As dawn breaks clear, a gale whips through the sky. The clouds, swirling and unfurling, twist and change shape under this invisible, immense power, racing towards the horizon.
Above the hills, the black substance surrounding Orochimaru is much the same.
From formless clumps, it gradually coalesces, beginning to spin. It's as if it's being refined, tightened into a spherical structure by some force.
Genie Lamp tilts its head and studies it, unsure. "A Tailed Beast Bomb… or is it the Truth-Seeking Ball?"
"I don't know what this Truth-Seeking Ball you speak of is, but this is not a Tailed Beast Bomb."
Orochimaru holds a black sphere cupped in his palm, a smile on his lips. "Besides Yin-Yang Release, it also contains the basic five elements, a perfect fusion of seven powers."
Bloodline Limit already combines three chakra natures… the peak of mortals. But only by truly achieving the perfect unity of seven powers can one be called a 'god.'
Having come this far, this is the first time Orochimaru has encountered and truly wielded this kind of power.
"It's just… so disheartening."
Orochimaru feels regret amidst his joy.
He detests the concept of bloodline limits the most. Yet, he now relies on this very method to gain power. It's truly ironic, in a way he can't quite express.
"I thought you were going to say something else. That's it?"
Genie Lamp shakes its head. "Even if it doesn't fit your aesthetic, this method is fast."
With the current development of the ninja world, they can't even reliably train ninjas to the Kage level. Chunin, Jonin… these largest groups of ninjas represent the level of ninja civilization.
In other words, the ninja world currently can't provide much help. For Orochimaru to deduce a Six Paths level power system solely on his own, even if he has already reached the Six Paths life level, would take an incredibly long time.
But if it's the other way around, tracing back from the result, and knowing the correct answer, then deducing the process of mastering this power would be much more efficient.
"It's not that I don't understand your thinking. If the ninjas were to slowly discover the Otsutsuki's power on their own, that would be one thing…"
Orochimaru shakes his head upon hearing this. "But if I create all of this, it might actually become a limitation for them."
With a standard answer provided, everyone would unconsciously try to imitate it. While many strong individuals might emerge in a short time, the result would be the loss of creativity.
"Don't overestimate ordinary people's abilities, nor underestimate their creativity."
Genie Lamp scoffs upon hearing this out-of-touch remark,
"Do you think imitation is easy? The basic five elements, which are incredibly simple for you, would still take others considerable effort to learn. And that's even with a mature knowledge system, let alone the more difficult and less mature Kekkei Genkai."
"Most of them won't be able to do it, and then they'll start trying to find ways…"
At this point, Genie Lamp glances at Orochimaru. "More importantly than this, why they would go to such lengths is the biggest issue."
Previously, the ninja world was in a state of constant conflict. Anyone… any ninja from any village, would not reject becoming stronger within their capabilities, as it concerned life and death.
But after that, the environment changed. It's now impossible to expect them to maintain that mindset.
Of course, there's the threat of the Otsutsuki clan from beyond the heavens, the kind that can cause planetary annihilation… but the threat is too immense, making it feel unreal. They adopt a mindset of letting things slide, believing that if the sky falls, taller people will hold it up.
"That is indeed a problem… do we have to maintain the 'gu' competition model of warring states?"
Orochimaru frowns, ponders for a moment, then shakes his head. "If Jiraiya found out I was doing this, he'd be the first to object…"
If it ends up leading to a situation where he's abandoned by everyone, it would be too pathetic.
Moreover, this method certainly leads to severe internal friction.
"Let's consider that later. No need to rush."
Genie Lamp interrupts Orochimaru's thoughts and reminds him, "I've already agreed on terms with Otsutsuki Isshiki…"
He recounts the previous transaction and then asks, "So, do you want to take this opportunity to get rid of him?"
"There's no rush for that. Let him deal with a hidden danger for me first." A faint glint appears in Orochimaru's eyes. "It's time for Little White Snake to come ashore."
After summoning a viper to deliver a message to White Snake Sage, Orochimaru takes out the metal ring again and contacts Jigen.
The transparent phantom reappears. Orochimaru looks at Jigen and says directly, "It's time. Are you ready?"
Jigen's expression is emotionless. He doesn't answer Orochimaru. The next moment, a purplish-black portal opens, and he steps out, saying coldly, "Take me there now."
It's clear that the other party has been waiting during this time. Compared to his composure last time, he is exceptionally attentive.
However, Orochimaru just smiles and extends a hand. "Before that, the complete 'Karma' we agreed upon, shouldn't it be planted first?"
"What exactly are you trying to do?"
Jigen looks at Orochimaru, a hint of confusion in his eyes. However, rather than knowing the answer, the immense source of natural energy is more important. He only asks casually at this moment.
Seeing that Orochimaru doesn't respond, Jigen has no intention of dwelling on it. His chakra surges towards his arm, and a blue-black rhombus pattern appears on his palm, which he then stamps onto Orochimaru's hand.
Almost instantly, blue lines crawl all over Orochimaru's arm.
However, Orochimaru is prepared this time. He doesn't directly make spiritual contact with the 'Karma.' He forms a hand seal with his other hand and presses it against his shoulder. Black script spreads out, covering the blue lines.
Having sealed Jigen's 'Karma,' Orochimaru looks at the other party and smiles. "Follow me."
…
Meanwhile, a fierce chase has turned into a hunt.
"Ah…"
Caught in a perimeter formed by Uchiha Clan members, Danzo lets out a roar, his eyes revealing a blood-red glow. "You bastards, Madara, you lied to me!"
How rigorous was the reconnaissance network formed by White Zetsu clones underground? As a former Elder Advisor of Konoha, how could Danzo not understand?
The confidence he had when he dared to escape Konoha alone stemmed precisely from this.
But at this moment, he's surrounded by a team of Uchiha ninjas. If he hadn't been betrayed, would it have come to this?
As the encircling party, the Uchiha Jonin are equally surprised and angry. Uchiha Fugaku shouts, "Danzo, tell me honestly, where did you get that Mangekyou Sharingan?"
Even for those with pure Uchiha bloodlines, awakening the Mangekyou Sharingan is incredibly difficult. How could this old geezer Danzo possess such talent?
But recalling what the other party just roared, Fugaku becomes somewhat uneasy.
"Hmph… this was created by that traitor, Madara…"
Danzo surveys the Uchiha Jonin, his eyes projecting hatred, and he sneers, "Don't you want the same eyes? Go find Uchiha Madara. He certainly won't refuse."
This is not just a bribe to stir up trouble for Konoha, but also a hope to create a greater conflict between Madara and the village. At that point, Orochimaru certainly wouldn't stand by and do nothing.
At this moment, Danzo hates the man who toyed with him to his very bones.
"Uchiha Madara… it really was him. He has betrayed the honor of the Uchiha Clan."
Fugaku naturally won't stand by and watch Danzo instigate. He shouts, "Kill him."
Since the village's request was that life or death didn't matter, Fugaku certainly wouldn't show any mercy.
With that order, countless kunai are thrown towards Danzo. They clang against each other in mid-air, altering their trajectories, and sealing all escape routes from all directions, closing in on Danzo.
"Uchiha Throwing Technique… Hmph, all flash…"
Danzo sneers, his blood-red eyes flowing, reflecting the trajectories of all the kunai. He flicks out several kunai in return.
Amidst the previously clear melody, chaotic dissonance suddenly appears. The tight blockade shows a flaw.
Danzo aims for the gap and is about to break through in that direction, when suddenly several figures block his path, rapidly forming hand seals.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball!"
"Fire Style: Majestic Fire Dragon Technique!"
…
Torrential heat erupts, and ferocious flames, like ravenous beasts, lash out at Danzo.
After a moment of adjustment, the dissonance within the kunai is cleared, and they attack Danzo from behind.
In an instant, Danzo is caught in a pincer attack. Both the flames and the kunai are not to be underestimated.
However, in such a predicament, Danzo doesn't evade. Instead, he speeds up his pace, rushing towards the Uchiha Jonin spewing flames.
His crimson eyes swirl. The next moment, a colossal black blade tears through the flames, sweeping towards this elite Jonin squad.
"Ahhh!"
Amidst screams of agony, a few people who only had time to dodge are instantly swept away, falling beneath large trees and into the dirt. They suffer horrific injuries to their chests and abdomens, their spines almost broken.
Yet, even lying in the crimson blood, those who have completely lost their ability to move have not died. They let out loud cries of agony with full lungs.
Danzo, within the black Susanoo, sees this counter-intuitive scene. A trace of surprise flashes in his eyes, and he quickly reacts with a cold snort, "Damn snakes."
The giant blade sweeps away branches and trunks, intending to deliver a finishing blow.
However, a thick tree trunk erupts from the ground, directly hitting the Susanoo's chest.
Bang!
With a thunderous roar, the immense power makes the Susanoo's huge body unable to stop itself from retreating.
"Wood Style?!"
Danzo's heart tightens. His blood-red eyes flicker, instantly locking onto the ninja in the tree canopy, and he recognizes the other party's identity.
"Uchiha Jinsuke… he can actually use Wood Style?"
As this thought flashes in his mind, Danzo's eyes flicker red, and he sneers, "Just Wood Style, die."
The colossal black blade ignites with flames. He has no interest in pursuing those crippled Uchiha who were rescued, and directly attacks Uchiha Jinsuke, who is now the greatest threat to him.
The wind howls, and a vast shadow instantly presses down. Uchiha Jinsuke doesn't retreat. He quickly forms hand seals and shouts, "Wood Dragon Technique!"
Several large trees grow rapidly, their thick trunks entwining together to form a dragon nearly ten meters tall, which coils around the Susanoo.
His Wood Style is naturally not as good as the First Hokage's, but it's still decent. And Danzo's Susanoo is only in its second form, far inferior to Shisui's.
Currently confronting it, it's at best an even match. Uchiha Jinsuke feels he has some confidence.
Moreover, he is not alone at this moment.
However, as the Wood Dragon collides with the giant blade, an eerie black flame spreads across the dragon's body. Uchiha Jinsuke feels his chakra being rapidly depleted.
Uchiha Jinsuke is utterly astonished. "What on earth is this thing?"
The response is a loud crash. The giant blade strikes the Wood Dragon's neck, decapitating it with a single blow.
"Die!"
With a wild laugh, the Susanoo swings its giant blade again, targeting Uchiha Jinsuke.
Boom!
The large tree is split in two and then, consumed by the burning black flames, quickly turns to charcoal. Uchiha Jinsuke lands on the ground. He glances back at the pursuing Susanoo but doesn't continue to dodge. Instead, he quickly forms hand seals and concentrates all his strength to create a Wood Dragon.
Now, with four Uchiha Jonin heavily injured, the encirclement has completely broken, and the formation is in disarray. In this situation, if Danzo wants to leave, no one can stop him.
But how could Uchiha Jinsuke be willing to let Danzo escape?
Putting aside Danzo's deliberate targeting of the clan in the past, if not for his malicious methods, Yakushi Kabuto wouldn't have reached the point of defecting from the village.
Both familial and personal grudges do not allow him to back down now.
The Wood Dragon rises from the ground, lunging at the Susanoo with even greater ferocity. However, Danzo just laughs wildly. "It's useless, just an ant."
The wind howls, stirring up rolling heat. The flaming giant sword swings towards the Wood Dragon, striking directly at the dragon's head.
The eerie black flame spreads again, and it's not long before it engulfs the entire Wood Dragon.
Wood Style, which has always been convenient for absorbing Tailed Beast chakra, is now being consumed by the black flames. Deprived of chakra to maintain it, they all turn into charred cinders in the raging fire.
"Next is… huh?"
Danzo is about to swing at Uchiha Jinsuke, but beneath the Susanoo, countless tree trunks and paper strips grow wildly, soon covering the entire Susanoo.
The thick, twisted branches are exceptionally tough, and for a moment, he cannot break free.
"You bastard…"
Danzo knows he's fallen for a feint. A ferocious expression appears on his gaunt old face, and then it quickly turns into wild laughter. "Just a petty trick."
Flames rise from the giant sword in his right hand, intending to cleave directly at the Susanoo.
However, the thick, beard-like branches fix the joints, giving him no opportunity to burn the branches with fire.
Uchiha Jinsuke breathes a sigh of relief. Looking at Danzo's exaggerated expression, he frowns again. "Danzo… has his brain malfunctioned?"