At sea, the vast waters didn't just restrict Orochimaru and the White Snake Sage — they hindered the little white snake as well.
Seawater wasn't as light or forgiving as air. No matter the direction, it imposed tremendous resistance. Neither Orochimaru nor the White Snake Sage were adept at underwater combat, and they couldn't manipulate that force in their favor. As a result, many of their purely physical techniques were simply impractical.
The juvenile Ten Tails had just the right outer shell — extremely tough and resistant to ninjutsu. Its size difference alone made the little white snake's attacks ineffective.
But on land? Things would be very different. Just like before, the little white snake would be able to lift and smash it head-on.
And it wasn't just the snake who'd be freed from the sea's constraints — Orochimaru and the White Snake Sage would regain their full mobility too. That's why Orochimaru thought the little white snake's choice was unwise.
Perhaps sensing their intent to act, the little white snake glanced toward them. Its arms retracted back into its serpent form, and it let out a long, piercing hiss toward the sky.
Then it happened.
From sea, earth, and sky, countless microscopic dust-like bacteria surged toward the snake — a black swarm gathering from all directions.
"...What is it trying to do?" Orochimaru narrowed his eyes, puzzled. The snake was returning to its original form, but it didn't seem interested in fighting either of them.
Meanwhile, the juvenile Ten Tails roared in fury and charged at the white snake like an avalanche. It was enraged after being struck.
And yet, the little white snake did not flinch.
Its massive body remained still. Golden eyes locked onto the charging beast, unshaken.
With a deafening crash, the Ten Tails slammed into the white snake's thousand-meter-long body, blowing it apart into a rain of flesh.
But—its soul had already left.
Gathering itself together like never before, the white snake's spirit form — massive and terrifying — let out a chilling hiss before lunging straight into the Ten Tails' body, pouring into it like a flood.
"…Is it trying to possess it?"
Standing atop the White Snake Sage, Orochimaru's astonishment turned into sudden realization.
So this is what it was after all along.
If the white snake remained in its previous form, it would forever be prey — food for others. But if it could take the Ten Tails' body… it could become the predator.
In the ninja world, only a few vessels could handle the white snake's immense spiritual force. Orochimaru's body? Too dangerous — he'd resist. Even someone similar like the White Snake Sage wouldn't survive. Their life levels weren't even on the same scale.
But the Ten Tails? That was different.
Though immature, its core was powerful. It might be the only host capable of withstanding the little white snake — possibly even several of them.
Still… would it really work?
Orochimaru turned toward the scattered remains of the white snake's former body. Even after the spirit left, the residue of natural energy was immense.
And now, without its conscious mind, the remaining cells were just instinctive organisms. Much easier to consume.
He and the White Snake Sage didn't hesitate. With flicks of their tails, they surged forward to feast on the remains.
On the other side, Jigen also understood what had happened. His expression darkened, then twisted into a sneer.
"Foolish."
Even the Ōtsutsuki couldn't take control of a Ten Tails. The moment you enter, you become food — fertilizer for a divine tree. And this creature, an indigenous anomaly, dared to dream of domination?
Absurd.
Still... Jigen couldn't deny what he saw. The little white snake's lifeform was far closer to the Ōtsutsuki than even Orochimaru. In terms of evolution, it might even surpass them.
That thought made Jigen's heart beat faster. If this thing could serve as a replacement for a proper Ōtsutsuki sacrifice, it might just trigger the Ten Tails' full transformation.
But his excitement was cut short.
An unbearable heat surged through his body — molten, like magma coursing through his veins. Both he and the Ten Tails beneath him screamed in agony.
"What… what's happening?!"
Orochimaru paused, alerted by the cries, and turned to the Ten Tails.
The beast was writhing, flailing its tails wildly in pain, sending clouds of dust flying. Even through the haze, bright red lines had begun to spread across its pale body.
"…Is it manifesting markings?" Orochimaru's golden eyes gleamed. He understood immediately.
"It's using the 'Breath of the Sun'... again."
Only this time, its target wasn't him — it was the Ten Tails. And maybe Jigen, too.
Get up from where you fell... Orochimaru grinned. "It really doesn't know how to give up."
He didn't intend to stop it. He knew better than anyone how terrifying — and self-destructive — this method was.
Last time, he'd only survived thanks to the Djinn's help. This time? No one was helping the snake.
But if it pulled this off… both the white snake and the Ten Tails would be left severely weakened.
It was the perfect opportunity.
As Orochimaru and the White Snake Sage feasted, he kept his eyes on the Ten Tails, waiting for the moment to strike.
Jigen, however, had reached his limit. His body, scorched and smoking, emerged from the haze.
His samurai robes were in tatters, his skin blackened and cracked. His bloodshot eyes burned brighter than his golden Rinnegan.
The only time he'd suffered this badly was Kaguya's betrayal a thousand years ago.
Then he saw Orochimaru, calmly enjoying his meal.
Rage exploded.
"OROCHIMARU!!"
The scream pierced the air like a blade.
Orochimaru, unfazed, pressed his fingers to his ears. "Why are you yelling?"
"You—!"
Jigen trembled with fury, fists clenched. After a long pause, he snarled, "Help me kill that thing."
There was no point arguing anymore. Jigen had hoped for excuses, evasions — but it didn't matter now.
He needed the Ten Tails alive. And to do that… he needed help.
Orochimaru raised an eyebrow. "And how exactly do you want me to help?"
"…I…"
Jigen was briefly at a loss.
The Ten Tails was still shrieking. Saving it now meant entering its body and removing the intruding spirit. But he had already failed to do so.
"Then… bring me Kaguya's Ten Tails," he said. "With both, we might have a chance."
"Tsk…" Orochimaru stroked his chin, not replying at first.
Seeing this, Jigen's tone turned cold. "You can't refuse. This is important."
Orochimaru summoned a viper, stuffed a note in its mouth, and dismissed it.
Jigen's expression softened — until Orochimaru added, "Nagato can come. But forget about that Ten Tails."
Jigen's face darkened. "Why not?"
Orochimaru's voice turned serious. "That thing's already holding seven tailed beasts. If I bring it here, it might fully awaken as a complete Ten Tails."
That was far too dangerous.
"Then let me control it!"
Jigen was confident. But Orochimaru just smiled coldly.
"Why should I let you?"
"It belongs to the Ōtsutsuki. It's our inheritance—"
"—And by that logic," Orochimaru interrupted, "all the earth's energy belongs to its creatures. This isn't about who's right — it's about who's stronger."
"You know we are."
Jigen's voice was sharp, openly threatening now.
But Orochimaru just grinned.
"Exactly. And that's why, as the weaker side, I need to protect my cards. Weaklings who kneel get devoured — they don't get warm meals."
More than that, Orochimaru simply didn't trust him.
The Gedo Statue, the tailed beasts, Kaguya, Madara… these were threads in a tangled web. Letting the statue absorb more chakra now would only benefit Madara's plan.
He couldn't risk it.
And helping Jigen?
If the little white snake truly became no threat, Jigen would be next on his list.
Help him?
Ha.
Orochimaru licked his lips, concealing his laughter.
"…Let's wait for Nagato," he said. "With his Rinnegan, maybe he can help."
_____________________
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