Before encountering the Genie Lamp, Orochimaru was desperate to possess Kekkei Genkai, even resorting to strictly forbidden human experiments, which caused considerable friction with the village.
In his view, these special abilities, born from the combination of the five basic elements and the two opposing forces of Yin and Yang, contained the profound mysteries of Ninjutsu.
And indeed, this was true, though the specifics differed from his expectations.
While he hadn't yet mastered Six Paths level power, even at the initial stage of entering it, he had achieved the perfect fusion of the seven attributes of Yin, Yang, and the five elements.
Whether it was Kekkei Genkai, the combination of two attributes, or Kekkei Tota, the combination of three, they could be considered low-level manifestations of Six Paths level power.
Kekkei Genkai, in relation to Six Paths level power, is like White Zetsu in relation to the true Ootsuki clan; it's a subordinate relationship.
In other words, Kekkei Genkai is also a result of Six Paths level power's erosion, not merely a matter of heredity. Otherwise, the Senju and Uzumaki clans would be the families richest in Kekkei Genkai.
Erosion isn't necessarily a bad thing. It's known that a thousand years ago, when the Ninshu Sect was first founded, the natives had neither Chakra nor Kekkei Genkai.
For Orochimaru, these were not only materials for exploring Six Paths level power through lower-tier abilities but also excellent subjects for studying the characteristics of 'erosion'.
Currently, Konoha has the strongest Dojutsu clan and various secret jutsu clans, but the variety of Kekkei Genkai is not particularly abundant.
Outside of Konoha, there are the Magnetic Release and Scorch Release of Sunagakure Village, the Explosion Release and Lava Release of Iwagakure, the Storm Release of Kumogakure, and so on. These are all inheritable Kekkei Genkai. Although those with exceptional talent don't always exist, there has never been a generational gap within these villages.
Among these, Kirigakure, isolated overseas, has the most.
Crystal Release, Ice Release, Clan of the Corpse Bone Pulse, Boil Release... The excessive number of ninja with Kekkei Genkai even sparked opposition from ordinary ninjas.
Currently, some Kekkei Genkai users from the Land of Water have transferred to the Akatsuki organization. In other words, if Orochimaru can manage Nagato, he can try to gather these ninja to cooperate with his experiments.
As for whether he can win them over with benefits, Orochimaru has full confidence.
Even within the same village or the same squad, there are rivals, let alone a loosely affiliated alliance under martial law.
In the Hokage's office, after Orochimaru's proposal, silence fell.
A moment later, Mitokado Homura frowned slightly. "This benefits both sides, but will the leader of the Akatsuki organization agree to this?"
From intelligence and their few encounters, that person has quite an arrogant personality, and if he has the ability to handle things himself, he might not want to accept help from others.
Moreover... from what Orochimaru said, this is not just about a military operation against Uchiha Madara, but also some other form of cooperation.
As Hokage advisors, Mitokado Homura doesn't necessarily oppose it. If they can break the long-standing 'Land of Fire blockade,' it would also align with the village's interests.
However, as ninja villages, if they are to compete for task commissions again, conflicts are inevitable. Konoha can no longer present itself as a great nation to the Hidden Rain Village and others.
"It's the trend of the times; some things will have to be done sooner or later."
Orochimaru licked his lips and smiled. "I'll handle Nagato's issue. As for coordinating the relationship between the two organizations... you all can sort that out."
The Third Hokage nodded slightly and said, "Then you should make another trip to the Hidden Rain Village."
Like last time, negotiating at the opponent's location would give them more leverage.
"Hmm, this time it's not just about setting a verbal peace agreement, but also a series of other matters..."
As he spoke, the Third Hokage's gaze swept over the Hokage advisors and landed on Nara Shikaku. "This time, you accompany Orochimaru on the trip."
Nara Shikaku was slightly stunned, a flicker of surprise in his eyes, before he replied, "Yes."
Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura exchanged glances. After their surprise, a look of relief appeared on their faces.
Leading the peace talks between Konoha and the Akatsuki organization is undoubtedly a significant political asset. Having Nara Shikaku handle it also signals a 'power transition.'
In fact, Konoha's Hokage system was gradually established only after the Third Hokage took office. The advisors and elders have been in their roles longer than the Third Hokage has been Hokage, which is inherently unusual.
With Orochimaru serving as the 'stabilizing force' in the current situation, the leadership should indeed transition, much like a Hokage succession, allowing younger individuals to step up gradually. They still have some energy now, and if the younger generation makes mistakes, there will be opportunities to rectify them.
In fact, these matters should have begun years ago, but...
With this thought, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura felt a sense of emotion.
Unlike these two who felt at peace, another Hokage advisor, though his face showed no change, had an extremely grim look in his eyes.
Although his Root organization was ostensibly destroyed, and power transitions seemed irrelevant to him, precisely the opposite was true; this development brought a calamikaze-like impact.
New generation ninja are to replace the old guard. He, Danzo, also belongs to the latter.
Under this inevitable trend, even if there are ninja who uphold the 'Root philosophy,' will they still see themselves as a banner?
In fact, for a long time now, there hasn't been much influx of fresh blood, and managing the existing subordinates increasingly requires the coercive methods previously established.
It is only because of the continued substantial income from funding that the Root organization has managed to survive.
But if the Third Hokage were allowed to continue, Root would be at best half-dead, even if not completely destroyed.
"...We can't let this continue." Danzo's eyes gleamed with a dark light, as he secretly made up his mind.
"..."
Orochimaru had no objections to the Third Hokage's proposal and said with a smile, "The sooner, the better. You all should come up with a plan as quickly as possible. We'll depart for the Hidden Rain Village in a week... no, by three days from now in the afternoon."
"So soon..." the Third Hokage frowned slightly and turned his gaze to Nara Shikaku. "How about it, can you manage within such a short timeframe? No need to force yourself."
Nara Shikaku pondered for a moment before nodding firmly. "It's enough time. I will definitely prepare all the necessary arrangements."
He naturally understood the significance behind this matter.
After the arrangements were settled, the conference room fell silent for a moment. Utatane Koharu suddenly looked at Orochimaru and asked, "Uchiha Madara's resurrection, you don't seem surprised at all?"
Resurrection from the dead, while a miraculous event happening to an already miraculous individual, is somewhat normal. But this doesn't mean the event itself is commonplace.
They had discussed it for quite some time after receiving the news, yet Orochimaru accepted it so nonchalantly and immediately began to figure out how to deal with it.
This composure and adaptability were truly admirable, but in truth, it was quite strange.
"Because I already knew beforehand that for a ninja like Uchiha Madara, death is not the end."
Orochimaru smiled and pointed his index finger upwards. "Not just Uchiha Madara. If the opportunity arises, perhaps our First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, could also return from the Pure Land."
"If you don't mind desecrating a corpse, with 'Edo Tensei,' I can attempt it right now."
A sinister chuckle echoed in the Hokage's office. Utatane Koharu and the others felt a chill run down their spines.
After behaving themselves for several years, everyone was beginning to forget what Orochimaru had been up to before.
"...Is there anything else? I have some personal matters to attend to."
Orochimaru's gaze fell on Jiraiya, who was about to say something, and he smiled. "Come with me. We can discuss the matters in the Hidden Rain Village further."
With that, he grabbed Jiraiya and headed towards the door.
The village elders in the Hokage office didn't say much and began discussing matters related to the Hidden Rain Village.
Danzo remained silent as usual, maintaining a very low profile. However, in his mind, he replayed the matter Orochimaru had casually mentioned.
Could powerful individuals, at a certain level of strength, even reverse life and death?
...
Outside the Hokage building, Orochimaru and Jiraiya quickly crossed several streets and arrived at a secluded forest.
Jiraiya asked, puzzled, "Mount Myōboku's incident, why didn't you let me say anything?"
Although he and the toads of Mount Myōboku couldn't participate in the battle between the giant snake and Orochimaru, he had witnessed the entire fight from beginning to end.
Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara... he initially thought these two legendary figures were sent back to the Pure Land after the battle, but it turned out one was left behind.
"Why talk about this? It only causes unnecessary worry."
Orochimaru waved his hand. "That... strange snake, I only drove it away from Mount Myōboku, I didn't eliminate it completely. In other words, if the battle were to resume, perhaps I would face the First Hokage again, and might even be forced to kill him. But what does it matter?"
Jiraiya fell silent for a moment. Repelling it was already difficult enough. If one had to worry about this and that, it would be like tying one's own hands. No competent ninja would act that way.
"And there's an even bigger hidden danger..."
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed slightly, and he looked towards the setting sun. "That strange snake has been moving westward. The Daichi we stand on is round. Perhaps one day, that strange snake will cross the ocean and come to the Land of Fire from the east."
Jiraiya was startled. "How is that possible? The ocean is thousands of meters deep. Even it couldn't..."
The strange snake, possessing such immense power, couldn't cross oceans. Such imposed limitations wouldn't even be used in a third-rate novel.
And if that monster truly reached the Land of Fire... Jiraiya couldn't imagine that scenario. This place was not as desolate as the far west's forbidden lands.
"See, saying things only adds to worry."
Orochimaru smiled. "For now, let's focus on the peace talks between Konoha and the Akatsuki organization. If a strange snake truly arrives with the wind and waves... by then, a united ninja world might have better solutions, rather than being completely ravaged."
Jiraiya nodded solemnly. "I understand."
...
In the new Root headquarters office, Danzo sat in a similar Hokage chair, half his face obscured by darkness.
A moment later, a masked Root ninja entered the office and reported, "Lord Danzo, a message has been received from the other party, requesting a meeting. Here are some experimental results they promised."
Danzo took the document and his eyes widened upon seeing the first page, staring intently at the contents.
After a while, he suppressed the turmoil in his heart and took a deep breath.
Danzo closed the intelligence file, placed it on the desk, and his pair of grim old eyes turned to the subordinate. "Agree to this matter. The meeting place will be in Kusagakure, they will set the specific time and location."
Orochimaru would be heading to the Hidden Rain Village in three days. Even he had to be cautious due to that person's terrifying sensory abilities.
"Yes." The Root ninja responded and then turned to leave the Root office.
Danzo sat in the Hokage chair for a while, then opened the document again, rereading it back and forth several times.
In the dimly lit office, a barely audible sigh echoed, "Rinnegan ah..."
...
Two days later, in a hidden cave in Kusagakure, a group of three walked into the darkness. They walked for nearly a hundred meters before reaching an open space with light.
The visitor was Danzo. He had only brought two trusted confidantes for this operation. With his current strength, a larger group would be a burden, and it would also be difficult to explain his whereabouts to the village.
With red light flashing in his eyes, Danzo didn't rush to the open space. After confirming there were no ambushes or other traps, he quickly proceeded to the appointed location.
"Lord Danzo, you've arrived quickly..."
A short man wrapped in bandages emerged from the shadows, his tone containing a hint of mockery. "It's been a long time, I thought you no longer wanted any ties with a rogue ninja like me."
Scarlet light swirled in Danzo's eyes, but he showed no surprise at Hiruko's appearance. He said calmly, "Compared to me, your presence here is more surprising. Would Nagato be willing to let you leave?"
"Some unexpected outcomes occurred during experiments, I've become much less important."
A flash of anger crossed Hiruko's eyes, then he seemed to recall something and smiled. "Precisely because of this, I have the time to make a deal with you."
"Enough with the nonsense. Rinnegan... you used it as 'bait' to lure me here..."
Danzo stared intently at Hiruko, not hiding his oppressive aura, and said slowly, "If you dare to deceive me, you should know the consequences."
Hiruko didn't seem to mind the threat in his words, merely looking at the red eyes in Danzo's sockets, narrowing his own. "These eyes... I knew it. The early bird catches the worm. How could someone like you pass up on Sharigan."
"That's not your concern." Red light flickered in Danzo's eyes. He stepped forward and said sternly, "Tell me what I want to know!"
"Of course, I'll tell you what needs to be said."
Hiruko chuckled sinisterly. "However, let the main character make an appearance first."
As soon as the words fell, a figure appeared in the air.