"I didn't expect that moment of hesitation back then would pay off now," Orochimaru muttered in the jungle, slipping the scroll containing the Eight-Tails' severed tentacle into his robes. His expression was hard to read—half curious, half amused.
"If you think it's just luck, you're underestimating the situation," Djinn replied with a small smile, glancing sideways at Orochimaru. "I treat my people well, so they trust me in return. Isn't that natural?"
The concept was simple: a leader who sees the entire ninja world as his garden—his responsibility—will act differently than one who guards only his little plot.
Take the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, for example. The moment he saw Kumogakure nurturing stronger shinobi, he didn't hesitate to hurt himself just to cut them down. Why? Because he lacked the confidence and the vision to see beyond his borders.
From a village leader's standpoint, his decision made sense. But that mindset is narrow—too narrow.
The Fourth Raikage is the same. Trapped in his role, bound to a single village. Of course he couldn't understand why "Orochimaru" chose to spare him.
Orochimaru had seen through them—both Ōnoki and the Raikage. Vision needs to be backed by confidence. Without that, speaking of "grand plans" is just empty talk.
"Even I," Djinn continued, "can only extend my nursery to Konoha for now. I haven't reached Iwagakure or Kumogakure. That's why I'm still pushing this war—to weaken their ability to threaten what I've cultivated."
In the entire ninja world, only Djinn had the confidence—and the ambition—to view all nations as his fields.
Orochimaru gave Djinn a long look and unconsciously licked his lips.
He said nothing. But deep down, he admired Djinn's stance.
And more than that—he was tempted. Because one day, he might get his chance to do the same.
---
Black clouds drifted past the moon, and stars began to shimmer in the clearing sky. The night, though still deep, no longer felt as oppressive.
By the time Orochimaru and his group returned to the battlefield, the fighting was already over.
Tsunade sat cross-legged on the battered, cratered ground, looking exhausted. Beside her lay a torn and mangled corpse—its face ruined beyond recognition. But even without seeing it clearly, the identity was obvious.
It was Kakuzu, the infamous S-rank missing-nin from Takigakure.
Orochimaru gave a soft chuckle as he looked at the body. "Now this I didn't expect. You were still able to kill him in that condition?"
Tsunade lifted her gaze slightly, weariness etched into her face, but said nothing.
Beside her, Tagorihime laughed. "That ninja's not dead. He escaped using Earth Release when one of the masked creatures was destroyed."
Orochimaru raised an eyebrow. "You didn't intervene?"
As the wielder of Sage Art: Inorganic Reincarnation, her ability to manipulate the earth was far beyond any earth-style jutsu.
Tagorihime smirked. "I said I'd protect Tsunade. I never said I'd stop your enemies for you."
Her tone was playful, but there was truth in her words—and also something left unsaid.
When the Slug Sage had appeared, it had charged forward with Tsunade, brushing off the intense fire-style ninjutsu that filled the battlefield.
Fueled by fury and empowered by the Slug Sage's assistance, Tsunade had shattered two of Kakuzu's heart masks in succession.
Once victory was assured, Tagorihime had simply turned her attention to the night sky, choosing to enjoy the jungle moonlight instead of finishing off the final enemy.
Though the battlefield was in ruins, it still wasn't as devastated as Ryūchi Cave might have been under similar circumstances.
When Kakuzu fled, Tagorihime had sensed it. With the Slug Sage aiding Tsunade, she had assumed there was no way the enemy could escape. After all, the Slug Sage stood on equal footing with the White Snake Sage—an existence capable of crushing most foes with ease.
And yet… the Slug Sage didn't make a move.
Why?
She pondered the question for a few seconds. But by the time she snapped out of her thoughts, Kakuzu had already escaped her range of influence.
Tagorihime didn't understand the Slug Sage's intentions. Nor had she earned Orochimaru's favor from the encounter. With no better explanation, she forced herself to adopt a willful tone—hoping to make it seem like she had simply chosen not to act, rather than failed to.
Because self-will can be tolerated. Incompetence cannot.
"I see," Orochimaru replied with a slight nod after hearing her excuse, though his tone made it clear he didn't take it seriously.
After all, this was a woman who had lived comfortably for centuries in Ryūchi Cave. Expecting her to have the sharp instincts of a frontline shinobi was unrealistic.
Besides, letting Kakuzu escape wasn't that important to Orochimaru. The old man wasn't the type to carry his accumulated wealth into battle, and his death or survival didn't affect the grander plan.
Orochimaru's gaze shifted toward the massive form of the Slug Sage. His golden eyes flickered with intrigue.
Each of the three Sage Lands had its own ecosystem. Mount Myōboku had plants, insects, and toads. Ryūchi Cave was home to snakes and thick moss. But the Shikkotsu Forest was unique—there were only slugs. Tens of thousands of them could appear, yet they all stemmed from a single source.
Unlike the White Snake Sage, the Slug Sage truly was a one-being clan.
According to Djinn's speculation, even if the Slug Sage wasn't stronger than the White Snake, she was certainly its equal.
Orochimaru wasn't particularly interested in the Slug Sage's combat abilities—that kind of power was ultimately external. What truly drew his attention was the healing potential of Shikkotsu Forest's Sage Art. It could very well complement the regenerative abilities granted by his altered body.
He licked his lips and was just about to approach her—when a calm, feminine voice echoed in his mind.
"Orochimaru-sama, since you've arrived, I'll entrust Tsunade to you."
The voice was respectful, as it had been in the past. But to Orochimaru, it now carried a different weight. He bowed slightly, not daring to be impolite.
"Of course. It would be my honor."
"That's good to hear."
Sensing the shift in his attitude, the Slug Sage didn't linger. She vanished into a wisp of white smoke without giving Orochimaru a chance to speak further.
He raised an eyebrow, quickly understanding the message. This sage wasn't as approachable as she seemed. With the scent of White Snake Sage Chakra on him, it was only natural for her to be cautious.
Still, it was only a greeting. He hadn't mastered Ryūchi Cave's full Sage Mode yet, so there was no rush.
As the Slug Sage vanished, Tagorihime turned to go as well. She handed him the chakra core from the Kazekage puppet and said with a light smile, "Don't forget—you've promised to invite me to Konoha as a guest."
Orochimaru gave a nod. After she dispelled the summoning technique, he turned the heavy metal core in his hand thoughtfully.
Then, he called out to his team. "Gather the remains of the Third Kazekage's puppet."
This mission had yielded more than just Shizune's recovery. The chakra core—capable of holding a Kage-level spirit—was a major discovery in its own right.
With it, their research into the "Spiritualization Technique" could reach a whole new level.
After sealing everything into a scroll, Orochimaru paused, then created a shadow clone and sent it speeding toward the Land of Grass.
To the others, he gave a new order.
"There's been a change in plans. Before returning to the village, we'll move to the Fire Country's border."
"Yes, sir!"
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