Faced with Obito's question, Black Zetsu remained expressionless. After a long pause, he finally said,
"Before, there was no point in saying it."
Obito's face darkened.
Setting aside whether the plan was realistic or not, the most crucial factor now was the inexplicably resurrected Uchiha Madara. Back then, there really had been no need to mention it—but now? Obito couldn't help but wonder: How many other 'irrelevant' things had Zetsu kept hidden all this time?
Noticing Obito's expression,Zetsu instinctively shrank back into the ground, lowering his head slightly as if trying to disappear altogether.
This move was risky, he knew. Making suggestions and subtly guiding Madara and Obito could easily trigger their suspicion. But today, he had no choice.
The pressure Nagato posed was one thing—almost another Hashirama in his own right. But Orochimaru? That was the real threat. In all his long existence,Zetsu had never seen anyone grow so fast. Worse still, Orochimaru had begun making plans that extended beyond the scope of the ninja world—far beyond Zetsu's reach.
If they continued to stagnate, there might be no next time.
---
"What Zetsu said makes some sense."
Madara's voice broke the silence. He didn't seem suspicious—after all,Zetsu was a creation of his own will. Then he turned to Obito.
"This plan... it wasn't just your idea, was it?"
A scheme like this would need significant resources—funding, medical equipment, and most importantly, someone to carry it out.
"Of course not," Obito replied, his Sharingan flickering red. "There are always ambitious people in this world. You just have to give them a little hope..."
Madara didn't respond. He merely smirked faintly. Zetsu, half-sunken into the earth, remained expressionless.
---
Somewhere Else — The Desert
On the hot desert sands, Orochimaru sat cross-legged in quiet meditation. His eyes slowly opened as a viper slithered over his legs, bearing a scroll in its mouth.
He took it, dispelled the summoning seal, and unrolled it in front of him.
After reading the contents, he licked his lips and muttered,
"So, Nagato failed... not unexpected. But it's fine—so long as the Gedo Statue remains."
He'd always considered the possibility that Nagato wouldn't defeat Uchiha Madara. There was no disappointment, only reflection.
The Rinnegan had once been a gift born of coincidence and manipulation—and now, it had helped Madara escape death.
Djinn, sensing his thoughts, chuckled from behind.
"What's this? The scientist Orochimaru contemplating fate?"
"Not exactly," Orochimaru replied, rising to his feet as he began gliding through the air. "It's just that when you start understanding nature deeply, some things start to feel... inevitable."
He headed toward Mount Myōboku.
"Fate is an abstract idea. I don't believe in it. But I acknowledge the pattern of coincidences humans call fate—it's just another unknown. And humans hate the unknown. So we give it names."
---
As the wind swept across the dunes below, Orochimaru surveyed the land: dry, barren, empty. Just like the current state of the ninja world.
There were too few people. Ninjas made up a tiny fraction of the population, and most of them existed solely for war.
"It's no longer war we need," Orochimaru said. "It's research. Discovery. Understanding the essence of chakra."
"Even if you shared your knowledge openly, they wouldn't change overnight," Djinn replied with a laugh. "People need a sense of security. And let's be honest—'Infinite Tsukuyomi' was pretty effective at that."
"True," Orochimaru agreed. "But maybe the illusion has a use after all. What if we used it... just a little?"
If everyone saw the same vision—a possible future—then maybe, just maybe, they'd work toward it in reality. Maybe they'd unite behind it.
"A shared vision?" Djinn said skeptically. "Not a bad idea, but even if you're reaching the level of the Sage, I doubt your mind could simulate an entire ideal world."
"Then maybe I'll start small." Orochimaru smirked. "Less illusions. More culture. More stories. Let them imagine the world themselves."
But even that needed resources. Infrastructure. Safety. Stability. And the ninja world was far from ready.
---
"Well, you don't have to handle everything," Djinn said. "Let the Third Hokage and that Nara handle it. You just point the way."
Orochimaru chuckled.
"Right. But first—we need answers."
Mount Myōboku was waiting. And so was the Great Toad Sage.
If the Ōtsutsuki threat wasn't dealt with—none of this would matter.
---
Mount Myōboku
Orochimaru landed softly, greeted by Jiraiya and a group of elder toads.
After some formalities, Jiraiya said, "I'll head back to Konoha soon to report to the Hokage. What about you?"
"I'll stay for now," Orochimaru replied. "There are things here I still need to learn."
The toads nodded in agreement. Especially Fukasaku, who added,
"If you need answers, we'll help however we can."
Their tone had changed since the last battle. The strong earned respect—and Orochimaru had proved himself.
Suddenly, a large toad approached.
"Orochimaru-sama," Gamabunta said. "The Elder has awakened. He's asking for you."
"So soon?" Orochimaru smiled. "Then let's not keep him waiting."
Jiraiya and the other toads followed closely behind.
---
Inside the Elder's chamber, Orochimaru immediately noticed how much older the Great Toad Sage had become. His vitality had weakened.
"Seems like this vision cost you quite a bit," Orochimaru said.
The Elder's eyes remained half-closed.
"Prophecy is never easy. This time, I saw a member of the Ōtsutsuki clan meeting a white-haired boy... and fate will eventually bring that boy before you."
"And how long will 'fate' take to do that?" Orochimaru asked bluntly.
The Elder was silent, then muttered, "That much I cannot say."
Orochimaru sighed.
"I see. Then I know what part of your vision to take seriously—and what to discard."
---
More than the prophecy, Orochimaru was intrigued by the implication: Was this encounter something that had already happened—or was it yet to come?
And if it had already occurred… were there more Ōtsutsuki walking the earth?
"I have a guess," Djinn whispered in his mind.
"Speak."
"The Ten Tails."
Djinn hesitated before continuing.
"The Ten Tails needs to consume an Ōtsutsuki in order to become a true Divine Tree."
"Not just their body," he added. "But their spirit. Their very root data, as you'd say."
"So every time they plant a Divine Tree, they have to kill one of their own?" Orochimaru mused. "That's… inefficient."
"That's why they created something called a 'Karma Seal,' or wedge," Djinn explained.
"It stores all that root information, like a backup. They implant it into a 'vessel' to revive themselves later—like your Reanimation Jutsu, but better."
Orochimaru's eyes gleamed.
"So… the one Kaguya used as a sacrifice might still be trying to resurrect."
"Exactly. Kaguya was royalty, yes—but not the strongest. Somehow, she managed to turn on her partner and offer him to the tree. He survived, barely. And now, centuries later… he might be returning."
_____________________
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