From time to time, Sakura even imitated the cold, powerful expression and posture of the future Sakura shown on the Heavenly Screen—though her attempt at majesty ended up looking more comical than convincing.
Sasuke watched her with a frown so deep it could have crushed a fly.
Admiring yourself?
Sasuke felt an immediate wave of disdain.
He simply could not reconcile the noisy, impulsive, broad-foreheaded girl in front of him—whose taijutsu and ninjutsu were, at present, nothing remarkable—
with the "Sakura Haruno" on the Heavenly Screen who could stand against a Demon God inheritor, who understood the truth of the world, and who gazed upon all beings from a perspective almost akin to that of a deity.
It was… inconceivable.
The gap was too vast.
So vast that Sasuke even wondered whether the Heavenly Screen had mistaken her for someone else.
Looking at these two teammates—both brimming with longing and determination for the future—Sasuke felt a swirl of complicated emotions.
For a moment, he even questioned whether he was the only normal one among them.
But he said nothing.
He merely tightened his fists in silence.
No matter what the future held, no matter what he might become, he—Sasuke Uchiha—would never surrender easily.
And he would never… lose someone precious again.
Orochimaru's Hideout
In his secret base, Orochimaru stared intently at the "future version" of himself displayed on the Heavenly Screen. His golden, snake-like pupils gleamed with intense excitement.
"Heh… wanting to research Sakura's power. Not a bad idea. As expected of me," he murmured in approval.
But then, a far more sinister smile curled across his lips.
"However, the 'me' in the Heavenly Screen started a little late… and in a rather roundabout way."
His gaze slowly shifted to Karin, who stood beside him, watching the Heavenly Screen with great interest and occasionally letting out amused snorts.
"And here I am…" Orochimaru's tongue slid lightly across his lips, calculation flickering in his eyes. "With a ready-made, living specimen—already transformed by the Demon God System."
The Karin on the Heavenly Screen was powerful and dangerous—bold enough to rob even the God's Knight Order.
But the Karin beside him now was still just a child with a unique constitution.
Her personality might already be somewhat twisted…
…but she was far easier to manipulate.
"With her temperament, she's hardly difficult to handle. A little coaxing here and there…" Orochimaru's thoughts raced. "I can obtain blood and tissue samples from time to time. Perhaps even observe firsthand how that demonic power circulates within her."
"In that case, my research into the Demon God System—and into how foreign power systems alter the very essence of life—would begin far earlier, and far more directly, than the 'me' in the Heavenly Screen."
Orochimaru could already envision the breakthroughs he would achieve by combining data gathered from Karin with the future "Naruto Rebirth Project" displayed on the screen.
That would not merely be about reviving or strengthening a single person.
It would mean touching upon higher lifeforms—unlocking the secrets of integrating multiple power systems.
"And if the people of this world were originally modified by someone…" he muttered, voice trembling with excitement, "by that unknown 'woman' who forcibly granted them a Chakra Constitution…"
"Then why… can't I perform such modifications myself?"
The thought spread through him like wildfire.
"Whether it's the Divine Technique System, the Demon God System, the Chakra System, or even those so-called 'Devil Fruits' faintly mentioned on the Heavenly Screen…"
His mind moved faster than ever.
"All of them reshape the body into a constitution compatible with their respective power systems—Chakra Constitution, Divine Constitution, Demonic Constitution…"
"What does that imply?"
Orochimaru began pacing, his long tongue absently sweeping across his cheek.
"It implies that between a lifeform and a given energy or rule-based system, there exists some kind of conversion interface."
"Or, in other words… a method of engraving external rules into the very origin of life itself."
His eyes grew brighter and brighter, as if he had grasped a fundamental truth.
"Karin was born in this world, naturally possessing a Chakra Constitution. Yet after receiving the Demon God's favor, she gained demonic power. Her body underwent Adaptive Conversion—from a chakra-compatible organism to one compatible with demonic power."
"And that Sakura on the Heavenly Screen! She was unquestionably a chakra-based shinobi. Yet after inheriting Divine Arts, her body also underwent transformation!"
"If transformation exists in reality, then the process cannot possibly leave no trace!"
Orochimaru suddenly stopped in his tracks. His hands trembled faintly with excitement.
"Traces… there must be traces! Deep within their cells. Within their souls… there must be transformation traces left behind by the transformation."
"I will find them. I must uncover everything!"
His voice brimmed with unwavering resolve.
"When the time comes…" His face twisted into a fervent expression that blended scientific brilliance with madness. "I will not only understand the secrets of these transformations—I will master them."
"I will become like that 'woman' who transformed the world itself. According to my will, I will remake any lifeform into a perfect vessel suited for whatever power system I desire."
"I could even create an ultimate lifeform—one that simultaneously accommodates chakra, Divine Arts, demonic power, and even other unknown systems!"
"And I…" His breathing grew rapid. "I will no longer be the one forced to constantly change bodies, struggling on the brink of death in pursuit of immortality."
"I will craft for myself a truly eternal body—one capable of infinite adaptation and evolution. One that can actively select and integrate different power systems."
"A divine shell."
"Immortality… perhaps the true path to perfect, unbound immortality lies here…"
Orochimaru clenched his fist, nails digging deep into his palm. He felt no pain—only boundless exhilaration.
"When that time comes… who will be the pond owner?"
He could not ignore what Sakura had said on the Heavenly Screen—that beyond this world lay other worlds.
Orochimaru believed it.
In fact, he longed for it.
But he could neither tolerate nor accept the idea that beyond all worlds there might exist a being gazing down upon them—treating living creatures like fish in a pond.
If such a being truly existed…
Where was it?
What was it doing?
How fascinating it would be to study.
On the Heavenly Screen, the future Orochimaru was still reveling in the excitement of the Naruto Rebirth Project.
Outside the screen, the present Orochimaru had already cast his gaze toward something far more distant—
—and far more mad—
the vast and boundless sea of stars.
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