It truly weighed on Orochimaru's mind.
Among the Legendary Sannin, neither he nor Jiraiya showed any interest in the position of Hokage, and Tsunade was even less inclined. It was ironic — nearly every young ninja in Konoha dreamed of becoming Hokage, yet the three most talented disciples of the Third Hokage found the title unappealing.
Is the Hokage's seat really such a cursed burden? Orochimaru often wondered.
Still, he wasn't one to brood for long. "Sarutobi-sensei," he had said earlier, "if I fail to locate Ryuchi Cave this time, perhaps borrowing Enma, the Adamantine Staff, wouldn't be such a bad idea."
He wasn't stubborn — if one path failed, he'd simply choose another. If Ryuchi Cave remained elusive, the Monkey King Enma and his sage techniques would make a fine alternative. There were countless ways to pursue the power of Sage Mode, and Orochimaru was never one to place all his hopes on a single route.
---
The Senju Residence
Before leaving, Orochimaru paid a visit to Uzumaki Mito and Tsunade to inform them of his journey.
"Ryuchi Cave…" Mito murmured, her expression turning grave. "That place is shrouded in mystery, Orochimaru. Be careful. No matter what happens, never underestimate what lies within. Do you understand?"
The old woman gently patted his head. Despite her age, her chakra still pulsed with a subtle strength that reminded Orochimaru of the Uzumaki Clan's legendary vitality.
Having personally taught him sealing techniques for two years, Mito knew his temperament well. Outwardly calm and logical, he could become reckless when pursuing knowledge. The Yin Seal he bore on his wrist was proof of that — an experiment that could have crippled his hands forever. One wrong step, and his life as a shinobi might have ended that day.
But Mito's worries lessened slightly when she remembered that Orochimaru had mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique, the same jutsu once wielded by the Second Hokage. Combined with Uzumaki sealing techniques, few could ever catch him against his will.
"Ryuchi Cave, huh? Then I'll go to Shikkotsu Forest!" Tsunade declared, arms crossed, her competitive spirit flaring.
Her goal was clear — to seek her own Sage training, just as Orochimaru would with the serpents.
Orochimaru smiled faintly. "I believe you'll find what you seek."
Indeed, fate would lead Tsunade to the Slug Sage, where she would eventually sign the summoning contract with Katsuyu of Shikkotsu Forest — a creature so vast that even Tsunade and Sakura could only ever summon a fraction of its true form.
---
Farewell Visits
Before departing, Orochimaru made a series of visits — to the Hokage advisors, Danzo Shimura, Utatane Koharu, and Homura Mitokado, as well as to several allied clans: Akimichi, Nara, Yamanaka, Aburame, Uchiha, and the Iburi Clan.
He notably skipped the Hyuga Clan. His relationship with them had always been tense, especially after he dismantled the traditional Caged Bird Curse Mark and developed a new version of it. The Hyuga elders saw that as an act of defiance against centuries of family hierarchy.
As the saying went, a person bitten by a snake fears even a rope for ten years.
Still, after so many visits, Orochimaru realized how many bonds he had formed over time. Just making the rounds had consumed an entire day — an annoyance for someone who preferred experiments to small talk. Yet, for a man of his ambitions, keeping such alliances alive was crucial.
"Thank you all for your efforts," he said with a soft smile to the Uchiha Police Force's Sixth Squad, who helped load his belongings. Orochimaru remembered them fondly — they had once carried Akimichi Clan snacks for him years ago.
This time, hearing that he was leaving Konoha for a long journey, the squad again volunteered to assist.
"It's nothing," replied Uchiha En, the squad leader, bowing slightly before leading his team away.
---
Preparations at Home
When Orochimaru returned, Hyuga Mio opened the door and raised an eyebrow. "Did you buy out the whole market?"
He stood at the entrance surrounded by a mountain of items — medical kits, soldier pills, explosive tags, and sealed boxes of rebirth medicine worth millions of ryō.
Orochimaru sighed in mock irritation. "These were all gifts from others. It's such a headache when people insist on giving too much."
Mio chuckled as she helped him carry the supplies inside. "They're grateful, Orochimaru. You've done more for them than you realize."
In the Luminous Laboratory, Orochimaru lay on the central bed while his assistant, Imu, carefully fitted him with a pair of fourth-generation liquid invisible contact lenses. These lenses could resist most genjutsu — though whether they could withstand the Mangekyō Sharingan's illusions remained uncertain.
For now, at least, they rendered Orochimaru nearly immune to conventional visual genjutsu, and in some cases, even capable of reflecting them back.
Meanwhile, in another chamber, an experiment involving Chakra Poison was underway. Orochimaru's shadow clone drank the mixture, feeling his chakra slowly being consumed — not destroyed, but absorbed by the toxin, which grew stronger as it fed on his energy.
"The poison feeds on chakra to multiply," Hyuga Mio observed through her Byakugan, her tone tinged with awe.
"The rate is still too slow," Orochimaru muttered, analyzing the results. "Even if its absorption rate increased tenfold, it wouldn't be enough. I need a poison that can devour chakra instantly."
Mio's eyes widened. Too slow?
At its current potency, such poison could drain her chakra reserves in mere minutes. Yet Orochimaru wanted it faster — powerful enough to consume a summoning beast's chakra entirely.
He was chasing something beyond human limits.
Moments later, the shadow clone's chakra vanished completely, its body bursting into smoke. In another room, the real Orochimaru winced as he absorbed the clone's memories and pain.
"How do you feel, Lady Orochimaru?" Imu asked nervously.
"Not bad," he said, stretching his fingers. "But the contact lenses still need improvement."
He rose from the bed and headed toward the exit. "I'll be leaving soon. One clone will remain here to continue the research. Even if progress is slow, don't stop."
Imu nodded obediently, her pale face slightly flushed. She had grown even paler from lack of sunlight, and Orochimaru frowned slightly.
"Remember to rest, Imu. Don't waste your life on work alone."
Her heart fluttered. "Yes, Lady Orochimaru. I'll take care of myself."
Orochimaru gave her a faint smile. "You're all important to me. Don't forget that."
He stepped outside, where Hyuga Mio was waiting.
"Mio," he said, touching her arm lightly, "it's time to go home."
A flash of light engulfed them as he activated the Flying Thunder God Technique, teleporting them back to their residence in Konoha.
Once there, Mio handed him a sealed scroll. "These are the data I collected using my Byakugan."
Orochimaru skimmed through it. "Excellent work. Though, even with these results, Chakra Poison still isn't perfect."
"Perhaps it wasn't meant for ordinary shinobi," Mio suggested thoughtfully. "Could it be that you're designing it to combat something… greater? A summon, perhaps?"
Orochimaru's golden eyes glimmered. "Precisely. My enemies aren't mere humans — they are creatures with chakra vast enough to crush mountains. The poison is only one tool among many."
With a flick of his fingers, the scroll disintegrated into tiny fragments that drifted into the waste bin.
---
Departure
The next morning, Orochimaru left his home, walking calmly toward Konoha's massive gates.
The sky was crystal blue, the sunlight warm — as though the heavens themselves were bidding him farewell on his long journey.
A small delivery truck from White Snake Pharmaceutical Technology Company rumbled past. The villagers barely glanced at it anymore; it had become a common sight in Konoha, just another reminder of Orochimaru's growing influence beyond the village walls.
Far away, deep within Ryuchi Cave, a pair of golden eyes flickered open.
On a throne of coiled serpents, the White Snake Sage raised her head, sensing the faint disturbance in the flow of Sage Chakra.
"So… she's finally on her way," the ancient serpent murmured, her voice echoing through the cavernous temple. "How interesting. Will this little one endure Sage Chakra and become serpent… or dragon? Or will she simply become my next meal?"
A sly grin crept across the White Snake Sage's face as her gaze turned toward the human world.
---
The Mist and the Test
Meanwhile, Orochimaru moved steadily through the forest. Suddenly, the air thickened; the trees blurred into shadow. A cold mist rose around him, reducing visibility to mere meters.
This isn't natural fog…
He sensed it immediately — space itself had shifted. Could it be? Ryuchi Cave?
It was said that the Three Great Sage Lands — Mount Myōboku, Shikkotsu Forest, and Ryuchi Cave — could only be entered by invitation. Those who wandered aimlessly would never find them.
"So, the test begins," he whispered.
Instead of fleeing with Flying Thunder God, he tightened the seals around his hands, activating defensive formulas along his body. Against a Sage, even the smallest mistake could be fatal.
Ahead, faint lights glimmered through the mist. Orochimaru advanced cautiously — and soon found himself before an extravagant, castle-like hotel, adorned with a glowing sign that read 'Ryuchi Cave Grand Inn.'
He frowned. A genjutsu? Or perhaps… a manifestation created by Sage Chakra itself?
The illusion was tangible — even the aroma of food wafted through the air. Yet, the scent filled him not with hunger, but unease.
"Genjutsu so strong I can't sense its origin…" he muttered. "Impressive."
Orochimaru crouched, placing both palms on the ground. His chakra spread outward like invisible waves — but there was no response. Nothing solid, nothing real.
There was only one way to proceed.
"Shadow Clone Technique!"
With a burst of smoke, a clone appeared beside him. Together, they made hand signs.
"Earth Release: Cracked Palm!"
The ground trembled violently, fissures splitting the earth beneath the illusion.
"Water Release: Water Shock Wave!"
The clone spewed a torrent of water into the cracks, flooding the area and destabilizing the false terrain.
The illusion flickered. The ornate hotel shimmered — and then shattered like glass.
---
The Guardian Appears
Within the collapsing illusion stood a tall woman adorned with an elaborate headdress. Her serpentine eyes glowed faintly as she observed him.
"So, you're the first person to enter Ryuchi Cave in decades," she said coolly. "Impressive."
Orochimaru met her gaze, unflinching. "Then you must be one of the Three Venerable White Snake Sages — Tagorihime."
She smiled faintly. "And you, child, are quite the rude guest."
Water gathered around her in an instant, forming countless shimmering senbon.
"Water Release: Water Senbon Barrage!"
Orochimaru raised a hand, his eyes narrowing. The battle for entry into Ryuchi Cave had begun — and he would not fall here.
---
(To be continued...)
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