Orochimaru’s Magic Lamp

Orochimaru snapped back to reality and gave a slight nod—he was ready to bring the transplant operation to an end.

He had a theory: First-generation cells aren't purely human—they may have plant-like characteristics. Proving this could overturn much of his previous research. But whether the theory was right or wrong, it would undoubtedly open the door to new and more valuable transplant methods.

Just as he prepared to inject the inhibitor and terminate the first-generation cells, something unexpected happened.

The senjutsu chakra scattered throughout Kabuto's body suddenly stirred. Without any command from Orochimaru, it surged toward the transplanted cells on its own.

"What's going on?" Orochimaru muttered, frowning as he examined Kabuto's condition.

Outside the chest cavity and abdominal area—where he had defined the transplant zone—he had only used senjutsu chakra to temporarily boost Kabuto's chakra reserves. Those parts were under loose control. Even so, they shouldn't have been able to act independently.

"Is this the influence of the first-generation cells—or is it you, Kabuto?" Orochimaru narrowed his eyes at Kabuto's strained, contorted expression.

Changing his mind, he abandoned the idea of suppressing the transplant and instead channeled even more senjutsu chakra into Kabuto's body.

As he expected, the uncontrolled chakra responded, rallying to push back the aggressive spread of the first-generation cells.

"I underestimated Kabuto's aptitude for senjutsu," Orochimaru admitted with a smile, despite himself.

The operation was finally stabilizing—similar to how Uchiha Shinsuke once used his Sharingan to resist cell rejection. But this time, it was senjutsu chakra doing the work. And unlike ocular power, Orochimaru could produce senjutsu chakra indefinitely.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Puffs of smoke filled the lab as several shadow clones emerged. They positioned themselves in a circle, sitting cross-legged around the white snake scales, focusing on generating more senjutsu chakra.

Djinn, watching the process, murmured in amazement, "I still can't tell… is Kabuto syncing with the White Snake's natural energy or with your senjutsu chakra?"

That was a fair question.

The natural energy of the White Snake Sage was already refined once, and the senjutsu chakra was a further refinement—more processed, more specific. There were differences between the two.

…

Time passed.

Faced with death, Kabuto's survival instinct ignited. He endured the cellular rejection phase and successfully fused with the first-generation cells.

"It's only a partial fusion," Orochimaru observed, picking up the scattered white snake scales, "and yet it consumed this much senjutsu chakra…"

While he could help Kabuto survive the transplant, performing it on himself would be a whole different challenge.

Inside the nutrient tank, Kabuto took a moment to recover. Once the fatigue wore off, he stepped out and went to clean up.

After dressing, he began testing his new body—checking its strength, agility, and chakra flow.

Orochimaru glanced over but quickly lost interest. His mind was elsewhere.

Now that he had a new theory about the first-generation cells, most of his previous transplant data felt obsolete—including Kabuto's operation.

All it truly proved was that senjutsu chakra can suppress first-generation cells. Even the amount consumed was too circumstantial to provide a consistent reference.

Still, when Kabuto brought over his test report, Orochimaru took a serious look.

Breathing, heart rate, and cell activity—all had changed. Kabuto's chakra levels had already surpassed that of an elite Jōnin. With continued training, reaching Kage-level was now just a matter of time.

Although Orochimaru had never truly considered Kabuto as a combat asset, things were beginning to change. If trained properly, this man could become a Kage-level powerhouse within a few years.

With that thought, Orochimaru casually tossed the white snake scale into Kabuto's hands.

"Take it. From now on, I'll teach you senjutsu."

"Senjutsu?" Kabuto's eyes flickered with emotion. Almost reflexively, he pressed his hand against his chest—he knew exactly what had helped him survive the transplant. The idea of gaining even more power stirred something inside him.

But then he paused, remembering something.

"Lord Orochimaru, while you were resting... there was a small incident."

As Kabuto explained how Danzo had sent shinobi to infiltrate the lab and attempted to interrupt Orochimaru's recovery, a cold gleam flashed in Orochimaru's eyes.

"Danzo... so he really thinks I can't touch him?"

Orochimaru held a certain fondness for Konoha's "leek field"—a place to cultivate and harvest talent. But the weeds that grew in its roots, like Danzo, were nothing more than accidents. Rotting growths. Tumors to be removed without hesitation or regret.

He turned his gaze to Kabuto.

"If I recall... you still hold a grudge against Danzo."

"I do." Kabuto adjusted his glasses, the glint of light flashing across the lenses.

Danzo had manipulated his fate and destroyed the only things he had ever cared about. Hatred was too weak a word to describe what he felt.

Orochimaru leaned in, voice smooth.

"So... do you want revenge?"

Kabuto was silent for a moment before lowering his head.

"I haven't fully thought it through."

He was the type to take things seriously. If he were to get revenge, it couldn't be shallow. Danzo would have to feel the same pain he had felt—nothing less. But how to achieve that? He didn't know.

Besides, no matter how perfect the revenge, it wouldn't bring anything back. It would be an act of release, nothing more.

Kabuto wasn't like Obito—he wasn't looking for a way to unleash his suffering on the world. What he felt was more sorrow than rage.

"You haven't thought it through?" Orochimaru echoed with a small smile.

"Then obey my command. I want you to take revenge—from the inside. At the Root."

Kabuto raised his head. His eyes gleamed faintly, and then he smiled.

"I'm willing to serve you, Lord Orochimaru."

"Good. Prepare yourself—I'll begin teaching you senjutsu now."

Orochimaru took a scroll, unsealed it, and pulled out a thick, weathered book. He handed it to Kabuto.

"With your current strength, you're still not qualified to take on Root. But this is a start."

Transplanting the first-generation cells and teaching senjutsu simultaneously was risky and perhaps inefficient. But Orochimaru knew Kabuto had potential—his chakra control, his learning speed, his natural alignment with senjutsu. In this case, a shortcut might yield better results than the long road.

---

Another month passed in the blink of an eye.

While Orochimaru focused on training Kabuto and researching the newly acquired White Zetsu clone, the peace negotiations between Konoha and Kumogakure dragged on. The two villages had already held nearly ten large-scale discussions—yet talks remained deadlocked.

Konoha refused to give up the advantages it had gained, while Kumogakure, having reconnected with its leadership, hardened its stance and began making unreasonable demands: a life for a life.

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