Jiraiya brought Naruto with him to Tanza Kū Town.
Meanwhile, Nagi used the Flying Thunder God Technique to travel to Otoga Kūre (Hidden Sound Village).
He followed Orochimaru into the laboratory. As expected, Orochimaru had achieved remarkable progress.
By exploiting Shin Uchiha's unique trait—his body's complete lack of transplant rejection—Orochimaru had successfully cloned Sharingan using Shin's cells. Though it remained uncertain whether the cloned dōjutsu perfectly matched the originals, the breakthrough was extraordinary.
However, Nagi cautioned him:
"If you manage to develop Mangekyō Sharingan, don't implant them into Shin just yet. We can't risk him escaping."
Orochimaru nodded thoughtfully.
"I suspect Nagi-Kūn did not come merely to check on experimental progress."
"Correct."
Without further explanation, Nagi vanished using the Flying Thunder God Technique.
When he reappeared—
Several bound figures were thrown onto the laboratory floor.
White bodies. Green hair.
White Zetsu.
Nagi had captured them earlier through traps set within the Uchiha Clan Compound.
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes.
"Zetsu…?"
He recognized them as members of the Akatsuki—though notably lacking the black half.
"To be precise—White Zetsu."
"You want me to study them?"
"Yes. These beings can also be cultivated using the First Hokage's cells."
Orochimaru's pupils shrank.
"Hashirama's cells…?"
He knew better than anyone the terrifying vitality contained within them.
In the past, he had attempted to cultivate infants using Hashirama's cells—none had survived. (He was unaware that Yamato was the sole successful case.)
And now Nagi claimed—
These creatures were created from those very cells.
Yet Orochimaru did not immediately approach them.
He sensed Nagi still had something more to say.
Nagi recalled Tobirama Senju's words:
"Nagi, you do not need to carry the risks and burdens of the future alone.
You will have companions to face them with you.
Orochimaru may be dangerous—but in my judgment, he is someone dependable.
If we are to confront the Ōtsutsuki in the future, his power will be indispensable.
And if there are things you cannot or do not wish to say, do not force yourself."
A confidant is rarer than gold.
To Orochimaru, Nagi was such a confidant.
Nagi spoke slowly:
"Orochimaru-sama… if I told you the Shinobi World may face destruction in the future… would you believe me?"
"Of course."
"…Why?"
"Because those words come from Nagi—my companion.
He never speaks idly. Nor does he act without purpose."
Nagi froze.
Orochimaru's golden eyes softened faintly.
"You remind me of myself."
In his pursuit of science, no one had understood him.
No one had walked beside him.
He had been alone.
The discovery of his human experimentation had been the immediate cause of his defection.
But the deeper reason—
Was isolation.
The loneliness of pursuing knowledge in a world that neither understood nor accepted him.
The stagnant Konoha of that time had never been his home.
Orochimaru, having walked that path, recognized the same burden pressing upon Nagi's shoulders.
A weight so heavy it forced him to tread cautiously, afraid of a single misstep.
He extended his right hand.
"My name is Orochimaru.
I am Nagi's companion.
You are not walking alone. I will stand with you to the end."
Warmth spread through Nagi's chest.
He was not alone in this world.
He grasped Orochimaru's hand firmly.
"My name is Shiranui Nagi.
I am Orochimaru's companion."
Their handshake lingered.
In the Livestream
Tobirama Senju: "Thank you, Orochimaru. You have taught my disciple a valuable lesson."
Tobirama had long noticed Nagi's tendency to shoulder everything alone.
Sometimes it was admirable.
Sometimes it was dangerous.
Tobirama himself had once relied on Hashirama.
And Nagi had relied on him.
But what if one day—
He was gone?
Would Nagi continue forward alone, refusing to lean on anyone?
Though Orochimaru had previously cooperated with Nagi, that had been partnership—not trust.
Naruto and the others were Nagi's friends—
Yet subconsciously, Nagi had not wished for them to share the burden of the future.
He valued his friends—
But did not wish them to suffer beside him.
Until today.
Until Orochimaru opened that door.
Orochimaru replied calmly:
"You overpraise me, Second Hokage. Nagi is precious to me as well."
Nagi smiled softly.
"Yes… we are companions."
In the classroom, Nagi removed his glasses.
His brilliant blue eyes shimmered faintly—
As if a thin mist had gathered within them.
His slightly tearful expression left his classmates momentarily speechless.
After a long moment, Nagi slowly released Orochimaru's hand.
"Orochimaru-sama… what I say next may be shocking."
"I understand."
Nagi transported the White Zetsu back to their confinement using the Flying Thunder God Technique, then returned.
"There is another method of creating White Zetsu."
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed.
"And that is?"
"Through the Infinite Tsu Kūyomi."
MadaraUchiha: "What?! How does that boy know about the Infinite Tsu Kūyomi?!"
Black Zetsu: "Impossible!!!"
Onoki: "Wait—how does Nagi know the Infinite Tsu Kūyomi creates White Zetsu?!"
Tsunade: "Even Madara didn't know its true outcome—how does he?!"
Indeed—
From Madara 's earlier exchange with Hagoromo, it was clear he had been deceived.
So why did Nagi know?
Hashirama glanced toward Tobirama.
"Tobirama…?"
Tobirama sighed.
"It seems we cannot conceal it anymore. Just assume that Nagi and I are aware of certain truths about the Shinobi World."
Shika Kū Nara interjected calmly:
"If the Second Hokage says so, let's refrain from digging further and continue watching."
Nagi spoke evenly:
"The Infinite Tsu Kūyomi is a large-scale genjutsu that can only be cast by one who possesses the Rinne Sharingan.
By projecting its dōjutsu power onto the moon, the caster traps the entire world within illusion.
The Divine Tree then ensnares the victims, absorbs their chakra, and cultivates new fruit.
If not released in time—
Those bound will eventually transform into White Zetsu.
And the world will fall."
Orochimaru inhaled sharply.
Such a genjutsu—
On a global scale.
But one word caught his attention most of all.
"Rinne Sharingan…?"
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