Genetic modification is a scientific technique capable of altering human genes at their core.
Orochimaru had already proven its effectiveness in the original series through his experiments on Yamato. While not particularly profound by his standards, to the average person, it was a technology that defied natural laws and human ethics.
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After all, these experiments required live subjects, and more often than not, children. To the ordinary observer, such practices represented a grotesque distortion of morality.
But Orochimaru didn't care. To him, this was no longer an experiment, it was merely a process of mass-producing a Wood Release army.
Failures? There wouldn't be any, unless the subject was already terminally ill. The outcome of this "procedure" was almost guaranteed.
---
"Hmm? Kato Dan?"
As the evening settled in and Orochimaru returned from Root Headquarters, he paused, frowning slightly as he caught sight of a familiar white-haired figure outside a dango shop in the distance.
Wasn't this man supposed to be dead?
In Orochimaru's memory, Kato Dan had died during the Second Great Ninja War. But now that the war was over much earlier than it should have been there he was, alive and well.
Did my intervention in ending the war early change his fate? Orochimaru wondered. Or was it because Tsunade had stayed by his side this time? Perhaps it's both?
These thoughts swirled in his mind as he tried to make sense of this unexpected turn of events.
"Lord Orochimaru! Haha, you're back!"
A cheerful voice interrupted his thoughts. Orochimaru turned around, only to find a small red-haired figure running toward him. Before he could react, Kushina leapt into his arms with a wide grin.
"Kushina…?" Orochimaru froze for a moment, surprised.
While it wasn't unusual for Kushina to have a good impression of him after all, he had deliberately saved her during the attempted kidnapping by the Cloud ninjas, her behavior now was far more affectionate than he'd anticipated.
What's with this level of closeness? Orochimaru mused.
"Kushina, are you by yourself?" he asked, smiling faintly as he reached out to gently ruffle her bright red hair.
"Uh-huh!"
"Don't you have anyone else to play with?"
"Other people?" Kushina tilted her head, confused. "No, I don't have any friends in Konoha!"
"No friends?" Orochimaru's eyes narrowed slightly as he studied her.
Unlike Naruto in the future, Kushina was a Jinchuriki during a time of war, meaning her freedom was severely restricted. Even after graduating, she could only take on D-rank missions, never stepping far beyond the village walls.
Her classmates avoided her because of her unusual red hair, and she herself had no interest in mingling with those who ostracized her. Normally, someone like Minato might have befriended her, but because of Orochimaru's interference, their paths hadn't crossed.
In fact, Kushina seemed to have no intention of getting closer to Minato at all.
So, I've inadvertently altered her fate as well… Orochimaru realized, his lips curling into a faint smirk.
"Why don't you come over to my house?" he offered casually.
"Really? Okay!" Kushina beamed, her excitement palpable.
---
Ordinarily, a thirteen- or fourteen-year age gap between two people would create an almost insurmountable generation gap, especially between a man and a young girl.
That night, when he had saved her from the Cloud ninja, had clearly left an indelible mark on her.
Whoever had saved her that night would hold a special place in her heart especially since Orochimaru had deliberately fostered this connection afterward.
And now, this same girl was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
Orochimaru's gaze turned contemplative as he watched Kushina fiddling with a pair of wireless headphones at his desk.
The thought of obtaining the Nine-Tails had crossed his mind long ago, but the complications it would cause gave him pause. Removing a tailed beast from its host was a fatal process, and as much as Orochimaru pursued his ambitions without hesitation, the idea of letting Kushina die in such a way felt… wasteful.
From what he recalled, there was no method to safely extract a tailed beast from its host without killing the Jinchuriki, unless he used the forbidden Reincarnation Jutsu to trade his life for hers, or replenished her with another tailed beast immediately after extraction.
Neither of those options appealed to him.
The first was out of the question, Orochimaru wasn't about to sacrifice his life for anyone. As for the second, it defeated the purpose of removing the Nine-Tails in the first place.
Adding to this, Kushina's current trajectory seemed to indicate that she wouldn't form any bond with Minato. Without their connection, Naruto's existence was no longer guaranteed.
And even if Naruto were born, he likely wouldn't be the Naruto Orochimaru remembered. He might lack his connection to the Uzumaki Clan, or even the Nine-Tails itself.
It was fascinating how a single change could ripple across so many lives.
The butterfly effect truly works in mysterious ways, Orochimaru thought with an amused expression.
---
"Orochimaru! Orochimaru!"
A familiar voice broke his train of thought.
Turning toward the source, Orochimaru saw Tsunade approaching.
"I'll get the door!" Kushina chirped, hopping off her chair and rushing to open it.
Moments later, Tsunade stepped inside, her expression a mixture of annoyance and relief.
"You didn't even tell me you were back!" she scolded, walking toward him.
---
Later that night, in the quiet of Orochimaru's bedroom, the two lay side by side.
Tsunade, her cheeks flushed, turned to him with a questioning look. "Orochimaru, what's going on? We just finished, and now you're lying there like your mind is somewhere else."
"It's nothing," Orochimaru replied casually. "By the way, how's Nawaki doing?"
Tsunade's expression softened. "He's doing well. He's a full-fledged Jonin now. He's capable of standing on his own."
"Is that so…" Orochimaru's eyes narrowed slightly, his thoughts aligning with a decision he had been mulling over.
Tsunade propped herself up on one elbow, eyeing him curiously. "Hey, now that you're back, you're not planning to run off again, are you?"
"Not for a while," Orochimaru replied before pausing. Then, almost abruptly, he added, "Tsunade… let's get married."
"What?" Tsunade blinked, stunned.
This wasn't like the Orochimaru she knew, the one who used to brush her off or change the subject whenever the topic got too personal.
"Are you serious?" she asked hesitantly.
Orochimaru nodded slightly. "It might seem sudden, but I'm being sincere. To prove it, let me show you something."
"What is it?"
"Get dressed first."
Confused but intrigued, Tsunade quickly slipped into her clothes. Orochimaru did the same, donning his robe.
"Let's go," he said, scooping her up into his arms.
Tsunade was startled at first, he hadn't held her like this in a long time. Before she could react further, the scenery around them shifted. Darkness enveloped them as the sound of rushing wind filled her ears.
She instinctively glanced around, realizing that they were no longer on the ground.
Looking closer, she noticed the massive black wings on Orochimaru's back, flapping gently as they hovered in the air.
"You… you can fly?" Tsunade exclaimed, her voice tinged with disbelief.