem dealt with. Thank God."
"Master Jiraiya. What about Lady Tsunade and Shizune? Are they…?" Kakashi asked cautiously.
Jiraiya closed his eyes and sighed. "We found them both. Shizune is exhausted but she'll be fine with a day or two's rest."
Kakashi's eyes slightly narrowed. "And Lady Tsunade?"
A few moments of silence later Jiraiya spoke. "He was conducting experiments on her. Her condition is dire. Orochimaru injected her with something and it's messing with her body. She's in a coma right now."
The silver haired Jonin's single visible eye widened in shock hearing that. He quickly composed himself. "I'm certain the medics in the village and Daichi will be able to help her." He said trying to find the positive side of things.
The Sannin nodded. "Yeah. I hope so. We have to get her back to the village as quickly as possible."
"What was that explosion just now? I rushed here because of that commotion." Kakashi asked as he looked around.
Jiraiya's expression turned slightly somber. "That blast was Danzo and Orochimaru clashing. Danzo… didn't make it."
Kakashi's eye reflected surprise, then quiet acceptance as he absorbed the news. "I see." The copy-nin let out a measured breath. 'So Danzo is gone?... Maybe its for the best.'
—-
As Jiraiya and Kakashi waited, some distance away from their location, a small creature was crawling through the ground.
A tiny white snake slithered across the cold, rocky plateau, moonlight reflecting off its pale scales. It was an unassuming creature: frail, no larger than a child's forearm, moving with deliberate caution through the rubble. If anyone glanced its way, they might dismiss it as a stray snake seeking shelter.
Yet beneath that unremarkable exterior lay the surviving shard of Orochimaru's consciousness and soul—his desperate escape from Danzo's suicide seal.
Now that lone serpent crawled across the silent battlefield, battered and half-blind from the shockwaves of Danzo's final attack. 'Even with the White Snake technique, my chakra reserves are nearly nonexistent.' Orochimaru felt the stinging emptiness in his coils, the humiliating weakness. 'I must find a means to regenerate… or I'll perish in this wretched state.'
He slithered carefully under half-collapsed boulders, heading away from the epicenter of destruction. 'One misstep and I might be crushed or discovered.'
Every sound and movement in the shadows put him on edge. The grand puppet master was reduced to a single reptile, scurrying away from any and all praying eyes.
The humiliation of it all fueled his bitterness. 'I was moments away from victory.'
The memory still blazed in Orochimaru's mind. He recalled Danzo's final stand, the old war hawk unexpectedly latching on to him with a swarm of binding seals. The monstrous explosion of Danzo's suicide jutsu overshadowed all. Orochimaru had recognized the threat an instant too late.
Flashback – Moments Before Danzo's Jutsu
"You forgot one very important thing, Orochimaru… I am Danzo Shimura. A shinobi of the Hidden Leaf. To protect my village and for the sake of the shinobi world, I can't let you live," Danzo hissed, voice quivering between malice and resignation.
Just as Danzo's sealing runes flared to life, Orochimaru felt the biting sting of those ink-like shackles over his torso, anchoring him in place. The old man's eyes held a cold glint, as though he had finally found the will to drag Orochimaru into the grave with him.
'Damn it, I can't break free in time…' Orochimaru's lips parted in a silent snarl.
So he resorted to his last, desperate resort: White Snake Possession Escape.
He forced his body to dissolve into a legion of serpents, each containing a flicker of his mind and soul. The instant Danzo's final sacrificial explosion unleashed, Orochimaru's human shape also exploded into a writhing mass of thousands of white snakes flying everywhere.
Seals consumed them by the dozens, black ink lines searing through the air, capturing and incarcerating most into Danzo's body in an instant.
'Escape, must escape.' This was the only thought Orochimaru had.
With no illusions of triumph, Orochimaru pinned all his hopes on at least a single serpent surviving the suicide jutsu.
An improbable but vital gamble. And it paid off. One lucky snake escaped the radius of Danzo's tetragram sealing jutsu and quickly moved away from the area.
Present time.
'I need to quickly gather my strength.'
Minutes passed in near silence. Then, in the distance, Orochimaru's serpentine senses picked up a faint mixture of scents. Blood and cursed chakra residue. 'What is that?' With a soft flick of his tongue, he homed in on the direction.
—-------------------
Author's Note:
Looks like Orochimaru survived. I believe this is in line with his character. I created this based on the small scene of the white snake trying to escape during Sasuke and Itachi's final battle.
Let me know your thoughts.
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