Before meeting the Genie, Orochimaru had always coveted a Kekkei Genkai (Bloodline Limit). He even conducted forbidden human experiments, fracturing his relationship with the village in the process.
To him, these special abilities—born from the fusion of elemental chakra natures like Fire, Water, Earth, Lightning, and Wind with Yin-Yang release—held the fundamental secrets of ninjutsu. And he wasn't entirely wrong. But now, having stepped into the realm of Six Paths power, he realized that his previous understanding had only scratched the surface.
Though not yet a master at the Six Paths level, Orochimaru had already achieved perfect fusion of the seven chakra attributes: the five elemental natures plus Yin and Yang. In comparison, Kekkei Genkai (two-attribute fusion) and Kekkei Tōta (three-attribute fusion) were mere shadows—low-tier manifestations of true Six Paths power.
In this light, a Bloodline Limit is to Six Paths what White Zetsu is to a pure-blooded Ōtsutsuki: a derivative, degraded form. In other words, the Bloodline Limit is not purely genetic—it is the result of erosion by Six Paths energy. If it were only genetics, then the Senju and Uzumaki clans would have produced the most Kekkei Genkai in history.
But erosion is not necessarily a bad thing. Thousands of years ago, when the era of ninja had just begun, the original inhabitants had neither chakra nor Bloodline Limits. These "eroded" powers shaped everything that followed.
To Orochimaru, studying these powers isn't just a means to replicate the Six Paths—it's a way to understand the nature of erosion itself.
Currently, even though Konoha boasts powerful dōjutsu clans like Uchiha and Hyūga, it doesn't have a rich diversity of Bloodline Limits. Other villages have their own:
Magnet Release in Sunagakure
Explosion Release in Iwagakure
Storm Release in Kumogakure
…All passed down through families, albeit inconsistently.
But no village has more diversity than Kirigakure, the Mist Village.
Crystal Release, Ice Release, Boil Release, Vapor Release… There are so many Kekkei Genkai there that tensions arose between users and "ordinary" shinobi.
Now, with many Bloodline users from the Land of Water absorbed into the Akatsuki, Orochimaru believed that—so long as Nagato cooperated—he could run experiments in conjunction with them. And when it came to enticing people with benefits, Orochimaru was quite confident in his methods.
Even within the same village and squad, competition existed. Let alone a loose alliance like the Akatsuki, bound only by power.
---
In the Hokage's council chamber, silence followed Orochimaru's proposal.
After a long pause, Mitokado Homura frowned. "This could be mutually beneficial, but will the Akatsuki's leader even agree? From what we've gathered, he's proud. He may not accept help—even if needed."
And this wasn't just about military strategy against Uchiha Madara. Orochimaru was proposing deeper collaboration—possibly scientific or political.
As a village elder, Homura didn't oppose the idea. Dismantling the "Fire Country blockade" that had stood for so long was appealing. Still, if Konoha and Akatsuki began competing for missions or influence, tensions were inevitable. Konoha could no longer act like the world's sole authority.
"It's the tide of the times," Orochimaru said with a grin, licking his lips. "Some things must happen eventually. Leave Nagato to me. As for managing the alliance, I'll leave that to all of you."
The Third Hokage nodded. "Then prepare to head to Amegakure again."
Just like last time, meeting them on their turf gave strategic advantages.
"This time, it won't just be a symbolic peace treaty. There are other matters to handle…"
His gaze shifted from the elders to Nara Shikaku. "You'll accompany Orochimaru this time."
Shikaku blinked, clearly surprised, but quickly composed himself and accepted. "Yes, Hokage-sama."
Homura and Koharu exchanged glances. After the surprise, a trace of relief passed between them.
Leading peace talks between Konoha and Akatsuki was a political milestone. Entrusting it to Shikaku was a signal of generational change.
In truth, the advisor council had remained in power far too long. Their influence even predated Hiruzen's Hokage reign. With Orochimaru as Konoha's keystone, it was time for younger leaders to rise, while the elders could still act as safety nets.
They should've done this years ago—but they were finally ready.
Danzo, meanwhile, remained stone-faced. But deep inside, his heart sank.
It didn't matter that Root had been officially disbanded. The signal was clear: the old generation would soon be pushed aside.
Even if some young shinobi still upheld Root's ideals, would they continue to follow him?
Recruitment had already slowed. Discipline among his old subordinates increasingly required fear tactics. Only the steady flow of funds kept Root alive.
If this power shift continued, Root wouldn't be crushed—it would rot from within.
"…I can't let this continue," Danzo thought grimly, his fingers tightening into a fist.
---
Orochimaru had no objections to the Hokage's plan. "This should be done sooner rather than later," he said with a smile. "Give me three days. I'll depart for Amegakure the afternoon after next."
"So soon?" Hiruzen frowned, turning to Shikaku. "Can you be ready in time? Don't push yourself."
Shikaku nodded with conviction. "I'll be ready."
Once the meeting resumed, Koharu turned to Orochimaru. "You didn't seem surprised by Madara's resurrection."
Raising the dead was one thing—but Madara? It should've been shocking.
But Orochimaru took the news in stride and acted accordingly. It was impressive… but also strange.
"I already knew," Orochimaru said simply. "For someone like Madara, death was never the end."
He pointed upward. "Not just him. Given the chance, even our First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, could return from the Pure Land. In fact…" Orochimaru smirked, "…if you don't mind desecrating his corpse, I could try it right now with Edo Tensei."
His ghastly laugh filled the chamber. Even the seasoned elders felt a chill down their spines.
"…I have other matters to attend to."
Orochimaru glanced at Jiraiya and smiled. "Come, let's talk privately about Amegakure."
Without waiting for a response, he grabbed Jiraiya and exited the chamber.
---
Outside the Hokage Building, the two made their way to a secluded grove.
Jiraiya finally asked, "Why didn't you want me to talk about what happened at Mount Myōboku?"
He was referring to the giant battle between Orochimaru and the monstrous snake. They hadn't participated, but witnessed it all.
"Why worry everyone?" Orochimaru shrugged. "We only drove that strange snake out of Myōboku—we didn't destroy it. It might come back. We may have to face the First Hokage again. Or worse."
Jiraiya was silent. Worrying too much in advance only shackled a shinobi. He understood.
"But there's a bigger concern."
Orochimaru looked westward. "That snake keeps heading west. And the earth is round. Someday, it might cross the sea and return to the Land of Fire."
Jiraiya's eyes widened. "That's impossible… the ocean is thousands of meters deep!"
"And yet…" Orochimaru smiled thinly. "We should focus on the Akatsuki peace talks. If the monster does return, a united ninja world is our best hope."
Jiraiya nodded solemnly.
---
Meanwhile, deep in Root's office, Danzo sat alone in the Hokage's chair, half his face lost in shadow.
A masked shinobi entered. "Lord Danzo, the contact sent a message. He's ready to meet. Here are the promised experimental results."
Danzo opened the folder—and froze. His eyes went wide.
He closed it with trembling fingers, then rasped, "Tell him I agree. The meeting will take place in Kusagakure. Let him decide the exact time and location."
"Yes, Lord Danzo." The shinobi vanished.
Danzo sat in silence for a long time… then slowly opened the document again.
A whisper escaped his lips: "…The Rinnegan."
---
Two days later, in a cave deep within Kusagakure, Danzo and two trusted guards moved cautiously forward.
When they reached the clearing, he saw no ambush, no traps—just what had been promised.
"You came quickly, Lord Danzo…"
A man covered in bandages stepped from the shadows—Hiruko.
"I thought you didn't want anything to do with traitors like me."
Danzo stared with cold, red-gleaming eyes. "More surprising is that you managed to escape. Nagato let you go?"
"There was an accident in the experiments. My value plummeted." Hiruko's smile twisted. "That gave me time to make a deal with you."
Danzo stepped forward. "You mentioned the Rinnegan. If this is a lie…"
Hiruko just chuckled. "You? With Sharingan embedded in your arm, questioning me?"
Danzo's eyes narrowed. "Tell me what I came to hear."
"Oh, I will." Hiruko sneered. "But first… let the main act arrive."
A vortex opened in the air.
_____________________
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