Imperial Capital, Imperial Palace.
Chiba sat upon the supreme throne.
He propped his chin on one hand and looked down at the empty grand hall.
Extremely faint footsteps came from the entrance.
The visitor wore dark purple boots and a pure black robe symbolizing the highest authority of the Imperial Research Department.
"Your Majesty."
Orochimaru stopped nine steps below the throne.
Without hesitation, he dropped to one knee and performed the most formal salute of a subject.
Chiba raised his eyes slightly.
After breaking through to the Six Paths Realm,
his perception had already surpassed the bounds of humanity.
Even without activating Sage Mode, he could clearly see the flow of Chakra within Orochimaru's body.
Orochimaru's body looked even younger than it had three years ago.
"Judging by your expression, you have good news?"
Chiba's tone was calm.
Orochimaru raised his head.
An unhealthy flush spread across his pale face.
Then,
he took out a sealed test tube made of special crystal.
Within it flowed a deep blue potion, like liquid starlight.
"Thanks to Your Majesty's blessing."
"Immortality Elixir No. 1 is complete."
Orochimaru looked at the vial as though he were looking at a Deity he had conceived.
Chiba casually beckoned.
The crystal test tube left Orochimaru's palm and floated steadily before Chiba.
Through the crystal,
Chiba could sense the terrifying life force contained within.
It was a miracle refined and extracted countless times from his Six Paths Realm cells and blood.
Back when Chiba had broken through his limits and stepped into the Six Paths Realm,
he had keenly sensed the leap in his level of life.
The lifespan of someone in the Six Paths Realm far exceeded the limits of ordinary ninja, reaching at least several centuries.
Naturally, he had no need for any immortality elixir.
But