TN: I think calling Orochimaru with sama sounds better than lord so I'm doing that starting now.
He took a step forward, closing the distance between himself and Kiyohara a little more. "Do you know," Orochimaru said softly, "that life itself may not actually possess any inherent meaning? Much like rain falling into the sea, it leaves no trace behind."
Kiyohara lifted his head to look at Orochimaru, quietly waiting for what would come next.
"But—"
Orochimaru suddenly shifted his tone, a glimmer of fervent obsession flashing in his eyes.
"During the process of living, we can discover fascinating things, pursue answers we long to know. That very pursuit itself—this yearning to explore—is the most captivating part of life."
He turned around and walked toward the entrance of the tent, but stopped at the doorway and glanced back. "Kiyohara-kun, would you be interested in coming to see some… interesting things I've been working on lately? My laboratory is quite spacious."
"Alright."
After hesitating for a moment, Kiyohara nodded.
Being valued by Orochimaru was not necessarily a bad thing. At the very least, before his defection, Orochimaru treated his subordinates well.
According to the original course of events, Orochimaru should be looking for an assistant around this time. Later, he would discover that Yakushi Kabuto was a perfect fit, and would take advantage of Kabuto's confusion to draw him in.
In the end, it all came down to one thing: no one truly understood Orochimaru. Humans were social creatures, and even Tsunade and Jiraiya who could entrust their backs to one another—were unable to understand him.
Kiyohara intended to first find himself a backer. Whether it was Orochimaru or Tsunade did not really matter. After all, by the time Orochimaru defected, Kiyohara would likely have inherited who knew how many future versions of himself.
Orochimaru's temporary laboratory was set up inside a concealed cave behind the outpost, its entrance hidden by sealing techniques. Upon entering, Kiyohara was immediately assaulted by the pungent stench of formalin mixed with the metallic tang of blood.
Pale, cold light emanated from crystalline fixtures embedded in the cave walls, illuminating the interior.
On the experiment table lay an assortment of sophisticated instruments: microscopes, centrifuges, surgical tools, and scroll-engraving devices. Wooden shelves against the wall were stacked with scrolls and notebooks. Most eye-catching of all was a row of transparent containers lined up along the wall, each filled with a pale yellow liquid that preserved various biological tissues.
Some containers held mice with extra limbs sprouting from their bodies. Others contained frogs whose hearts were exposed, still beating slowly. There were also grotesque creations stitched together from different animal traits. All the specimens retained an unsettling sense of vitality, as though they might open their eyes at any moment.
"These are all failed by-products," Orochimaru said lightly as he walked toward the experiment table.
Human experimentation was forbidden in Konoha, so naturally only animals could be used.
Kiyohara glanced around and found that everything here was relatively legal. The truly forbidden materials were things Orochimaru had not revealed.
"Even failures, however, can still provide valuable data," Orochimaru continued. "Kiyohara-kun, I recall that you've studied some medical ninjutsu?"
"Basic medical ninjutsu, as well as trauma treatment and biological knowledge," Kiyohara replied, his gaze sweeping across the containers.
"Excellent."
Orochimaru retrieved a sealed container from a refrigerated cabinet and opened it. Inside lay the relatively intact corpse of a summoned beast—the very creature Mist shinobi had summoned during their earlier attack on the outpost.
"Help me dissect it. I need muscle tissue, nerve bundles, and gland samples preserved separately."
He handed Kiyohara a set of surgical instruments, then stepped aside.
Although it felt a little strange, Kiyohara accepted the tools and began working. His blade moved with precision, separating tissues along the fascial layers while carefully avoiding critical blood vessels and nerve nodes. His foundational training in medical ninjutsu had given him a thorough understanding of anatomy. Though this summoned beast looked bizarre on the outside, the fundamental principles of biological structure were largely the same.
Orochimaru observed Kiyohara's calm demeanor in the face of blood and gore. There was almost no emotional reaction.
This meant Kiyohara did not shy away from such research.
A very suitable candidate for an assistant, Orochimaru thought to himself.
ANBU and Root shinobi would only obey orders. Civilian-born prodigies were constrained by the village's framework. As for clan geniuses, most were intoxicated by the hollow glory of their families.
Orochimaru took a scroll from his robe and handed it to Kiyohara. "These are some basic research notes on chakra nature transformation, along with a few improved ninjutsu. They're nothing particularly precious, but they should give you some inspiration."
Kiyohara accepted the scroll and asked with a hint of confusion, "Orochimaru-sama, why are you giving me these?"
"Because I appreciate researchers with potential," Orochimaru replied, turning his back to Kiyohara as he returned to the experiment table.
"Most people in this world live in a daze, repeating the dull cycle of birth, aging, sickness, and death. But there are always a few—those who long to see the truth of the world clearly. Kiyohara-kun, I believe you are one of them."
Kiyohara put the scroll away. "Thank you for your appreciation, Orochimaru-sama."
"Alright, it's getting late. That will be all for today. Kirigakure's offensive should begin within the next few days—be prepared," Orochimaru said.
Kiyohara nodded slightly and followed Orochimaru out of the laboratory.
If even someone at Orochimaru's level was saying this, then the Mist Village's invasion was likely truly imminent.
…
Mountain's Graveyard.
"Lord Madara, the plan is almost completely arranged," a White Zetsu emerged from a dark corner.
"Is that so?"
Uchiha Madara slowly opened his eyes.
"The tailed beasts have already been deployed into the battlefield. The Three-Tails is under Kiri's control and can be deployed at any time, and the Six-Tails' jinchūriki has also been sent to the front lines," White Zetsu reported in his peculiar tone.
"Additionally, following your instructions, we've made a few small moves at key points within the Land of Fire. Defensive forces along the Land of Grass border have been encountering frequent unidentified attacks, and Konoha's attention is being gradually diverted."
Madara leaned against the coarse pipes of the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, absorbing the chakra flowing from it.
"What about the progress of Kiri's infiltration?"
"They've already established three secret supply points along the eastern coast of the Land of Fire, disguised as merchant caravans and wandering shinobi outposts. Konoha's defensive lines are stretched too thin—there are more gaps than we anticipated."
White Zetsu paused, his tone becoming slightly more serious.
"However, Orochimaru seems to have noticed something. He's increased the patrol frequency at the coastal outposts."
"Orochimaru…"
Madara murmured the name softly. The so-called Legendary Sannin were completely insignificant in his eyes. At most, Tsunade being Hashirama's granddaughter was worthy of a little extra attention. And that was all.
"Do we need to interfere with him?"
"No."
Madara raised his withered hand.
"My Sharingan is still controlling the Third Mizukage. Kiri's piece is already in position. Now all we need is to wait for Kirigakure to launch a full-scale invasion into the Land of Fire's interior."
Madara walked to the edge of the cave. This underground passage was designed to prevent escape, with only essential ventilation ducts. The only other source of illumination came from flickering firelight.
"Once the Land of Fire's forces are spread thin due to attacks on multiple fronts, have Kakashi, Kiyohara, and that little girl named Rin, anyone who has had deep contact with Obito—assigned to missions near the Land of Grass. Set the timing for the end of this month. There will be a border conflict in the Land of Rain, and Konoha will send people to mediate."
Madara spoke calmly.
If he said there would be a conflict, then there would be one.
White Zetsu asked, "Will Obito really follow our plan? That child may have suffered a blow, but at his core, he's still—"
"Kind?"
Madara cut in, letting out a snort of laughter. He looked at Obito, who lay sleeping nearby, utterly exhausted.
"It is precisely because he is kind that, when faced with despair, he will erupt with the most extreme hatred. I understand people like this all too well. The Uchiha bloodline is filled with this trait, the deeper the love, the more absolute the darkness when it is lost."
He turned around, the crimson glow of his Sharingan reflecting White Zetsu's pale face.
"The stage has already been set. Now all that remains is to bring the actors onto it and perform a play for Obito."
"He will come to understand how hypocritical this world is, how laughable so-called comrades and the so-called shinobi system truly are."
White Zetsu fell silent for a few seconds, then broke into an exaggerated grin. "Wow, that's really cruel. But Madara-sama, are you sure the Mangekyō Sharingan Obito awakens will reach the level of power we need?"
What if Obito's Mangekyō ability turned out to be mediocre?
"Not sure," Madara answered frankly.
"But this is a necessary gamble. If his potential is insufficient, then he is unqualified to be my successor. If he succeeds…"
A flash of scarlet passed through Madara's eyes.
"Then a being who possesses the Mangekyō Sharingan, is utterly despairing of this world, and has inherited both Uchiha and Senju power will be the most perfect executor of our plan."
By combining two opposing forces, one could obtain all things in existence. Obito, having transplanted half of Hashirama's cells, could already be considered a Senju hybrid.
Madara closed his eyes once more.
"Go make the arrangements. The 'accident' near the Land of Grass must appear natural—do not let Konoha suspect it was orchestrated. The border conflict in the Land of Rain should also be controlled to the precise degree that Kakashi's team will be required."
At the end, Madara added, "Everything must be completed within this month."
"Understood~"
White Zetsu slowly sank into the ground, leaving behind only his final words echoing through the cave.
"The curtain on the stage… is about to rise."
The cave returned to silence.
Madara sat alone in the darkness. He raised his hand, gazing at his withered skin and clearly visible bone structure.
There was not much time left.
Before he walked fully toward death, he had to complete the plan he had been preparing for decades.
Infinite Tsukuyomi—a world where the entire world would fall into an eternal dream, a world without war, without loss, without pain.
"Rin…"
Madara frowned slightly.
After Obito fell asleep, he had called out Rin's name ninety-five times.
Once Obito finally stopped muttering in his dreams, Madara intended to rest for a while. In his old age, his stamina could no longer compare to what it once was.
"Kakashi… Kakashi…"
Obito began murmuring another name in his sleep.
Madara's expression remained unchanged.
Silence was the theme of the underground passage tonight.
…
Several days later, along the coastline.
The calm of the shore was shattered by a shrill cry echoing from beyond the beach.
"Enemy attack!!"
On this day, Kirigakure launched a full-scale invasion!
(End of Chapter)