Yuto chuckled softly. If it came to who possessed the most chakra modes, he wasn't even close.
One of the story's protagonists, Uzumaki Naruto, had four: Sage Mode, Kyūbi Chakra Mode, Kurama Mode, and Six Paths Sage Mode. On top of that, he could even combine Sage Mode with Kurama's power.
What was cheating?
Naruto showed everyone exactly what it meant: cheat once for joy, cheat forever for glory.
But Naruto's fusion of Sage Mode and Kurama's chakra sparked a thought in Yuto.
Each of the nine Bijū carried its own unique chakra nature.
If he could gather all nine into himself, could he—without becoming the Ten-Tails' jinchūriki—recreate Six Paths chakra?
After all, in the original story, Naruto had relied on the other tailed beasts' chakra to enter Six Paths Sage Mode. Though the crucial element had been the Sage of Six Paths' gift.
Without that blessing, success was far from certain.
Still, the idea of fusing nine bijū chakras was tantalizing. Dangerous, perhaps impossible. Even Uchiha Madara and Uchiha Obito had become Ten-Tails hosts instead of trying it.
Surely Madara had considered it. The fact he hadn't tried meant the chance of success was almost nil.
Naruto had managed it only because Kurama anchored the rest—and because, miraculously, the other bijū had chosen to trust him.
Yuto's eyes flickered as he shelved the thought for later. For now, his focus was mastering Sage Mode and the cursed seal's power.
That much was priority enough.
When they returned to Kirigakure, he would need to begin preparations.
Withdrawing the Sage chakra, he raised his head—and met Orochimaru's eyes. They burned with hunger, the look of a beggar who hadn't eaten in days staring at meat.
Behind him, Mei and Ao both stared with admiration. Either one of Yuto's powers would be terrifying on its own. Together, they were beyond words.
But for them, the stronger Yuto became, the greater Kiri's hope.
"Orochimaru, how did those two powers feel?" Yuto asked casually.
"The cursed seal's energy I know well—dark, twisted, dangerous to wield. Yet Yuto-dono has already mastered it," Orochimaru answered, voice heavy.
No one knew better than him how slim survival was for cursed seal bearers.
After a pause, he added: "The second power… stronger, more complete."
He didn't say it aloud, but it reminded him of the experiments they had conducted on Hashirama's cells.
"So," Yuto smiled faintly, "want to grow stronger? Care to join Kirigakure?"
Anyone who'd read the story knew Orochimaru was fickle, but undeniably brilliant. If a man like him joined, unifying the shinobi world would be that much closer.
Orochimaru's face twitched. Those words… they were words he often spoke to others.
And yet, he felt temptation. Sage power was not something anyone could reject.
At this point in his life, beaten down by Itachi and consumed by envy of the Sharingan, he craved a path to true strength.
Sage chakra offered him that path—without the risks of eternal youth schemes.
"…Forgive me, Yuto-dono. I have matters to attend to. I must take my leave."
After a long hesitation, Orochimaru's eyes flickered with conflict, but in the end he refused.
With a blur of seals, he summoned a giant snake.
Its jaws opened wide, swallowing the unconscious Sound Four in one gulp.
With a puff of smoke, it vanished, taking them away.
Then, without pause, Orochimaru slipped into the earth with Doton, vanishing into the distance.
If he lingered, he feared he might actually accept.
"Kiri's gates will always be open for you!"
Yuto waved cheerfully after him, though his eyes glinted with regret.
Behind him, Mei and Ao exchanged a look. Both read the same helplessness in each other's eyes.
To welcome a Konoha missing-nin—especially one as dangerous as Orochimaru—that was something only Yuto would dare.
"Let's go, little Mei. It's been so long—I wonder how the village is doing."
Yuto stretched lazily, turning toward her.
"Ah!"
Mei yelped, her face flushing crimson. She spun away, flustered.
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