Inside the dark underground base, the chilling air seemed to move among the stone walls like a living thing, and the white mist exhaled would freeze into tiny ice crystals before it could even take shape.
Frost spread silently along the damp rock wall, refracting into spiderweb-like patterns under the eerie blue light of the torch. In a corner, several experimental White Snakes, already frozen into ice sculptures, remained in their final, struggling postures.
Orochimaru leaned against the fur-covered stone bed, his silver hair falling like frost, and the dark blue ice patterns flowing beneath his skin flickering with his breath.
He looked down at his hands, where two dark purple Cursed Seal stood out starkly against his pale skin—the marks of the Reaper Death Seal were like burning brands, clinging to his bones even after reincarnation.
Tiny sparks occasionally flew from the edges of the Cursed Seal, and a hissing sound was heard when it touched the ice crystals.
"Teacher Sarutobi..." He licked his chapped lips with the tip of his tongue, his hoarse laughter echoing in the icy cave. "You really did leave me a... unforgettable gift before you died."
On the medical shelf beside the stone bed, a dozen empty painkiller bottles reflected a cold glint.
The nerves in the arms of the previous reincarnation vessel had long since collapsed, and the sealed hands were sending soul-rending pain signals to the brain every moment.
That kind of pain could instantly break a sensory ninja's spirit, but he remembered that he was actually laughing at the time—because the pain at least proved that his soul had not been completely devoured.
Ice crystals suddenly burst open on the edge of the bed, Orochimaru looked down at the newly formed hexagonal frost flower in his palm.
The experimental subjects stolen from the Land of Snow were indeed a pleasant surprise; that madman, Kazahana Dōtō, actually restored the bloodline of the Ice Clan.
This body is like a volcano encased in permafrost. The extreme cold constitution makes the pain receptors numb, like frozen soil, and even the backlash from the seals that gnaw at the soul day and night becomes a distant, dull sound.
"It saves... a lot of trouble." He curled up lazily in the shadows, his voice trailing off. The low temperature made his thoughts as sluggish as a hibernating snake, even freezing the restlessness that used to burn his ambition.
He yawned, his golden snake eyes narrowing slightly—(However... being too slow-witted won't do either.)
He needed to find a way to break the Reaper Death Seal as soon as possible. The future projected in the Heavenly Screen made him uneasy, especially the power displayed by Sasuke and Naruto...
(Will those two kids grow up to be like this?)
Orochimaru leaned against the stone bed, his golden snake eyes slightly narrowed, his thoughts wandering like a snake.
(Kimimaro... what an unexpected bonus.)
The boy who was once on the verge of collapse due to blood disease has now become the sharpest sword in his hand.
In the future projected on the Heavenly Screen, Sage Kabuto gave him inspiration—although Kimimaro's physique could not fully withstand Natural Energy, with the catalysis of a special medicine, his Shikotsumyaku) broke through its limits and entered a state of "Half-Sage Mode".
(Heh... It's not as perfect as I expected, but it's enough.)
Kimimaro's original mission was to serve as Sasuke, testing the Uchiha brat's growth. But plans never go as expected—
(That Jūgo guy, he's gone berserk again...)
The source of the Cursed Seal is a monster born with the ability to absorb Natural Energy.
Once in a place rich in Natural Energy, he would uncontrollably descend into a berserk state. A few days ago, news came from the North Base that Jūgo lost control again, and his rampaging Chakra nearly destroyed half of the experimental area.
Ordinary subordinates couldn't suppress him at all; the Sound Ninja team sent to suppress him was torn to shreds before they could even get close.
(This is such a hassle...)
Orochimaru's lips curled into a slight, chilling smile. However, this was also a good opportunity for experimentation.
(This is a good opportunity to test just how far Kimimaro's "Half-Sage Mode" can go.)
His golden, snake-like eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze falling into the shadows—
Kimimaro.
A tall, slender figure appeared silently, his hair as white as snow, and faint black Cursed Seal marks visible on his skin. Kimimaro knelt on one knee, his voice low and respectful:
"Lord Orochimaru, what are your orders?"
Since being resurrected by Orochimaru using special methods, Kimimaro has been guarding him closely. His body has been modified and is no longer a simple "Shikotsumyaku" Kekkei Genkai, but a "Half-Sage Mode" experimental subject that has fused with Senjutsu Chakra.
"News has come from the North Base: Jūgo has gone berserk again."
Kimimaro's eyes narrowed slightly. Jūgo —that monster who was born with the ability to absorb Natural Energy but could not control it—had always been one of Orochimaru's research subjects.
"Go and subdue him, don't let him escape." Orochimaru's voice carried a hint of amusement. "Perfect, I also want to see... just how far your 'Half-Sage Mode' can go."
Kimimaro bowed his head and accepted the order, "Yes, Lord Orochimaru."
Then his figure vanished like a ghost.
The chill within the ice cave grew increasingly intense, and Orochimaru's thoughts gradually slowed. He slowly closed his eyes, as memories flooded back—
"Orochimaru, your research is far too dangerous!" -- Hiruzen Sarutobi's angry rebuke still seemed to echo in my ears.
"Tsunade, Jiraiya... you will never understand my pursuit."
He recalled that rainy night when he first defected from Konoha, the countless reincarnation experiments, and all the prices he had paid for immortality...
(This world... will eventually understand my worth.)
Ice crystals condensed around him, as if to completely seal him away. Orochimaru's consciousness gradually blurred, eventually sinking into darkness.
And deep within his dream—
A large, white-scaled snake lies dormant, waiting for spring to arrive.
At the same time
Deep underground at the North Base, Jūgo's roar was like a thunderclap, causing the steel walls to twist and deform.
"Roar--!"
His body had completely mutated; his skin had turned into dark red horny armor, sharp bone spurs had sprouted from his joints, and deformed organs resembling wings had even extended from his back. Violent Natural Energy formed a hurricane-like Chakra vortex around him, lifting layers of the ground and sending shards of rock flying like bullets!
" Earth Release · Earth Style Wall!"
Several Sound Ninja slammed their hands on the ground, causing a thick earthen wall to rise up, barely blocking the flying debris. But the next second—
Boom!!
Jūgo unleashed a punch, instantly shattering the earthen wall! The two ninjas had no time to dodge and were torn to shreds by the raging Chakra!
"No! It's completely unstoppable!"
"Where is Lord Orochimaru's reinforcements yet?!"
The survivors retreated to the end of the passage, staring at the monster in despair. They knew that once Jūgo broke out of the base, they and the nearby villages would be doomed!