Chapter 383: Late-Stage Orochimaru
[Kotoamatsukami]
Hailed as the "strongest genjutsu," possessing terrifying effect fundamentally rewriting individual will.
This power originated from Uchiha Shisui. Before he transplanted Uchiha Itachi's... or rather "Yuu's" eye, this pair of Mangekyo Sharingan containing Kotoamatsukami's power had always been kept by "Menma."
Now, relying on [Star Eye]'s ability, after successfully extracting and merging "Kotoamatsukami" from that pair of well-preserved Mangekyo, Menma finally could in his own way, with limitations, wield this power sufficient to rewrite reality.
...Though the cost was this operation requiring a full ten-year "cooldown period."
Within the prison, Orochimaru had been imprisoned here nearly three years already. The Eight Trigrams Sealing technique not only stripped his ability to mobilize chakra, but formed a dense energy cocoon firmly imprisoning most of his body, leaving only head and small arm movement range to supply basic life-sustaining needs.
To prevent him secretly forming seals, even equipped with strictly screened dedicated personnel responsible for feeding and basic cleaning.
"You've come again... 'Fourth Hokage.'"
Within the energy cocoon, Orochimaru's countenance turned toward Menma walking into the prison. Though Menma had multiple times denied himself and Namikaze Minato being the same person, Orochimaru toward this always maintained skeptical attitude, persisting in using this address for probing.
"So, this time, are you finally willing to tell me the true purpose for imprisoning me yet delaying my execution?"
"Confining me here yet not killing me... something on me definitely still carries value in your eyes, right?"
"With you present, I long ago thoroughly abandoned thoughts toward Uzumaki Naruto. This point you should understand clearly. Then what exactly are you waiting for, or rather... what do you want to obtain from me...?!"
Menma didn't respond to Orochimaru's probing, too lazy to give any verbal refutation.
Indifferently raising his hand, beneath the mask his right eye [Star Eye]'s depths—that just-merged, ice-cold Yin Release chakra suddenly activated!
Kotoamatsukami, activate!
Pre-set commands, branded into Orochimaru's core cognition.
"Know all of the past, but the sole correct path exploring world truth is coexisting with this world, witnessing its natural evolution and possibilities."
"Any behavior that for satisfying curiosity or personal ambition causes irreparable, irreversible destructive damage to the world itself—regardless of reasons—will make you deviate from true 'truth.'"
"!!!!!!"
Orochimaru's pupils suddenly contracted to pinpoint size. His body within the energy cocoon violently spasmed once.
Immediately after, his serpent pupils' color began undergoing bizarre change—within the scarlet base, complex unique black patterns rapidly rotated, transforming into one pair slowly spinning Mangekyo Sharingan patterns!
This precisely was Kotoamatsukami successfully activating, currently covering and rewriting the target's foundational will's external manifestation!
Menma tightly stared at changes in Orochimaru's eyes... success?
If even Kotoamatsukami couldn't fundamentally reverse Orochimaru's obsessive and dangerous knowledge-seeking methods and action principles...
Then Menma perhaps truly had no choice but to eternally imprison this guy in this lightless sealing cocoon.
External time merely flowed several seconds.
However, within Orochimaru's consciousness realm completely invaded by Kotoamatsukami's power, time's scale was infinitely stretched.
"Huff... hah... huff..."
Orochimaru finally recovered, violently panting, forehead seeping fine cold sweat.
His gaze after experiencing initial confusion and violent turbulence rapidly settled, becoming an unprecedented calmness stripped of all impetuousness and calculation. He raised his head, re-observing Menma standing before the sealing cocoon.
"...Truly... unexpected."
Orochimaru's voice sounded, still that slightly hoarse tone, but the manner completely different from before.
Past intonation always carried slippery probing, playful calculation. At this moment, his words were flat, clear, like stating objective facts, revealing "clear and empty" rationality.
"The 'truth' I pursued, yearned to glimpse, surprisingly in this manner was obtained by me."
He slowly spoke, serpent pupils reflecting Menma's blurred figure. "Seems I should... thank you."
A massive mixed feeling of sudden enlightenment and cognitive overturn's aftermath, plus some indescribable "empty satisfaction," filled Orochimaru's heart.
His previously proud forbidden technique research, greed toward Kekkei Genkai, obsession with immortality, covetousness toward Tailed Beast power... in that just-experienced long-as-eternity "consciousness experience," before that forcibly infused "world truth" panorama, appeared how insignificant, how... "frog at bottom of well."
Turns out, the shinobi world's all supernatural power sources—those Kekkei Genkai, Tailed Beasts, even chakra itself—their origins all pointed toward beyond the stars, that race called "Otsutsuki."
His past intense desire toward Naruto's body now seemed how laughable and dangerous a notion. If back then he'd truly succeeded, he fundamentally couldn't obtain Tailed Beast recognition. The final outcome probably would only be miserably ending amid power's rampage and backlash.
After learning all this "origin truth," Orochimaru felt a long-lost "tranquility."
When was the last time his heart was so free of distracting thoughts, shedding all obsession and fanaticism? He himself couldn't clearly remember.
Even, at this moment, if living Mangekyo Sharingan or one subdued wild Tailed Beast were placed before him for his research, Orochimaru probably wouldn't even glance.
Because he was a scientist, a truth-pursuing researcher. And a qualified scientist absolutely wouldn't waste time repeatedly researching topics with already clear conclusions and results.
Those "treasures" that once made him obsessed—currently in his eyes—already became "outdated" "known items."
"Naru... no, 'Menma'-kun."
Orochimaru adjusted his posture. Though still bound by the sealing cocoon, his bearing appeared much more composed. "I want to witness the future."
He clearly stated his new goal.
"To thank you for letting me glimpse 'the past's' answer, also for me having opportunity to observe that future filled with unknown possibilities... what must I do to exchange for this qualification? Or rather, what do you need me to do?"
His thinking switched astonishingly fast. After old obsessions were "answered," new pursuits immediately filled the void.
Possessing near-infinite life, he currently cast his gaze toward that sole truly unknown, eternally changing domain—time's flow, the world's tomorrow.
Beneath Menma's mask, his forehead slightly seeped a trace of cold sweat... he knew a bit too much.
Just as Orochimaru's words fell, one prompt tone only he could "hear" rang in the mind's depths.
[Ding!]
[Congratulations Host: Established Level 5 Bond with original character "Orochimaru"!]
[Obtained Points: 1100 points!]
...Kotoamatsukami should have succeeded, right? Looking at Orochimaru's appearance, his will and knowledge-seeking direction were indeed thoroughly reversed.
But hearing Orochimaru's recent words, he seemingly wasn't merely infused with "Otsutsuki-related information" and "must not conduct destructive research" commands... he seemed... to have glimpsed more?
Because Orochimaru just now roughly watched through Naruto original development and Naruto's confused memories. "Know all of the past"... seems one can't speak so absolutely.
"...The sins you committed cannot be written off just like that."
Menma steadied himself, responding, pulling the topic back on track.
"Verbal change cannot compensate for harm you caused in the past. I need to see actual behavior, see what constructive 'results' you can bring with brand new 'knowledge-seeking methods.' Use your actions to prove your qualifications as the 'future witness' you claim."
Hearing this, Orochimaru not only didn't disappoint, but rather seemed relieved, face even revealing a smile.
"I see... truly worthy of inheriting Sage of Six Paths' 'tolerance' and 'understanding' chakra. I understand."
He nodded, feeling this "test" quite reasonable.
"Then, please give me two months. You will see results that will definitely satisfy you."