In Konoha's thirty-first year, six-year-old Nawaki had already been attending the Ninja Academy for two full years.
Between his missions and research tasks, Orochimaru always made time to personally guide the boy. Nawaki's talent lay almost entirely in taijutsu. Blessed with the Senju Clan's terrifying physical strength, he could unleash astonishing power with every punch and kick. Kunai and shuriken thrown with that same brute force were lethally destructive—yet tragically inaccurate. No matter how much he practiced, hitting a target was largely a matter of luck.
He couldn't reliably strike people at range, but his overwhelming presence alone was enough to intimidate most opponents.
Orochimaru couldn't help but wonder if Nawaki had invested all his "skill points" into close combat.
As for ninjutsu, Orochimaru wasn't in a hurry. There was no need to rush such things.
"Sister Orochimaru! Look over there!" Nawaki suddenly shouted. "There's a frog with glasses around its neck!"
Carefully balancing on a tree trunk, Nawaki pointed excitedly at a small red frog clinging to a branch.
"A frog?" Orochimaru turned around.
The moment he saw it, recognition flashed through his eyes.
That frog was very familiar.
Is this… a messenger from Mount Myōboku?
Jiraiya must have sent it.
That seemed likely.
Orochimaru knew Jiraiya had recently sought help from White Snake Pharmaceutical Technology Company to care for war orphans. From Orochimaru's perspective, this wasn't necessarily a bad thing. If the company invested time and resources into cultivating those children, it was entirely possible that a few would awaken rare bloodlines.
In the original timeline, Orochimaru had traveled the world, deceiving—no, recruiting—countless children, including those with powerful Bloodline Limits such as Guren and Kimimaro.
"I found you!"
The red frog suddenly leaped onto Orochimaru's shoulder.
"Did Jiraiya send you?" Orochimaru asked calmly.
"How did you know?" the frog replied in surprise. "That's right! Jiraiya-sama sent me. My name is Gama Kosuke. This is what he asked me to give you."
Gama Kosuke spat out a parchment scroll, placed it neatly on the ground, and waved a tiny hand.
"Bye!"
With a puff of smoke, the frog vanished.
"…Gama Kosuke."
Orochimaru finally remembered why the frog looked so familiar. In the original story, this very messenger frog had been assassinated by Shimura Danzō.
"Jiraiya…" Orochimaru murmured softly.
Nawaki tilted his head, suddenly recalling something. "That perverted white-haired guy, right? My sister told me to stay away from him so I don't go down the wrong path."
Orochimaru nearly burst out laughing.
The parchment in his hand crumbled into ash and dispersed into the wind. He turned to Nawaki and said calmly, "Nawaki, your current task is to improve your chakra control."
"Understood!" Nawaki nodded vigorously, then asked eagerly, "So, Orochimaru-nee-chan, when will you teach me ninjutsu?"
"Once your chakra control meets my requirements," Orochimaru replied, "I'll begin teaching you ninjutsu. How does that sound?"
In truth, Nawaki's chakra control was already quite good for his age. However, Orochimaru believed it was still too early. His foundation wasn't solid enough, and learning ninjutsu prematurely could do more harm than good.
"…How can this be?" Nawaki's face fell.
He jumped down from the tree, grabbed Orochimaru's arm, and pleaded, "Orochimaru-nee-chan, can't you teach me ninjutsu now?"
"If your chakra control is insufficient, using ninjutsu could seriously injure you," Orochimaru said patiently. "And your foundation still needs strengthening. Once you've fully mastered the Three Body Technique at the Ninja Academy, I'll consider teaching you more advanced ninjutsu."
She gently stroked Nawaki's head. For now, the Academy's basic techniques were more than enough.
Konoha hadn't yet reached the point where children were sent to the battlefield.
"Really?" Nawaki's eyes lit up.
"Of course," Orochimaru replied with a faint smile. "When have I ever lied to you?"
She had already tested Nawaki's chakra nature transformation at a very young age.
Fire. Earth. Water. Yang Release.
Those were the chakra affinities Nawaki possessed.
After Nawaki left, Orochimaru considered whether she should make a trip to the Land of Waves.
The war between the Four Great Shinobi Villages had dragged on for over a year, yet Konoha had shown no intention of formally joining. In fact, Konoha's higher-ups had even suggested relocating civilians from border villages to the Fire Daimyō, under the pretense of preventing ninja attacks.
Orochimaru didn't know how they had convinced the Daimyō to approve such a massive relocation.
However, the other Great Villages must have already realized something: if they continued fighting, the greatest beneficiary would be the neutral Konoha.
Although the flames of war had not reached Konoha, the village couldn't ignore pleas for help from smaller nations. Even without officially entering the war, Konoha shinobi were active across many countries, accepting so many missions that their hands were metaphorically worn raw.
In a way, Konoha was profiting from the war.
As the Third Hokage's disciple and a shinobi of considerable strength, Orochimaru frequently undertook missions involving intelligence gathering, protecting daimyō, and suppressing internal rebellions.
"Orochimaru, what are you thinking about?"
A pair of arms suddenly wrapped around her neck from behind. Uchiha Hikari pressed her entire body against Orochimaru's back.
Compared to two years ago, Hikari had grown taller and far healthier. After prolonged treatment, her body had fully recovered. Even her once-flat chest had developed noticeably.
"Nawaki's gone, right?" Hikari glanced around, clearly displeased.
She had grown increasingly irritated with Nawaki, who constantly occupied Orochimaru's time. After finally getting a chance to reunite, Nawaki always seemed to appear and interrupt them.
If Orochimaru hadn't known better, she might have suspected that she and Hikari were the reincarnations of Indra and Ashura.
After all, Uchiha Madara was still alive—and in good health.
In Orochimaru's estimation, Madara was likely very close to awakening the Rinnegan.
"He left a long time ago," Orochimaru replied.
She raised a hand and gently pinched Hikari's now-rounded cheek.
"How long will you stay this time?" Hikari asked softly, rubbing her face against Orochimaru's palm.
"Hard to say," Orochimaru admitted. "I don't know myself."
She had been so busy lately that her research progress had slowed, which irritated her immensely.
Land of Waves
White Snake Pharmaceutical Technology Company
Inside the CEO's office, Orochimaru sat on the sofa and spoke calmly.
"As for the war orphans, we'll raise them. Even if only one-third—or fewer—turn out to have ninja talent, it will still be profitable. As for the rest, they can remain loyal to the company."
Her plan was simple. Those with ninja aptitude would be assigned to chakra-related tasks. Those without would handle non-chakra work. Individuals with Bloodline Limits would receive special arrangements.
"Yes, Lord Orochimaru," Aokawa replied respectfully.
Had Lord Orochimaru anticipated Jiraiya's request in advance? Was that why he had instructed him to accept the war orphans as much as possible?
Truly worthy of Lord Orochimaru.
Aokawa's admiration deepened further.
What is he overthinking now? Orochimaru wondered, watching Aokawa's contemplative expression.
"When the war reaches Konoha," Orochimaru said, standing and walking to the window, "I'll have to go to the battlefield as well."
"Is there anything our Iburi Clan can do?" Aokawa asked earnestly.
"Everything is proceeding according to plan. We're minimizing the war's impact on the company as much as possible."
The island laboratory base had already been converted into a processing facility for Sage Art Explosives. Massive funds were required to purchase materials, process them, and package the final products. Research projects demanded even more capital.
"Please leave it to me, Lord Orochimaru," Aokawa said solemnly.
"Also, there's a meeting shortly. Would you like to attend?"
"Let Mi attend instead," Orochimaru replied disinterestedly.
Soon after, a black sedan flew through the air, bearing the symbol of the Hidden Rain Village. It landed on the rooftop lounge platform of White Snake Pharmaceutical Technology Company.
The car door opened, and a far more mature Hanzo stepped out.
Inside the conference room—
"What does a war between great nations have to do with us?" Mi scoffed, arms crossed. "As long as it doesn't interfere with my research, they can fight however they want!"
"Mi, the war is already affecting us," Kakuzu said gravely. "If this continues, funding for the laboratory base—"
"What?!" Mi slammed the table and stood up. "You old fossil, how dare you cut my funding?! Do you want me to blow up your fancy car again?!"
"Please calm down, Miss Mi," Hanzo interjected. "What matters now is minimizing the war's impact."
"It's difficult," Setsuryu added. "The war is escalating. Every major village is involved."
"We've also made arrangements for the war orphans," Kakuzu continued. "With Orochimaru's connections, we've taken in over a thousand children. We're considering purchasing a small island near the Land of Waves to serve as an orphanage."
Despite knowing their future value, Kakuzu's heart still ached at the thought of feeding them for years.
"If even a third become ninja, the return will be immense," Aokawa said firmly. "The rest will still be loyal employees."
These children would become the company's future ninja, staff, and unwavering followers of Lord Orochimaru.
This is Lord Orochimaru's prophecy.
Hanzo's eyes gleamed with surprise. Such treatment was unparalleled.
"In short," Aokawa concluded, "transportation hubs are suffering the most. We must strengthen security."
Turning to Hanzo, he said, "I entrust the Rain Country's transportation hub and battery factory to you."
"Please rest assured," Hanzo replied solemnly.
He would not allow Rain Country's foundation—the White Snake facilities—to be threatened.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)