Orochimaru's Desire for Completion

As Rasa finished speaking, Orochimaru added his own explanation.

The Hidden Sand Village and Konoha Village members were as if they had heard a myth or legend, and they were unable to calm down for a long time.

"Lord Kazekage, may I demonstrate your current power?"

A Hidden Sand Village ninja looked at Rasa and asked.

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone present felt an immense aura rising from Rasa's body.

Everyone felt an indescribable pressure, as if they had returned to the time a year ago when the Sage of Six Paths descended.

This is, of course, everyone's misconception.

It's like looking up at a building hundreds of meters tall; you can't see the top at all, you can only feel that it has reached straight into the clouds.

If this building, which is several hundred meters tall, were replaced with a building that is ten thousand meters tall, people below would not notice any difference.

Its top is also hidden above the clouds.

It was all because he was too short to clearly distinguish between the two.

Those present couldn't tell the difference, but at least they understood one thing: Rasa's strength had far surpassed their own, reaching another level.

The Hidden Sand Village ninja were immediately overjoyed; with the Lord Kazekage so powerful, there was truly nothing to worry about anymore.

After discussing a few minor matters, the meeting adjourned.

Rasa naturally set off directly back to Hidden Sand Village, while Orochimaru went to find Kabuto again.

Orochimaru, no longer influenced by Kotoamatsukami, had no desire to establish his own power base.

Having already positioned himself against the Sage of Six Paths, why would he choose to go independent? Does he have a death wish?

Since both Hidden Sand Village and Konoha have chosen to stick together, it's better for me to blend in and hide in the back.

"Kou-kun, I've got some good stuff for you!"

As he spoke, Orochimaru extended his hand to Kabuto.

The year spent in the Shinobi World wasn't wasted; they've also mastered quite a bit of the ingenious uses of true energy.

Seeing Orochimaru's outstretched hand, Kabuto naturally understood what it meant and reached out to shake hands tightly with Orochimaru.

The two separated almost immediately upon contact.

However, Kabuto had already obtained a large amount of information, all of which were Orochimaru's experimental records.

From the God Tree Organization to the eventual cultivation of rice capable of absorbing Natural Energy on its own.

Orochimaru told Kabuto everything, down to the smallest detail.

Of course, Orochimaru only kept experimental records; he didn't reveal anything else about what happened within the past six months.

For example, he has already broken free from the Kotoamatsukami.

The information was overwhelming. Kabuto stood there with his eyes closed for a long time, and only after gaining a preliminary understanding of the process did he realize what Orochimaru had given him.

As Orochimaru said, it's a good thing, a good thing whose value is immeasurable.

The God Tree is indeed gone from the Shinobi World today, and many things are completely different from what they were two thousand years ago.

Copying it verbatim is impossible, but while the Shinobi World may not have the God Tree, Shinobi World still has the Tailed Beast!

Aren't the Tailed Beast just a low-budget version of the God Tree?

It still absorbs Natural Energy and transforms it into Chakra, but instead of nourishing the fruit, it nourishes the Sage of Six Paths.

Often, when researching this kind of thing, it's not that we're afraid of difficulties, but rather that we're afraid of having no direction.

Orochimaru's research has proven its feasibility; as long as we follow his line of thought and make slight modifications during the process, we can quickly reproduce that kind of rice.

As long as the direction is correct, the result may be slightly off, but it won't be too far off.

After figuring it out, a hint of excitement appeared in Dou's previously somber eyes.

"Judging from your expression, you already know what to do. So the rest is up to you, Kabuto!"

Orochimaru wore a kind smile, exactly the same as when he was under the influence of Kotoamatsukami.

Upon hearing Orochimaru's words, Kabuto asked with a hint of doubt.

"Senior, aren't you going to join in?"

With Orochimaru involved, the research progress would be incredibly rapid. Kabuto didn't understand why Orochimaru's words implied that he didn't intend to participate.

"No, I have more important things to take care of!"

"Can't it be postponed?"

"Cannot!"

Sensing the unwavering determination in Orochimaru's eyes, Kabuto stopped trying to dissuade him.

"This isn't something that can't be done without Orochimaru," Kabuto said after a brief silence.

"I understand, senior!"

The two then parted ways.

Orochimaru then left Rōran alone, and after determining his direction, headed towards the Land of Rice Paddies.

The more important thing he mentioned was about himself.

Returning to two thousand years ago and stealthily reaching the God Tree —such an incredible opportunity— Orochimaru spent most of his time researching it.

Does Orochimaru not understand the importance of power?

No, that's not true!

Orochimaru also wanted to be like Rasa, focusing on his training. Even if he still needed to do research, he should put more of his energy into training.

Moreover, Orochimaru knew perfectly well that the only things that could be brought back, besides memories, were power.

The reason for all this is simply that Orochimaru has reached his limit, not the limit of his body, but the limit of his soul.

True essence is not Chakra, nor is it borrowed power. Why did the Sage of Six Paths, who was so powerful, not create a clone to guard the Shinobi World and better execute his plans, but instead use Asura and Indra as backup plans?

Why did Kaguya only separate Black Zetsu before the seal was fully formed, without giving Black Zetsu any power?

That's because, in order to bear more power and evolve to a higher level, there can be no flaws whatsoever.

Neither the soul nor the body can be flawed, and the soul is the most fundamental.

Orochimaru was young and ignorant, and he recklessly abused his own soul. Apart from being unable to resist mental attacks, he also severed his own path to a higher level.

Orochimaru is no longer whole.

The important thing he mentioned was to quickly make himself whole again.