In the previous war, even though Konoha had fought against both the Sand and Stone Villages, the truth was that Suna and Iwa had been far from united. There was mutual animosity between them, and they clashed almost as much with each other as they did with Konoha. Because of this, Konoha had been able to drive back both villages without incurring heavy losses.
But now, if they truly managed to ally and launched a joint assault on Konoha, things might not go so smoothly. Both Suna and Iwa were great powers in their own right. Though they didn't quite measure up to Konoha's strength, they weren't far behind. If they combined their forces, even Konoha would have to be cautious.
Of course, a true alliance between Suna and Iwa was unlikely. The hatred between their two nations wasn't something that could be resolved overnight. If they did choose to attack together, they'd have to take steps to prevent their forces from mixing, probably by coordinating separate attack routes. Otherwise, they might end up fighting each other as much as Konoha.
But all of this was of little concern to Orochimaru. War no longer frightened him.
Konoha Training Grounds
A young boy with short brown hair was engaged in a fierce sparring match with a man with long black hair. They exchanged blows with their kunai, the clashing metal ringing out sharply as they moved back and forth across the training area. To an observer, the match looked thrilling and evenly matched.
However, upon closer inspection, it was clear that while the boy was fighting with everything he had, the man was merely toying with him, effortlessly blocking every attack.
Ding! Boom!
The man saw an opening and landed a swift kick to the boy's stomach, sending him flying backward.
"Nawaki, if this is all you've got, you're far from ready!" the man chided, his tone firm but not unkind.
"Damn it… why? Why can't I even beat a clone?" Nawaki shouted in frustration.
He trained hard every single day and had already surpassed most of his peers. But now he couldn't even hold his own against a mere clone?
Yes, the Orochimaru in front of him was only a shadow clone, a mere extension of the real Orochimaru.
The real Orochimaru didn't have the time to personally train every young student. So he used a shadow clone to teach in his stead. And even though it was just a clone, Nawaki found himself completely outmatched.
In the world of ninjutsu, clones came in many forms—basic clones, elemental clones, and shadow clones among them.
Basic clones were mere illusions with no real substance, useful only for confusing an opponent. Elemental clones, on the other hand, could be crafted from water, earth, lightning, or other elements, allowing them to fight and even deliver additional effects. For instance, a lightning clone could paralyze an opponent upon dispersal.
Yet among all types of clones, apart from the rare Wood Clone, the shadow clone was particularly unique. Not only did it replicate the user's chakra, but it also retained the experiences and knowledge it gathered, transferring them back to the main body when it dispersed.
For any ninja with a strong chakra reserve, shadow clones were an invaluable asset. They could be used for training, reconnaissance, or even mundane tasks like cooking or laundry. Right now, Orochimaru's shadow clone was teaching Nawaki everything it knew.
"You want to beat my clone?" Orochimaru's clone chuckled. "Haha, let me tell you—forget about a genin like you. Even a jonin would need to use some advanced techniques to stand a chance."
"A… jonin?" Nawaki stared in disbelief. "You're kidding, right?"
"Believe what you want," the clone replied, barely holding back a smirk. "Now, enough talking. Let's keep training."
Orochimaru had a special affection for Nawaki. After all, he'd watched him grow up, and with Tsunade as his relative, the boy felt almost like family. Because of this, Orochimaru had taken it upon himself to give Nawaki every advantage he could.
Meanwhile, in his home, the real Orochimaru lay back on a tatami mat, his mind drifting as he pondered the mystery of the Rinnegan.
Nagato possessed the legendary eyes, but Orochimaru believed it might be possible to cultivate the Rinnegan himself. There were two possible methods to achieve this: one required immense mental strength to activate, while the other demanded the combined chakra of Asura and Indra, the reincarnated spirits of the Sage's sons.
Which path would be best for him? Orochimaru mulled over the options.
The first method was straightforward, albeit demanding in terms of mental power. The second method, however, was more enigmatic. He still didn't fully understand how Asura and Indra's chakra was passed on to their successors. Did it reincarnate directly upon the previous host's death, or did it remain dormant, waiting for the next inheritor to manifest?
If the chakra reincarnated directly, he'd have to wait until Naruto and Sasuke were born to stand a chance. If it lingered in the bodies of prior hosts, then he'd need access to the remains of Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha.
In short, the first method seemed the more reliable option.
Activate Madara Uchiha's eyes, then merge them with the gene fusion serum he'd developed. After all, Madara's eyes were already a product of the combined powers of Asura and Indra.
Yes… the more he thought about it, the more logical it seemed.
Just as Orochimaru was lost in thought, he was interrupted by a familiar voice.
"Hah… this heat is killing me!" Tsunade grumbled.
Orochimaru looked over, mildly curious. "What are you up to, Tsunade?"
"I'm making tea for you!" she replied with a hint of pride.
"Making tea?"
"Of course!" She placed a hand on her hip, a satisfied expression on her face. "I heard this is a skill every woman should learn."
Orochimaru felt a small pang of emotion as he watched her. Tsunade, who'd never been one for domestic chores, was actually trying her hand at them for his sake.
"Have you managed to learn it?"
"Well… I'm still figuring it out," she admitted with a sheepish smile.
Orochimaru gave a faint smile. "Tsunade, you don't need to waste time on this. You're far better off focusing on your medical ninjutsu."
While he had a fondness for the idea of a woman who could handle domestic tasks, some people were simply not suited for that role. Forcing herself to do something she neither liked nor excelled at would be a waste of her talents.
Someone like Tsunade wasn't meant to play the role of a housewife. She was a healer, a warrior, a princess in her own right. Trying to make her anything else just felt… wrong.
Tsunade huffed, crossing her arms. "Orochimaru, are you saying you don't like it? Or are you just looking for an excuse to replace me with someone else? Let me tell you, that's not happening. Not in this lifetime."
Orochimaru's voice, as dry and sardonic as ever, drifted out. "Maybe I should start researching a new genetic topic…"
"What?"
"Whether a woman's genes start evolving in a certain direction when she gets a boyfriend."
"What's that supposed to mean…?"
"Nothing," Orochimaru said, waving a hand. "Seriously, you're better off working on your medical jutsu. Don't waste time with this."
Then his tone shifted. "You should focus on how you'll survive when the next war breaks out."
He paused, giving her a thoughtful look. "And… if I remember right, isn't Nawaki going to take the Chunin Exams soon?"