Orochimaru’s Magic Lamp

The swirling vortex faded into the air, leaving behind only a pool of bright red blood. Orochimaru arrived moments later, just as the blood began to soak into the earth.

With his shadow clone dispelled, the memories of the encounter in the alternate dimension had already integrated into his mind. He knew that the lesson he intended for Obito had been delivered—effectively and painfully.

There was no longer any need to chase him.

Orochimaru hadn't come to kill, after all. His purpose was twofold: to make a show of power, and because the Lamp Djinn had whispered to him that a minor reward remained here.

Casting a glance at the ground, he pressed his hands together. The earth began to squirm as if alive, and a strange, snow-white figure started to rise from beneath the surface.

Before it could escape, the soil surged upward like a spiral spire, trapping the creature completely—leaving only its head exposed.

White Zetsu's clone looked shocked, frozen in disbelief. "How did you find me?"

With his ability to mimic others using the 'Imitation Technique,' he could even change his chakra signature to resemble animals. Perhaps it wouldn't fool a dojutsu user, but it should've been enough to slip past a sensor-type ninja.

Orochimaru didn't bother replying. Instead, he extended his fingers, grabbed White Zetsu's head, and without hesitation, began a brutal, invasive mind probe.

White Zetsu squirmed, clearly annoyed by the grip on his head—but strangely, he showed no other reaction.

This technique typically caused irreversible damage to the nervous system and inflicted unbearable pain—enough to drive even the strongest ninja to the edge of madness.

But not this one.

When Orochimaru finally let go, he wore a look of genuine surprise.

"The brain is blank. Almost no nervous system. What are you? Are you even alive?"

"That's rude," White Zetsu replied, sounding insulted. "You're the one with the empty head. I'm very smart..."

Shunk!

A spear made of hardened mud and stone erupted from the ground, piercing White Zetsu's clone through and through—silencing him mid-sentence.

"Think it's worth studying?" Orochimaru asked aloud.

The Lamp Djinn materialized beside him, grinning. "Don't be fooled by its weakness. This one's a treasure—extracted from the body of the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path."

Orochimaru nodded in satisfaction. With his knowledge, it was easy to see how precious White Zetsu really was.

A creature with no proper organs that could walk, speak, think, and exist—it defied all natural logic.

Compared to the humans of the ninja world, Orochimaru was more inclined to believe that White Zetsu was an entirely different species—perhaps even related to the Otsutsuki.

Obito had clearly inherited Madara's legacy. There were likely more secrets where this came from. Maybe even research materials.

The gleam in Orochimaru's eyes deepened.

---

After finishing with Obito, Orochimaru returned directly to his underground laboratory.

He had already heard from the Lamp Djinn that the Kumogakure envoy, "Tetsuya," had been killed by Hyuga Hiashi. But he didn't concern himself with it.

Whether the Fourth Raikage ever recovered or not, the likelihood of Kumogakure starting a war was slim.

The death of a peace envoy on Konoha's soil was certainly a disgrace. It would enrage the siblings of the fallen envoy, no doubt.

But at most, they'd issue verbal condemnations, spread slander about Konoha's honor, and tear up the previous compensation agreements.

In the end, Konoha would lose only the benefits they might have received—nothing more.

This outcome was well within Orochimaru's expectations. After all, even if the benefits from the Kumogakure incident went to Konoha, there was little chance they would ever reach his hands.

Compared to that, there were far more important matters to focus on.

Orochimaru sat calmly on the examination table, running through a series of physical tests on himself.

After a high-level battle, the damage to both soul and body created a rare sense of harmony within him. He could feel it—his chakra had grown once again.

Cellular activity, physical strength, nerve reflexes… All of them had shown small yet noticeable improvements.

As for chakra control, ninjutsu release speed, sensory perception—those couldn't be measured directly. Only the long list of performance metrics provided by the Lamp Djinn offered a rough estimate of those areas.

"The greatest gain," Orochimaru muttered, playing with a snake scale in his hand, a rare smile curling his lips, "is from the Sage Art and the breathing technique. I've finally found the right path forward."

The natural energy surrounding him no longer simply dispersed. Now, it constantly flowed into his body—part of it reinforcing his cells as before, and the rest combining with chakra to form Sage Chakra.

Both its quantity and quality were leagues ahead of what he had before.

"Could I attempt the First Hokage cell fusion in this state?" Orochimaru wondered aloud.

He frowned, deep in thought, then turned his gaze to the busy figure of Kabuto Yakushi. With a single word, he called him over.

"I want to resume the First Hokage cell experiment," he said slowly. "I'll need your assistance."

Kabuto hesitated. "You mean experimenting on yourself? But Lord Orochimaru, I'm not very skilled in performing cellular transplants…"

"Not on me," Orochimaru corrected with a slight shake of his head. "On you."

"The risk of transplanting First Hokage cells is still too great. You'll be the first trial subject."

Kabuto paused for a moment, adjusting his glasses. Then he smiled.

"If it's for Lord Orochimaru, I'm willing to take that risk."

As Orochimaru's right hand, Kabuto had already helped with three Uchiha transplant experiments. He understood the dangers clearly.

But risk was never the deciding factor for him. If Orochimaru asked, he would do it—without question.

"You could've taken more time to think it over," Orochimaru said.

Even with such loyalty, he wasn't satisfied.

Kabuto had always treated himself as a tool—efficient and obedient—but emotionless. That wasn't enough.

Growth required change, and Kabuto's potential should never be chained down by submission alone.

"There's no need," Kabuto replied, reaffirming, "I'm willing, Lord Orochimaru."

"There is real danger in this," Orochimaru warned, his voice low. "But don't think I'm treating you like a disposable pawn. I could get dozens of those in the ninja world."

He stared straight into Kabuto's eyes.

"You have the qualifications to master Sage Art. That's the key to making the First Hokage transplant work."

Kabuto blinked in surprise, then smiled wider. "Then I have no reason to refuse."

He wasn't afraid of death. What he feared was losing his usefulness.

Knowing that Orochimaru saw value in him beyond just being a tool—that stirred something inside him.

"In that case, let's begin. Get everything ready—handle the preparations yourself."

Orochimaru licked his lips and sat cross-legged on the floor, falling into a deep meditative state. He began drawing the natural energy stored within the white snake's scale.

Sage Chakra would be critical for the experiment. The more, the better.

Originally, he had planned to wait until Kabuto could master Sage Art on his own. But reaching the required chakra capacity—the level of a Kage—would take far too long.

There was no more waiting.

They would borrow from tomorrow's success—and repay the cost with interest.

____________________

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