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JST Chapter 231: A Snake’s Final Gamble
🕑 Added 2025-03-31 11:51:00 +0000 UTC"This... What does this mean, Kazuki-kun?"
"I gained quite a bit from my trip to Ryuchi Cave, Orochimaru."
Kazuki lifted his arm, revealing three small white snakes coiled around it. They smirked in their sleep, continuously channeling natural energy into his body, maintaining his Sage Mode at all times.
"I remember I promised to help you master a secret technique..."
Kazuki sighed, his tone tinged with apology. "I don’t know if I’ll have the chance to assist you after the war. So, just in case, I want to make up for it now."
"I’ve modified Ryuchi Cave’s Senjutsu to match your body. If Hiruko implants Hashirama cells into you, I believe you’ll surpass even Jiraiya in mastering Sage Mode."
Orochimaru’s slit pupils contracted as he locked eyes with Kazuki. He spoke slowly, enunciating each word: "Kazuki, do you need my help?"
"Or rather... you could fulfill my request right now. What do you say?"
Orochimaru felt a growing sense of urgency. As a cunning and perceptive individual, he could hear the farewell hidden in Kazuki’s words.
It was obvious—Kazuki had realized that Tobirama was inside him. Yet, instead of resisting, he had already accepted it...
That’s why he had come early—to settle his promise with Orochimaru.
What a sentimental and stubborn kid!
Orochimaru even felt a flash of anger. In his eyes, Kazuki’s behavior was a textbook case of someone completely brainwashed by the Will of Fire.
How could he just surrender?!
But then, recalling Kazuki’s unwavering belief in that ideology, Orochimaru found it somewhat understandable.
That thing really is insidious.
Even he, Orochimaru, had once been completely consumed by it in his youth.
It was only after witnessing more of the world that he finally broke free…
But no matter how talented Kazuki was, he was still just a teenager.
And Senju Tobirama?
That man had shouldered centuries of hatred between two clans, using his political prowess to drive Uchiha Madara out of the village. He had taken Uchiha Kagami, a genius of the clan, as his disciple, split the Uchiha into hawks and doves, and then used the Konoha Police Force as a leash to keep the Sharingan under control.
Tobirama’s achievements spoke for themselves. Just thinking about them made it clear how terrifyingly skilled he was at manipulation.
Especially considering he was a master of forbidden jutsu.
With the Will of Fire as his weapon, the title of Hokage as his banner, and an arsenal of powerful forbidden techniques, it was no surprise that even Kazuki seemed to have surrendered.
Even now, in what could be his final moments of free will, Kazuki wasn’t thinking about himself—he was still focused on how to end the war for the village.
"The most powerful genjutsu that surpasses the Sharingan... the Will of Fire."
A chill ran down Orochimaru’s spine as he reflected on that ideology. At the same time, he couldn't help but feel a grudging sense of respect for Tobirama.
Fate was full of irony.
Orochimaru had originally planned to wait until after the war—on a bright, sunny day—when he and Kazuki could find a secluded research facility to discuss the matter of body possession…
But now, it seemed like tonight might be his only chance!
If Tobirama took control first, would he ever get another opportunity to claim this perfect body?
Not a chance.
"You want me to help with your research? Orochimaru, how long will it take?"
Kazuki considered for a moment before saying, "If it’s quick, I can cooperate. But if it takes too long, we’ll have to wait until after the war."
"It’ll be quick, Kazuki-kun, very quick!"
A flicker of excitement flashed in Orochimaru’s eyes. "It’s just a small experiment on the soul, nothing more."
A small soul experiment...
This sounds quite strange, especially with the greed in Orochimaru's eyes—it’s even more unsettling.
Before Kazuki stepped into the barracks, Orochimaru was still a commander who diligently analyzed the war map late at night and a deputy director of scientific research who worked hard for the Root...
But after learning about Kazuki’s body's unique condition, Orochimaru suddenly lost interest in his current work.
It also lost its meaning...
Although Orochimaru was very interested in learning new forbidden techniques within the Root and in waging a war where technology played a crucial role, this man with a clear goal never forgot his ultimate pursuit from beginning to end—
To intercept the ultimate forbidden technique of Senju Tobirama and obtain Kazuki’s body, which could reach the pinnacle of immortality!
Hadn't Orochimaru worked so hard just so Kazuki would give him a chance to be alone?
But plans never keep up with changes. Orochimaru didn't expect Senju Tobirama to act so quickly, but fortunately, he was always prepared!
During his time submerged in Root’s research, Orochimaru used the notes and forbidden techniques provided by Kazuki to improve many of his jutsu, including the Living Corpse Reincarnation technique, which allows him to take over other people’s bodies...
'I wanted to devour Kazuki’s insane body on a sunny afternoon, in a well-prepared setting, on a memorable day, but unfortunately, time waits for no one...'
Orochimaru stared at Kazuki’s thoughtful expression, his skin subtly becoming scaly. His body silently secreted an imperceptible paralyzing breath, while the chakra within him was mobilized in a bizarre manner.
Kazuki looked at Orochimaru, a flash of blue-purple light flickering in his eyes, as he quietly awaited Orochimaru’s performance.
[Eye of the Snake]!
Perhaps Orochimaru’s secret techniques were tricky, but in Kazuki’s eyes, there was nowhere for them to hide.
'First, use the special snake venom secreted by the body to suppress the opponent’s chakra, causing a weakening effect. Then, utilize the technique to fuse one's soul and chakra together, increasing strength. It’s a powerful method...'
Kazuki couldn't help but admire Orochimaru’s ingenuity.
His new body takeover technique focused entirely on the soul...
Unless a shinobi had mastered the Spirit Transformation Technique or a special training method, the strength of one's soul was largely innate and almost impossible to train after birth.
But Orochimaru’s Living Corpse Reincarnation used an unconventional method to strengthen his own soul, so when seizing a body, the tug-of-war in the spiritual space was determined solely by the strength of the soul, disregarding other factors.
This extreme way of thinking was akin to Minato’s fighting style—
As long as he was faster than his opponent, he would remain undefeated, even if his individual attacks were not particularly strong.
The same principle applied to Orochimaru’s technique. As long as his opponent’s soul was not stronger than his, he could disregard physical abilities, jutsu, and combat experience—defeating them in an instant!
As Orochimaru’s snake venom spread throughout the barracks, he felt a sense of relief. The first step was already under his control.
But out of respect for Kazuki’s strength, Orochimaru still asked, feigning politeness, as he waited for the venom to take effect.
"So, Kazuki-kun, do you agree?"
"Orochimaru, I agree, but have you really thought this through?" Kazuki looked at the confident smile on Orochimaru’s face with interest and asked softly.
Compared to when Orochimaru tried to take over Sasuke’s body in the original timeline, he was indeed much better prepared this time.
His hands were not sealed by the Shinigami Seal, nor had he suffered repeated failures with the Living Corpse Reincarnation, which had previously left his soul in an unstable state. This improved version of his technique gave Orochimaru every reason to be confident.
In Kazuki’s opinion, in his current state, even an average three-tomoe Uchiha would be unable to escape his possession...
But once inside Kazuki’s body, Orochimaru might be in for a surprise.
There were already plenty of tenants inside...
"Kazuki, of course, I’ve thought it through. You don’t need to worry too much..."
Orochimaru’s eyes flickered. "I bear no ill will toward you—I merely wish to help you solve your problem and gather some research material along the way."
Kazuki nodded without comment: "Then, Director of Research of the Root, please give full play to your abilities."
As soon as the words fell, Orochimaru suddenly turned into a ferocious white phosphorus snake, and the purple snake venom mist enveloped Kazuki without any disguise. His voice was extremely bewitching: "Look at me, Kazuki-kun!"
Kazuki raised his eyes and met Orochimaru's gaze.
The next moment, the white phosphorus snake exploded on the spot, turning into a mud-like soul that rushed into Kazuki's body!
Kazuki's eyes did not even move. When Orochimaru showed an extremely obvious intention to attack, he did not even use his dojutsu.
"I have been pulling Kazuki for such a long time. The snake venom has completely invaded his body, his chakra and soul are in a weakened state. This is the best time for me to seize his body!"
Orochimaru laughed wildly in his heart: "Thank you, my most respected Second Hokage! If it weren't for your help, Kazuki would not have given up resistance like self-destruction..."
"But all of this will belong to me!"
Orochimaru performed the technique smoothly, and the process was unexpectedly seamless.
But thinking about it, Orochimaru could understand Kazuki's thoughts...
Since he was going to be seized anyway, wouldn't it be the same to give this body to anyone? He had been hurt too deeply by the Will of Fire.
Orochimaru was still thinking that maybe he could fulfill some of Kazuki's wishes to make it up to him after seizing his body...
