Ryuchi Cave.
The massive White Snake Sage puffed on her giant pipe, watching Orochimaru as he approached step by step.
"A rare guest indeed. Orochimaru, what business brings you to my dwelling?"
Orochimaru wore his Konoha forehead protector and the standard flak jacket of the village. He looked up at the White Snake Sage with a serious expression. "A comrade of mine once heard from the Great Toad Sage that a great calamity awaits the ninja world in the future. I wish to obtain the truth from you, Great Sage."
The White Snake Sage paused, exhaling a thick cloud of smoke. "So, it's that. The Old Toad's prophecies are never wrong; he has no reason to lie to you humans."
"Is there more detailed information?" Orochimaru pressed.
"Since you've investigated this far, I suppose I'll tell you. I haven't had a proper conversation with a human in over a thousand years, though usually, you lot aren't worth talking to."
The White Snake Sage exhaled another smoke ring.
"A millennium ago, the Old Toad was a rising star in the Mount Myoboku Sage Region. He prophesied that a powerful enemy would appear to drain the natural energy of the entire world. When that happened, the ninja world would wither—rivers would dry up, and eternal darkness would fall. The 'Child of Prophecy' he spoke of back then was that brat, the Sage of Six Paths. In the end, just as the toad predicted, the Sage of Six Paths defeated the enemy who sought to destroy the world, founded the Ninja Sect, and passed down the way of chakra cultivation."
The White Snake Sage seed lost in a long mory. After a dozen seconds, she finally released the specific intel Orochimaru sought.
Orochimaru was visibly shaken. "Can you be more specific?"
"Do you take for your subordinate? I no longer feel like talking. But the Old Toad's prophecy won't miss. Perhaps within your lifeti, the powerful enemy who sought to destroy the world will return. Don't expect the Three Great Sage Regions to provide much help; according to the prophecy, this calamity can only be resolved by you human ninjas. The Sage Regions will not be the primary force. That is all. I wish to sleep. Leave."
The White Snake Sage suddenly looked impatient, signaling for Orochimaru to depart. As he moved to ask another question, the atmosphere shifted.
"Orochimaru, the Great Ancestor has gone to sleep. Retire now. Do not force us to eat you."
On either side of the Sage, female elders in human form intercepted him. Their skin sprouted snake scales and flicking tongues erged from their mouths. It was clear that if Orochimaru made a move, they would devour him instantly.
"My thanks to the Great Ancestor. Forgive the intrusion." Having obtained the core information he needed, Orochimaru imdiately retreated.
"So, what do you think? Shall we cooperate? Everything that happens in the ninja world enters the ears of the White Snake Sage. She has nothing to gain from us, so the chance of her lying is slim."
After finishing the account of his encounter at Ryuchi Cave, Orochimaru extended his invitation to Tonbo Tobitake.
Tonbo was stunned once again. Good gracious, you know way too much! This is more detailed than even what I knew. Holy cow.
"How exactly do you want to cooperate?" Tonbo asked. Despite Orochimaru's stable ntal fluctuations, there was still a chance he was lying. However, everything the Sannin said aligned perfectly with the "spoilers" Tonbo possessed. It was hard not to believe.
But Tonbo had already been preparing to face these enemies; what kind of cooperation did Orochimaru have in mind?
"Because of this world-ending crisis, I doubt the disciples taught by that unreliable fool Jiraiya will be enough to handle it. I want to train a powerful ninja capable of facing such an enemy. And Sasuke... is the seed I intend to nurture. I know your abilities are vast; perhaps you've even placed a tracking mark on us during this eting. Therefore, I want you to stop interfering in my affairs. Let raise a powerful ninja to deal with the future apocalypse."
Orochimaru laid out his purpose. His Living Corpse Reincarnation required bodies; if all natural energy was drained and everyone died, how could he achieve immortality?
"...You... saving the world?" Tonbo was dumbfounded.
Suddenly, Orochimaru was sounding noble and grand? It made Tonbo's own goal of living a quiet, ordinary life as a transmigrator feel dim by comparison.
"Don't try to play . Lord Jiraiya said you only care about your reincarnation vessels. 'Saving the world'? You really think I'll believe that?"
Tonbo naturally didn't buy it. In his mind, Orochimaru was a dark, self-serving figure. This sudden shift in character was making Tonbo's own world-view crumble.
"Are you referring to the experints on villagers or the death of the Third Hokage? It doesn't matter; those don't conflict with my goal. My goal has always been immortality, not saving the world. What I am doing now is simply a ans to ensure my immortality remains possible."
Orochimaru knew why the younger man was skeptical.
"It all depends on whether your goal is truly to protect your family. Sasuke has nothing to do with you, does he?"
"Give a reason to believe you can save the world. That's where the value lies, isn't it?"
Tonbo had been strengthening himself in secret specifically to protect his family. He was shocked by Orochimaru's intellect, but more curious to dig out things the original series never expressed.
"I cannot be certain I can save the world, but this is a thod to increase the success rate. As for why I chose Sasuke? Naturally, it is for the power of the Sharingan!"
Orochimaru had no intention of hiding anything. In his mind, it was natural for Tonbo to be shocked. He likely even expected Tonbo to reject his claims. No one believes the world is ending. Except for that fool Jiraiya—and a snake like him who refuses to let "accidents" happen to his future.
"The power of the Sharingan? I knew it. You're just greedy for his body. You're a bad guy through and through," Tonbo said with disdain.
The Eternal Mangekyo was powerful, yes. Its ceiling was high. But to save the world? That wasn't enough.
"Of course, the Uchiha power is impressive, but the root isn't just there. According to my research and deductions, the enemy the Sage of Six Paths faced a thousand years ago isn't dead. They were rely sealed. Furthermore, it is likely that soone or so faction has been searching for a way to break that seal—the sa people who tampered with history.
"The Sage of Six Paths perhaps worried that this enemy would break free, or perhaps he received a prophecy from the Great Toad Sage similar to Jiraiya's. To prevent this, he passed down his power. According to my research, the Sharingan is a bloodline he specifically created—the 'Eye that Reflects the Heart.' It explodes with limitless power based on the ninja's emotional state. I can make Sasuke stronger and assist him in developing that power. That is my effort. Does it sound unbelievable?"
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