Naruto: Cultivating to Immortality

Chapter 119 Orochimaru's Plans

In the dark and gloomy underground laboratory, Orochimaru, like a ghost, held a candle and stared at a mysterious scroll. This scroll was one of the treasures he had acquired in a trade with Hyuga Kanan. It detailed the training methods and techniques of Sage Mode in the ninja world and revealed the true nature of Sage Mode from its very foundation.

This scroll seemed like a gateway to a mysterious world, luring Orochimaru to explore the endless secrets of sage techniques. His eyes revealed eagerness and longing, as if he wanted to devour every word on the scroll. The dim candlelight illuminated his face hidden in the shadows, making his expression even more enigmatic and unfathomable.

From the words Hyuga Kanan spoke to him when they parted, Orochimaru had many thoughts running through his mind. He possessed the summoning scroll of Ryuchi Cave and was the current successor of Ryuchi Cave. He had seen the most mysterious White Snake Sage of Ryuchi Cave and had a general understanding of the Sage Techniques passed down within the cave. When he saw the enormous White Snake Sage and heard that he had lived for over a thousand years, Orochimaru was instantly captivated.

Countless pieces of knowledge require a great deal of time to acquire. When Orochimaru learned that the White Snake Sage had a lifespan of over a thousand years, he was extremely excited. Since the other party could have a lifespan of over a thousand years, could he also obtain it?

In the years that followed, Orochimaru conducted detailed research and investigation. He concluded that the reason the White Snake Sage could live such a long life was because of the Sage Techniques he possessed, which could greatly extend one's lifespan. The high-ranking Orochi around the White Snake Sage included: Princess Tashin, Princess Ichikishima, and Princess Takitsu, all of whom lived for over 500 years.

However, after studying the Sage Techniques of Ryuchi Cave and exchanging ideas with Jiraiya, Orochimaru discovered that neither the Sage Techniques of Ryuchi Cave nor those of Mount Myōboku could increase a human's lifespan; they could only enhance a ninja's strength. This greatly displeased Orochimaru. He wondered if he could successfully modify his genes to resemble those of a snake, and then learn the Sage Techniques of Ryuchi Cave, perhaps thus extending his lifespan.

Orochimaru had been slowly modifying his body for a long time, making some of his genes resemble those of the snakes of Ryuchi Cave, and his aura and behavior became more and more like those of snakes.

However, after the transaction with Hyuga Kanan ended, the meaning behind what Kanan said to Orochimaru before leaving was very clear. Kanan had definitely seen through the genetic changes Orochimaru had made to his body, but he still reminded Orochimaru of the words, "Humans are the rulers of this era," leaving Orochimaru somewhat confused and at a loss.

Orochimaru had stopped modifying himself; he desperately wanted to understand the hidden meaning behind Hyuga Kanan's words. Moreover, Kanan had already been hinting at this to him from the previous clues about the source of chakra.

Based on the contents of the scroll that Hyuga Kanan had given him, Orochimaru vaguely guessed that humans also had their own Sage Mode, and that it might be even more powerful. Moreover, the person who knew Sage Mode was likely the founder of Ninjutsu, and that he must still be alive, silently observing the ninja world from behind the scenes.

Looking at the current situation in the ninja world makes it clear that even the slightest aura emanating from the White Snake Sage of Ryuchi Cave can terrify Orochimaru. So how powerful would he be if he unleashed his full strength? Orochimaru believes that even all the ninja villages combined could not withstand the White Snake Sage, not to mention the Great Toad Sage of Mount Myōboku and the one in Shikkotsu Forest.

But the fact that the ninja world is still ruled by humans speaks volumes. It's impossible that the three sacred lands are all benevolent and virtuous, unwilling to provide their races with a better and larger living space.

Orochimaru was quite familiar with the general situation inside Ryuchi Cave. Due to limited living space, the snakes were constantly fighting each other, reducing their numbers. Under these circumstances, even the White Snake Sage dared not directly expand the area and scale of Ryuchi Cave, which roughly indicated that there must be something behind the scenes in the ninja world preventing it from expanding recklessly.

In his attempt to learn the Sage Techniques of Ryuchi Cave, which were clearly unsuitable for humans, and to alter his genes, Orochimaru now feels he has made a fatal mistake. Fortunately, Hyuga Kanan's reminder brought him to his senses in time. His modifications are not yet severe enough to be reversed, allowing him to return to his original human body.

Orochimaru believed that Hyuga Kanan possessed Sage Mode suitable for humans, but he was clearly hesitant to use it for fear of revealing it. This fueled Orochimaru's curiosity, leading him to speculate wildly about Kanan's situation.

The Sage Mode that Hyuga Kanan possesses certainly doesn't belong to the current behind-the-scenes figures in the ninja world, and it could potentially threaten them once it grows stronger.

That makes sense. Hyuga Kanan, despite being so powerful, could only train diligently in silence, daring not to reveal anything. She even confided some secrets to me, so that I could test the extent of the ninja world's behind-the-scenes attention.

Looking at the contents of the scroll that Hyuga Kanan had given him, Orochimaru was extremely excited. It was as if he had personally uncovered a corner of the truth of the world, allowing him to explore more knowledge and truth.

Orochimaru believed that if he continued to study the contents of the scroll in his hand, he would eventually be able to develop his own Sage Technique. However, the scroll did not record the secret of how Sage Technique extended lifespan, nor did it detail the specific training methods. It only introduced the origin and history of the so-called Sage Technique.

However, this mere content was enough to set Orochimaru's thoughts racing like a wild horse, his mind becoming increasingly active. He knew then that he needed to diligently study how to keenly perceive the infinitely mysterious natural energy within his surroundings. After all, for him, this was undoubtedly the most crucial and essential element, the very foundation of everything!

Orochimaru has completely forgotten about the Hokage position, his comrades, and his friends. He even feels that Konoha is hindering his growth and research.

But now, Orochimaru doesn't want to leave Konoha just like that. Hyuga Kanan needs a lot of knowledge about Konoha, and Orochimaru certainly needs it too, perhaps even more. Moreover, Danzo's invitation to go to his experimental base to help him research something very important to Konoha has also aroused Orochimaru's strong curiosity.

Given Orochimaru's current status in Konoha, it's rare for him to be unaware of important experiments conducted within the village, let alone those crucial to Konoha's survival. The fact that Orochimaru has never received any information or intelligence suggests that this experiment likely didn't originate with Konoha, but rather with a select few high-ranking members.

This explains why Orochimaru didn't immediately go to Hyuga Kanan's place to make a deal. He now wanted to know what kind of research these high-ranking officials in Konoha were conducting; the information Danzo had revealed to him was quite interesting.

If this experiment succeeds, Konoha will be able to recapture the glory of the First Hokage's era, forcing other ninja villages back to the time when they were suppressed by the God of Shinobi, and making Konoha great again.

What kind of experiment could make Shimura Danzo, who had been terrified by Hyuga Kanan, so spirited again, and give these politicians in Konoha's upper echelons so much confidence in continuing their rule over Konoha?

Orochimaru already knew after the Hatake Sakumo incident that his teacher was no longer the ninja hero who would fight to the death with the Third Mizukage for the sake of Konoha, but a politician who devoured Konoha's resources to strengthen his own clan and a greedy person who wanted to keep the Hokage position firmly in his own hands.

Orochimaru originally wanted to become Hokage and change the current situation of Konoha, bringing the village back on track. However, Hiruzen Sarutobi has gone mad. He has now become possessed by evil spirits, and he will suppress anyone who wants to take the Hokage position, even secretly.

Furthermore, Orochimaru has no interest in the Hokage position in Konoha anymore. He is only interested in the knowledge and resources of Konoha, which can make his research more convenient and faster, and also allow him to make some deals with Hyuga Kanan.

Therefore, during this period, Orochimaru rarely appeared in Konoha Village, and he didn't even take on missions. He spent his days doing research, cultivating the elemental origin rules, and guiding his disciple, Senju Nawaki.

Orochimaru accepted Senju Nawaki as a disciple because his close friend Tsunade asked him to. He didn't dislike Nawaki, and Orochimaru admired Nawaki's personality and talent.

You have to understand that Orochimaru himself feels very pressed for time right now, with so many things to do every day, and he still has time to guide Senju Nawaki. Relying solely on Tsunade's relationship with him is far from enough.

Orochimaru himself was trying his best to avoid getting involved in the power struggle in Konoha, but Danzo's invitation left him with no intention of refusing. It would be a good opportunity to acquire more Konoha resources through the experiment.

Orochimaru already had a vague idea of ​​what this experiment was all about, and now he just needed to join in to find out if it was as he suspected. If it really was what he thought, then the Konoha leadership had completely lost all sense of decency, especially considering that the other party was the symbol of Konoha's spirit.

If things are really as I suspect, then after I obtain the resources I want, I should prepare to leave Konoha Village. Konoha's higher-ups don't even have the most basic bottom line, so my existence is a threat to them.