Naruto: Help Madara rejuvenate and launch a counterattack on Konoha

Orochimaru prostrated himself before the White Snake Sage, his usual arrogance gone, replaced by mere subservience: "Master, what are my chances of successfully mastering Sage Mode?"

The White Snake Sage took a puff of his cigarette and blew all the smoke onto Orochimaru.

Secondhand smoke smelled awful; Orochimaru felt like vomiting from it, but he endured it.

"You, although you've integrated into that thing called White Zetsu cells and your physical abilities are much stronger than before, it's still not enough."

"Orochimaru, your body and soul are already an anomaly!"

Orochimaru's pupils contracted, never expecting that his biggest secret would be so easily seen through by the White Snake Sage.

That's right. Although Orochimaru's body is still human, it has undergone a transformation and become a white-scaled serpent.

Before Liao Wu's plundering and regeneration were exposed, Orochimaru had already developed the Reanimation Jutsu.

This technique is a forbidden jutsu developed by Orochimaru based on the cursed seal. Once activated, it allows him to transfer his soul to the cursed seal body and achieve immortality.

Because of the Reanimation Jutsu, Orochimaru's soul has been transformed into a white-scaled serpent.

Orochimaru then asked, "Master, since my soul is already close to that of a snake, wouldn't it be easier for me to cultivate the Sage Techniques of Ryuchi Cave?"

The White Snake Immortal shook his head: "It's different. You treat your body with the mindset that you can discard it at any time. I think when you feel that natural energy will make you lose control, your soul will escape."

"Cultivating immortal arts requires unwavering willpower; those who are half-hearted will never become immortals."

Orochimaru looked somewhat gloomy. In front of the White Snake Sage's thousand years of cultivation, he seemed to be completely exposed, as if he were wearing nothing at all.

Indeed, Orochimaru had made ample preparations from the very beginning.

He brought Hongdou and Yamato here not to take care of them or to help them become immortals.

Orochimaru has already placed cursed seals on Anko and Yamato, treating them as potential targets for possession at any time.

If this body goes berserk due to the magic, then it will possess the bodies of its two disciples to escape.

Orochimaru did have feelings for Anko, but he valued his own life more.

The White Snake Sage advised again, "Orochimaru, the cursed seal you improved is a low-end version of Ryuchi Cave Sage Technique. If you continue to refine it, you might develop a Ryuchi Cave Sage Mode that is suitable for you humans."

"Just admit it! You're not an adventurous person."

Orochimaru was still unwilling to give up: "Grandmaster, is it possible that I will never be able to learn orthodox Sage Mode in this lifetime?"

The White Snake Sage shook his head: "I don't know about the future. You can go ask that toad on Mount Myōboku. I only see the present."

Orochimaru's expression darkened, his brows furrowing with barely concealed malevolence.

It seems he has no choice but to study cursed seals.

Orochimaru only learned Sage Mode to allow himself to summon more powerful beings through Impure World Reincarnation. However, he had a great deal of ideas on how to strengthen the First and Second Hokage.

For example, using White Zetsu clones as sacrifices, or attaching cursed seals to the impure body.

But Orochimaru was still unwilling to give up. How could the cursed seal compare to orthodox sage techniques?

Is it possible that he will never be able to surpass Jiraiya in his lifetime?

The White Snake Sage laughed and said, "Orochimaru, your obsession is still so strong. You can find someone who can learn Sage Mode and use your Reanimation Jutsu to possess their body."

Orochimaru was stunned, realizing he had been incredibly stupid to fail to grasp such a simple method.

However, in the current ninja world, only Jiraiya and Minato are capable of learning Sage Mode.

Neither of them are pushovers; they are both powerful ninjas.

The drawback of the Reanimation Jutsu is that the original soul will not disappear or be devoured after reincarnation; only Orochimaru's own soul can suppress the other.

Therefore, the offering must not be too strong, otherwise Orochimaru will not be able to suppress it.

In the original work, Orochimaru failed to reincarnate Sasuke because Sasuke was already very strong and also had the Sharingan, which was specifically designed to suppress the spirit and soul.

Neither Jiraiya nor Minato were sacrifices that Orochimaru could possess.

Orochimaru will then have to cultivate a suitable candidate for Sage Mode himself.

Orochimaru asked the White Snake Sage, "Master, do my two disciples have the talent to cultivate Sage Mode?"

The White Snake Sage took another drag of his cigarette, growing impatient: "Orochimaru, you're asking too many questions. I'm only telling you this because your family has been servants of Ryuchi Cave for generations."

Orochimaru stopped asking questions. The White Snake Sage was getting impatient; if he continued to anger it, it would swallow him whole.

Orochimaru was thinking about Anko and Yamato.

Yamato received Hashirama cells, but did not inherit their immense vitality; he only inherited the technique.

His success rate is probably even lower than Orochimaru's now.

What about red beans?

Red Bean was implanted with White Zetsu cells, giving her a huge amount of chakra and vitality, but Orochimaru didn't know how well she would be compatible with Sage Mode.

But it was risky enough.

"White Snake Immortal, please teach my disciple immortal arts!"

The White Snake Immortal nodded: "Okay, but you must first pass the trial in Dragon Land Cave."

Orochimaru is special; he is the current successor of Ryuchi Cave, and his family has worshipped Ryuchi Cave for generations. The White Snake Sage can directly allow him to pass the trials and learn Sage Mode.

But others can't; they have to pass the test of the three great snake princesses of Ryuchi Cave—Tashin-hime, Ichikishima-hime, and Takitsu-hime.

Only those who pass the tests of the three snake goddesses are qualified to meet the White Snake Immortal; otherwise, they will be eaten by the three snake goddesses.

Orochimaru nodded, preparing to arrange for Anko to participate in the Ryuchi Cave trial.

Suddenly, a small white snake appeared next to Orochimaru; it was Orochimaru's contact snake.

It spat out a scroll in front of Orochimaru.

Orochimaru thought something had happened on Hiruko's side in Konoha, so he quickly opened the scroll, but he didn't expect it to be information about Madara's Rinnegan.

Orochimaru was pleasantly surprised; he hadn't expected Jiraiya and the others to be so useful!

But when Orochimaru looked closer, he realized that Madara Uchiha was not someone they could contend with at all, contrary to what he had seen.

Orochimaru's face was gloomy. His other abilities were alright, not that overpowered, but Limbo was...

Only those who possess the Rinnegan and the power of the Sage of Six Paths can break this.

Orochimaru knows about the Rinnegan, but what about the Six Paths Sage Mode?

Orochimaru looked at the White Snake Sage and pleaded, "Master, what is the Six Paths Sage Technique?"

The White Snake Sage flicked its tongue; it had already told Orochimaru a lot today.

But if that troublesome woman is resurrected, my enormous chakra will probably become her target for devouring.

So let's give these little guys some hints!

"The Six Paths Sage Technique is the technique of the Six Paths Elder, an ultimate power system that surpasses ordinary Sage Techniques and the Rinnegan!"

"However, this is not a technique that can be learned. Like bloodline limits or the power of a Jinchuriki, it belongs to a special mode."

"It's more accurate to call it the Six Paths Sage Mode than the Six Paths Sage Technique. Ultimately, the Six Paths Mode is the power of the Six Paths Sage."