Weren't You Pursuing Immortality? Join Us, and You'll Be Able to Achieve It Someday

Tsunade was standing to the side, merely glanced at Orochimaru before continuing with her own tasks.

We've reached the final step; once that's done, we can call it a day.

"Alright."

Once again, Orochimaru was busy, staring intently at the Rinnegan submerged in saline solution as if it were a work of art.

"Perfect."

"It's absolutely perfect. How about I let you try it out first?"

Hagoromo picked up the glass bottle containing the Rinnegan and gestured to Orochimaru.

"No need." Orochimaru's lips twitched. This Rinnegan had already been equipped with those things; he must be crazy to even think about taking it for himself.

If it were just Tsunade and him taking charge, he was confident he could solve it.

However, it contains not only Sealing Jutsu, but also Hagoromo's Yin Release.

Orochimaru can't undo this for now.

Hagoromo smacked his lips, clearly disappointed by Orochimaru's reaction.

"However, logically speaking, the Rinnegan is the final stage of the Mangekyo, Kotoamatsukami shouldn't be useful, right?"

As he said this, Orochimaru glanced at Shisui beside him.

The eyes that weren't covered by the blindfold were noticeably dimmer, but not as completely blinded or shut down as before.

"Who said I joined Kotoamatsukami?"

Hagoromo feigned surprise as he looked at Orochimaru. From beginning to end, he had no intention of using Shisui's Kotoamatsukami, so asking Hiruzen Sarutobi was just a precaution.

Orochimaru choked, and couldn't help but rub his temples.

He truly didn't know what to do about this junior brother.

Fight? We can't win. Run? We can't escape.

"Alright, no need to probe. I already said, if you're interested, you can be the first witness."

Hagoromo shook the glass bottle again and said.

"Where should I go back to? The Anbu's base, or somewhere else?"

Orochimaru completely ignored Hagoromo's words and instead asked another question.

"Let's go, I have something to tell you."

With that, Hagoromo turned and walked out of the base, while Tsunade had already left once the task was completed.

Instead of listening to Orochimaru and Hagoromo flirting with each other, she'd rather go have a drink.

Orochimaru narrowed his eyes, watching Hagoromo's retreating figure, and slowly followed after him.

--

Night.

Obito, who had returned from his latest mischief, slowly walked into an underground base.

Looking at the quiet, deserted underground base around him, Obito's brows furrowed involuntarily beneath his mask.

Black Zetsu hasn't returned yet?

"Obito."

The thought had barely formed when Black Zetsu's voice came from behind.

Obito turned his head and saw that the White Zetsu's body was covered in wounds. "What happened?"

Black Zetsu ignored Obito's tone and controlled White Zetsu's body to walk towards a pool. Only after immersing himself in it did he slowly breathe a sigh of relief.

"I went to Kumogakure, but I didn't expect to be discovered."

Obito didn't respond; he just quietly watched Black Zetsu.

"The reality is beyond our expectations... no, we should say we didn't consider the allure of the Rinnegan for the Five Great Nations."

Black Zetsu's voice seemed to conceal some dissatisfaction as he spoke with resentment.

"All our actions are geared towards the Five Kage Summit in the Land of Fire, where the ownership of the Rinnegan will be decided."

"The Five Great Nations are currently exercising restraint in their stance within the village and are focusing all their efforts on finding out who is behind this trouble."

"So?" Obito walked to the edge of the pool, his Scarlet Sharingan beneath his mask staring intently at Black Zetsu.

"So, we need to change direction."

Black Zetsu glanced at Obito and spoke.

"Two options: either take advantage of the lull in the Five Great Nations' talks to see which family ends up with the Rinnegan, and then we'll make our move."

"Or, let Sasuke Uchiha grow up as quickly as possible, and then help him achieve the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan."

"The first one."

Obito directly rejected Black Zetsu's attempt to continue and chose the first option.

Wait for Sasuke to grow up? Whether he can control him or not is another matter; he won't wait that long.

Black Zetsu didn't speak, but he meant to proceed with both lines simultaneously.

But... looking up at Obito, the person in front of him couldn't wait any longer.

Or perhaps, after this failure, Obito no longer intends to act according to his plan.

Hateful!

Black Zetsu held on tightly in the pool, if it weren't for Sawada Hagoromo!

If Orochimaru were captured and imprisoned, he wouldn't be in such a passive position.

At the very least, he could Impure World Reincarnation, then the Five Great Nations of the Shinobi World would be nothing but clay chickens and earthenware dogs.

It's your decision!

Black Zetsu controlled White Zetsu to stand up and said calmly, "However, I have something to do: Orochimaru must be found!"

Upon Obito slightly raised his eyelids, glancing at Black Zetsu's expression.

"Whatever. I'll take White Zetsu to the Five Kage Summit location first. Konoha shouldn't be as heavily guarded then as they are now."

Knowing this, Obito didn't care how Madara Uchiha would be resurrected.

Since he controlled the spell, he had plenty of ways to break it.

As long as... as long as he obtains the Rinnegan, he will be able to extract the Tailed Beast Chakra he captured earlier through the Rinnegan.

This increases the chances of winning.

As for Hagoromo, who is capable of defeating Tailed Beasts, it's best to let Madara Uchiha deal with him himself.

"Then let's proceed accordingly. By the way, Orochimaru has some bases with cyborgs; we can release them there."

"That can be considered a help."

Seeing that Obito was about to turn and leave, Black Zetsu spoke again.

I'll see how it goes.

Obito didn't turn around. A vortex-like wave appeared, and he vanished from the spot.

"Damn it..." Black Zetsu gritted his teeth, then got up and walked deeper into the area.

If we're going to cause trouble, let's make it a complete upheaval. After thousands of years, how could Black Zetsu's arrangements be so small?

--

"What did you say?"

Orochimaru looked at the Hagoromo in front of him, wondering if he had misheard.

"Would you be interested in joining a new department in Konoha, the Science Department?"

Hagoromo repeated herself expressionlessly.

"Hehehe... I mean, you really think you can control me?"

Orochimaru tilted his head back and laughed sinisterly, then turned to look at Hagoromo, his eyes filled with a dangerous glint.

"Aren't you pursuing immortality? Join us, and you'll be able to achieve it."

Orochimaru's face stiffened, and after a long pause, he said with a sullen laugh, "Don't presume to know me!"

As he spoke, a murderous intent surged forth.

Hagoromo remained unmoved, even yawning. "Forget it, don't make me look for anyone else."

Orochimaru, who had originally planned to fight head-on, was completely dumbfounded by Hagoromo's actions.

"Wait! What do you mean by that?"

Orochimaru finally couldn't suppress his curiosity and asked.

"Do you think the idea of someone living for thousands of years could inspire you?"