"Sometimes, knowing too much isn't a blessing. In fact, concealment can be a form of protection."
Orochimaru's smile took on a peculiar depth. "You share all your secrets with her—but does she have the strength to bear them?"
Nagato's expression tightened, but before he could speak, a gentle hand rested on his shoulder.
Konan met Orochimaru's gaze with quiet intensity. "What's between us doesn't need your commentary."
She would rather carry the burden of truth than live comfortably in ignorance. Their bond meant more to her than safety.
"Heh… In that case, let's continue," Orochimaru chuckled, then shifted into a more serious tone. "You've heard of the Sage of Six Paths. But have you ever heard of the 'Rabbit Goddess'—Otsutsuki Kaguya?"
Nagato and Konan exchanged puzzled looks, clearly unfamiliar with the name.
Unlike the Sage, who had left behind many traces in the world, the so-called 'Rabbit Goddess' existed only in myth.
"She was the Sage's mother—the first human to wield chakra. Known as the progenitor of chakra itself."
Orochimaru ignored their shock and went on. "The Sage fought her in battle and defeated her. The Nine Tailed Beasts were created by splitting her chakra into nine separate entities."
In truth, her chakra didn't end there. Even the chakra within the Sage's sons—Hagoromo and Hamura—originated from her. And by extension, nearly every ninja alive today also carries fragments of that same power.
With the exception of beings like the Great Toad Sage and others who rely purely on nature energy, almost all chakra in the world traces back to Kaguya.
Her title, "Progenitor of Chakra," is not an exaggeration.
But Orochimaru knew this talk of "six paths-level power" would be difficult for even Nagato to grasp—let alone Konan. So, he simplified the explanation.
"If the nine tailed beasts are sealed within the Gedo Statue… are you saying this Kaguya could be resurrected?" Nagato asked, frowning.
He had seen Madara return from the Pure Land. If such a thing were possible for him, it could certainly apply to the so-called Chakra Ancestor—an existence far more terrifying.
"Well, perhaps not resurrection," Orochimaru said slyly. "Some prefer to say: 'Unite the Tailed Beasts, and one can obtain Kaguya's power.'"
He smiled devilishly. "So… do you want to take that gamble?"
His tone was casual, but his words left Nagato and Konan sitting upright, unsettled.
It was no longer just about collecting tailed beasts for deterrence. This was something far more dangerous—perhaps world-ending.
"No wonder they were so obsessed with this plan…" Nagato murmured.
He had long questioned Obito's motives for gathering the tailed beasts. The stated reasons always felt insufficient. But now, things made sense.
If it was about reviving—or becoming—someone with the power of the Chakra Ancestor, it all aligned.
Even the Sage of Six Paths was merely Kaguya's son.
But a new question emerged.
"If she was so powerful, how did she lose to her own children?"
"Power isn't just about quantity," Orochimaru replied. "Experience, knowledge, skill—those determine true strength. Do you think the 'Chakra Ancestor' had the experience of battle?"
That gave Nagato pause. He reflected on his own journey—how power alone had not made him a god. He, too, had once relied on overwhelming strength, only to be humbled by Orochimaru.
Compared to him, Kaguya may have had even less real-world experience.
So yes, it was plausible that she lost because she had never needed to fight.
And if someone like Madara acquired her power...
The thought sent a chill through Nagato. Uchiha Madara must never be allowed to succeed.
"…So after telling us all this, why do you want to see the Gedo Statue?" he asked. "And how do we verify your claims?"
"Ask Killer Bee."
Orochimaru smiled without hesitation. "After you extracted the Eight-Tails, he managed to send me a message. He's already back in Kumogakure. If you don't trust me, trick the truth out of him—or ask the Eight-Tails directly. I heard it left behind a tentacle."
"Remember—while the Tailed Beasts originated from Kaguya's chakra, they have their own wills. They don't want to be part of her again."
Nagato fell silent. He believed that.
"So," he asked, "what's your real reason for wanting access to the Gedo Statue?"
"That's fair," Orochimaru said. "The more you know, the more you realize how dangerous that statue is. Especially if Madara can still summon it."
"You mean… he hasn't tried just because he hasn't needed to?" Nagato asked.
Orochimaru nodded gravely. "You can't guard against him forever. Even I can't guarantee the Nine-Tails will stay secure. That's why we need to prepare—and the Gedo Statue is the key."
"What are you planning to do?" Nagato pressed.
"Neither the Sage of Six Paths nor I can completely destroy Kaguya's chakra. But maybe—just maybe—we can separate the Tailed Beasts from the statue."
His true goal, of course, was to study the Otsutsuki tool and understand its connection to six paths power. But this reasoning was enough to persuade Nagato.
Nagato weighed his options. Orochimaru's resolve was clear. Refusing now might lead to confrontation—and that would only give Madara an opening.
"…I understand your point," Nagato said. "But how do I know you won't do the same thing as Madara?"
Orochimaru chuckled. "Unlike Madara, I don't need the power of Kaguya. I already stand above most of the ninja world. In time, I'll surpass those old legends—just like you surpassed the Sage's gift."
His confidence silenced them.
Nagato exhaled and stood up. "Then let's not waste time. We'll go now."
Orochimaru raised an eyebrow, smirking. "So generous. Don't you want to call Killer Bee for confirmation?"
"No need."
With Konan, Nagato ascended into the sky.
Orochimaru stayed behind just long enough to hand instructions to Jiraiya, then followed.
---
The three of them arrived at a secluded mountain, about sixty miles from Amegakure. It looked like an abandoned mine—but inside, it had been hollowed out to form a vast underground chamber.
There, the Gedo Statue sat in silence, cross-legged, dormant… yet menacing.
"Tch. Still as monstrous as ever," Orochimaru muttered, eyes gleaming with curiosity.
This was his first time seeing the statue at rest. As a researcher, his interest surged.
He approached its feet and raised a palm, summoning high-quality chakra.
Under Nagato and Konan's watchful eyes, the chakra spun rapidly, condensing into a fine blade—the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken, derived from Minato's Rasengan, refined with slicing wind chakra.
"What is that?" Nagato asked, alarmed.
"Just a modified Rasengan," Orochimaru replied casually. "Minato made the original. You must've seen it before. I simply added wind chakra to push its sharpness to the extreme."
Nagato narrowed his eyes. "I'm not asking about the technique. What are you going to do with it?"
"Oh, that's obvious," Orochimaru smiled innocently. "I'm going to amputate the Gedo Statue's toe."
Nagato was speechless.
"Relax. I won't take anything critical—just a small sample for analysis. If we want to separate the beasts, we need to understand the statue's structure first."
Nagato hesitated. Orochimaru's reasoning was... logical. Testing before acting was smart.
"If you don't understand a thing," Orochimaru added, "how can you safely dismantle it?"
He gave a reassuring smile.
"It's just a toe."
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