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In Orochimaru's palm rested a durian-shaped ellipsoid. Within its pale golden Kara shell was the condensed extract of the Gedo Statue, activated using the techniques of the former Kara organization scientist, Amado.
Orochimaru spoke seriously. "Sasuke-kun, while I am immensely eager to witness the outcome, this attempt is unprecedented. Only your Susano'o, modified by the Earth Grudge Fear, meets the conditions for this trial. And the consequences… are unknown."
Sasuke's voice was low and resolute. "Against the power of those people, playing by the rules is a death sentence. Reckless innovation, bold experimentation… that's our only sliver of hope!"
With that, the Susano'o opened its maw. Long tendrils of Earth Grudge Fear extended from within, wrapping around the Kara's Core. The tips of the tendrils intertwined with the core's spikes, fusing into a single entity.
FWOOSH—!!
The tendrils retracted. The Kara's Core left Orochimaru's palm and entered the Susano'o's interior, finally settling into its 'abdomen'… a position that, if mapped to a human body, corresponded to the very source of chakra—the Muladhara Chakra!
HMMMM—!!
A deep tremor resonated from within the Susano'o.
"Guh…!" Sasuke clutched his left eye.
CRACK! CRACKLE! POP!
The sound was similar to when Sasuke had used the Dead Bone Pulse to extract the Susano'o's 'bone energy.' Clearly, a profound change was occurring inside the construct.
Sasuke immediately focused his right eye—the Byakugan's microscopic observation mode. His vision pierced the Susano'o's interior. At the abdomen where the core was installed, a chakra flame eerily reminiscent of the Muladhara now burned. And… countless 'condensation points' lit up along the core, traveling upward along the Susano'o's spinal column, extending and connecting until they spread throughout the construct's entire body.
That structure… it was… it was…
Even Sasuke was stunned into momentary silence by the wondrous sight. "Chakra pathways…! My Susano'o… has developed independent chakra pathways!"
Orochimaru smiled, a true scientist's delight in his eyes. "From this moment, Sasuke-kun, your Susano'o is no longer merely a jutsu of molded chakra. It is… a life form of another order, sustained by your ocular power. Truly magnificent. This can be called… an unprecedented feat."
Sasuke's mind was anything but calm.
From lifeless to living. From nothingness to existence. With this birth came infinite possibilities.
"I can feel it… the fundamental power of my Susano'o has undergone a qualitative transformation. With this, combined with the bone energy extraction method of the Dead Bone Pulse… drawing that 'composite bow' should be more than sufficient now."
Sasuke lowered the hand covering his right eye.
"As for… deeper levels of power, only when this right eye recovers will we know. I am already looking forward to my tenth bout with that man."
Night fell. Kabuto Yakushi found Orochimaru.
"Lord Orochimaru, the Sand Village's Anbu made contact with one of my old intelligence operatives in the Land of Wind. They wish to arrange a meeting with you."
"Did you ascertain whose initiative this is?"
Kabuto adjusted his glasses. "It's Shikamaru Nara."
"Oh?" Orochimaru's slender eyebrows rose slightly. "Now that is unexpected. However, at this moment, no matter how grand the affair, it pales before the importance of Sasuke-kun's tenth battle. Even if the sky were to fall, we will not make an exception. Understood?"
Kabuto nodded. "Understood. The matter of Shikamaru Nara can be set aside for now. I have another matter to report."
"Is it about Obito's movements?" Orochimaru asked.
"Not exactly, but likely related," Kabuto said. "Lord Jiraiya recently visited Ryūchi Cave."
"Oh?" Orochimaru's vertical pupils narrowed slightly. He pinched his refined chin, sinking into thought. "So… perhaps the Sages have also begun to speak openly. The only reason Jiraiya would seek out the White Sage… I can guess. It's about Tsunade, isn't it? To borrow the White Sage's divination?"
Kabuto confirmed. "Correct. The Snake Sage informed me of the details. Lady Tsunade has fallen into the hands of Uchiha Obito. Furthermore, Obito used a genjutsu to subjugate Shikaku. Since leaving Ryūchi Cave, Lord Jiraiya has been searching for Obito's whereabouts."
Orochimaru's gaze grew slightly more serious. "Obito's motive for attacking Tsunade is clear to me. Having lost to Sasuke, he seeks to accelerate the Ten-Tails' revival and has set his sights on the Gold and Silver Brothers."
"I deliberately refrained from preemptively dealing with those two to leave Obito an alternative, lest he grow desperate and launch a surprise attack during Sasuke's tenth battle with Madara…"
"But I didn't anticipate Obito playing the masterstroke of subduing Shikaku. This does make things more… interesting."
Kabuto voiced his concern. "Lord Jiraiya has Konan's assistance, but facing Obito in his current, unhinged state is still cause for worry…"
Orochimaru lowered his eyes. "All these days, Jiraiya could have sought my help at any time. Yet he remains silent. It seems my old friend still keeps me at a distance. No matter. It is time to settle things with Obito as well. Let Jiraiya and Konan be the vanguard. Until our reinforcements arrive…"
Kabuto adjusted his glasses again. "Then… who shall we send as reinforcements?"
Orochimaru smiled. "If it's a final settlement… then we commit everyone, of course. After Sasuke-kun's tenth battle."
…
After leaving Ryūchi Cave, Jiraiya rendezvoused with Konan in Amegakure. Together, they headed for the secret base at the border of the Land of Earth and Land of Rain, as indicated by the divination.
But… just as they were about to arrive, Jiraiya suddenly lost his sense of Obito's presence.
"Has he retreated into his time-space?" Jiraiya clenched his fist, deeply worried for Tsunade's safety.
Fortunately, Obito's chakra soon reappeared. And then… it abruptly shifted to the Land of Fire.
"Damn time-space abilities… they're such a pain!" Jiraiya exclaimed.
Konan asked, "Shall we pursue him to the Land of Fire?"
Jiraiya's eyes were deep and calculating. "No… that would likely lead to a pointless chase. We'll lie in wait near the base in the Land of Earth. Wait for the rabbit to return to its hole. I have a feeling he'll come back here."
SWOOSH!
That day, in the pouring rain, Obito returned. And he brought back… two 'Stone ninja' he had captured along the way.
He forced the two to kneel, hands bound behind their backs, eyes and mouths covered. From his robes, he produced a yellowed parchment, carefully replicating the formula inscribed upon it stroke by stroke.
Then, he took out a vial, placing the preserved chunks of flesh within at specific positions in the array. Still feeling uncertain, he meticulously checked everything once more before slowly stepping outside the ritual circle. He spoke to Shikaku, who leaned against the stalactite-covered wall behind him.
"Don't worry. I used the Sharingan's genjutsu to make Tsunade talk. I promised you I wouldn't take her life, and I keep my word…"
Shikaku's expression remained still. "It's not that, my lord. This subordinate believes… for the Ten-Tails to be restored to its complete form, using substandard materials is unwise…"
Obito began forming hand seals.
"Of course. This… is merely a guaranteed fallback measure."
—Forbidden Jutsu: Impure World Reincarnation!
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