Naruto: Starting from the Reincarnation of the Otsutsuki.

The twisted, coiled body showed almost no trace of being "human".

It was so close.

It was just a tiny bit away from Sage Mode being fully realized.

But it was precisely this final, narrow gap that caused everything to fall apart.

Not only did he fail to master the power of immortal arts, but his body also suffered such an exaggerated backlash and mutation.

So……

If I successfully learn Sage Mode, what changes will occur to my body?

Will it become even stronger?

How will the White Snake Immortal view himself?

Thinking of this, Orochimaru fell into a brief moment of contemplation.

As for Luo Sha?

He didn't take it to heart at all.

Seeing that Orochimaru suddenly fell silent, Hyuga Seiran did not press the matter further.

He wasn't actually surprised by Orochimaru's current state.

In the original work, Orochimaru once attempted to train in Sage Mode, but ultimately failed because his body could not withstand the erosion of natural energy.

According to the original ending, he should have completely transformed into the White Phosphorus Serpent and eventually escaped from the White Serpent Immortal's mouth through some unknown means.

However, the current situation, while not exactly the same as the original work, is not fundamentally different.

He still tries to learn Sage Mode, still fails, and still manages to escape.

This is even after leukemia cells have already been transplanted.

Whether it's physical vitality, cell regeneration ability, or adaptability to external forces, it's a significant improvement over Orochimaru in the original work.

Even so...

Still failed.

This shows that the immortal mode of the three holy lands is not something that just anyone can touch.

Whether you can learn it is one thing, but even if you are qualified to learn it, whether you can withstand that kind of pressure is another matter entirely.

Hinata Seiran silently made a decision in his heart, and then turned and left the camp without lingering any longer.

The Sand Village's war might be a perfect opportunity to obtain what they desire.

Orochimaru's secret mission...

Do they really think highly of me...?

Or is she testing me?

While Hinata Seiran was leading his team to Sunagakure, a rather subtle atmosphere was taking place in the mountain graveyard on the other side.

Obito Uchiha lay sprawled on the stone bed, fast asleep.

On the other side, Afei and the half-black, half-white Jue stood obediently in place, quietly waiting for the old man beneath the Outer Path Demon Statue to speak.

After a long while, a low, aged laugh slowly broke the silence.

"Hehehe..."

"As expected, I've been silent for too long. Someone actually dares to use my name and run rampant in the ninja world."

Madara Uchiha chuckled, showing none of his usual aged appearance. "Black Zetsu, are you sure it was Ao who did it?"

"Lord Madara, this is information that I and White Zetsu confirmed further while investigating the disappearance of White Zetsu Hachi."

Black Zetsu respectfully said, "It was Qing who used your name to slaughter a large number of evil god cultists and deliberately spread related information."

White Zetsu chimed in, "That's right, Lord Madara! That Ao is so arrogant! Not only does he use your name to do things, but he also deliberately leaks your information to Konoha. He's just deliberately stirring up trouble!"

One in black, one in white, singing in harmony.

In just a few words, he reported almost all the information he had gathered over this period to Madara Uchiha without reservation.

Hehehe...

"His strength... barely meets the standard."

"You have quite the courage."

As he spoke, he slowly stood up.

As he stood up, the pipes connecting him to the Gedo Statue behind him began to wriggle slightly, as if they were alive, creating a bizarre and terrifying scene.

That body, which should have been old and decaying, exuded a sense of oppression that sent shivers down one's spine at this moment.

"I never imagined that I would die like this..."

"And I'll get to meet an exciting opponent..."

Madara Uchiha raised his head, and a rare hint of genuine expectation appeared in his eyes.

"This is really exciting..."

He sighed softly, then glanced at Afei and Jue, his expression returning to calm.

"Afei, take Obito and move to another base. The plan will proceed as scheduled."

"yes...!"

Ah Fei immediately stood up straight and answered loudly, his exaggerated movements resembling those of a comical soldier.

Immediately afterwards, he leaped and attached himself to the still-sleeping Obito, then called to a group of White Zetsu nearby, and they began to move in a grand procession.

After they left, the cave suddenly felt much more spacious.

Madara then turned his gaze back to Zetsu, or more precisely, to the half of Black Zetsu's body that was covered in black.

"Jue, once Qing reappears, spread the word about me."

"Since he wants to use my name..."

"Then, once he learns that I truly exist, he will definitely come."

As for the rest...

Ban lowered his eyes slightly, his voice low.

"I'm entrusting Obito with guidance, and the subsequent plans... to you... my will."

"Lord Madara, this is what I should do..."

Jue bowed her head slightly, unusually compliant.

But in the shadows where no one could see him, Black Zetsu could barely suppress his laughter.

It's a success... It's finally a success.

Hehehe...

Prepare to die...

green……

Black Zetsu forcibly suppressed the malice and pleasure surging within him, then his body slowly sank into the ground and disappeared without a trace.

A moment later, only Madara Uchiha remained in the huge cave.

He sat alone on the stone seat, with a huge and ferocious heretical statue behind him. The surroundings were so quiet that only the faint sound of dripping water could be heard.

An aging body, a frail life, and time drawing to a close...

But all of this could not conceal the genuine expectation in his eyes.

Hashira...

I'll be coming to see you soon.

True peace is just around the corner.

Chapter 75 I trust you to handle things.

Is this all the support the village is offering...?

High above the camp, Orochimaru stood with his hands clasped behind his back, looking down at the Konoha ninja squads that had just arrived.

A faint smile appeared on that usually effeminate and aloof face.

But there was little joy in that smile.

"Old man... you really think highly of me."

As far as the eye could see, Konoha's support troops were steadily moving into their camps.

The number of troops is not small, but compared with the large armies that are frequently mobilized in the Iwagakure battlefield, this force seems rather meager.

More importantly, the quality of this aid was not very high.

While some of these teams were led by experienced Jonin, most were simply regular units barely capable of undertaking garrison duties.