Chapter 0090: Other Methods of Cultivation

… Beneath the stage, among the gathered rulers, one of them deliberately wore a look of astonishment, even engaging in conversation with those beside him, mimicking the reactions of the others. In truth, he was White Zetsu of the Akatsuki, whose Wood Release: Transformation Technique was so flawless that not even the Byakugan could detect his disguise. Because of the importance of this banquet, members of the Hyuga Clan had been assigned to verify identities; no one would have expected that an outsider could infiltrate under such scrutiny.

Outwardly, White Zetsu conversed with the other rulers, feigning surprise, while in reality, he was using Uchiha Itachi’s ocular art to communicate covertly with other Akatsuki members. “Hey, did you hear that? Orochimaru is actually going to reveal the secret to obtaining the Rinnegan. Does this mean we can have it too? Black Zetsu, maybe we don’t need to steal anything anymore.”

Other Akatsuki members, also using White Zetsu’s transformation, mingled among the rulers. Black Zetsu responded, “Shut up. Who knows if Orochimaru is telling the truth? Besides, we want more than just the Rinnegan; we need the Ten Tails’ shell. The Eye of the Moon Plan must proceed.”

Truth be told, Black Zetsu was exhausted. Ever since Orochimaru’s sudden rise, all his schemes had been ruined. Even his previously chosen vessel for his ‘mother,’ Uchiha Madara, was now missing and possibly dead. Orochimaru had become his nemesis.

To this day, he still hadn’t found a suitable replacement for Uchiha Madara. As for Uchiha Itachi, while his strength was sufficient, his body was unsuitable; what Black Zetsu needed was a Jinchuriki of the Ten Tails, someone with Otsutsuki lineage, and Itachi did not fit those requirements.

White Zetsu fell silent, mainly because even if Black Zetsu gave up on stealing the Rinnegan, it would make no difference—this operation was being led by Uchiha Itachi, whose only goal was to kill Orochimaru.

Itachi sought vengeance for those who had perished in the Leaf.

In reality, Itachi no longer belonged in the Akatsuki, but his desire to kill Orochimaru aligned with Black Zetsu’s goal of seizing Orochimaru’s secrets. As a result, Black Zetsu played mediator, and Itachi led the Akatsuki effectively. Not only that, but Sasuke, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, and a taijutsu prodigy had all joined as well.

The Akatsuki’s current strength was formidable.

As they conversed, Orochimaru announced the second gift.

“My second gift for you all is the method to become a Jinchuriki,” Orochimaru said, a subtle smile curving his lips.

This second gift immediately sparked another wave of fervent discussion among the rulers. Jinchuriki were weapons of war.

Moreover, it was clear that the great nations understood Jinchuriki far better than the Rinnegan; in their minds, Jinchuriki represented the pinnacle of power in the shinobi world.

Such power could change the balance of the world.

“A Jinchuriki… can be cultivated as well?”

“But I thought there were only nine tailed beasts.”

“Does that mean only nine can be created?”

“Regardless of whether it’s true, we need to obtain this method…”

…

In the crowd, White Zetsu again spoke quietly to Black Zetsu: “Look, even the method for creating Jinchuriki has surfaced. Do we really need to steal from Orochimaru? I think if you just wait for this training method to become widespread, we might still be able to complete the Eye of the Moon Plan. Only, if Rinnegan becomes as common as dirt, maybe your Infinite Tsukuyomi will be useless…”

Black Zetsu snapped, “Shut up! Orochimaru is just toying with people. Even if he truly has a method for creating Jinchuriki, does he have the Nine-Tails? You know the kid with the Nine-Tails is in our Akatsuki.”

Hidden in the crowd, Naruto let out a cold snort at that moment.

Likewise, Kabuto Yakushi harbored the same doubts as Black Zetsu. He had no idea if the Jinchuriki method was complete, but he was certain that they did not have the Nine-Tails.

The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki had defected long ago, and they had no sample of it.

Orochimaru, fully aware of the implications, gave a knowing, faint smile. “The Nine-Tails is already here.”

Kabuto nodded, though he didn’t quite understand, but as long as Orochimaru was confident, he asked no further questions.

Once the guests had digested this revelation, Orochimaru announced the third gift.

“The third gift I present to you is Sage Mode.”

This third gift did not spark much reaction below, mainly because the rulers had never heard of Sage Mode; they only knew of the Rinnegan and Jinchuriki.

The Akatsuki members hidden among the crowd, however, understood, but even they couldn’t fathom Orochimaru’s intentions.

Each of these three gifts represented the pinnacle of modern shinobi power. What was Orochimaru planning? A nation of shinobi?

Moreover, all three cultivation methods were extremely difficult. Could Orochimaru really produce them on a mass scale?

There must be a plot—an enormous plot!

Orochimaru then demonstrated the method for attaining Sage Mode. Unlike the first two, which simply required ingesting special pills, this one involved receiving a vaccine. Anyone inoculated would develop a mark on their arm.

This mark would remain for life.

At the same time, it was this mark that contained the method of absorbing natural energy. When the recipient reached a certain level of mastery, they could freely activate or deactivate the mark, drawing in nature energy at will, thus achieving an artificial Sage Mode.

Among the Akatsuki, Black Zetsu was the first to notice something amiss.

“I understand now!” Black Zetsu exclaimed.

White Zetsu asked, “Understand what?”

Black Zetsu replied, “Have you realized something? Assuming everything Orochimaru says is true, all the core technology remains in his hands.”

White Zetsu was puzzled, “Isn’t that how it should be?”

Black Zetsu explained, “Think about it. If Orochimaru truly intends to disseminate these three methods, it proves he possesses immense technical prowess. It would be easy for him to embed a little trick in each technique’s core, wouldn’t it?”

White Zetsu was still confused. “What are you trying to say?”

Black Zetsu said bitterly, “Isn’t it possible… that Orochimaru is taking a cut? Skimming off a portion of everyone’s cultivated power? Or perhaps, for anyone who pursues any of these three paths, he has a backdoor to control them all…”

At Black Zetsu’s words, White Zetsu pondered carefully; it was indeed possible. If Orochimaru built a backdoor into every technique, he could extract or control the practitioners’ power at will—a real threat.

White Zetsu suddenly realized, if over two hundred million civilians undertook these paths, just how terrifying would Orochimaru’s strength become, as the one in control?

It would be as if over two hundred million people were helping him cultivate!

Black Zetsu’s voice was cold and sinister, “This is our one and only chance.”

His heart was filled with bitterness. It was as if, when his mother was finally resurrected, she would awaken to a world utterly transformed: Rinnegan everywhere, Jinchuriki on every street corner. She would surely be shocked beyond belief…

On the stage, Orochimaru continued, “Now, I will demonstrate the first gift for you all.”

He waved his hand, and Guren—dressed alluringly and striking in high heels—stepped up, carrying three vials, each a different color: red, yellow, and blue.

“To make the effects more apparent, these three vials have been meticulously prepared for rapid results.”

Orochimaru’s gaze suddenly shifted to the two children standing to the side, one blond, the other dark-haired.

“You two, who would like to be the lucky one to assist me by drinking these three vials?”

Everyone’s attention turned to the blond and the dark-haired boy; they instantly became the focus of all eyes.