Never Reaching the Six Paths, Forever an Insect

Orochimaru's pupils contracted at the sight. He sensed a threat unlike any he had ever faced.

With a roar, he threw up his final defense: "Sage Art: Five Styles: Kekkei Mōra Great Wall!"

Ice Style, Lava Style, Magnet Style... Every Kekkei Genkai power he possessed layered together in an instant, forming an indestructible wall of dazzling colors before him.

Boom! Three laser beams slammed head-on into the Sage Art wall Orochimaru had hastily raised!

Through the smoke from the violent explosion, Orochimaru stared at the Land of Earth Person with fear and fierce curiosity in his eyes. He gave a raspy laugh.

"Heh! So that was the power of Talismans? It seemed the mysteries awaiting me in cloning ran even deeper than I imagined!"

With that, he gave the Land of Earth Person one last look. His body broke apart into countless white snakes that slipped into the river below and vanished.

On a distant cliff, Dr. Kinos had watched the entire battle.

"Orochimaru was a genius. He pushed scientific Ninjutsu to unprecedented heights all on his own."

"He could combine countless Kekkei Genkai and wield Nature Energy. At this point, his power had probably come infinitely close to that of the Sage of Six Paths."

He paused, a trace of regret in his voice.

"But unfortunately, that final step was an uncrossable chasm."

"No matter how many external powers he amassed or how extensively he altered himself, he never understood that the true heart of Six Paths Power lay in creation and unity, not mere devouring and accumulation."

"Ah! Without reaching the Six Paths, one remained an insect. This was the end of his path, a limit no mortal effort could overcome!"

The Canopy Screen's vision ended there.

In his underground laboratory, Orochimaru watched his future self, who had