Orochimaru was no longer content with simply changing gender on a physical level—he now sought transformation at the very level of the soul.
Naruto didn't fully understand the journey that had brought him to this point, but a promise was a promise.
And so, it's time to revisit the Futsunomitama dōjutsu.
As a dual-eyed technique, Futsunomitama assigned different roles to each eye: the left eye collects, the right processes. When both eyes are activated together, they can even grant a soul to lifeless things.
The "soul fields" unconsciously radiated by external spirits that Naruto collects are stored in the "soul capacitor" of his mental world.
Beyond the soul capacitor, there's also a "soul factory" in his mindscape. The power of his right eye is used to process souls within this factory.
Soul spectrum tuning is just one way to process a soul. There's an even deeper level—true "modification" of the soul!
But that requires direct work within the soul factory itself.
Naruto spoke solemnly: "Orochimaru, you'd better be certain. The soul is fragile. In theory, each soul can only undergo one major transformation, so the result is irreversible!"
Orochimaru didn't hesitate. "I've made up my mind long ago. Naruto-kun, do it!"
"Alright." Naruto covered his left eye, then slowly closed his right, gathering his ocular power.
"Look into my eyes!"
Zzzzt!
The instant Naruto's right eye snapped open, Orochimaru's slit-pupilled gaze trembled violently.
The world shifted.
A blinding white space filled with intricate machinery appeared.
Naruto's projected consciousness materialized here.
He explained, "This is the soul factory inside my mind. Until the transformation is complete, your soul will be temporarily confined here…"
He pointed to a platform not far away.
"Lie down there."
Orochimaru complied, his long, elegant hair fanning out across the table.
Above, a device slowly descended, injecting a serum straight into Orochimaru's soul.
"This is a soul anesthetic. It'll numb your spirit so the transformation is painless. When you wake up, everything will be different."
…
Back in the real world, when Orochimaru opened his eyes again, both body and spirit had been utterly transformed.
The long, jet-black hair and alabaster skin remained, but the facial features and body shape were far more delicate than before—and now, unmistakably feminine.
Staring at herself in the mirror, her beautiful eyes shimmered with unfamiliar emotion. "…This…"
Naruto slumped onto the sofa, exhausted, eyes closed. "The soul modification is a one-shot deal—it changes your body as well. You won't need to tinker with your body like before."
Orochimaru's breath now carried a subtle, orchid-like fragrance. Her voice was soft and ethereal, yet still tinged with that familiar huskiness. "So… can I have children?"
Naruto was momentarily stunned. "Of course. You can…"
Orochimaru confessed, "I've always wanted to bear my own child, to truly experience the essence of life. Cloning is never quite the same…"
Naruto replied, "One person alone can't create life."
Orochimaru's eyes sparkled with longing. "I know the process of creating life better than anyone. I could do it in a test tube, easily. But this time, I want to use my own body as the vessel—to feel it for myself…"
Naruto said, "Do as you wish. Just don't hurt anyone innocent."
"Mochiron [Of course]" Outside the window, the rain whispered. Orochimaru turned and smiled, radiating a charm entirely new.
After leaving Orochimaru's residence, Naruto walked through the rain.
"So now Orochimaru's really a girl. Guess I'll have to be a little more careful around her from now on…"
There was one thing Naruto hadn't told Orochimaru: even if the soul is damaged during transformation, it can be repaired with "soul gems."
So, in truth, soul modification isn't limited to just once!
"What does it really feel like to be a girl? I studied the Sexy Jutsu for ages, but something always felt missing…"
As he gazed up at the rainy sky, a dangerous thought flashed through Naruto's mind: Maybe, someday, I should try that transformation on myself?
Unwittingly, Orochimaru had opened a door to a whole new world for Naruto.
…
Deep in a shadowy cave, Madara Uchiha strode forward, holding a candlestick.
He was on a mission. He needed to retrieve something.
His eyes flickered with a murky light—within that darkness, a sense of urgency.
This was a side of him he'd never shown Naruto, or anyone else for that matter.
"Naruto, your perception still isn't sharp enough."
"At the time, you were so focused on Sasuke, you missed the secret right under your nose!"
"Hmph. So what if you're from the future? How much do you really know about me, Madara Uchiha?"
"Sorry, but I'm destined to disappoint you…"
"You can't see it."
"And I won't let you see it…"
He muttered, a strange smile curling his lips.
Sha~! Sha~! Sha~~~!! From deep within the cave, an eerie, spine-chilling cry echoed.
"Hehehe… hahahahaha!" Madara's laughter grew wild as he broke into a run, finally arriving at a carefully prepared stone chamber.
Sha~sha~! Sha~~~~~~! A forest cat crouched there, and when it saw Madara, its eyes rolled back and its tail shot straight up, hissing fiercely.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, my little darling~~~!!!!!!"
Madara slid over to the cat, pulled a cat toy from his cloak, and waved it in front of the feline's eyes.
Scratch scratch scratch! The cat's claws flew, shredding Madara's face.
He lifted the cat up, gazing at the Sharingan in its left eye.
"Hahahaha… You scratched up my face, huh? From now on, I'll call you Uchiha Hanaha!"
Madara was as giddy as a child.
Yes, this was Sasuke's cat. How did it end up with Madara? Here's how:
Back at the Lightning Country battlefield, after Indra and Black Zetsu left, the cat collapsed beside the dying Sasuke.
When Naruto arrived, he mistook it for a dead cat and paid it no mind.
After using Izanagi, Naruto carried Sasuke away.
Madara picked up the cat, found it a place to stay, and only then headed to the Valley of the End.
When Madara told Naruto he needed to retrieve something before going to Amegakure, he meant Hanaha.
Madara's love for cats was a secret even Hashirama, his closest friend, never knew.
Only one person ever did.
That was Uchiha Jiri—the only woman in the clan who'd ever caught Madara's eye, but whom he'd missed for a lifetime.
Maybe, in his amnesiac union with Ari, he was subconsciously drawn to her because she reminded him of Jiri—not just in looks, but even in name.
And how could he not recognize that the cat's eyes were a gift from Jiri?
Cradling Hanaha, Madara stepped out of the cave and gazed at the pale dawn sky.
"Am I… going to be a father too…?"
He needed some time to sort out his feelings.
With a heavy heart and his cat in his arms, he walked the ancient road, wind at his back, heading toward the rain.
…
For a thousand years, no one had set foot on this land. Not even the ninja world's maps recorded its name.
Thud! Indra stopped, lifting his gaze to the void.
"We're here. I can sense that wretched aura—his, and his alone…"
Zzzzt! Indra's eyes shifted into the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan.
His voice rang out, cold and commanding: "Only the power of the Sage can breach Shinra Cave Heaven. Asura, I'm not some mediocrity who needs his teaching to master it…"
Zzzzt!
A black crescent mark appeared on Indra's left palm!
—"At its core, Yin-Yang is just a technique. And if it's a technique, I can unravel it!"
Whoosh!
A beam of black light shot from the crescent, the symbol of Yin power. In the sky, a doorway slowly opened!
—Shinra Cave Heaven: Open!
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
The story isn't over...
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