Chapter Ten: Setting Out for Hell Valley

...Orochimaru finally returned to the Sound Village with the group of captives in tow, the procession stretching grandly and astonishing the ninja guarding the gates.

“They really managed to conquer the Leaf Village!”

“We'd heard the news, but seeing it with our own eyes is truly shocking!”

“I see someone I know—let me go over and mock him a bit!”

In the past, the Sound Village had interacted with the Leaf, their ninjas clashing on more than one occasion. Back then, the Leaf was the most powerful of all the hidden villages, proud in its might.

But now, at last, they could openly deride their old foes. The Sound Village was livelier than ever before.

“Kabuto, I'll leave these prisoners to you. Handle them as usual.”

“Yes.”

The rules of the Sound Village were not much different from those of other ninja villages; within its borders, all appeared harmonious on the surface. Yet, there was one crucial difference: only one power existed in the entire village, and Orochimaru alone had the final say.

Anyone who dared harbor disloyalty or cause trouble would become material for his experiments, wrung of their last worth. The peace of the Sound Village was built entirely upon Orochimaru’s absolute authority.

“Peace, is it... To achieve true peace, there is still some way to go,” Orochimaru mused, shaking his head.

Before his rebirth, Orochimaru had witnessed peace, though it was a peace founded on the existence of a common enemy. At that time, the five great ninja villages—once bitter rivals—had, for the first time, united.

But what happened after the enemy was gone? With different economies and systems, the large nations would inevitably clash over time, giving rise to endless conflicts.

War would surely return—unless the entire world became a single nation.

...

After returning to the Sound Village, Orochimaru kept to himself, once again delving into the study of the Sharingan and Byakugan. In his previous life, he had focused solely on the Sharingan, halting his research at the eye-transplantation stage and neglecting the deeper mysteries, missing much in the process.

For instance, he had never considered the relationship between the Sharingan and the Rinnegan. At that time, he thought: why not simply replace his body with that of a Uchiha? Wouldn’t that grant him all their power? Why bother with further research, when a body-switch would suffice?

But now he had changed his mind. Body replacement required adaptation and restricted his growth in strength—it was never truly his own. To break through his current limits, he needed his own body, one capable of growth.

“So… this means I must give up my current method of immortality.”

Orochimaru’s own immortality technique had its flaws, restricting the growth of his power. Yet he knew of three people who had achieved true immortality.

The first was Kaguya Otsutsuki. No matter her strength, she could not be killed—only sealed away. Hers was the most flawless form of immortality known.

The second was Kakuzu of the Akatsuki. His longevity was tied to heart transplants, a method with too many shortcomings—worse, even, than Orochimaru’s own.

The third was Hidan of the Akatsuki. Hidan’s immortality had its origin in an experiment conducted by the cult of Jashin, held in the Valley of Hell—a place with red hot springs that preserved human bones from decay.

“The Clan of the Blood Pool also resides in the Valley of Hell.”

Suddenly, Orochimaru realized something crucial. The Clan of the Blood Pool wielded blood-based techniques, and after Hidan’s experiment, he too gained a curse technique fueled by blood.

“So, Hidan’s ability is, in fact, derived from the Clan of the Blood Pool!”

A spark of excitement flashed in Orochimaru’s eyes. To be precise, Hidan’s powers came from the Valley’s hot springs and the Blood Pool Clan. As for his undying body, aside from its inability to heal itself, it seemed to have no other flaws.

“This is a promising avenue for research into immortality.”

The secrets of undying bodies and ocular bloodlines would be the focus of his research for some time.

...

A week passed in the blink of an eye.

Wearing a white lab coat, Orochimaru carefully filled a test tube with a golden liquid, murmuring, “That will do.”

Kabuto took the tube and asked, “Will we test this directly on Might Guy?”

Orochimaru removed his coat and gloves, replying, “No, we’ll find a test subject first. The golden serum is extremely potent and its effects are unknown. There is only one Might Guy, after all.”

Kabuto nodded, carefully labeling and storing the serum.

“Might Guy, who can open the Eight Gates—even Madara Uchiha must avoid his onslaught. If I grant him this golden-body ability, what will happen then?”

Orochimaru looked forward to the day Guy would once again face Madara Uchiha.

Kabuto asked, “Lord Orochimaru, are you departing now?”

Orochimaru nodded. “Yes, go make the preparations.”

Over the past week, Orochimaru had shed his form within Hinata and returned his true self from the shape of a white snake to a human body. The white serpent form was best suited for his rebirth technique but was ill-suited for daily life; he needed a human shape.

His research into the eyes was temporarily stalled, as it was a long-term endeavor with no instant results. Immortality, however, now seemed within reach.

He would need to go to the Valley of Hell to pursue it further.

With his spare time, Orochimaru had developed the golden-body serum, which would grant its user temporary invulnerability—a preparation made specifically for Might Guy.

When Guy opened all Eight Gates, he faced two problems: the strain on his body and the inevitable collapse that followed. The answer to the latter might be found after this journey to the Valley of Hell.

...

After finishing his tasks, Kabuto entered another room, where a man lay hooked to numerous tubes.

“Cough, cough… Can I… cough… be of use to Lord Orochimaru again? Cough…”

Kabuto quickly stepped forward, checked Kimimaro’s condition, and injected a vial into his arm.

“This serum can only temporarily suppress your illness. You can’t use your abilities anymore—each use risks a relapse, and the result would be death.”

Kimimaro smiled faintly, unafraid. “If I can help Lord Orochimaru, what is there to fear in death?”

Kabuto shook his head helplessly. “You’ll accompany Lord Orochimaru to the Valley of Hell this time. There are no enemies there, and perhaps your illness can be cured.”

At these words, a hint of joy flickered in Kimimaro’s eyes. “Cured? Then I could be of use to Lord Orochimaru for even longer.”

...

The Valley of Hell lay in the Land of Hot Springs, neighboring the Land of Fields where the Sound Village was located. The journey would not take long.

For this trip, only two would go: Orochimaru and Kimimaro.

At the village gates, Orochimaru said, “Kabuto, I’ll leave the Sound Village in your hands. Quell the unrest caused by ten thousand prisoners as quickly as possible. As for governance, you may consult my teacher—he will assist you.”

“You mean the Third Hokage?”

Kabuto bowed. “Understood.”

Orochimaru nodded.

As he was about to depart, Guren suddenly appeared before them.

“What is it?” he asked.

Guren replied, “Lord Orochimaru, the four great ninja villages have announced the location of their summit. It will be held in the Land of Iron, the samurai nation, and the topic is the sanctioning of the Sound Village.”

“Oh, the Four Kage Summit,” Orochimaru murmured, a distant light flashing in his eyes. It reminded him of the Five Kage Summit in his memories, that time held to unite against Akatsuki.

But now, it was four kage—against him.

He chuckled softly.

“In that case, prepare the troops. We’re going to war.”

To change the ninja world, one must begin by overturning it.