A New Snake In The Shinobi World

"No!"

Tsunade, having only recently taken on the role of Hokage, had yet to fully grasp the extent of Shisui's ocular powers.

However, after Hiruzen's explanation of Shisui's abilities, she immediately rejected the idea.

Kotoamatsukami—the ultimate genjutsu of the Mangekyō Sharingan, mastered solely by Uchiha Shisui. Undeniably the "strongest genjutsu," it could control a person's thoughts and will without them ever realizing it, permanently and completely altering their mindset.

Its power was immense, but it came with a heavy limitation: each use required a cooldown of more than ten years.

Was this genjutsu truly invincible? Such a concept was impossible.

According to the principles of genjutsu, the more chakra an individual possessed, the longer it took for the illusion to take hold. Likewise, individuals with exceptionally strong mental fortitude were naturally more resistant to such techniques.

Though Kotoamatsukami was unique in its ability to bypass these defenses by directly rewriting the brain, it wasn't guaranteed to work against everyone.

Orochimaru, with his Sage Body and Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, was an unknown variable. Could Kotoamatsukami truly work on someone like him? Would it be effective against titans like Uchiha Madara or the Sage of Six Paths?

This discrepancy stemmed from the differences in ocular power between the two parties.

Even if there was only the slightest chance of failure, Tsunade could not afford to take that gamble.

If Kotoamatsukami proved ineffective against Orochimaru or if its effects were discovered and countered by those around him, it would result in a catastrophe for the ninja world.

She imagined the consequences of such a scenario: Orochimaru, having removed the genjutsu, would no doubt retaliate with devastating force.

At that point, it wouldn't just be a matter of starting a war, it could lead to something far worse.

After Tsunade's detailed explanation, the advisers were left speechless.

"Orochimaru's ocular power surpasses that of the Mangekyō?" one of them muttered in shock.

The idea of a non-Uchiha developing the Sharingan to such a level through research alone was unfathomable.

Uchiha Shisui, too, was visibly surprised.

Hiruzen turned to the young man beside him. "Shisui, are you confident in your ability to deal with this?"

Shisui, snapped out of his thoughts by the question, hesitated before responding, "If it's just a standard Mangekyō, I'm absolutely confident. But if Orochimaru's abilities are truly as Tsunade-sama described, I would have to see them for myself to be certain."

He continued, his voice steady but uncertain, "Up until now, I've never encountered a Sharingan with more powerful ocular abilities than my own."

"Is that so?" Hiruzen murmured thoughtfully.

"Old man," Tsunade interrupted, addressing Hiruzen directly, "I strongly advise you to abandon this idea."

She turned to the others. "Even if Kotoamatsukami does manage to affect Orochimaru, it will only be temporary. His abilities have already surpassed the realm of ordinary ninjas."

Without hesitation, Tsunade revealed another of Orochimaru's secrets: his ability to achieve resurrection.

Not only could Orochimaru back up his physical cells, but he could also store his mental consciousness.

If Orochimaru were to die, the effects of Kotoamatsukami would be nullified. Once resurrected, he would no longer be bound by its influence.

And if that happened, Orochimaru would undoubtedly retaliate with something beyond imagination—something no one, not even Tsunade herself, could stop.

Hiruzen and the others were left dumbfounded by Tsunade's explanation.

"Immortality? Infinite resurrection? Eternal life?" Danzo muttered in disbelief.

"Dear God… Is Orochimaru invincible?"

---

Elsewhere, in a dark basement beneath Kirigakure Village in the Land of Water, Zetsu emerged from the ground, his voice low as he addressed Obito.

"Obito, have you located the Nine-Tails?"

"It's nearly confirmed," Obito replied. "What about you?"

"We've found two so far," Zetsu answered.

"Only two?" Obito frowned but then sighed. "Still, that's not bad. What's Orochimaru's current location?"

"Orochimaru?" Zetsu's voice remained calm. "He seems to be heading toward Kirigakure Village."

Due to their cooperative relationship, Zetsu could sense Orochimaru's movements as long as the latter's feet were on the ground.

"He's coming to Kirigakure? Why?" Obito muttered, his voice filled with suspicion.

"No idea," Zetsu admitted with a shrug. "If it's not important, I wouldn't dare approach him."

"I see…" Obito murmured, deep in thought. After a moment, he waved Zetsu off. "Continue locating the Tailed Beasts. And send the ring to Orochimaru."

"Understood," Zetsu replied, sinking back into the ground.

Left alone, Obito lowered his head, lost in contemplation.

---

Back in Star Ninja Village in the Land of Bears, Mei was utterly stunned as she watched Orochimaru.

From his back sprouted enormous wings, bone-like structures connected by a glowing blue chakra.

She had always known Orochimaru was powerful, but this exceeded anything she had imagined.

The ninjas of Star Ninja Village required prolonged exposure to the meteorite to train and develop their wings. Orochimaru, on the other hand, appeared to have absorbed the star's energy directly.

And his wings… Unlike the short, flimsy wings of the Star Ninja, his were massive, transparent, and lined with crackling elemental energies. Wind, fire, thunder, and lightning flickered across the glowing bones, creating a spectacle that was both awe-inspiring and terrifying.

"So this is Orochimaru's true power…" Mei muttered in disbelief.

Orochimaru himself remained indifferent, studying his new wings with a hint of dissatisfaction.

"As expected, I still need the Rinnegan," he said, his tone calm but resolute.

He cared little for the appearance of the wings. What truly mattered to him was the boost they provided to his strength.

His purpose for coming here had been twofold: to improve his flying ability and to test whether the star, imbued with the Ten-Tails' chakra, could enhance his spiritual power enough to create a Truth-Seeking Orb.

Yes, he intended to forge his own Truth-Seeking Orb.

Orochimaru had previously attempted to create one but failed.

In his research, Orochimaru had discovered four methods to create a Truth-Seeking Orb:

1. Harnessing the power of the Bloodline Limit known as the Rinne Sharingan. However, this method was unattainable, as only figures like Kaguya Otsutsuki could achieve it.

2. Using the Rinnegan to generate an orb, as demonstrated by Toneri Otsutsuki.

3. Achieving the Six Paths Sage Mode by obtaining chakra from all Tailed Beasts, which allowed individuals like Obito, Madara, and Naruto to unconsciously produce Truth-Seeking Orbs. However, this method was limited, as the orbs could not be recreated once destroyed or sealed.

4. Creating the orbs through sheer personal power. This method, pioneered by Hagoromo and Hamura Otsutsuki, was the closest path available to Orochimaru.

Despite possessing the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, Orochimaru had discovered a crucial limitation. While he possessed the necessary attributes—immortality, vast chakra, and mastery of yin-yang release, his ocular power fell short of the Rinnegan or Hamura's Byakugan.

He had underestimated the sheer scale of Hamura's spiritual power.

***

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