Sage Mode—the art of harnessing natural energy—was a power Orochimaru had once pursued with relentless desire. Yet despite all his efforts, it had remained forever beyond his grasp.
To master it, one's body first had to be capable of absorbing natural energy. And unfortunately, due to the limitations of his own constitution, Orochimaru could never take that first step.
It was, in fact, one of the key reasons he had become so obsessed with developing his reincarnation techniques—not merely in pursuit of immortality, but in search of a body strong enough to wield greater power.
That path, however, was arduous beyond measure.
And yet, Shimizu's existence had offered him a glimmer of hope.
If he could refine a more effective version of the "Wood Release serum," then in the shortest possible time, he might gain access to the legendary power of Hashirama Senju—the very ability that had earned him the title of the "God of Shinobi."
Still, when it came to Shimizu's request, Orochimaru could offer little.
"I'm afraid," he said at length, shaking his head slowly, "that I cannot practice Sage Mode. And even if you wish to learn it, I have no means of teaching you."
Shimizu was not surprised. In the stories he remembered, Orochimaru had never succeeded in mastering Sage Mode.
Truthfully, it was not something Shimizu was desperate for. If the opportunity presented itself, he would take it—but if not, he would not cling to it.
Because what he truly wanted… was something else.
"However," Orochimaru continued, "I can make you a contractor of Ryūchi Cave. I will also teach you the method of reverse summoning. After that, you may go to the Manda Cave yourself and seek out a snake willing to form a contract with you. If your intent to learn Sage Mode is genuine, then the snake that accepts you will naturally recommend you for further training."
Shimizu paused, slightly taken aback. "I can't just form a contract directly with Manda?"
In his mind, Sage Mode was already a rare and perilous path. Even setting aside the dangers of training, the opportunity itself was something one might never encounter twice.
So even if he ultimately failed to learn it, that would be fine—so long as he could establish a contract with Ryūchi Cave, he would at least gain the ability to summon Manda.
A creature on par with a tailed beast.
To have such a being descend suddenly upon an unprepared battlefield would be nothing short of catastrophic—a terror capable of shattering enemy lines in an instant.
And yet, Orochimaru was suggesting he seek out some other snake instead?
Manda was the overlord of Manda Cave. Why ignore the strongest and settle for something lesser?
At Shimizu's question, Orochimaru's smile grew faintly inscrutable.
"Summoned beasts are not pets," he said. "Manda and I do not share a master-servant relationship—we are equals."
"Moreover, Manda is violent, bloodthirsty, and feared throughout the shinobi world. Even I do not provoke it lightly. Worse still, each time I summon it, I must offer a sacrifice of one hundred living humans."
"Unless Manda is willing to strike a bargain with you, it will not answer your call—no matter how much you desire it."
Shimizu let out a silent sigh.
That alone was enough to dissuade him.
One hundred living sacrifices—where was he supposed to find such a number?
"So in other words," he said, "if I want to learn Sage Mode, I first need to go to that cavern, win the recognition of a serpent, and only then earn the chance to be recommended."
"You could put it that way," Orochimaru replied patiently. "Gaining a snake's acknowledgment is merely the first step of the trial. Whether you have the aptitude to cultivate Sage Mode, whether you can succeed at all—that depends entirely on your own fate."
"What I can offer you is only what I've already said."
He studied Shimizu for a moment, then added, "Does that satisfy you?"
He truly had spared no expense.
Whether it was the Sharingan he had mentioned before, or the prospect of Wood Release—any of these things, if discovered by the Third Hokage, would be enough to bring severe consequences upon him.
Yet Shimizu did not answer immediately. Instead, a thought surfaced, and he voiced it with quiet curiosity.
"And you're not afraid," he asked, "that I might turn around right now, return to Konohagakure, and expose everything?"
Orochimaru's laughter came low and soft, curling through the night like a whisper.
"Why would you?" he asked in return, a chilling smile spreading across his face.
Beneath that smile, something cold flickered—an unspoken threat, sharp as a blade.
It was the kind of expression that suggested one simple truth:
The moment Shimizu showed even the slightest intention of betrayal… killing intent would follow.
Shimizu let out a quiet breath before speaking, his tone measured, almost reflective. "After all, you and I share no ties of blood or history. And I've only just been promoted by the Third Hokage. If I simply follow the proper course, step by step, I should eventually enter the inner circle of Konohagakure. That would be the reasonable path, wouldn't it?"
Orochimaru regarded him with that same inscrutable smile. "Do you truly believe blood ties are such an unbreakable bond? Or that emotion alone can compel someone to devote everything to a village?"
He did not wait for an answer.
"In this matter, you are not helping me for nothing. I have paid a sufficient price, and you will gain equally substantial benefits. This is a fair exchange—mutually beneficial, balanced. Tell me, Uzuki-kun… would you really destroy such a transaction?"
His voice was soft, yet every word carried weight.
"I believe you are a man who honors his word. Our previous dealings went smoothly enough to prove that. And since you have already agreed to assist me, it is only natural that I demonstrate my sincerity in return. Otherwise… why would I reveal such forbidden knowledge to you?"
He paused, his golden eyes narrowing ever so slightly.
"And besides, your ambition does not end here. Surely you are not so short-sighted."
A faint note of pride crept into his voice as he continued, "Only the weak—and politicians—hide the truth behind lies. A true strong man has no need for deception."
There was arrogance in those words, but also conviction—the unshakable pride of one who stood among the Sannin.
And Shimizu could not entirely deny the logic.
What, after all, would he gain from exposing Orochimaru?
He turned the thought over carefully. If he reported everything to the Third Hokage, the most likely outcome would be nothing but trouble—dragging himself into the center of a storm, entangling himself in unseen currents of power, and earning the enmity of a man like Orochimaru, who would lurk in the shadows like a patient predator.
And in return?
Very likely, nothing of substance.
More importantly… the things he truly wanted would still remain out of reach.
Whereas here, now, Orochimaru could place them directly into his hands.
He had not forgotten, either, that in a sense, his own rise had begun with that single transaction—the ninjutsu notes of the Second Hokage that had first set him on this path.
If a single exchange could yield such gains, then what might a long-term, equal partnership bring?
Power.
Real, tangible power.
The thought stirred something deep within him.
Why had he come to this world in the first place?
The answer had long since taken root in his heart: because he had grown tired—utterly weary—of living in a world devoid of miracles, trapped in a frail body, enduring a life that was both painful and insignificant.
If that was the truth… then joining forces with another who sought strength above all else—wasn't that the most natural choice?
What was there left to hesitate over?
"The contract is made," Shimizu said at last, his voice steady. Then, after a brief pause, he added, "As for making you the Fourth Hokage… that may be beyond me. But I can at least ensure victory in this war against Sunagakure."
"And if we truly crush them," he continued, "that achievement alone will surpass Minato Namikaze. That will be enough."
He glanced at Orochimaru, a faint edge entering his tone. "Have you considered what happens if we fail?"
"Failure?" Orochimaru seemed almost puzzled by the word itself. "There is no such thing in my life."
Then, with a faint, knowing smile, he added, "Or is it that someone as ambitious as you… fears failure?"
Shimizu let out a quiet laugh.
Fear? No.
Once a decision had been made, there was only one path forward—to see it through with everything he had.
"When do we sign the contract with Ryūchi Cave?" he asked. "And when will you teach me reverse summoning?"
"If you have no objections," Orochimaru replied smoothly, "we can do it now."
"Then now it is."
...
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