Jigen arrived quickly.
He didn't keep Orochimaru waiting long, stepping through a swirling, purple-black portal. But Orochimaru immediately noticed something different—Jigen's chakra was stronger than before.
Clearly, he hadn't come unprepared.
Perhaps, like Orochimaru, he had already resolved himself to a potential battle.
Still, Orochimaru smiled faintly, his tone casual. "Such an enviable ability… the Ōtsutsuki clan, traveling through the stars—do they use this same technique?"
"Enough chatter," Jigen snapped. "Show me again what you just did. I'll judge for myself whether you truly have something worth trading."
He didn't trust what he had seen through the projection—it could've been distorted or manipulated. With stakes this high, he couldn't afford deception.
"You get straight to the point," Orochimaru chuckled. "I expected more patience from a long-lived being like you. I guess I was wrong."
He licked his lips playfully. "But who exactly do you think you're looking down on? I'm not your servant."
Jigen's expression darkened. It was true that Orochimaru's power had reached a level that rivaled many Ōtsutsuki—but to Jigen, Orochimaru was still a mere evolved native, not someone to be taken seriously.
Still, what he saw in the projection was important. He had to verify it.
Suppressing his irritation, Jigen asked coldly, "Then what do you want?"
"It's a transaction," Orochimaru replied. "You should show some sincerity—that's how humans do things. But instead, you're leaning entirely on the power of your clan, trying to get something for nothing."
"…What do you want?" Jigen repeated, calmer this time.
"That teleportation ability of yours—it would make for a fine sign of sincerity," Orochimaru said, eyes gleaming. "How about teaching me the technique?"
Jigen frowned. Not out of reluctance—but because it was impossible in the way Orochimaru imagined.
"The Ōtsutsuki don't 'learn' techniques as you understand it," Jigen explained flatly. "Our powers emerge naturally as we evolve. There's no knowledge to pass down—it's instinct."
"So, what you're saying," Orochimaru sneered, "is that even a so-called star-conquering god can't explain how he teleports?"
Jigen's eyes narrowed. "Unlike you 'low beings' who need scrolls and lessons, we gain our powers as we mature. It is our birthright."
"And yet," Orochimaru said, voice full of mockery, "you still don't seem to have anything to trade."
Jigen smirked. "There is a method… though I doubt you'd dare to try it."
"Try me."
"You've acquired Kaguya's descendant's powers through crude cell transplantation," Jigen said, eyes gleaming with disdain. "I can offer something more refined. Let me implant a portion of my spirit into you. If your mind survives the erosion, you'll gain the ability."
"Do you dare?"
Orochimaru frowned slightly—but then laughed. "Interesting. Let's give it a try."
Letting another's spiritual energy invade your body—especially that of an Ōtsutsuki—was inherently dangerous. But Orochimaru had the Lamp God. No one could seize control of his body. If Jigen tried to erode him, he would simply erode back.
"It's settled, then," Jigen said, eyes glowing faintly. Dark stripes spread across his body, and a single twisted horn emerged from his forehead. His once-handsome face became warped and feral.
"So that's your combat form?" Orochimaru's eyes flashed gold. "Looks impressive, but… barely on par with Nagato."
"It's more than enough to erode you."
Jigen stepped closer but remained cautious, Byakugan activated, watching every muscle twitch.
"Relax your mind. Do not resist. Can you do that?"
"Please," Orochimaru said, raising his hand and suppressing his chakra entirely.
Jigen slowly extended his palm. A faint blue light formed into a prism-shaped seal—his wedge—and shot into Orochimaru's hand.
Ōtsutsuki 'wedges' were backups—fragments of their essence that could overwrite another body if needed. As they slowly unfroze, they would convert the host into a vessel. Even a partial wedge could grant some power.
Jigen watched intently.
To his surprise, Orochimaru's body barely reacted. A moment of stillness—then nothing.
Was it rejected… or absorbed?
The second thought hit him harder.
Impossible. No native should digest Ōtsutsuki data so quickly.
And indeed, Orochimaru hadn't devoured the wedge. Instead, like when he fused with the Gedo Statue before, he simply sank into spiritual hibernation—leaving the Lamp God in control.
"Pity," said the Lamp God, imitating Orochimaru's voice and expression. He licked his lips. "Maybe if you try again, you'll succeed. Want to give it a few more tries?"
"…Do you think wedges grow on trees?"Jigen snapped. "Each one consumes a massive amount of chakra."
The Lamp God tilted his head. "If I provide the chakra, can you make more?"
These wedges were valuable. Orochimaru would absolutely want to study them—and the Lamp God was no different.
Jigen was unmoved. "I've shown my sincerity by your rules. Now show yours."
Without answering, the Lamp God retrieved something from a scroll—a small, fist-sized ball of sandy material, glowing with overwhelming natural energy.
Jigen's eyes widened.
That's pure natural energy… condensed into solid form?!
"Where did you get that?" he asked, voice low with restrained greed.
"Do you think I'd just tell you?" the Lamp God smiled. He twirled the ball, then returned it to the scroll. "So, what are you willing to offer for that information?"
Jigen calmed himself. "Fine. The wedge I gave you was incomplete due to chakra constraints. If you supply the chakra, I can make a complete one."
"I knew you were holding back," the Lamp God grinned. "Then let's make a deal."
He retrieved the sandy ball again—this time, he pulled out three more and tossed them to Jigen.
"Whether that's enough or not, these are your payment. Make a full wedge and contact me when it's ready."
Jigen caught the orbs in one hand, eyes gleaming.
He can't use them himself—but the Ten Tails can. This is more than enough.
"Fine," he said simply.
The deal was struck.
"Then we're done for now," said the Lamp God. "Let's both prepare before moving forward. No need to rush."
"I don't need your advice," Jigen scoffed. He turned and stepped back through the portal, vanishing.
The Lamp God remained, waiting for Orochimaru's consciousness to return—it wouldn't take long.
---
Meanwhile — In the Forests of the Land of Fire
A white head poked out of a tree trunk. "Danzo," said the Zetsu clone, "we're almost there. But Konoha's people are closing in too."
"I lured Jiraiya and the Anbu teams away for you, but you'll still have to deal with the Uchihas."
Danzo stood nearby, silent, tense.
"Don't think I don't know what you're trying to do," he said coldly. "Sacrificing a few Konoha ninjas to paint me as a traitor… it's all unnecessary."
He knew his situation. The secrets of Root were already exposed. A few corpses would change nothing.
Madara's theatrics were pointless.
Zetsu said nothing—just smiled and sank back into the tree.
_____________________
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