"Orochimaru!" Tsunade fixed her gaze on him, her expression heavy with conflict.
Just as Orochimaru had said, she did desperately wish to see those two people again—people who meant everything to her.
But they weren't only precious to her; they were just as important to Orochimaru.
Nawaki had been Orochimaru's favorite student. When Nawaki died, Orochimaru was devastated. Witnessing Nawaki's and Dan Katō's deaths with his own eyes was what drove him to lament the fragility of life and set him on his pursuit of immortality.
And now, he was using those very two people to coerce her.
Time changes everyone. Orochimaru had changed too. Not just him—most people do, given enough years. Isn't that right? The ones who once sought to be champions of justice eventually become little more than old worms clinging desperately to survival.
"You don't believe me, Tsunade?" Orochimaru pressed, as though sensing her doubt. "I've already mastered the forbidden jutsu created by the Second Hokage—Impure World Reincarnation."
"You know its effects well. With it, I can summon the dead back into the world of the living."
Tsunade's eyes narrowed. "Orochimaru, would you really desecrate the dead?"
He smiled thinly. "And you mean to say you don't wish to see them again?"
Not wish to? Impossible.
They were her dearest loved ones.
"Lady Tsunade, you must not agree to this!" Shizune blurted, panicked at her master's wavering.
She was Dan's niece—she too yearned to see her uncle again. But unlike Tsunade, she still retained her clarity in this moment.
"Shizune!" Tsunade snapped, silencing her.
"Hehehe…" Orochimaru chuckled, already picturing her caving and agreeing to heal his arms.
But instead—
"I refuse." Tsunade's voice was firm and unyielding. "I've heard what you've done, Orochimaru. I cannot heal someone as dangerous as you. My answer is no."
"You—!" Orochimaru's face twisted.
"Hahaha! I told you long ago, Orochimaru—Tsunade would never agree."
A voice, familiar to Tsunade, rang out.
A tall man stepped out from the shadows of the wall, clad in a large high-collared coat. His hair was white, his eyes crimson, and a distinct mole marked the center of his brow—his identity undeniable.
"You've known her this long, and you still don't understand her stubbornness?"
Tsunade's eyes widened at the sight of that all-too-familiar face.
"Shibuki…?"
It was indeed Hiruko—more accurately, Hiruko restored to his youth.
After capturing Orochimaru's third right-hand man, Mizuki, and preparing to leave Konoha, Hiruko had coincidentally run into Orochimaru, whose hands had been sealed. The two quickly fell in together.
To make up for his shortcomings and surpass his peers, the legendary Sannin, Hiruko had developed a forbidden experiment: the Chimera Technique. It was because of this technique that he became a missing-nin of Konoha, branded a criminal.
But now, he had perfected it—successfully merging five Kekkei Genkai into his own body. Not only had he gained extraordinary power, but his youth had also returned.
In his words, he had become "the ultimate lifeform."
Yes—like Shinno before him, another who claimed the same title.
"Orochimaru, give up on that unrealistic dream of immortality. Join me—and become the ultimate being."
The once-submissive Hiruko who trailed after the Sannin was gone. Power had swelled his pride to the extreme.
With five Kekkei Genkai, he did have the capital for arrogance.
For years, Hiruko had wanted to surpass the Sannin—not just in strength, but in every aspect. And more than anyone, he longed to eclipse Orochimaru, the most dazzling of the three.
If Orochimaru were to accept his technique, it would be an admission that Hiruko had surpassed them.
But Orochimaru had no interest in such a path. He cared nothing for becoming an "ultimate being." His only desire was eternal life.
(If he knew about the Dragon Balls, Orochimaru would stop at nothing to collect them.)
"Since you won't heal me, Tsunade… we're leaving. Karin."
Orochimaru didn't even look at Hiruko. He simply called to Karin and turned his back, walking away without hesitation.
"Wait." Tsunade called after him. "What is it you're really after?"
In truth, even she couldn't grasp what his aim was anymore.
"Heh. Nothing." Orochimaru's tone was faint, almost dismissive. "But if you have time, you should return to Konoha. Perhaps you don't know—your village's Fifth Hokage is someone you would never expect."
Tsunade froze. "Who?"
"Shimura Danzō."
With that, Orochimaru disappeared down the road, as though he had come solely to deliver that message.
"Tch." Hiruko spat on the ground, then followed after him, leaving Tsunade stunned in place.
Back at their base, Karin spoke quietly:
"Orochimaru-sama really does care about Konoha, doesn't he? He already has a way to treat his body, but he chose to seek out Lady Tsunade, even dangling such a tempting condition before her."
Behind her, in a massive cultivation tank, floated a pale, plantlike humanoid—a White Zetsu, enhanced with Hashirama's cells.
Most striking of all, in its sockets gleamed three-tomoe Sharingan.
This was what Karin referred to as "the way to heal his body."
"You were testing whether Lady Tsunade had changed, weren't you?"
"I am the S-rank missing-nin who killed the Third Hokage," Orochimaru reminded her coldly.
"But in your plan… only the Third Hokage was meant to die." Karin countered softly. "It was only because of unforeseen events that Konoha lost far more than intended."
"Whether it's you, Lady Tsunade, or Jiraiya-sama—you all care deeply for Konoha."
"It's only because of certain people, certain circumstances, that none of you are willing to return."
"You are clever, Karin." Orochimaru's golden, serpentine eyes locked onto her, cutting her off. "But sometimes, knowing too much is dangerous."
"Don't forget—you betrayed Danzō. You betrayed Root. There's no place in the shinobi world for you. Only I gave you shelter. Only I granted you everything you desired."
"Of course, Orochimaru-sama." Karin's tone returned to one of perfect obedience. Yet, out of his sight, a sly glint flashed in her eyes.
(The truth is, I was never a member of Root at all, Orochimaru-sama.)
"In two days, we'll begin the ritual." Orochimaru continued. "From Mizuki's case, it's already clear—the cloned Sharingan are no different from the originals. With White Zetsu cells and Hashirama cells, they're even more refined. The transplants show no rejection, and the eyes can even be closed and activated like those of true Uchiha."
"So you intend to…?" Karin blinked, slightly surprised. This was ahead of schedule.
"It's time to take a new vessel."
Orochimaru gazed almost reverently at the White Zetsu body floating in the tank—the perfect vessel.
A body that could assimilate any gene, with no risk of rejection.
"I'll show that fool Hiruko what true perfection is."
After all, when it came to researchers, rivalry was inevitable. Especially when the two had known each other for years—and lately, Hiruko had been flaunting himself far too much.
"Yes, Orochimaru-sama." Karin bowed deeply. But in her heart, she whispered another vow:
(I'll take everything from you, Orochimaru-sama.)
Her performance was flawless—so flawless even Orochimaru failed to detect the deceit.