After dealing with Sasori, Akimichi Denji turned to Orochimaru beside him.
Orochimaru had already released Impure World Reincarnation and dismissed Manda's summoning, and stood respectfully to one side.
Denji's Kotoamatsukami had already planted a subconscious directive in him: Denji's interests came first, and his benefit was paramount.
There was no question that Orochimaru was a formidable fighter, but his greatest asset was his unparalleled scientific mind.
In the original story, he had created snake-based ninjutsu, Living Corpse Reincarnation, and other techniques.
He had also developed the Heaven-and-Earth Cursed Seal based on Jugo's natural energy state.
He had even unraveled an ultimate Sealing Jutsu like the Reaper Death Seal.
Was there anyone better suited than Orochimaru to researching how to break the Caged Bird?
As for why Orochimaru had switched sides...
Akimichi Denji rubbed his somewhat weary eyes.
There were only a handful of ways to counter Impure World Reincarnation: sealing, six paths power, or Kotoamatsukami.
And wouldn't you know it?
He happened to have a pair of Kotoamatsukami eyes.
He hadn't used Kotoamatsukami on the Eight-Tails earlier because everything had still been under control.
Kotoamatsukami's cooldown was far too long, starting at ten years per use. It was such a precious trump card that he didn't want to waste an opportunity carelessly.
To him, the Eight-Tails was merely a battery.
Orochimaru was different. His strength wasn't what made him valuable.
It was his research ability. Bringing this mad scientist under his command would yield immeasurable long-term benefits.
After weighing it all up, he reached a conclusion: Orochimaru, it looks like I really do need to control you!
For all Orochimaru's calculations, he could never have anticipated that Denji possessed Kotoamatsukami.
In that brief encounter when Denji rushed over and raised his hand to push down the coffin lid, he had