Nagato watched, with a sense of bewilderment, as Orochimaru eagerly prepared to cut into the Demonic Statue of Outer Path.
Their differences were not just in power. Their perspectives and their actions were vastly different.
If it were him, he would never have thought of dissecting the Demonic Statue of Outer Path.
Even knowing it wouldn't cause any harm, such an idea... could only come from a certain kind of mind.
"Roar..."
As if sensing a threat, the Demonic Statue of Outer Path, in its semi-dormant state, suddenly opened the giant eye on its forehead and let out a low growl.
Nagato tilted his head slightly, purple light swirling in his eyes, easily suppressing the statue's agitation.
The Rinnegan wasn't just a weapon for the Otsutsuki clan's conquests; it was also a control console for their 'tools.' It could easily make them defy their instincts and willingly offer up their hard-earned chakra. Cutting off a recoverable toe was nothing in comparison.
"Very good..."
Orochimaru nodded slightly, gripping the spiral scalpel and moving it forward. The shallow blue blade instantly pierced the thick, bark-like outer layer.
Sparks flew, wood chips scattered, and a grating, teeth-aching sound echoed as the scalpel dug deeper, the inner layers proving increasingly tough.
Even though the Demonic Statue of Outer Path's consciousness was muddled and its intelligence fragmented, the excruciating pain, akin to torture, stirred a desire to resist. It roared repeatedly at Orochimaru.
Yet, despite this, it maintained its seated posture, making no other movement.
"Quite an astonishing restraint."
Orochimaru glanced at Nagato, who was applying pressure to the statue, a smile playing on his lips. "It seems further testing is unnecessary."
The test had already begun.
Had Nagato shown even the slightest strain, Orochimaru would have had a reason to exert greater control over the statue, not just settling for a toe, or for Nagato's cooperation in his experiments.
While it was regretful, it was also a relief. The Otsutsuki clan's control over their 'tools' was truly awe-inspiring.
After all, in terms of both life-level and sheer power, Nagato was no match for the Demonic Statue of Outer Path.
Yet, he could use just one Rinnegan, unleashing its power, to completely restrain it. Even the natural predator-prey dynamic wasn't this absolute. It was so effective... it was truly frightening.
Of course, putting it that way, it was beneficial to him, at least for now.
Licking his lips, Orochimaru stopped testing the statue's endurance and increased the force, cutting off the toe.
Bang!
A pillar, at least ten feet tall, crashed down, kicking up dust and debris.
Orochimaru then cut it into twelve pieces, sealing each into a scroll.
Noticing the confusion in Nagato and Konan's eyes, Orochimaru smiled. "We'll test these later. Before that, let's focus on the Demonic Statue of Outer Path. From your expression, you seem to know very little about it."
Nagato paused for a moment, a flicker of thought crossing his eyes.
In the past, the contract with the Demonic Statue of Outer Path had been an immense burden, almost draining his very essence. He had no desire to explore or understand it, his subconscious even carrying a sense of avoidance.
This situation only improved after the transplant surgery, but immediately after, he had to familiarize himself with his new power and engage in battles with Orochimaru.
And after the war between them ended, he was busy collecting the Tailed Beasts and sealing them within the Demonic Statue of Outer Path...
Truth be told, he had summoned the Demonic Statue of Outer Path for several years, even decades, but for various reasons, he had never attempted to understand it.
Nagato felt a spark of interest at Orochimaru's proposal. This was truly an opportunity. Even if something went wrong, Orochimaru would be there to cover for Kabuto.
Furthermore, the Demonic Statue of Outer Path was now under his control. Deepening his understanding meant enhancing his own power.
Having been led around by Orochimaru's nose several times, turning the tables this time would be quite satisfying.
After a moment of hesitation, Nagato agreed. He turned to Konan, "This thing is a bit dangerous. Stay back later."
Konan nodded slightly, spreading her paper wings, and flew to the cliff face on the other side of the mountain. Orochimaru, of course, remained where he was, making no move.
Seeing this, Nagato said nothing. He simply flew to the top of the Demonic Statue of Outer Path, his eyes flashing with purple light. For the first time, he actively projected his spiritual power into the statue's eyes.
Almost simultaneously, a vast and surging chakra appeared in his 'vision.' Focusing on it, he noticed that while it was part of a whole, there were also boundaries between them.
"Seven Tailed Beasts..."
Nagato murmured, sensing these currents.
Only now did he fully believe Orochimaru's words: the Nine Tailed Beasts of the ninja world, despite their different power attributes, all originated from the chakra of a single person.
Of course, it was only chakra.
"Besides the suppressed consciousness of the Demonic Statue of Outer Path, there seems to be no other spirit... is the progenitor of this chakra still alive?"
Nagato subconsciously began to ponder this question, then startled.
No wonder ninjas like Uchiha Madara had held onto the idea of trying. All signs pointed to the 'Goddess of Rabbits' being dead. If Orochimaru hadn't hinted at a special resurrection method, he too might have been tempted.
Beside him, Orochimaru sensed the emotional fluctuations emanating from Nagato and asked with a laugh, "What did you discover? You seem so surprised."
"Just confirming a few things," Nagato replied casually, then reined in his thoughts and continued to deepen his spiritual connection with the Demonic Statue of Outer Path, gradually receiving feedback.
Most of this feedback was about the statue's abilities, such as the 'Nine Phantom Dragons Seal' and 'Yin-Yang Release Black Rod' that he had already learned. However, perhaps because seven Tailed Beasts were sealed within it, he also gained the ability to use 'Demon's God, Samsara' and 'Tailed Beast Bomb,' and even extract Tailed Beast chakra to replenish himself.
His combat power had increased, but Nagato didn't feel particularly happy. Even before this, he couldn't solve problems with brute force alone, and this small improvement wouldn't help him deal with the person who created the problem.
A moment later, Nagato gently closed his eyes, breaking the connection with the Demonic Statue of Outer Path. He then said to Orochimaru, "Besides gaining some combat abilities, I haven't found anything else."
As for the specific abilities, he naturally wouldn't explain in detail to Orochimaru.
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes slightly. "Is that so..."
Although a bit disappointed, the result wasn't entirely unexpected.
According to information from the Genie Lamp, years ago, Uchiha Madara had awakened the Rinnegan and summoned the Demonic Statue of Outer Path from the moon.
But even after years of research, he had only managed to cultivate White Zetsu with the help of Kaguya's third son. His understanding of the Demonic Statue of Outer Path was limited, and he hadn't fully unlocked its potential as a tool.
After a moment of thought, Orochimaru turned to Nagato. "You continue to suppress the statue. I'll try to make contact."
Nagato frowned, confused. "Contact with what?"
Orochimaru licked his lips, a flash of golden light in his eyes. "Very simple. Do what you just did."
Although his eyes were not yet fully mature, their dojutsu abilities were still at the Six Paths level, and in fact, they had some connection to the Otsutsuki clan.
Since the Otsutsuki's Rinnegan could control it, there was no reason he couldn't establish some form of connection.
Nagato's heart filled with deep doubt, and he asked, "If I'm not mistaken, although your eyes possess certain abilities, they are definitely not 'Sage Eyes'."
The 'Sannin of Konoha' were renowned ninjas. Information about them, their physical characteristics, might not be known to everyone, but they were not secrets to the higher ranks of the ninja world. Orochimaru's golden snake eyes were unusual only to ordinary people; they held no special dojutsu.
"I don't know what you're trying to do, but please give up this idea..."
Nagato said earnestly, "My ability to control the Demonic Statue of Outer Path is by no means due to my own spiritual power. This thing absolutely cannot be controlled by sheer willpower."
As he spoke, Nagato's expression was serious, and no one would think he was joking.
"Hmm... how surprising, you're worried about my safety?"
Orochimaru's face wore a playful smile. "From your perspective, you shouldn't be saying such things."
Nagato shook his head. "I just don't want to see a crazed powerful enemy."
In the ninja world, becoming a Jinchuriki carried the risk of being corrupted by that violent chakra. The Demonic Statue of Outer Path was arguably even more aggressive than the Tailed Beasts.
This wasn't a simple multiplication by seven. The statue's own malevolent will was enough to drive anyone to madness.
Nagato certainly didn't believe Orochimaru was that fragile, but he himself was already a ruthless individual with few moral qualms. If he were to be further influenced negatively...
In comparison, Nagato preferred the current Orochimaru, who was rational and could be reasoned with.
"Heh, you worry too much about these things."
Orochimaru licked his lips, a smile on his face. "Things must be done. Since you can't do it, I must try my own method. Let's begin."
"..." Nagato stood in place for a few minutes before speaking, "You can try, but if I feel something is wrong, I will stop immediately and expel your spiritual power."
He couldn't stop Orochimaru from starting, but he had to have the right to end it.
Orochimaru maintained an nonchalant demeanor and nodded slightly. "As you wish."
As soon as the words fell, silence returned to the head of the Demonic Statue of Outer Path.
Nagato once again used the power of the Rinnegan to project his spiritual power through the statue's forehead eye. Not long after, another foreign spiritual power also poured in.
Instantly, the suppressed, extremely violent spiritual will in the corner began to agitate, showing extreme aggression, surging towards that foreign spiritual power like a collapsing mountain.
"This is bad..." A bead of sweat trickled down Nagato's forehead. He realized he had overestimated his control over the Demonic Statue of Outer Path. He couldn't expel Orochimaru first.
The innate response of the Demonic Statue of Outer Path to the 'foreign invasion' was so overwhelming. All Nagato could do was try his best to suppress it, but he couldn't isolate the contact between the two parties.
In other words, he could only watch as Orochimaru was 'corrupted.'
The malevolent emotions contained within this spiritual will, the sheer horror and violence, Nagato knew all too well. In the past, a significant reason he didn't want to interact much with the Demonic Statue of Outer Path was due to this pressure.
Even Jinchuriki could achieve spiritual connection with Tailed Beasts and become perfect Jinchuriki, but the Demonic Statue of Outer Path's fragmented intelligence made it almost a vessel for negative emotions, rendering that path impossible.
He could maintain his clarity only by relying on the Rinnegan's power to isolate himself.
"...Get him out as soon as possible." Nagato made up his mind. His spiritual power surged outwards, severing the connection between the two and beginning to push Orochimaru's spiritual power out. However, to his surprise, he couldn't do it.
Within the spiritual space of the Demonic Statue of Outer Path, on his half-home ground, he was powerless against Orochimaru's mere sliver of spiritual power.
"I told you, I have my own methods."
A mental message was transmitted, his emotions stable, showing no signs of losing his sanity.
Nagato suppressed his astonishment. He had clearly observed Orochimaru's spiritual power mixing with that of the Demonic Statue of Outer Path just moments ago. Could this guy truly be so powerful as to be completely unaffected by this torrent of negative emotions?
Of course not. Orochimaru couldn't do something like that, at least not yet.
But if he couldn't, someone else could help him.
"Living beings have their own characteristics, but for a highly adaptable monster like the Demonic Statue of Outer Path, the rejection response usually doesn't last long,"
Genie Lamp tilted its head and smiled. "Give it a little more time, and it will consider you a part of its body."
He was completely controlling Orochimaru's body at this moment, locking his physical state. While his physical body might be difficult to say, his spiritual power, something so ethereal, was completely unaffected.
At least, negative emotions couldn't affect Orochimaru through him.
"If this experiment weren't so important, trying out the defense of 'Heavenly Tree' would have been a good option."
Orochimaru's eyes sparkled with golden light, and he let out a laugh. "Unfortunately, right now, I don't have that confidence."
The Demonic Statue of Outer Path was the outer shell of the Divine Tree. Currently, with seven Tailed Beasts sealed within it, it had manifested about thirty to forty percent of the original Divine Tree's characteristics. To confront a creature of this level in terms of spiritual power would likely be more troublesome than dealing with a small White Snake.
So, without hesitation, Orochimaru borrowed the power of the Genie Lamp.
"Tsk, tsk, no need for such modesty."
Sensing the waves of intrusion from the Demonic Statue of Outer Path weakening until it subsided, Genie Lamp returned control to Orochimaru. "Come on, with Six Paths level spiritual power, let's see if you can find anything interesting."
"I'm looking forward to it too."
Orochimaru licked his lips and carefully spread his spiritual power throughout the Demonic Statue of Outer Path's body.
As he approached the brain, a series of strange images directly entered his mind. They were vast biological charts.
Some he recognized, but many more were creatures he had never heard of.