Chapter 9: A Remarkable Performance

With his jet-black hair, golden vertical pupils, purple eyeshadow extending to his nose, pale skin, and blue-green magatama-shaped earrings, along with a light yellow sash tied in a lavender knot at his back, he exuded an otherworldly aura.

Orochimaru, the man known as the Wind of Calamity, still carried an air of transcendent elegance!

He fixed his gaze on Naruto, his expression devoid of the disdain he once held.

This was inevitable. Through Anko's body, he had already witnessed Naruto's current capabilities.

"Naruto Uzumaki, the clumsy boy who used to trail behind Sasuke-kun, seems to have grown into something resembling a ninja... So, why have you gone to such great lengths to meet someone like me, who once wronged you?"

Naruto got straight to the point: "Orochimaru-san, I won't beat around the bush. I want to gain immense power and create a new ninja world. For that, your knowledge and jutsu are indispensable."

Hearing this, Orochimaru's gaze deepened. "I thought it would be something simple, like letting you meet your father, Minato Namikaze. But it seems your ambition is far greater than I imagined..."

Naruto replied, "It seems you're not too willing."

Orochimaru responded, "My goal is to uncover all the truths of this world, not to serve any individual or organization. Villages, Akatsuki—they're all just shackles that hold me back!"

Naruto said, "I won't become your shackle. While helping me, you can continue your research, as long as..."

Orochimaru interrupted with a smile, "As long as what? I don't harm this ninja world?"

Naruto unexpectedly replied, "Completely avoiding harm is impossible. I only hope you act within certain boundaries..."

"Oh?" Orochimaru was slightly surprised. "Hearing such a pragmatic statement from you is intriguing. I wonder, what exactly happened to you..."

Naruto said, "If you're interested, I can tell you slowly in the future~."

Orochimaru chuckled, "I'd rather not. Rationality tells me not to delve too deeply into such matters..."

At this moment, Konan stepped in to assist. "Orochimaru, you need a stable place right now. If you're willing to assist Naruto, Amegakure is prepared to provide you with experimental facilities and protection."

Orochimaru said, "That sounds appealing, but I'm afraid I'll have to decline."

"Is that so? What a pity," Konan said coldly, glancing at Naruto, who was deep in thought, his head lowered.

Orochimaru seemed determined to dash Naruto's hopes entirely. "Let me be honest with you, Naruto. I've long studied the power of the Uzumaki clan. Their immense vitality can suppress a Tailed Beast's chakra, and their sealing techniques hold potential rivaling that of the Senju. But compared to these, the power of the Uchiha is far more alluring."

The impact Itachi had left on Orochimaru was profound, fueling his obsession with Uchiha power.

Naruto raised his head. "So, you still can't let go of Sasuke, can you?"

Orochimaru replied, "The pursuit of truth requires unwavering dedication. Naruto, even if your current strength surprises me, I won't give up on Sasuke. He is the perfect vessel I've chosen, with potential surpassing even Itachi—no, perhaps even Uchiha Madara!"

Unlike in his previous life, Orochimaru had not yet witnessed Kabuto's fate before being resurrected. Thus, he still harbored ambitions of taking over Sasuke's body.

Naruto's gaze turned cold. "In that case, I can't let you leave..."

"That's not up to you..."

Swoosh!

Orochimaru's legs transformed into a snake tail, propelling him swiftly toward the exit of the cave!

Whoosh!

Naruto appeared at the cave entrance, where he had placed a Flying Raijin marker, blocking Orochimaru's path!

"The Flying Raijin Jutsu, is it..." Orochimaru's thoughts raced: My hands are still sealed in the belly of the Shinigami due to the Dead Demon Consuming Seal. Any jutsu requiring hand signs is unusable. From what I saw through Anko, Naruto's basic combat abilities are on par with an elite jonin. If he activates Sage Mode, the situation will turn dire for me...!

—*Ninja Art: Soft Physique Modification!*

Whoosh! While darting forward, Orochimaru's neck suddenly elongated, coiling around Naruto before sinking his sharp fangs into Naruto's neck!

"I'll bind his body with the power of the Cursed Seal for now!"

Buzz!

Black curse mark patterns spread from Naruto's neck across his body.

But at that moment, Naruto suddenly raised his arm, locking Orochimaru's neck with his elbow joint, preventing him from retracting his head!

"Hmm!?" Orochimaru was startled. Could it be... he let me bite him on purpose!?

"You inject chakra into my body through your fangs. Likewise... I can do the same."

Naruto closed his eyes, meditating to enter Sage Mode without moving.

Whoosh!

Natural energy surged in, causing Orochimaru's beautiful face to contort in pain. "Ugh... Natural energy is flowing back into my body through our connection—arghhh!"

Naruto opened his eyes, smiling. "How does the sage energy of Mount Myoboku differ from that of Ryuchi Cave? Orochimaru-san, care to share your thoughts?"

Snap!

Orochimaru suddenly opened his mouth, and a hand emerged, followed by a head and body. Within seconds, a new Orochimaru stood on the ground, putting distance between himself and Naruto.

Sizzle!

Naruto suppressed the curse mark, glancing at the shriveled snake skin in his hand. "Orochimaru's substitution technique truly is unparalleled..."

"It seems you won't let me leave so easily..."

—*Formation of Ten Thousand Snakes!*

Orochimaru crouched on the ground, laughing as hundreds of snakes slithered from his mouth. Each snake opened its jaws, spewing countless Kusanagi swords, forming a torrent of blades surging forward!

"Konan-senpai, I'll leave Anko-san to you!" Naruto shouted, retreating outside the cave.

Konan picked up Anko and moved to safety.

Boom!

Naruto's shadow clone outside the cave dispelled, feeding Sage Chakra back to the original body. Orange eyeshadow appeared, and his exposed right eye took on the horizontal toad pupils of Sage Mode!

Boom!

A new shadow clone appeared mid-air, assisting Naruto in shaping the Rasengan with a single hand.

Buzz!

The sharp sound of cutting accompanied the rising wind blades. Naruto leaped into the air, hurling the deadly weapon toward the torrent of snakes and swords below!

—*Sage Art: Wind Release: Rasenshuriken!*

Boom!!!

The white storm exploded, obliterating the advancing serpents and shaking the cave to its core!

Boom!!!

Suddenly, with an even louder crash, the cave collapsed entirely. Standing before them was a colossal eight-headed serpent!

Swoosh! Orochimaru's slimy, sticky body emerged from the central serpent's head, laughing hoarsely. "Hehehe, too bad, Naruto... Your jutsu is strong, but it can't completely defeat me!"

"So that's Orochimaru's ultimate technique, the Eight Branches Technique..."

Naruto landed, his expression solemn.

Since my return, Kurama has refused to cooperate. Should I summon the Great Toad? But that might complicate the situation...

From above, Konan asked, "Naruto, do you need my help?"

"No need. Even if we forcefully capture Orochimaru, it won't mean much if he doesn't willingly cooperate..."

Swoosh! As he spoke, Naruto removed the bandage from his left eye, revealing a pale purple iris with three concentric rings, radiating a divine glow!

The Rinnegan, the symbol of the Six Paths!

Orochimaru's pupils contracted. "Hmm!? That left eye... could it be..."

Naruto smirked. "This should make things a bit more interesting..."