Though his double-cross backfired, Danzo Shimura didn't leave empty-handed. He now had a complete clone body filled with enough genetic material to experiment with. Whether Orochimaru lived or died didn't matter—if he died, Danzo had more than enough resources to resurrect him.
Losing two Sharingan eyes, each containing three tomoe, was bad enough—but what really got to Danzo was wasting a chance to use Kotoamatsukami.
"If only I had a physical clone made entirely of flesh and blood," he bitterly thought.
Danzo had no intention of giving up. Those coveted secret techniques seemed tailor-made for him. Cloning itself wasn't impressive anymore—there were plenty of cloning methods out there, even if they were harder to pull off. The truly valuable ones extended the original body's will, overcoming the time limits imposed on chakra in standard cloning techniques. Anyone with even a little experience could see exactly what this meant. In a way, it was already a weakened version of a soul-transferring jutsu or immortality technique. Once the issues of insufficient vitality in clones and unsynchronized consciousness were solved, eternal existence of the soul would become possible. And if this technology advanced further—to allow one's will to extend consciously into other bodies—the user would essentially become a god capable of manifesting infinite incarnations.
Although every step forward seemed daunting, none seemed impossible. At the very least, Danzo—who had controlled Konoha's hidden faction for years and knew countless secrets—clearly understood that all these goals could be achieved.
Moreover, fragments of information from Kurenai Yuhi after she regained consciousness, combined with the Hyuga clan's suspicious activities, hinted at possibly even greater discoveries yet to come. Intelligence indirectly acquired from Suna ninja also suggested he might have underestimated that sharp-minded brat who secretly feared him.
Unfortunately, since this mission failed, new strategies within the village would be needed to uncover the hidden truths beneath the surface and gain maximum benefit.
...
As Danzo quietly began withdrawing, the clash between Jiraiya and Orochimaru grew increasingly intense. What started as cautious probing had escalated into an extended battle. Except for both sides tactically holding back their ultimate trump cards, nearly all of their abilities had been revealed. Since Jiraiya refrained from entering Sage Mode, Orochimaru respectfully held back his Eight Branches Technique too. With both parties keeping reserves, the fight ultimately became a mere display of ninjutsu prowess—an inconclusive match where neither could overpower the other.
Eventually, the weakened Orochimaru slowly found himself on the defensive. During a lull in the battle, Jiraiya stood panting, watching as his opponent clearly showed signs of fatigue and exhaustion.
"Your counterattacks are getting weaker," Jiraiya said breathlessly. "So your injuries really are serious after all."
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes at Jiraiya. "Saying so much—you think this is the end?" This pointless fight didn't matter—one couldn't kill the other, so winning or losing meant nothing. "If you want something from me, let's skip the wasted effort."
"You're talking pretty boldly, Orochimaru."
"Jiraiya withdrew his battle stance," he said. "I'm not here to ask a favor—I'm here to warn you. Orphaned survivor from the Uchiha clan... you must let go."
Upon hearing Jiraiya's words, Orochimaru's pupils narrowed.
"Sasuke Uchiha? That kid shouldn't mean much to you, should he? I thought you preferred that Nine-Tails Jinchuriki instead!"
If it were some unrelated trivial matter, he would've just nodded along. But not Sasuke Uchiha. Years of longing, the humiliation of being defeated by Itachi Uchiha, and years of patience—all of this depended on Sasuke to reverse his fate.
Jiraiya noticed Orochimaru's grim expression and said seriously, "This is different. Naruto will be the hope of the ninja world—the destined child who will save the world. I like him very much, and I'll soon accept him as my disciple. But as for Sasuke Uchiha... I think your methods are too despicable."
"Despicable? I simply offered him hope."
"What a vengeful soul sees as hope can't possibly be something good. Planting a Cursed Seal and still relentlessly seeking to snatch him away—that was quite unseemly, Orochimaru. You've already completed your reincarnation; there's no need to be so impatient anymore, is there?"
"True enough. The Konoha ninja did well in delaying my Sasuke's timely arrival. However, in the end, none of this matters. As a vengeful soul, he will inevitably come seeking power from me sooner or later."
"You shouldn't be so sure about that, Orochimaru. Don't think you're the only clever one in this world."
"Hmm?" Jiraiya's words made Orochimaru recall what Danzo had once told him.
Could it be that Konoha has indeed produced someone capable enough to trouble Danzo—and even make Jiraiya consider them my equal?
Ignoring Orochimaru's confusion, Jiraiya continued,
"I believe something a certain young fellow said holds some truth. The future of youth must be chosen by themselves."
"Their own choice? What exactly do you mean?"
At this point, Jiraiya decided not to keep anyone in suspense any longer and laid out his proposal: "Cease all attempts at luring, threatening, or deceiving Sasuke Uchiha. All actions guiding him toward betraying the village must stop."
"Have you lost your mind, Jiraiya? What benefit would I gain from doing that?"
There was no way he was going to let go of something he'd already gotten his hands on.
"You must agree, Orochimaru," Jiraiya stated firmly. "Otherwise, this boy won't survive long enough to leave Konoha village."
"Are you threatening me?"
"This isn't a threat—it's reason, Orochimaru," Jiraiya said sternly. "Don't you think Danzo will let Sasuke live long enough to reach you? He may be greedy, but he's not incompetent..."
Orochimaru remained silent for a moment before raising his head.
"What does this have to do with what you call giving him a choice?"
"We will give him a chance to choose his own path. If eventually he still chooses you, then as long as he survives to walk out of Konoha village, I'll ensure Danzo steps back."
"Why are you doing this?"
"Orochimaru scratched his head at Jiraiya's bizarre antics, 'I get why you don't care about a traitor who ditched Konoha, but what good would it do to go against Danzo anyway?'
'The one destined to shape the world's fate must grow stronger and keep pushing forward!'"
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