009 Back From The Dead

Orochimaru, with long black hair, golden eyes, purple eyeshadow extending to the wings of his nose, pale skin, blue-green magatama-shaped earrings, and a light yellow waistband tied with a lavender hemp rope, still looked extraordinary.

He studied Naruto closely, no longer showing the contempt he once had. After seeing Naruto's abilities inside Anko's body, it was clear why.

"Uzumaki Naruto," Orochimaru said. "The boy who once clumsily followed Sasuke back then, now seems to have developed some real ninja skills... But why go to such trouble to meet me, the one who once did something bad to you?"

Naruto didn't waste time. "Orochimaru, I won't beat around the bush. I want great power to build a new ninja world. Your knowledge and ninjutsu are important for that."

Orochimaru's expression became serious. "I thought it would be something simple, like meeting your father, Namikaze Minato, but I didn't expect your ambitions to be so huge."

Naruto responded, "It seems you're hesitant."

Orochimaru replied, "My goal is to uncover all the truths of this world, not to serve any person or organization. The village and Akatsuki are nothing but chains that hold me back."

Naruto said, "I won't be a chain to you. While helping me, you can continue your research, as long as..."

Orochimaru smirked. "As long as it doesn't harm the ninja world, right?"

Naruto unexpectedly said, "It's impossible to be completely harmless. I just hope you can act within certain limits..."

Orochimaru raised an eyebrow. "Oh? I never thought I'd hear such realistic words from you. Now I'm curious about what's happened to you."

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

Orochimaru smiled. "Forget it. My reason tells me not to get too involved in this..."

At that moment, Konan stepped in. "Orochimaru, you need a stable place. If you're willing to assist Naruto, Amegakure can provide you with a lab and shelter."

Orochimaru responded, "That sounds tempting, but I must decline."

"Really? What a pity." Konan's eyes grew cold, and she watched Naruto's reaction. He lowered his head, thinking.

Orochimaru, seemingly trying to make Naruto give up, 

"To be honest, Naruto, I've long studied the powers of the Uzumaki clan. They have incredible vitality, capable of suppressing even the Chakra of the tailed beasts. Their sealing techniques rival the Senju. But the power of the Uchiha... that's something truly beautiful."

The shock that Itachi had once brought to Orochimaru was so profound that he became obsessed with the power of the Uchiha clan.

Naruto looked up. "So, you still can't let go of Sasuke?"

Orochimaru replied, "The pursuit of truth requires perseverance, Naruto. Even though your strength surprises me, I won't give up on Sasuke. He's the perfect vessel I've been waiting for. He has the potential to surpass Itachi... even Uchiha Madara!"

Unlike his previous life, Orochimaru had been resurrected before witnessing Kabuto's end, and he still planned to take Sasuke's body.

Naruto's eyes grew cold. "Then no matter what you say, I can't let you go..."

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

With a swift motion, Orochimaru's legs transformed into a snake tail, and he quickly slithered toward the cave exit. 

Whoosh!

Naruto appeared at the entrance of the cave, where he had placed the Flying Thunder God mark, blocking Orochimaru's path.

"Flying Thunder God Technique?" 

Orochimaru's mind raced. My hands are still with the Shinigami after the Shiki Fuujin. Any technique that requires hand seals is useless to me. I've seen everything inside Anko's body. Naruto's basic combat ability is now on par with an elite Jōnin. If he activates Sage Mode, the situation will be bad for me...

Suddenly, Orochimaru used a ninja technique: Body Transformation! 

His neck extended as he ran, and he circled around Naruto. His sharp front teeth bit into Naruto's neck.

"Let's use the curse seal's power to restrain his body!" Orochimaru thought.

Buzz! The black curse seal pattern spread from Naruto's neck to the rest of his body.

But in that instant, Naruto raised his arm, using his elbow to lock Orochimaru's neck tightly, preventing him from pulling back.

"Huh?" Orochimaru was shocked. 

Did he... let me bite him on purpose?

Naruto spoke calmly, "You used your teeth to inject Chakra into me, so now... I'll do the same." 

He closed his eyes, entering Sage Mode while remaining still.

The power of nature surged, and Orochimaru's face twisted in pain. "Ugh... Senjutsu Chakra is flowing back into my body through the link between us... uh, ahhh...!"

Naruto opened his eyes and smiled. "What's the difference between the celestial power of Mount Myōboku and the celestial power of Ryūchi Cave? Orochimaru, can you tell me what you think?"

Snap!

Orochimaru suddenly opened his mouth, and first an arm stretched out, followed by his head and body. 

In a few seconds, a new Orochimaru landed on the ground and distanced himself from Naruto.

Sizzle! The curse seal was suppressed by Naruto. He looked at the shriveled snake skin in his hand and said, "Orochimaru's Body Replacement Technique is truly remarkable..."

"It seems like it won't be that easy for me to leave..." Orochimaru smirked. 

"The Ten Thousand Snakes Formation!"

Orochimaru lay on the ground and smiled. Hundreds, even thousands, of snakes leapt from his mouth. 

As they landed, the snakes opened their mouths again, releasing hundreds of Kusanagi swords that transformed into a torrent of white blades, rushing forward.

"Senior Sister Konan, Anko is in your hands!" 

Naruto shouted as he quickly retreated from the cave.

Konan picked up Anko and moved her out of the danger zone.

Bang! 

Naruto released a Shadow Clone he had set up outside the cave earlier. 

His Sage Chakra flowed back into his body, and orange markings appeared around his eyes.

His exposed right eye now had a toad's horizontal pupil. He entered Sage Mode.

Bang! 

A new Shadow Clone appeared in mid-air, and Naruto performed a one-handed Rasengan while cooperating with the clone. He infused the Rasengan with Nature Transformation.

Buzz buzz buzz! 

A sharp cutting sound filled the air as wind blades formed. Naruto gathered energy and hurled his "killing weapon" toward the torrent of snakes and swords below.

Sage Art: Wind Style—Rasenshuriken!

Boom!!! The white storm exploded, tearing apart the snakes and swords in its path. The cave shook violently under the force of the blast! Boom!!!

Suddenly, with a deafening crash, the cave completely collapsed. 

Before them stood a gigantic monster with eight heads and a snake body.

Swish! Orochimaru's slippery, slimy torso emerged from the center snake head, and he laughed hoarsely. 

"Hehehe, sorry, Naruto... your jutsu is powerful, but you can't defeat me completely!"

"Is that Orochimaru's ultimate move, the Yamata no Orochi?" Naruto landed, his face serious.

Kurama has been ignoring me since I came back. 

Should I summon the Toad to deal with him? But explaining the situation now is tricky...

In mid-air, Konan called out, "Naruto, do you need my help?"

"No need," Naruto replied. 

"Even if we force Orochimaru away, it won't matter if he can't be convinced..."

Swish! As soon as he finished speaking, Naruto removed the bandage from his left eye.

When he opened it, a lavender background with three circles of ripples glowed with a divine light.

Rinnegan,the symbol of the Six Paths.

Orochimaru's eyes widened in shock. "Huh!? That left eye... could it be...?"

Naruto smirked. "This should be more interesting..."

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TO BE CONTINUED