Just as the operation was about to begin—
Orochimaru received a summons from the White Snake Sage, inviting him to enter Ryūchi Cave and perform the operation there instead.
From now on, all his future research would also be carried out within Ryūchi Cave.
After all, this was a battle concerning the very survival of the shinobi world. Even if Orochimaru had long planned to abandon his identity as a shinobi to pursue immortality and knowledge, he could not fully sever his ties with this world.
He understood this, and agreed to begin transferring his research operations as quickly as possible, just as the White Snake Sage requested.
Though often extreme in his methods, Orochimaru still held a degree of sentiment toward Konohagakure, and deep down, retained pride in being part of the shinobi world.
At a time like this, it was only natural that he would lend his strength.
Especially when this involved beings far more secretive than any shinobi—true hidden forces on this planet.
In fact, not long after the Third Great Ninja War ended, Orochimaru had already begun to question the foundation of power in the shinobi world.
With his sharp scientific instincts, he had always suspected that the shinobi—who seemed to hold the dominant power in the world—were in fact being manipulated by deeper forces behind the scenes.
They were constantly at war for various reasons, yet never managed to truly seize control of the great nations.
Did this not suggest that beyond the shinobi, there existed a deeper, hidden world pulling the strings of history?
Driven by this suspicion, Orochimaru delved into countless myths and legends, tracing the roots of the Uchiha and Senju clans.
In the end, all clues pointed to the Sage of Six Paths—and sacred lands like Mount Myōboku, inseparable from the true origins of power.
And now, at last, he was beginning to gain real access to those layers of secrets and power.
...
Although the body-switching operation had to be postponed due to the relocation of Orochimaru's lab to Ryūchi Cave, the rest of the shinobi world's preparations for war continued in full force.
Naruto, using the downtime from the operation, made sure to stay in the public eye—encouraging progress across all sectors.
With his sunny smile, like a miniature sun, and the legacy of having twice saved the shinobi world, he helped stabilize morale among both shinobi and civilians in these turbulent times.
Fueled by the never-ending stream of money from clueless nobles and daimyō, the shinobi world's war preparations were now in full swing.
Every stage of the operation was overseen by at least elite jōnin, ensuring minimal casualties.
At the same time, the external threat of the Ōtsutsuki helped drive unprecedented unity among shinobi, civilians, and even samurai across all nations.
...
A wide range of initiatives were launched, rapidly accelerated by the naive funding of nobles:
For instance, the universal promotion of ninjutsu. All able-bodied young adults were now eligible to learn chakra extraction techniques and basic elemental ninjutsu—completely free of charge.
After all, even if chakra originated from the Ōtsutsuki, it would be foolish to reject it outright.
The best approach was to integrate ninjutsu into daily life and industry, spurring a new era of productivity and helping the world gradually break free from the decaying economic structures maintained by daimyō.
And in preparation for war, this would also help stockpile massive quantities of necessary supplies...
The Breathing Art of the Sage Path was also promoted universally—not just for the young, but even the elderly could now practice it.
Its purpose: to improve the general physical health of the population and to cast a wide net for hidden talents with potential to master the technique.
...
At the same time, unique techniques and treasures from the various shinobi villages were beginning to be shared:
Kumogakure agreed to share their long-researched chakra cannon technology, launching a new generation of scientific ninja tools.
Sunagakure quickly followed, offering up their exclusive puppet techniques and puppet-crafting skills—both to contribute to the allied shinobi forces and to ensure these fading arts could be passed down to worthy successors.
Kirigakure and Iwagakure didn't have exclusive technologies, but they still opened up a wide array of Water Release and Earth Release jutsu to the alliance.
Even the smaller hidden villages began to contribute.
Takigakure, for instance, offered a portion of their Hero Water reserves to the shinobi alliance.
Though no one dared to use it yet—this life-draining chakra booster was something that could only be utilized in moments of absolute desperation.
Still, even without direct usage, it caught the attention of several shinobi scientists. Both Amado and Hiruko each took a portion for further study.
They believed the Hero Water could be used to equip suicide squads—temporary replacements for high-tier fighters—capable of landing critical blows or even killing an Ōtsutsuki.
Meanwhile, the reformed Kabuto, now practicing the Breathing Art of the Sage Path, volunteered to visit Takigakure and investigate the spring where Hero Water originated.
Though he had abandoned grave-robbing, his talent for underground excavation was still very much alive.
Kabuto strongly suspected that the spring producing Hero Water was connected to the root system of a former God Tree—similar to chakra metal ore veins—another remnant of the God Tree's invasion of the shinobi world.
...
Hoshigakure, now a thriving hub of ninja tool production, had recovered after the last war and absorbed numerous master craftsmen into its ranks.
All kinds of top-tier ninja tools were now being produced there, and with the added enchantments of the Mountain God, the village had become the most advanced research center on chakra metals.
Hoshigakure also pledged full support to the shinobi alliance.
They even planned to cooperate with Sunagakure and Kumogakure to use technology shared by Amado to develop a full-body suit of advanced scientific ninja armor.
Even a regular person, after basic training, would be able to wield power on par with a jōnin using this gear.
The moment this proposal was made, it drew the full attention of the Shinobi Union.
Massive investments of money and resources were poured into the project. Even Yukigakure, long on the fringes of the shinobi world, announced their willingness to donate the chakra armor left behind by their former leader.
...
In addition, former Kara researchers had launched another project:
Using remnants of Isshiki's technology, they began reconstructive surgeries on willing, disabled shinobi—implanting mechanical enhancements and weapons powered by energy other than chakra.
This allowed those wounded veterans to return to battle—and to be optimized for targeting the Ōtsutsuki specifically.
...
But of course, the Ōtsutsuki would not sit back and wait to be slaughtered.
Apart from the sealed Kinshiki Ōtsutsuki—still inside Naruto and currently undergoing surgery—the others had already noticed the shift.
On the moon, Momoshiki Ōtsutsuki, now in possession of the Tenseigan, and Urashiki Ōtsutsuki, who had been hiding and recovering within the shinobi world, were both fully aware of the growing threat.
If they allowed these "natives" to unite and pool the planet's entire resources, their advance party of three might actually be wiped out.
And so, on the moon, Momoshiki opened the storage of items confiscated from Isshiki—
Planning to stir up some serious trouble for these shinobi...