Sage Mode.
Upon hearing this word, many Kekkei Genkai ninjas were startled.
It was true that Kekkei Genkai had a bloodline requirement, but they still appeared as a family heritage and were not uncommon in the ninja world.
However, Sage Mode ninjas were rare, with only a few appearing in decades or even a century. The difficulty and power of the two were incomparable.
If all Kekkei Genkai ninjas had the potential to become Jonin, then ninjas capable of using Sage Mode were at least Kage-level powerhouses, and among the very strong ones at that.
"Sage Mode..."
Witnessing Orochimaru freely manipulating the earth, Kimimaro's face turned grim, his eyes more serious.
Even the Magnet Release, which he was only trying to learn, could unleash such power. How destructive would Sage Mode, used by his opponent as a means of combat, be?
If only he could learn Sage Mode...
Even with these thoughts, Kimimaro felt no relief.
The sudden change that had occurred to him, though it ultimately benefited him by freeing him from the curse of his Kekkei Genkai illness, came at the cost of Haku's sacrifice, which Kimimaro could not accept.
But in reality, personal will had no choice in the face of overwhelming power.
Even though his combat power had greatly increased, allowing him to freely display the power of his Shikotsumyaku, he was still no match for that enemy.
Relying on his own strength to become stronger and save Haku from that man might not be possible even in a lifetime. And what if he could defeat that enemy ten or twenty years later? Would Haku still return unharmed?
From the beginning, Kimimaro understood that he alone could not save Haku.
However, not only did he lack the influence to invite powerful figures like Leader Nagato and Orochimaru for help, but he also had no ability to even talk about it externally.
'That enemy appears and disappears without a trace, and was unknown before. Even the Leader and Orochimaru of Konoha might not be able to find him. However... it is quite easy for him to destroy our two clans.'
Amidst the calm conversation, Kimimaro could not ignore the stern warning in the depths of the Water Clan leader's eyes.
He also absolutely could not disregard the safety of the two clans for Haku's sake.
But this was not a dilemma.
Kimimaro had a feeling that he would encounter that mysterious enemy again.
This was not only because the enemy was elusive and clearly acted cautiously, but also because Kimimaro had accidentally learned that the remains of a certain senior ninja had been made into a puppet by Sasori the Red Sand, and had displayed incredible combat power.
Although his Kekkei Genkai illness no longer acted up, Kimimaro knew that it had not been completely cured. The toxins in his bones had become even more dangerous due to being sealed off.
Kimimaro did not fully understand the enemy's intentions, but he knew at least that the man had designs on his body. And that... was enough.
As long as he continued to grow stronger, he would eventually encounter that man again. Whether he could defeat him or save Haku... Kimimaro no longer considered any of that. In the worst case, he would die alongside Haku.
He was already doing his utmost to develop his Shikotsumyaku, and in less than a month, he would be catching up to the Clan Leader. But this rate of growth was still too slow. If only he had the aptitude for Sage Mode...
A strong thought surged in Kimimaro's mind, but reason told him it was impossible. Sage Mode aptitude was not something one could easily possess...
As he was thinking this, Orochimaru's voice sounded in his ear, "Although Sage Mode is not yet ready to be popularized, there will always be a solution to the problem."
Saying this, he held a lava ball in one hand and condensed an ice crystal in the other, laughing, "Just like these Kekkei Genkai..."
For the current Orochimaru, learning these Kekkei Genkai would not significantly increase his combat power, not even Kekkei Tota like Dust Release.
However, if he could find a way to teach the Kekkei Genkai he had just learned to ordinary ninjas, the rewards would surely be worth it.
By the great lake in Amegakure, many Kekkei Genkai ninjas watched Orochimaru with great interest. Upon understanding his intentions, they were greatly astonished.
Whether all ninjas could learn Kekkei Genkai was beneficial or harmful to the ninja world, they could not tell, but if it were achieved, Konoha's strength would undoubtedly increase greatly. At that time... they, who had not kept pace with Konoha's arms race, might face extinction.
This was different from the era of the First Hokage, where power was derived from one person and weakness would follow their demise. This man before them was about to empower everyone.
"Lord Orochimaru, do you intend to unify the ninja world?"
"Unifying the ninja world is not necessary to do such troublesome things. With your abilities, there are easier ways," the Explosion Release ninja, Gari of Iwagakure, said with a solemn but somewhat bitter tone.
At this point, he rather hoped Orochimaru had such an idea.
After all, a ninja as strong as this, even if he unified the ninja world, it would be a natural progression. Conversely, if Orochimaru completely disregarded it, and it was left to his successors after his death, it would invite resistance and cause much bloodshed.
"Unfortunately, I have no such intention. Our definitions of troublesome things also differ."
Orochimaru dispersed the Kekkei Ninjutsu in his hands and smiled at the Explosion Release ninja. "However, you don't need to worry. My goal is only to popularize Kekkei Ninjutsu, and not just for Konoha. Even if Iwagakure wants to learn, it's not impossible."
This statement greatly exceeded everyone's expectations. Troy, the Magnet Release ninja from Kumogakure, couldn't help but ask, "But why is that?"
"Guess why Konoha and the Akatsuki organization have a truce? Because we are so powerful that even if we were to lose in battle, we could destroy the ninja world."
Orochimaru showed a malicious smile. "If one day, there are more such ninjas, what will happen?"
Without waiting for them to ponder the answer, he continued, "Either these ninjas with destructive power will destroy the entire ninja world, or they will come up with a way to talk things out."
"Which do you think will happen?"
This statement, along with the gazes cast at them, sent a chill down their spines.
Is this fun? To put the entire ninja world in danger for such a malevolent reason is truly...
Everyone's expression was strange, but Kimimaro spoke up, "Your Excellency said that is part of the reason. What else is there?"
"This question is difficult to explain... Ah, I have it."
Orochimaru rubbed his chin and suddenly smiled. "What do you think ninjas, or Kekkei Genkai ninjas, can do besides fighting?"
This question bewildered the ninjas present. Since their birth, or more accurately, since they became ninjas, fighting had been their sole purpose.
Only Kurenai, the Crystal Release ninja, held a crystal flower thoughtfully. She had thought more than once that if she could use her ability to carve jewelry, perhaps she could earn more money than from commissioned tasks... Was this what he meant?
But no matter what he thought, they currently had no means to change it. All they could do was act within the new rules.
"Oh, right, the final match just now seemed to have been interrupted..."
Orochimaru's gaze swept over Darui and then landed on Kimimaro, a hint of an unknown emotion flashing in his eyes. "However, I can see that you will be the winner."
"No, I..."
Before Kimimaro could say anything, Darui, with his youthful nature, was about to speak. However, he was quickly silenced by Troy, who covered his mouth with his hand.
Just kidding, let alone whether Orochimaru was right or wrong, would he really argue with him?
How low would someone's IQ have to be to do that!
Troy looked at his junior with a sense of sorrow.
Meanwhile, Kimimaro was not pleased by Orochimaru's praise. He felt a similar aura in the man's eyes to that of the mysterious powerhouse.
"Come with me."
Orochimaru, unconcerned by Kimimaro's wariness, invited him with a smile, his attitude leaving no room for refusal. He briefly explained his future research plans to the remaining Kekkei Genkai ninjas, then turned and walked towards a three-story stone building, entering the basement below.
Kimimaro followed, noticing the sealing spells on the four walls of the basement, a hint of confusion in his eyes, not understanding why the man was so solemn.
"Although this was a competition held at random to satisfy people's desires, since you have won, there must be a reward."
Orochimaru turned around, the dim environment accentuating the golden glow in his eyes. "Speak, what do you want?"
Kimimaro knew the hope was slim, but after a moment of hesitation, he still looked up and said earnestly, "I want to learn Sage Mode."
"Sage Mode, oh, that's simple."
Orochimaru nodded slightly. "Then you will learn Sage Mode from me from now on."
Is it that simple?
This casual attitude made Kimimaro frown. "I heard that cultivating Sage Mode requires aptitude. Do I have this aptitude?"
"So-called aptitude is not a fixed standard; it can fluctuate with the quality of the teacher."
Orochimaru smiled. "At least in my hands, your aptitude is quite good, reaching the minimum requirement for cultivating Sage Mode."
This explanation was novel, but Kimimaro immediately understood the implication, though he still didn't understand why the man agreed so readily.
"Words are useless. You can try to cultivate."
Orochimaru licked his lips, his right hand suddenly transforming into a White Snake, coiling around one of Kimimaro's arms. Its sharp fangs bit down.
"Next, I will inject natural energy into your body. You can focus your mind and try to merge it with your Chakra into Sage Mode Chakra."
Kimimaro, caught off guard, only changed color slightly before regaining his composure. "I'm ready."
"Very well."
Orochimaru nodded slightly, passing his internal natural energy through the snake.
This was exactly the same method as the White Snake Sage of Ryuuchi Cave. He was creating a lower-level substitute, or rather, practicing for his intended target of erosion.
The direct bloodline of the Otsutsuki clan, especially with their Kekkei Genkai developed to this extent, was quite suitable as material.
Orochimaru controlled the natural energy, testing the other's reaction, and gradually spreading it throughout his body, with a level of control and seriousness far exceeding that of the White Snake Sage by several dimensions.
Of course, even with his efforts, ordinary ninjas, even those with decent Chakra, would still suffer some pain.
Take Kimimaro now, for example. Although he endured it without a sound, his originally fair face had turned red, and every capillary was transporting blood at high intensity under the pressure of his heart.
The natural energy suddenly flowed backward, returning from the snake's fangs into its body. Orochimaru raised his right hand and looked at Kimimaro, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.
He did this not because Kimimaro had reached his limit. Orochimaru pondered for a moment and then asked, "What is on your bones? Who left it there?"
Kimimaro, not yet having calmed his surging blood, was startled by the question. However, he reacted quickly and said, "I don't know what you're talking about."
In his heart, he marveled that this was indeed one of the strongest in the ninja world. The mysterious man's meddling with him had been undetectable even by the Clan Leader.
"Your expression, your heartbeat... they all tell me you were just lying."
A golden light flashed in Orochimaru's eyes. "I didn't expect there to be another Six Paths-level expert in the ninja world besides myself. Who is he? When did you meet him?"
Though he said this, he already had a guess about the other person's identity.
Otsutsuki Isshiki... It seems the old toad's prophecy was indeed somewhat accurate.
However, upon closer inspection, it made sense. He was training for erosion, exploring Six Paths-level power, and would eventually gather Kekkei Genkai ninjas through Nagato. Both the Genie Lamp's advice and Kimimaro's own qualities would increase the probability of the two interacting. Even if they didn't meet at first, there would eventually be an opportunity.
And after that, to discover traces of Six Paths-level power eroding his body was only natural.
"I don't know anything. Kill me."
Kimimaro said coldly.
"That's quite straightforward."
Orochimaru rubbed his chin. "Are you that guy's loyal subordinate... No, if so, there would be no need to learn Sage Mode from me. But you have indeed met him, and for some reason, he let you go..."
"It's strange. If this guy is so sloppy with his loose ends, how could he remain completely undiscovered for so many years?"
The ninja world is not only populated by ninjas. As Kaguya's third son, Black Zetsu has been watching the world to further his mother's resurrection.
Another Otsutsuki... This was enough to warrant the highest level of vigilance.
But there was nothing, not the slightest indication.
In other words, this Otsutsuki, who was severely injured by Kaguya's sneak attack, has either been extremely well-behaved for a thousand years, or extremely cautious.
Orochimaru leaned towards the latter, but this contradicted the situation he was currently observing.
"Tsk... You're unwilling to speak, then so be it. I have no interest in using genjutsu to interrogate tough nuts."
Orochimaru looked at Kimimaro's hardened expression and smiled. "However, not all bones in the Kaguya clan are so tough, are they?"