Confirmation!

"Do you have any other instructions, Sage?" Orochimaru asked calmly.

"Don't interfere too much with certain predetermined destinies. It won't be good for you, do you understand?" The White Snake Sage's words were pointed.

But Orochimaru understood. The White Snake Sage was warning him!

"May I ask, Sage, what is a predetermined destiny?" A flicker of confusion flashed in Orochimaru's eyes. He smiled and sought the White Snake Sage's guidance.

An boundless rage surged within him! Why!

They were definitely in cahoots!

"You will know!" The White Snake Sage gave Orochimaru a slightly pitying look before closing her eyes and falling silent.

Seeing that the White Snake Sage wouldn't speak, Snake Princess waved her hand, signaling Orochimaru to leave.

Though Orochimaru was furious inside, his expression remained unchanged, cool as water. His self-control was exceptional!

He truly lived up to the name "Cold Lord Orochimaru" that fans of the Hokage from his past life called him.

Using the fixed passage between Ryūchi Cave and the Ninja World, Orochimaru returned to the Ninja World in a short time.

By this point, Orochimaru no longer bothered to hide his inner rage. His expression was incredibly grim!

The world was too complicated! Even the sages of the Three Great Sage Regions were involved?

Orochimaru struggled to control his emotions for a moment. While he had suspected this before, he had still held onto some hope.

This trip to Ryūchi Cave had thoroughly convinced Orochimaru that in the Ninja World, already shrouded in darkness, there was no light left!

Perhaps only that single spark still burned stubbornly!

How he wished Hyuga Shin was by his side right now, to pour out his anger, his suppression, and his helplessness.

The darkness of the Ninja World was like a chasm, cutting off everyone's path!

Thinking of Hyuga Shin, Orochimaru suddenly realized he could contact him remotely.

When Hyuga Shin left, he had given Orochimaru a ring specifically for easy contact anytime.

This was to prepare for any potential backlash from destiny.

However, this place wasn't suitable. It was too close to Ryūchi Cave. He'd find a more appropriate spot first.

Orochimaru knew his location and calculated the distance. The Iwagakure front line was still over a thousand kilometers away, impossible to reach anytime soon.

He immediately stopped rushing. He'd take his time.

Besides, he had no interest in this war anyway. The script might have already been written.

He might as well take this opportunity to tell Hyuga Shin his suspicions and hear his opinion.

The next day, after traveling all day, Orochimaru rested briefly at a street-side inn.

Orochimaru decided to contact Hyuga Shin here.

Although it was a busy place and seemed unsafe, it would actually be quite secure as long as he set up barrier defenses.

No sooner thought than done. Orochimaru immediately created four shadow clones and began setting up the Four-Directional Barrier in the room.

Since it was only for short-term use, one person was enough.

Once the barrier was set up, Orochimaru activated the ring. He had learned how to use it the day Hyuga Shin gave it to him.

For a genius ninja like Orochimaru, it was incredibly simple.

The ring was instantly activated, and a figure projected from it.

"Orochimaru, is something urgent?"

"Why are you contacting me after only a few days apart?"

Hyuga Shin was also a bit puzzled.

The Six Paths' actions shouldn't be that fast.

"Elder Shin, something sudden happened that sparked some suspicions in me. I felt it necessary to let you know and to hear your opinion."

Orochimaru's expression was grim, his tone incredibly cold.

"Oh? It seems this matter has affected you quite a bit. Tell me about it." Hyuga Shin could naturally see the anger and displeasure in Orochimaru's heart.

"I was summoned by Ryūchi Cave, and the White Snake Sage warned me to stay away from you, calling you a dangerous person. She also emphasized that destiny cannot be easily changed!"

Orochimaru was truly suppressing his anger as he spoke these words.

"It seems my suspicions were correct. They are definitely in cahoots. What do you think?" Hyuga Shin wasn't surprised by this.

"Elder Shin, why do you think they are doing this! They possess immense power and long lifespans, yet they are still not satisfied! Why are they colluding with the Sage of Six Paths!" Orochimaru gritted his teeth.

"There are still many things in this world I don't understand. I have some guesses about their motives, but I lack evidence. Let's wait a bit longer."

"No matter how deeply some secrets are hidden, they will eventually be uncovered."

"The Sage of Six Paths is like that, and so are they!" Hyuga Shin's expectations for Orochimaru grew once more.

With his rationality restored, Orochimaru's perspective on things had improved qualitatively. He was no longer like a frog in a well.

"But if they are also involved, can our ideals still succeed?" Orochimaru's words were somewhat dejected.

"Nothing is guaranteed to succeed, only whether you dare to try!"

"We are the only spark in this ninja world shrouded in darkness. As long as our will is not eroded and we don't lose ourselves, there will eventually be followers who will tread in our footsteps!"

Hyuga Shin took the initiative to counsel Orochimaru, determined not to let him lose faith in the world.

"Yes, thank you for your guidance, Elder Shin. I will definitely maintain my original intention! Firm my belief! And dedicate my life to unifying the ninja world!"

Orochimaru quickly recovered under Hyuga Shin's encouraging words.

"Elder Shin, I think the White Snake Sage may have already discovered that the Will of the Six Paths within me has been cleared."

Orochimaru frowned, recalling the White Snake Sage's cryptic words.

"It's normal. It would be strange if she didn't notice!" Hyuga Shin wasn't surprised at all.

"But she emphasized that fate cannot be changed. Does this mean the Three Great Sage Regions might also interfere and manipulate our destinies to help the Six Paths guide the ninja world back on track?"

Thinking of the White Snake Sage's meaningful gaze, Orochimaru voiced his speculation to Hyuga Shin.

"It's not impossible!"

"It seems my research needs to proceed faster. If I'm not mistaken, it won't be long before the Six Paths attempt to force your destinies back onto the correct path!"

"If it's just an erosion of consciousness, that would be fine. I fear they might completely obliterate your will and turn you into their true puppets!"

Hyuga Shin also reacted instantly. He couldn't underestimate these old bastards.

After all, they had lived for over a thousand years; who wouldn't have some tricks up their sleeve?

"Orochimaru, try to stay vigilant until my research is complete. Remember to send me a message once a day."

"You don't need to communicate via projection. Just leave me a message through the ring. Remember, every day!"

"Of course, you can contact me via projection for urgent matters."

Hyuga Shin understood the key point and gave Orochimaru a heads-up as a precaution against unforeseen circumstances.

He feared that if he couldn't complete his research before then, Orochimaru might fall victim to the Six Paths' schemes, leaving no time for rescue.

"Alright, Elder Shin! I understand! I will do as you say." Orochimaru understood Hyuga Shin's meaning.

Smart people don't need excessive explanations.

"Is there anything else? If not, we'll stop here for today. I need to speed up my research as soon as possible." Hyuga Shin suddenly felt a sense of urgency.

"I wonder if recruiting members for the organization has been going smoothly," Orochimaru asked, also concerned about the organization's development.

"It's going well. Besides you, we have three other members: Kakuzu, Hidan, and Sasori. They are all promising sparks, and they will provide you with the greatest support in the future!"

"Orochimaru, you are the ideal successor I have chosen. Never doubt yourself! Firm your beliefs!"

"I will always believe that you will become the sole beacon of light illuminating this ninja world shrouded in darkness!"

"I initially fought for my own survival, then for my clan, and later for my village. When I saw through the darkness of the ninja world, I ultimately fought for the realization of peace and rebirth in the ninja world!"

"You are the same!"

"Only when you jump out of the well and see the vast sky can you establish lofty ideals!"

"Orochimaru, don't disappoint this old man!"

Hyuga Shin not only answered Orochimaru's question but also delivered a motivational speech.

Orochimaru was energized by Hyuga Shin's collection of encouraging words and felt no more dejection.

"That's all for today. Don't forget to send me a message once a day." With that, Hyuga Shin cut off the connection.

"The storm is coming!" Hyuga Shin remarked, looking up at the sky from a resting rock.

The three individuals accompanying him also learned of Orochimaru's existence.

They hadn't expected that Orochimaru, one of the Sannin, was also a member of the organization and was highly valued by the leader.