The swamp was quiet—eerily so.
Even after being forcibly summoned, Ōtsutsuki Isshiki didn't attack. He simply stared at Orochimaru, confusion flickering across his otherwise calm expression.
Genes are information.
Whether in the form of polypeptide chains, nucleotide sequences, or something more abstract, like a mental imprint, genetic data dictates everything—gestation, growth, decay, and death. A creature's potential is written at birth.
And nowhere was this more evident than in the Ōtsutsuki clan.
From the moment they're born, they carry the blueprint of gods. Given time and nourishment, they inevitably ascend to divinity.
The body, to them, is just a vessel. A mortal host lacks the data capacity of an Ōtsutsuki, true—but they choose compatible containers to accelerate growth and minimize developmental loss.
Now, Isshiki was preparing to abandon the vessel known as Jigen, not out of weakness, but because the resources in this world weren't enough for him to regain his original, godlike form.
To the Ōtsutsuki, genes define fate. This belief had never wavered—until now.
He had heard of Orochimaru many times. At first, he assumed Orochimaru must be one of Kaguya's descendants, reverting toward ancestral power. But now, seeing him in person… he realized that wasn't the case at all.
Orochimaru wasn't Ōtsutsuki. Nor was he Kaguya's bloodline.
He was simply an evolved mortal, one corrupted by Kaguya's chakra—yet, astonishingly, still climbing in strength.
His genetic makeup wasn't even as remarkable as the red-haired man behind him. Yet here he stood, at the edge of divinity.
Impossible.
If he wasn't one of Kaguya's kin, how could a mere native reach such power? Could it be that there existed other lifeforms in the ninja world with a potential equal to the Ōtsutsuki?
As if reading his thoughts, Orochimaru chuckled.
"Nothing is impossible," he said, licking his lips. "I simply inherited some of what the Ōtsutsuki left behind in this world."
There was something deeply malicious in his smile that made Isshiki's eyes narrow.
"You seem awfully confident," Isshiki said coldly. "Do you really think you can take me down?"
Though he had withdrawn from the world for centuries due to injuries, those wounds had largely healed. At full power—even in Jigen's body—he could still fight at peak strength, if only for a short time.
Even Kaguya wouldn't claim to defeat him easily. What gave this upstart the gall?
"Relax," Orochimaru said, raising an eyebrow, his grin unfazed. "I've no intention of fighting. That wouldn't be wise—for either of us."
"I want to make a deal."
Isshiki's expression twisted into cold amusement.
"A deal?"
"Arrogance narrows perspective," Isshiki said bluntly. "You're too conceited to see the truth."
Orochimaru didn't flinch. In fact, his smile deepened.
"In just a few decades, I've leapt across life's thresholds. Am I not qualified to negotiate with your kind? Compared to the Ōtsutsuki, I'm not so far beneath."
Isshiki paused.
He couldn't argue with that—not entirely. For a native lifeform to reach this level was more than miraculous. It was absurd. In his prime, he might've accepted such a being as a rare servant.
But a peer?
Never.
Still, he stayed silent.
Orochimaru pressed on. "I know your aim: planting the Divine Tree and harvesting this planet's chakra."
"This planet gave birth to me," he said. "And I have the power to protect it."
Isshiki's interest piqued. For the first time, his expression softened.
"So what are you proposing?"
"I'll join the Ōtsutsuki. I'll assist you through your period of weakness using my techniques and knowledge."
"But this world—this planet—belongs to me."
Isshiki blinked, taken aback. He had expected a demand for information, a tool, perhaps even status.
But ownership of an entire world?
It was laughable.
Given Orochimaru's power, he could probably dominate many such planets—but Isshiki's logic held to a different truth:
Predators are plenty. Prey is finite.
Worlds like this one—rich in leyline energy—were rare. Kaguya herself had been tempted enough to betray her kin for it. Why would Isshiki surrender it?
Even a small, barren world wouldn't be handed over, let alone this one.
And yet, Isshiki didn't say any of this aloud. He was curious. He also knew that in this moment, he held no overwhelming advantage in raw strength.
So instead, he said, "I could agree to that… but only if you show me your sincerity."
Orochimaru laughed.
"Didn't I just show it? I could've attacked you while you were vulnerable—but I didn't."
Isshiki nodded. "That counts. But it's not enough."
He leaned forward, voice hardening.
"Help me gather the nine Tailed Beasts. Replant the Divine Tree."
Orochimaru's eyes darkened.
"I told you. This planet—and its chakra—belongs to me."
"And you should know," he added coldly, "what the Divine Tree truly does."
Isshiki didn't flinch. "Then you should also know that the chakra it bears already belongs to Kaguya—the traitor."
He stared Orochimaru down.
"The chakra fruit must return to the clan. That's not my decision—it's the will of our people."
Even if he had no intention of playing fair, he made no effort to hide his threat.
"If you truly wish to join us," he said, "this is the price of admission. Don't worry about the damage. The worst of it was done a thousand years ago. This… is just the final step."
"Refuse, and when the next Ōtsutsuki comes, they may not be as merciful."
Orochimaru remained silent.
But behind his still smile, his thoughts raced.
Isshiki could see it.
He's weighing it.
Satisfied, Isshiki pulled out a metallic ring and tossed it at him.
"Think it over. You can use that to contact me."
As he turned to leave, Orochimaru called out.
"I told you my name. What should I call you?"
Isshiki paused.
"...Just call me Jigen for now."
A swirling black-red portal opened behind him. With a flash of light, he vanished—leaving nothing behind.
Not even a glance at Junmaro.
His fate was beneath notice.
---
The swamp fell silent again.
Nagato finally spoke.
"Are you really going to gather the tailed beasts? Replant the Divine Tree?"
Orochimaru didn't answer right away.
He stared into the fading horizon.
"That was just one Ōtsutsuki."
He turned to Nagato, voice low.
"They aren't the only ones out there. If they come from the stars… can you stop them? Even if you win… can you save this world?"
"Don't forget the damage caused by the last great war."
Nagato clenched his jaw and fell silent.
As the final light faded from the sky, Orochimaru's expression suddenly relaxed. He chuckled.
"He's gone now. No need to stay tense."
Then, he tilted his head.
"So? How did it feel—meeting an Ōtsutsuki in the flesh?"
Isshiki's ability to conceal himself was impressive—shrinking to such a minuscule size with his dōjutsu that even Orochimaru couldn't sense him.
But that meant nothing to Djinn. To him, Isshiki might as well have been a blazing torch in the dark.
This was only the beginning. And Orochimaru would use every trick he had to outwit the gods.
Nagato scowled.
"You're as arrogant as they say."
Isshiki had treated everyone as beneath him—barely worth acknowledging.
And Orochimaru? He wasn't much better.
"That's the reality of the stars," Orochimaru replied calmly. "The weak are prey. The strong, predators."
"The contact between two civilizations always ends in one devouring the other."
He looked to the sky.
"It's a shame the ones we met… are meat-eaters."
Nagato lowered his eyes.
He no longer doubted Orochimaru's intent.
This man—through all his twisted means—was preparing the world for survival. Not just against rogue nations, but threats from beyond.
"Then… what now?" Nagato asked. "Are you really going to gather the tailed beasts?"
Uchiha Madara and the threat of Kaguya still loomed, too.
Seven beasts already slumbered within the Gedo Statue. It was dangerous enough.
"We'll make it look like we're complying," Orochimaru said. "Keep up appearances."
He grinned.
"I'll handle deceiving our guest."
Then, turning to Kimimaro:
"You heard a lot today. Secrets worth more than your life."
Kimimaro answered firmly.
"If you promise to help me rescue Kai, I'm willing to die."
Orochimaru placed a hand on his shoulder.
"In this world, death isn't the end."
"The chakra left in you by that man? It's gone. I replaced it with senjutsu chakra. The seal in your bones now protects you—and stabilizes your disease."
"As long as you don't try to kill yourself, you're in no danger."
Kimimaro fell silent.
He had escaped one predator only to land in another's grip. It wasn't pleasant.
But… it was acceptable.
At the very least, Orochimaru hadn't taken the easiest, cruelest route.
_____________________
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