The wind howled fiercely. A surge of swirling air pushed both Ashho and the Anbu guard backward. In the center of the vortex, Orochimaru flicked his fingers upward.
A human-shaped paper talisman shot into the sky, unleashing a powerful force that locked onto the ghost-like energy swirling around Miko Shion. Despite its size, the paper figure became a bottomless pit, pulling in the ethereal being effortlessly. The spirit struggled briefly, but its power was no match for the talisman's pull.
"Ah…" Shion gasped. Her wide purple eyes blinked in confusion—not fear. There was something oddly familiar about Orochimaru's method.
The wind began to settle as the ghost vanished into the paper. The swirling vortex dissipated, and the paper charm gently drifted down, landing in Orochimaru's open palm.
"This belongs to you?" he asked, holding it out to her.
Shion stared at it hesitantly, instinctively reaching out. But before her fingers could touch it, the talisman began to glow with a brilliant white light. In a flash, a small creature—a four-legged animal about the size of a newborn—emerged from the light and leapt toward Shion.
"Lady Shion!" Ashho cried out in alarm, but his body couldn't move in time. He could only watch helplessly.
And then—he froze. His voice caught in his throat as he made a confused sound: "Huh…?"
The creature wasn't attacking.
It landed lightly on Shion's shoulder and made itself comfortable, curling around her neck like a snake. Its forelegs rested on her head like a hood. The child stood frozen, but the spirit showed no hostility—only familiarity.
Orochimaru studied the creature, a faint smile playing on his lips. "A sheep, hm… Is this influenced by the Box of Bliss?"
It was his first attempt at creating a shikigami using the White Snake Sage's method, and the results exceeded expectations.
Cutting the talisman, infusing it with sealing spells, and binding a ghost or spirit inside—this was an old technique, though the materials and methods varied. As for what the creature would become after being sealed… that was not up to Orochimaru.
Shion's fear had already faded. Her eyes sparkled with curiosity. She reached up and gently touched the creature on her head.
The little spirit didn't resist. It merely tilted its head to find a more comfortable position.
Perhaps because Shion had helped purify the Box of Bliss, the spirit—now embodied—still felt a connection to her. Even in physical form, it remained loyal and affectionate.
Shion giggled, delighted. She began patting it excitedly.
"You can play with it later," Orochimaru said with a faint chuckle. "Don't forget our deal."
"Oh… right." Shion sheepishly tapped her forehead. She was just about to explain her purification technique when Ashho stepped forward to intervene.
"Lord Orochimaru," the bodyguard said solemnly, "shouldn't we discuss this further?"
Shion's abilities as a priestess were extremely rare and valuable. The situation may have looked like a fair exchange, but to Ashho, there was no real room to refuse. It felt too much like coercion.
"There's nothing to discuss," Orochimaru replied casually, glancing at him. "Just inform Lady Mareya. She'll agree."
Priestess techniques weren't combat skills. They had no offensive use in battle, and in today's war-driven ninja world, someone like Shion couldn't influence the tides of war—only survive as a tool. Orochimaru learning her technique posed no threat to her or her people.
From that perspective, giving up the purification ability was a one-sided loss for the priestess. But in exchange, Orochimaru would offer protection—perhaps even influence. After all, he hadn't forgotten what had happened in the Land of Demons.
Compared to the cost of refusing this "deal," the benefits were obvious. Mareya would understand that.
Normally, Orochimaru wouldn't skip protocol—he'd approach Mareya first. But now that the purification technique's value had been confirmed, he saw no reason to wait.
The faster he could cleanse more of his white snake natural energy, the better prepared he'd be to face Nagato.
Ashho fell silent, unsure how to respond. But with no objections, Shion happily began demonstrating the technique to Orochimaru, her expression full of earnest focus.
She was still young. And though she feared him a little, she was trying her best.
---
Meanwhile, in the western mountains of the Land of Rain…
Inside a hollowed-out cavern, an ominous ritual had just concluded.
Nagato slowly opened his eyes. The purple glow of the Rinnegan had dimmed. His body was weary, and his aura weaker than before.
Before him loomed a massive, grotesque statue—the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path. Its monstrous figure sat cross-legged like a twisted monk, but there was no serenity in its form—only menace. Seven of its ten eyes were now open, glowing with terrible energy.
Nagato let out a slow breath, feeling the statue still respond to his will. That was a relief.
Over the last seven days, he had sealed all the Tailed Beasts into the statue—except the Four-Tails and the Nine-Tails. It had taken a toll, even on him.
But at least there had been no interference. The statue had remained stable. Orochimaru had not attacked.
Now, with Eight-Tails sealed, Nagato was ready to deal with Orochimaru.
His eyes narrowed with resolve. This next battle would decide everything. If he could defeat Orochimaru, he could bring true peace—by forcing the world into despair.
Just like he had with the fall of the Cloud Village.
"Why did you hold back?" a voice echoed from behind.
Obito stepped through a spiraling vortex, his Sharingan glowing. He stared hard at Nagato.
"He still had some Eight-Tails chakra in him. Why didn't you seal all of it?"
"There was no need," Nagato replied calmly.
He glanced at Killer Bee, lying unconscious nearby.
"That last bit of chakra won't allow him to use the Tailed Beast's power again. He won't be a threat."
"But even so," Obito pressed, "we shouldn't leave Tailed Beast chakra wandering around."
"If I had forcibly taken it all, Bee would've died."
Nagato's voice sharpened. "And don't forget—it was your idea to extract the beasts in a way that wouldn't kill the hosts."
Perfect Jinchuriki like Bee were bonded deeply with their beasts. Unlike others, the connection was spiritual, not just physical. Pulling the chakra out cleanly was difficult.
Nagato could have used genjutsu to suppress Bee and rip the chakra free—but Bee had wanted to die. And Eight-Tails hadn't.
After a quiet conversation between host and beast, Bee was subdued, and the Eight-Tails agreed to leave on its own.
Just a small amount of chakra remained. It wasn't worth worrying about.
Obito frowned but didn't argue further. Instead, he silently resolved to keep tabs on Bee. His White Zetsu agents would monitor every Jinchuriki who retained chakra fragments.
"…One more thing," Nagato said, frowning slightly. "I sensed something odd from the statue. I think the Four-Tails may still be alive."
Obito's eyes flashed. "What? Do you have proof?"
"No. Just a faint perception."
They had assumed the Four-Tails' Jinchuriki, Roshi, had been killed by Konoha and pinned on Orochimaru. That had always been the plan.
But if Roshi had survived…
Konoha might be hiding him for a future bargain.
Obito trusted the Gedo Statue's senses more than anyone else. "Can you locate him?"
"Not precisely," Nagato replied. "That's your job—and White Zetsu's."
Nagato refused to rely on the Gedo Statue unless absolutely necessary. The risks were too high.
"I understand," Obito nodded. "Then… when do you plan to strike Konoha again?"
"Soon," Nagato answered grimly.
Time was short. Orochimaru had grown stronger—strong enough to break out of Chibaku Tensei. If they waited too long, he might become unstoppable.
_____________________
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