"Orochimaru, how effective is the Wood Release bloodline seed?"
After refining the Wood Release with his mana, Uchiha Soren turned his gaze toward Orochimaru. His voice drifted like a gentle breeze past the ears of the black-haired, golden-eyed youth.
Compared to several months ago—when Orochimaru had suffered his first defeat against Clementine of the organization Zuranon—his aura had changed completely.
His snake-like eyes held no confusion now. They were filled with determination and confidence.
Combined with his increasingly cold and sinister temperament, he resembled a venomous serpent lurking in the shadows, ready to strike at any moment.
He was gradually approaching the image Soren remembered—the "Cold Sovereign Orochimaru."
The difference was that within Konoha's Scientific Research Division, Orochimaru had found many like-minded partners. With Soren's strong support, he could pursue research on the path to immortality freely and comfortably.
Beside him stood Hiruko, who shared the same ultimate goal.
However, the two had taken different paths.
Orochimaru pursued breadth and mastery across many disciplines, while the slightly less gifted Hiruko devoted himself entirely to bloodline fusion, hoping to create a divine bloodline capable of breaking humanity's lifespan limit—ensuring Konoha would rule all things forever.
"Teacher Soren, the power of Wood Release isn't very different from Lava Release or Blaze Release."
Hearing Soren's question, Orochimaru frowned slightly.
"In historical records, the first wielder of Wood Release—the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju—could create an entire primeval forest in the blink of an eye."
"His power could suppress Tailed Beasts effortlessly and even defeat Madara Uchiha's Perfect Susanoo."
He paused, frustration flashing through his eyes.
"But when our Wood Release users perform the technique—even those of the Senju of the Forest—the result is almost laughable."
At first, Orochimaru believed Wood Release might manifest differently depending on the ninja clan.
However, after countless experiments, he discovered something disappointing.
Wood Release itself seemed greatly exaggerated.
Its actual power fell far below the legends.
So he began investigating why Hashirama Senju's Wood Release differed so drastically from everyone else's—like the gap between heaven and earth.
Eventually, his thoughts converged on one conclusion.
The problem was not Wood Release.
The problem was Hashirama himself.
Naturally, Orochimaru turned his research toward Hashirama's remains—and the results thrilled him.
"Teacher Soren, Hashirama Senju's body has abnormal vitality."
"Even after death, the cells in his body continue to divide endlessly. This terrifying life force must be the source of his overwhelming Wood Release power!"
Excitement and pride filled Orochimaru's voice.
His eyes gleamed with eager light.
Soren smiled faintly and gently patted his student's head.
"Orochimaru, that conclusion isn't entirely wrong… but it's incomplete."
Before the words finished, the surrounding space suddenly flickered as if torn by an invisible force.
Orochimaru's vision blurred.
In the next instant, they had arrived at the former Valley of the End, now known as Sun-Moon Lake.
The scenery there was breathtaking.
The lake shimmered like a giant mirror, reflecting blue skies and drifting clouds.
Clear water revealed fish swimming happily below, while aquatic plants swayed gently with the current.
Trees and flowers flourished along the shoreline, filling the air with a faint fragrance that calmed the soul.
"Orochimaru. Watch carefully."
Soren stood by the lake, gazing into the distance.
Under the sunlight, his figure looked like an unshakable mountain.
Then Orochimaru witnessed something completely impossible according to the principles of ninjutsu.
Soren did not form hand seals.
He simply snapped his fingers.
"Wood Release — Deep Forest Emergence!"
In an instant, the earth roared.
Trees erupted from the ground as if the entire forest had been uprooted and reborn.
Before Orochimaru's astonished eyes, a vast primeval forest spread across the land—exactly as described in Konoha's historical records.
The legendary power of the God of Shinobi.
"Teacher Soren… how is this possible?"
The spirit of scientific inquiry burned fiercely within Orochimaru.
"Does this mean you possess… no—does Hashirama Senju possess some of the same qualities as you?"
In Orochimaru's mind, the man who had brought Konoha to the peak of the shinobi world—Uchiha Soren—far surpassed Hashirama Senju in both achievements and strength.
His words made that belief clear.
"Research into Wood Release began long ago," Soren said calmly.
"For ordinary people to truly unleash its power, two conditions are required."
"First—Hashirama's cells."
"Second—sufficient chakra."
He lifted Orochimaru into the sky as he continued speaking.
"As for the 'special quality' you mentioned… that is simply a higher form of energy."
"For example, the Wood Release I just used is powerful because it is amplified by that energy."
"With the same principle, other bloodline abilities can also reach such levels."
Mana surged within Soren.
He exhaled gently.
"Blaze Release — Great Fire Annihilation!"
A sea of fire erupted like the end of the world.
The blazing inferno engulfed Orochimaru's vision.
The scorching light forced tears from his eyes.
Yet despite the pain, Orochimaru did not look away.
Instead, he stared at the flames burning the forest to ashes, his gaze filled with intense desire.
He did not crave the power itself.
He craved the principle behind it.
If he could understand that principle—
He could wield the power whenever he wished.
"Teacher Soren."
Orochimaru spoke, struggling to suppress his excitement.
Soren chuckled softly.
"Do you remember what I told you the first time we met in the Supreme Leader's Building?"
"I remember," Orochimaru replied immediately.
"I have never forgotten a single word you said."
"A thousand years ago," Soren began, "the Sage of Six Paths, Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki, had two sons."
"The elder, Indra, inherited the Sage's eyes, which eventually became the Sharingan."
"The younger, Asura, inherited the Sage's body, which later gave rise to the Senju and Uzumaki clans."
Orochimaru's eyes lit up instantly.
"So you mean—the Sharingan represents Yin Release, while the Sage's body represents Yang Release?"
"Because these higher-level powers drive them, the Sharingan and Wood Release possess such unimaginable strength?"
"Exactly."
"That is the essence of Kekkei Genkai—bloodlines that take pride in their ancestry."
"It is also the true source of the Sharingan's power."
"If the ancestor is powerful, their descendants will naturally benefit."
"Unlike the old-era daimyō, who held empty titles without true strength."
Soren waved his hand.
The sea of fire beneath them vanished instantly.
Gentle rain began to fall.
Plants sprouted rapidly from the earth, restoring Sun-Moon Lake to its former beauty—though the vegetation now looked slightly messy.
"There is another key point," Soren continued.
"Hagoromo's two sons both reached the Six Paths realm. Their chakra possessed non-human characteristics and could reincarnate through their descendants."
"The previous reincarnations were Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju."
"Hashirama's Wood Release originates from Asura's Yang Release."
"If you want Wood Release users to rival Hashirama, you must decipher the Yang Release within his body."
"Otherwise, all efforts will be futile."
Soren suddenly thought of two children—Uzumaki Kushina and Uchiha Mikoto, still only toddlers.
Those matters would require careful planning as well.
"I see now."
Orochimaru nodded thoughtfully.
With a wave of Soren's hand, the two of them returned to the underground laboratories of the Scientific Research Division.
They inspected the research progress on the Dragon Emperor's Claw.
The results were extremely promising.
Soon they would be able to extract pure Primordial Dragon Blood, allowing Soren's clone to reach the peak of mortal power.
"Everything is ready."
"All that remains… is the final push."
"Dragon Emperor… Hagoromo… Hamura…"
"You should hurry."
Soren gazed at the bright moon in the sky and chuckled softly.
On the moon, within a hidden dimensional rift.
The thunderous noises finally subsided.
Floating in the ravaged space, Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki showed a look of satisfaction.
"With this step prepared, the rest will proceed naturally."
He had taken considerable effort to transfer the stored chakra of the nine Tailed Beasts into the Ten-Tails' husk, fully reviving it.
Then he sealed it into a specially prepared White Zetsu body.
As a spiritual entity, Hagoromo could no longer become the Ten-Tails' Jinchūriki himself.
He could only control a puppet to execute his plan.
"It's slightly inferior," Hamura Ōtsutsuki commented from the side.
"But as an energy transmitter, it will suffice."
Before them stood the Ten-Tails White Zetsu, radiating Six Paths aura.
Its expression was blank.
Its eyes were empty.
"Next, we will use the Ten-Tails Jinchūriki as a catalyst," Hamura said.
"It will accelerate the process of pulling the shinobi world from another spacetime."
After a moment, he added regretfully,
"But leaving the Ten-Tails Jinchūriki here alone feels like a waste."
"Uchiha Soren's growth is simply too fast."
Hamura's voice carried a trace of wariness.
"In the battle at the Sea of Magic, he wasn't even using his full power."
"If we hadn't intervened, the Dragon Emperor wouldn't have escaped with just the loss of an arm."
"Brother, I say we gather the Dragon Emperor and attack Soren together."
"With four Six Paths-level fighters, I refuse to believe he could survive!"
"Oh—and that opportunistic toad as well."
"We don't need him to fight Soren directly. He only needs to restrain that white snake."
"The White Snake Sage of Ryūchi Cave is utterly incompetent! To be controlled so easily… what a disgrace!"
Hamura's rapid words did not shake Hagoromo's resolve.
"Hamura, do not clash with enemies out of momentary anger."
"Our only goal is transcendence."
"Once we achieve it, you will look back and realize that Uchiha Soren was nothing more than insignificant dust."
While forming hand seals, Hagoromo continued,
"Besides, Gamamaru possesses prophetic abilities."
"If he foresaw that cooperating with us would lead to certain death, you already know what choice he would make."
Hamura clicked his tongue and fell silent.
Instead, he shifted his consciousness to observe Hyūga Ashi.
In terms of estate size, the Hyūga clan compound ranked second only to the Uchiha and Senju.
Within its rigid, traditional courtyard, members of the Hyūga clan were gathering.
A sharp blade sliced open a fingertip.
Drops of blood fell onto a golden orb—a sub-unit of the Tenseigan.
The blood was quickly absorbed.
"Clan Head, all Hyūga members within Konoha have gathered."
"Those outside the village are having their blood collected as well."
An elder reported beside Hyūga Ashi, who sat cross-legged before the golden orb.
After a moment, the elder spoke again, worry in his voice.
"But Clan Head… doesn't something feel wrong?"
"Recently, a dark sacrificial ritual occurred in Yugakure. A ninja obtained immortality from it."
"More importantly, that ninja gained the ability to cast techniques simply by licking someone's blood…"
"He could transfer his own injuries onto the owner of the blood."
"If that were to happen here…"
The elder did not finish his sentence.
But Ashi understood perfectly.
His pale Byakugan stared at the golden orb.
The sense of shared bloodline felt genuine.
"You raise a valid concern," Ashi replied slowly.
"But this orb comes from the Moon's Byakugan clan, who share our bloodline."
"They gifted us a treasure capable of raising a ninja to Kage-level strength."
"Why would they harm us?"
"And what would they gain?"
He wasn't just asking the elder.
He was asking himself.
After surviving the chaos of the Warring States Era and living through more than twenty years of Konoha's history, Ashi had grown old.
He no longer possessed the decisiveness he once had.
Now he hesitated, considering every angle.
The elder noticed the gray hair at Ashi's temples.
He realized the same thing.
Yet the heir of the clan head had not matured yet.
The Hyūga clan could only continue as it always had.
Just like the old elder himself.
The elder's eldest son would become the next elder.
The clan head's eldest son would become the next clan head.
The Hyūga clan was like aged vinegar—growing stronger with time, yet giving off an increasingly sour stench.
Bound by ancient traditions, the elder finally said,
"This is probably the Moon's Byakugan clan supporting us."
"After all… we have fallen far behind the Uchiha and the Senju."
"Perhaps that's true."
Their conversation unfolded under Hamura's silent gaze.
Within his eyes, there was neither joy nor sorrow.
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