002 The true nature of the Genie is a replication machine

"To grant wishes? Taking over my body was also to fulfill my desire?" Orochimaru sneered, his tone laced with mockery.

"That’s easy enough to explain. By proving I can do as I please with you, I can dispel some of your unnecessary suspicions," the Lamp God replied gently. "To realize your wish, we must cooperate fully, and trust is the foundation of everything."

"I don’t understand." Doubt flashed in Orochimaru’s eyes; this Lamp God was not quite as he had imagined.

"Every wish comes at a price," the Lamp God explained patiently. "In my world, a god who delays the price and then takes everything from the wisher after their wish is granted is called a dark god. One who pays the price himself, bearing all the loss for another’s wish, is a fool. I am different from both; I provide information and let the wisher achieve their desire on their own."

Hearing such an explanation for the first time, Orochimaru fell into deep thought.

After a moment, he asked, "Then what price must I pay for the 'information' about immortality?"

"There is no price."

"No price?"

"Or rather, the process of achieving immortality is the price you pay," the Lamp God chuckled softly. "Along the way, you will create information, create knowledge, rather than deplete my power."

Orochimaru mulled this over. This Lamp God was more like an investor than the gods he had envisioned—always profiting, whether Orochimaru succeeded or failed. Of course, he himself would not lose out, as long as the Lamp God's information was correct.

The Lamp God sensed the shifting in Orochimaru’s mind. He knew that, unless the facts were undeniable, this careful and suspicious serpent would never fully let down his guard. Still, reaching this level of understanding was enough for now; it would not hinder their cooperation.

The Lamp God smiled slightly and introduced a new topic. "Orochimaru, what is the immortality you seek?"

"Is it an undying universe and an eternal spirit?"

"Or is it to live as long as the planet itself?"

"Or perhaps simply to be undying, to live until the end of the human age?"

Orochimaru’s heart stirred; he wanted to say that, for now, his goal was simply to not die. The Living Corpse Reincarnation, though limited, was the most accessible path.

Yet, hearing the Lamp God—who had lowered himself to claim partnership—speak with such grandeur, to choose the third option would have seemed petty. Orochimaru did not want to appear small-minded, nor did he want his words at this moment to become his ultimate goal.

"There’s no need to answer yet," the Lamp God said softly. "Better to see the heights reached by your predecessors in the Shinobi World, and then decide. As it happens, there’s a great drama tonight."

...

Under the cover of darkness, a figure darted through the Forest of Death, leaving deep footprints in the tree trunks. Man and lamp were on their way to witness the secret of Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage, with the Lamp God controlling the body.

Orochimaru calmly observed his body’s movements. The Lamp God was not using the typical ninja tree-walking technique, but instead the Body Flicker Technique—the same one Orochimaru had used to evade the Lamp God’s attack. The force, the distance, the chakra expenditure—everything was measured with precision.

In other words, the Lamp God was repeating Orochimaru’s own actions, demonstrating the cost he could extract in helping Orochimaru attain immortality.

Orochimaru recalled the failed bloodline body from earlier that night, a heat rising in his chest. If the Lamp God could replicate his actions, he could surely replicate others’ as well.

The road to immortality was still far, but the shortcut to mastering other bloodline techniques was right at his feet.

"Regrettably, I cannot do that," the Lamp God replied to Orochimaru’s anticipation. "I can copy your actions because we have a contract. Until the contractor dies or it’s impossible to fulfill the wish, I cannot change contractors."

"However, some powers owned by my former contractors could be replicated through you."

Doused with cold water, Orochimaru’s spirits flared anew. He had already learned that this Lamp God was not of this world, nor was this his first contract.

Another world, another contractor’s wealth—now that was something to anticipate.

"But for now, I will not do so."

Orochimaru frowned slightly. "Why not?"

"That is wealth I acquired from another world; it belongs to me. Why would you think I’d give it to you so easily?"

"But you copied my abilities."

"That’s not a transaction," the Lamp God said lazily. "Everything you possess now isn’t a bargaining chip; I can acquire it without trading for it."

Hearing such shameless words, Orochimaru fell silent. He suddenly realized that, though the Lamp God was more approachable than most dark gods, he was also more shrewd, unwilling to let go of any advantage until absolutely necessary.

"Wait a moment, Lamp God. You can’t perfectly use the Body Flicker Technique," Orochimaru said, a smile appearing on his face. "Just now, it seemed you could only replicate techniques I had already used."

"Correct; I never pretended otherwise," the Lamp God replied unconcernedly. "You can’t operate in this world without using your own abilities. Soon, your every move, even your sinister laughter, I’ll be able to replicate."

"Then I’m at ease," Orochimaru replied coolly. General chakra refining techniques, control skills, even basic elemental jutsu aside, forbidden techniques like the Eight-Headed Serpent Art could be withheld for bargaining. As long as he didn’t use them, he could keep them as trade goods.

Orochimaru’s shifting thoughts were plain to see, and the Lamp God smiled inwardly. Why feel so triumphant? The only reason you have bargaining power is because I haven’t bothered to take it.

Knowledge, while in the hands of its possessor, costs nothing to copy. Yet, sown as a seed, it might one day blossom unexpectedly. Even if Orochimaru had nothing to trade, the Lamp God would grant him otherworldly knowledge, as he had never been stingy with sharing—so long as it led to new discoveries.

But what comes too easily is seldom cherished. As a battle-hardened Lamp God, he would not make that mistake. Moreover, replicating knowledge was not without cost; Orochimaru’s body might not withstand it.

...

With their own thoughts hidden, the man and the lamp quickly arrived at the site of the Fourth Hokage’s secret.

An inverted crimson bowl-shaped barrier covered the area, and crowds of onlookers had gathered, with Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, at their head.

Controlled by the Lamp God, Orochimaru’s pace was swift, arriving just in time for the most touching and dramatic moment.

As a mother, Kushina Uzumaki was using her last strength to unleash the Adamantine Sealing Chains, temporarily restraining the Nine-Tails. Meanwhile, Minato Namikaze, to give his wife and son a chance to meet again in the future, had summoned the Reaper at the cost of his life, intending to seal half the Nine-Tails and Kushina’s chakra within Naruto.

Even Orochimaru was shaken by the scene. Though he lacked an omniscient perspective and could not guess Minato’s true intention, it was clear that with this, Minato and Kushina were doomed.

"Save your sentiments for later. I didn’t bring you here to watch a tearful farewell," the Lamp God said, guiding Orochimaru’s hand to point behind Minato. "You seek immortality, and before you stands an immortal."