Konoha Village
The time when the Great Toad would call for help was drawing near. Jiraiya had already gone to find Orochimaru, hoping the two of them could head to Mount Myōboku together—not just to prepare for the crisis, but to try and uncover its source.
Orochimaru agreed to help, but refused to leave immediately. There was still time, and he wanted to use it to test a few other things first.
---
Inside the Sealing Division's Research Building
Orochimaru and the leader of the Sealing Corps descended via a secure elevator, arriving at the deepest underground laboratory. Located nearly 100 meters beneath the village and surrounded by dense mudstone, it was a safe zone for high-risk experiments—perfect for the more extreme members of the sealing team.
"Lord Orochimaru, this is our newly improved Flying Thunder God Formation..."
The sealing team leader eagerly guided Orochimaru to a high platform inscribed with black sealing marks.
"While it still can't be used as freely as the Fourth Hokage did, we've greatly improved its range and capacity for multiple people..."
"But," Orochimaru cut in, "I heard the formation hasn't successfully transported a human yet."
The sealing leader hesitated. "That's… true. Prisoners sent through it don't survive the teleportation intact. We suspect it's due to the sealing chakra inside them."
Trying to recover, he added, "But that information is incomplete. The Genma squad—made up of the Fourth Hokage's former bodyguards—has successfully recreated a version of the Flying Thunder God Technique. Our formation, based on similar principles, just lacks a proper test subject."
Although the names differ by a single word, the Flying Thunder God Technique and the Flying Thunder God Formation work very differently. The former requires a highly trained user. The latter, as long as the formation is properly drawn, only needs a chakra provider.
If perfected, this version could be used for mass transport without needing prodigies like the Fourth Hokage. The Sealing Corps had long planned to develop it, but the village had considered it too risky—until Obito's powers were revealed. Orochimaru's support finally secured them a large research budget.
But funds were always tight, and the sealing leader hoped to use this opportunity to win Orochimaru's long-term backing.
"The risk is manageable in your case," he said confidently. "For someone like you—Kage-level, a sealing expert—success is much more likely. And your insights would help us refine the technique even faster."
Orochimaru licked his lips, interested. "The Fourth used marked seals to guide his teleportation. What are you using to lock down destinations?"
The leader handed over a kunai. "These. Modeled after the Fourth's signature kunai. They carry a special binding seal."
Orochimaru didn't take it. He frowned slightly. "So… the formation only works if the target location has already been visited by a marked ninja?"
"That's right—for now," the sealing leader admitted. "We designed it for strategic deployment, not exploration. But... there's potential to go further—we just lack the funding."
Orochimaru chuckled. "Trying to squeeze more funds out of me, are you? Fine. Explain the theory, and I'll decide if it's worth investing in."
Relieved, the sealing leader laid out their findings.
---
The Flying Thunder God Technique is essentially a reverse summoning technique. It simplifies the process into two steps: place the mark at the destination, then activate it to summon oneself there. What makes this complex is the nature of "summoning."
Psychic techniques, including summoning, don't depend on geographical distance. Chakra cost varies only based on the size or nature of what's summoned—not how far. This led the sealing team to propose that summoning doesn't involve direct space travel. Instead, it uses a special dimension as an intermediary.
If this dimension could be accessed mentally, it might allow teleportation even to unvisited locations. The theory was supported by a successful test: the Genma squad once used Yamanaka Clan's mind-link technique to share coordinates, enabling teleportation to a previously unmarked location.
"But that kind of navigation requires immense mental strength," the leader admitted. "Otherwise, the caster risks getting lost in the void."
Orochimaru smirked. "Where would you even find such a ninja? I assume this project's been shelved."
The leader looked awkward. "Yes... but if you were involved..."
"I don't have the time," Orochimaru said flatly. "But the idea of a special dimension is interesting. I'll invest in the research. Prove that it exists and find a way to access it. If conditions allow, I'll return to help."
Overjoyed, the sealing leader bowed. "You have my word, Lord Orochimaru!"
"Enough talk," Orochimaru said, stepping forward. "Let's begin the experiment."
---
Mount Myōboku
A harsh desert of dunes and rock, Mount Myōboku stood out with its rare greenery—a hidden paradise and home of the toads. Protected by a maze of stone and sand, it had been safe for thousands of years, with threats only ever coming from within.
Today, even the elders were baffled. What kind of danger could threaten them now?
"Jiraiya, is Orochimaru really as strong as you claim?" asked Fukasaku, appearing as a wizened old man.
"You're all 'Sannin,' aren't you?"
Jiraiya gave a wry smile. "That title's from long ago. Orochimaru has grown far stronger since then. Especially in recent years."
Orochimaru had flourished after Minato's death, mastering breathing techniques and fully unlocking Sage Mode.
"But when will he arrive?" Fukasaku asked. "The Great Toad Elder predicted trouble will arrive in just four days."
"He was supposed to come with me," Jiraiya muttered. "Must've gotten distracted."
"Always rushing!" Shima scolded. "And we don't even know what danger we're facing!"
But before they could continue, a cloud of mist swirled—and Orochimaru appeared, stepping gracefully from the teleportation.
The space transfer process twisted his form briefly, but he quickly reverted to normal.
"What was that just now?" asked Shima.
"Nothing, just a trick of the technique," Orochimaru replied smoothly. "Anyway, any new insights into this crisis?"
The toad elders looked sheepish. They still had no idea.
"I'd like to speak with the Great Toad Sage," Orochimaru said. "I'm very interested in the prophecy."
Fukasaku hesitated. "The elder is often asleep. We can't be sure he's awake."
"No matter. But I suspect the 'trouble' he foresaw may already be close enough to stir him."
Fukasaku and Shima exchanged awkward glances, then nodded.
---
The group crossed rivers and jungles to reach a grand circular palace—the heart of Mount Myōboku. Inside, an enormous toad slumbered in a throne-like seat.
Even in slumber, the Great Toad Sage was aware. Orochimaru felt his gaze.
"Amazing," Shima murmured. "He's awake just as you arrived."
"I wouldn't be much of a host if I slept through a guest's visit," the Great Toad Sage said slowly. His eyes fixed on Orochimaru. "To think someone of your caliber still exists in this era... Your presence reminds me of the day I met Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki."
"Oh?" Orochimaru smiled. "Please, do tell. I've always been curious about the Sage of Six Paths."
Everyone froze—shocked by Orochimaru's direct question.
"I'm old, not dead," said the Great Toad. "If you want to hear stories, I can oblige. But I assume you came with a more important question."
"Yes," Orochimaru said, tone sharpening. "How far can your foresight reach? Can you see specific people? Do you know... the Ōtsutsuki?"
The Great Toad Sage's eyes narrowed. "So that's what you seek... I can try. No promises."
"In return," he added, "you must protect Mount Myōboku from the coming calamity."
Orochimaru smiled. "Of course. Even if you hadn't asked, I would've taken it seriously."
The Great Toad Sage gave no reply—he was already asleep.
_____________________
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