What kind of reason would drive one person to save another through self-sacrifice? Perhaps emotion, perhaps reason. Without a deep understanding, however, outsiders cannot give a correct interpretation.
But one thing was certain: there was a question of weighing value.
The forbidden technique One's Own Life Reincarnation was originally developed by Chiyo to allow her son and daughter-in-law to be "reborn." But the reason was not her own grief and longing over losing them. Rather, she wanted to bring Sasori's parents back for her grandson.
This technique used the caster's entire life as the price, granting that life to the dead and allowing them to be reborn.
One's Own Life Reincarnation could even grant life to puppets.
However, a resurrection technique like this very likely had strict usage conditions, perhaps even a time limit. Given how many years had passed since Sasori's parents died, this technique probably could no longer achieve its intended effect. In other words, the forbidden technique Chiyo had spent years developing might not necessarily accomplish its original purpose. And by the time she completed it, Sasori had already left Sunagakure.
Chiyo used this technique on Gaara before even leaving the Land of Fire, while still in danger. That was likely also because of the time limit. The longer a person had been dead, the lower the success rate of One's Own Life Reincarnation probably became.
As for why this technique was ultimately used to revive Gaara, one could only speculate.
Perhaps from the moment Sasori of the Red Sand invaded Sunagakure, Chiyo understood that no matter what she did now, it would no longer help Sasori. The meaning this supreme forbidden technique held for the village had already become somewhat insignificant.
Although one was cold and indifferent while the other was furious and resentful, there was a certain similarity between Gaara and Sasori. The more time one spent with them, the stronger that feeling became…
Deep within their hearts, both hid an loneliness that was difficult to heal.
Strictly speaking, the earliest Hagoromo was also the same kind of person at his core. It was just that, looking at their later experiences, some people were fortunate while others were unfortunate.
Hagoromo was fortunate. The reason did not need to be explained. Sasori, however, was exactly the opposite.
Then what about Gaara?
Emotionally speaking, that similarity may have pushed Chiyo into making such a decision. Exchanging her aging, candle-in-the-wind body for a young life could also be considered a kind of alternative continuation.
Rationally speaking, if the Fourth Kazekage who appeared in Konoha was an impostor, then why had the real Kazekage, who had a scheduled itinerary, not arrived in Konoha on time? Earlier, Chiyo had indeed received word that the Kazekage had left the village with his guards…
The most likely conclusion was not difficult to draw: the Fourth Kazekage may already have been killed.
Under those circumstances, from the perspective of ability and talent, perhaps Chiyo recognized Gaara's importance to Sunagakure.
But no matter what the reason was, it had little to do with Hagoromo. What he saw was only the result. Whether Chiyo saved Gaara because he could become the next Kazekage, or simply because this child had the same red hair as her grandson, there was no fundamental difference in Hagoromo's eyes.
The jinchūriki who had lost his tailed beast was still alive.
That was the only thing he saw.
As the last of the nine tailed beasts, the Nine-Tails was extraordinary, whether in ability or in other aspects. The same was true for Hagoromo.
If one were to select a creature capable of charming all species indiscriminately, the Nine-Tails would definitely rank near the top…
After all, it was a fox spirit.
Although Hagoromo did not exactly have obsessive-compulsive disorder, if he dealt with eight of the nine tailed beasts and left only one behind, it would still feel unfinished. The problem would not be completely solved.
Moreover, the one left behind would be the Nine-Tails…
The Fourth Hokage had probably made Naruto the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki partly because he wanted the power of the tailed beast to protect the child. But in reality, the exact opposite had happened.
Naruto's existence protected the Nine-Tails.
The current problem was that if he wanted to drive out the fox spirit inside Naruto, he needed the technique Chiyo had just used in practice. But Chiyo was already dead.
That was why Hagoromo needed Orochimaru.
From the previous example of the First Hokage, one thing could be confirmed: people "revived" by Orochimaru's Impure World Reincarnation could use all the techniques they knew when alive. If Chiyo were reincarnated through Edo Tensei, then naturally, they could obtain this resurrection technique.
As for seizing Chiyo's corpse and letting the Torture and Interrogation Force invade her brain cells?
To be honest, Hagoromo did not think that would produce any good results. Chiyo was, after all, one of Sunagakure's higher-ups. The Torture and Interrogation Force would very likely encounter a situation similar to the Third Raikage's case…
They would get nothing.
However, in truth, Impure World Reincarnation itself was not the most important thing. If that were the only factor, even without Orochimaru, Hagoromo could research the technique himself if he had no other choice. After all, its original version was recorded in the Scroll of Seals.
But the most critical issue was that even if Hagoromo obtained One's Own Life Reincarnation, he had no way to use it.
Because he did not want to kick the bucket yet.
Hagoromo did not want to die. And if he wanted someone else to willingly sacrifice themselves for Naruto, he probably would not be able to find such a volunteer either. So what was needed at a time like this?
Still Uncle Snake.
Only his Living Corpse Reincarnation could play the "backdoor listing through a borrowed shell" trick. Dying once would not matter, since it would not be a real death anyway.
This was Hagoromo's divine logic again, as though Orochimaru's Living Corpse Reincarnation could be used casually. Apparently, a snake's life was not life?
Besides, why would Uncle Snake help him?
Fine. Hagoromo really did think this way. There was a saying that made a lot of sense…
Twist it, lick it, soak it, die once. What a sweet process.
One of the things the Third Hokage regretted most in his life was probably watching Orochimaru escape back then.
And the unluckiest thing in Orochimaru's life?
That was definitely being targeted by Hagoromo.
But Orochimaru had a fatal "weakness": his thirst for knowledge had already broken through the heavens. As long as Hagoromo grasped that essence, he had plenty of ways to deal with him.
So before Uncle Snake completed the mission of dying once, he absolutely could not truly die.
Hagoromo still did not know just how tenacious Orochimaru's vitality was. Otherwise, he would not have been so worried.
...
At the same time that Hagoromo was rushing back in a great hurry, in a certain dark and hidden location within Konoha, a conversation took place between two people whose faces were concealed.
"Well? Lord Orochimaru has already proven his strength. With his own power, he has thrown all of Konoha, at full combat strength, into chaos, and he is currently locked in fierce battle with the Third Hokage, the 'Professor.' Before this, even the Fourth Kazekage was dealt with by him almost without the ability to fight back…"
"No matter how you look at it, what I described is the most suitable path for you."
"But… Orochimaru has always avoided fighting the White Yaksha. It does not seem that he has the courage to face him in battle."
The person who had spoken first immediately felt that the latter was somewhat like a frog at the bottom of a well. He simply did not know what level of shinobi Hagoromo truly was.
Was this the level of insight possessed by a declining famous clan?
He pushed up the round glasses on the bridge of his nose. The reflection completely obscured his eyes, hiding all the emotions within them.
"First, you have chosen the wrong comparison. In the current shinobi world, there is no one who can say with absolute certainty that they can defeat the White Yaksha…
"Lord Orochimaru may not be able to defeat Uchiha Itachi, but Uchiha Itachi is likewise no match for the White Yaksha. However… that does not conflict with your goal, does it? No matter how strong the White Yaksha is, he will not become your aid."
To be honest, the main reason Orochimaru lost to Uchiha Itachi was that his sneak attack failed and he was countered by genjutsu. If they truly lined up and fought properly, Uncle Snake would not necessarily be that weak. Putting aside everything else, as long as he was given the time it took to play one song, he could Edo Tensei a pile of underlings to help him.
A mission was a mission. The man with glasses had to carry it out responsibly. After a brief pause, he decided to add another chip.
"And… on that night, Lord Orochimaru was in Konoha. He even appeared near the site of the incident. Perhaps he can tell you certain truths you originally did not know…"
"The so-called inside story hidden beneath the surface…"
The man with glasses wore a smile that contained not the slightest hint of amusement. Every word he spoke was abduction, temptation, and also a choice…
A practical and feasible choice.
Would the latter be moved?
Of course he would.
Because what the man with glasses said made a great deal of sense. This was indeed the most suitable path for him. No matter what, Orochimaru was a shortcut leading toward a certain goal.
That shortcut was called "power."
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