Otogakure: Orochimaru

The Land of Fields' Otogakure was a village Orochimaru founded after leaving Konohagakure. Its symbol, an eighth note, was carved onto its ninja headbands.

The ninjas in the village all used sound-based jutsu to attack. It was anyone's guess which school the techniques came from.

In the original story, Otogakure once joined forces with Sunagakure to attack Konoha, but they ultimately failed.

"Shisui, welcome to Otogakure. I've been expecting you for some time." Outside the village, Orochimaru, who had already received word from Danzo, greeted the weary Shisui Uchiha at the entrance.

"Orochimaru... sir."

Shisui saw that Orochimaru was wearing a loose gray kimono today. Clearly, he was in a fairly good mood.

As one of the Sannin, already famous during the Second Shinobi World War, Orochimaru deserved Shisui's respect.

"Shisui, you're so talented, yet so humble. You're certainly far better than your clansmen."

As one of Konoha's commanders during the Shinobi World Wars, Orochimaru had naturally led quite a few Uchiha Clan ninjas.

But it was obvious he didn't think much of Shisui's clansmen.

That fit the Uchiha Clan's reputation, at least.

"Lord Orochimaru, I'm a little hungry. I heard the game here is delicious. I wonder if I might have the chance to try some."

Shisui was genuinely hungry when he said this. After traveling all the way from Kirigakure, he just wanted to relax.

"I'm afraid I've been a poor host. This way, Shisui." Orochimaru promptly called over a Sound Ninja and sent him off to make arrangements.

At this point in time, Orochimaru had already begun pursuing immortality, but he hadn't yet endured the many blows that would come later.

Not yet forty, Orochimaru had not performed Living Corpse Reincarnation, and his mental state wasn't as extreme and twisted as it would become.

"Lord Orochimaru, did Danzo tell you why I came?" Shisui walked alongside Orochimaru through Otogakure, making small talk.

"That old fool Danzo told me you had something I'd be interested in. In exchange, I'd have to share the results of my experiments and research with you." Orochimaru turned his head, his pale yellow, slit-pupil eyes scrutinizing Shisui.

Danzo knew what Orochimaru was researching. That meant Shisui had something that could help Orochimaru achieve immortality.

Shisui had asked even though he already knew the answer to see whether Danzo had any ulterior motives and whether he needed to guard against him.

Kotoamatsukami's effects were astonishing, but Shisui never underestimated anyone. Who knew if there was someone in this world capable of countering it?

Seeing the yearning in Orochimaru's eyes, Shisui didn't waste time. He took out a scroll containing a sealed White Zetsu.

"Puff."

A cloud of white smoke dispersed as the scroll's seal was released, revealing a White Zetsu corpse before them.

To avoid revealing anything about himself, Shisui had chosen to end the White Zetsu's life in advance.

"What a vigorous body." The moment he saw the White Zetsu, Orochimaru became like a curious child, examining it thoroughly with both hands.

"I presume this body also contains Hashirama Cells?"

As someone who had once been one of the main researchers studying Hashirama Cells alongside Danzo, Orochimaru was highly attuned to their life force.

"As expected of Lord Orochimaru. This creature, called a White Zetsu, was indeed injected with Hashirama Cells. But there's more to it than that."

Shisui knew that White Zetsu had originally been human beings caught in the Infinite Tsukuyomi. Through a series of coincidences, some White Zetsu had surpassed the human lifespan limit, allowing them to survive from ancient times to the present.

Orochimaru, who had also noticed something unusual, looked up at Shisui, a meaningful smile on his face.

"So Shisui and I are alike after all." Orochimaru looked Shisui up and down as though he were seeing him for the first time.

Shisui knew Orochimaru had misunderstood him, but he didn't intend to explain. Instead, he delivered another bombshell.

"This creature called a White Zetsu has lived for over a thousand years. I hope to receive something of equal value in exchange."

"What? Over a thousand years? Are you sure?" Orochimaru was nearly stunned senseless.

At that moment, the door to immortality cracked open for him.

He gripped Shisui's shoulders tightly, his slit-pupil eyes fixed on Shisui's.

If Shisui showed even the slightest sign of lying, Orochimaru would attack him at once.

Facing an Orochimaru on the verge of losing control, Shisui remained calm and said, "Every word I've said is true. I hope you'll give me an equal exchange in return."

"Ha... Hahaha... Ahahahahahaha!"

After confirming the value of the white creature before him, Orochimaru couldn't help but burst into laughter. He laughed without restraint, giving full vent to his excitement.

Once he'd let his joy run its course, Orochimaru gradually calmed down and looked at Shisui with satisfaction. "Tell me, what do you want?"

After spending so much time and effort, Shisui stated his terms.

"I need you to help me transplant Hashirama Cells. Not the grafting Danzo has, but a perfect fusion between the Hashirama Cells and my body."

That was right: Shisui had no interest in Danzo's body. The Hashirama Cells inside him were unstable. Shisui even looked down on the state Obito had been in during his previous life.

"Shisui, since you've made this request, you should know that no one in the world has ever perfectly fused with Hashirama Cells." Orochimaru instinctively licked his lips. For a mad scientist like him, Shisui's request was a fascinating challenge.

With the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi's tacit approval, Orochimaru and Danzo had once conducted countless Hashirama Cell transplant experiments on members of the Senju Clan.

Most of the test subjects burst apart as soon as the Hashirama Cells were implanted, unable to withstand their violent energy.

The only survivor, Yamato, could use only a rudimentary Wood Release to build houses. He was nowhere near even a thousandth as powerful as Hashirama Senju.

"If it weren't challenging, I wouldn't have come to you, Lord Orochimaru," Shisui replied confidently, and his confidence rubbed off on Orochimaru.

"Hahahahaha, Shisui, you really are fascinating." If he gave up whenever he faced difficulty, what would be the point of pursuing immortality?

Orochimaru stuck out his long, slick tongue again and licked his lips, gazing at Shisui with interest.

Feeling Orochimaru's gaze settle on him, Shisui felt a little uneasy.

It wasn't that Shisui doubted his own strength. Orochimaru had simply looked so disgusting just now.