Sage Mode is a combat state that amplifies one's power several times over—or even dozens of times, compared to their normal state.
It is widely known that achieving Sage Mode requires an exact ratio of chakra to natural energy: 2:1.
The more precise this ratio is, the more flawless the resulting senjutsu becomes.
In general, regardless of which holy land one practices senjutsu in, the more chakra a person has, the easier and faster their training will be.
For instance, Jiraiya required 20 minutes to prepare to enter Sage Mode. Naruto, on the other hand, needed five minutes. The First Hokage, by contrast, could activate Sage Mode instantly.
This alone demonstrates the advantages of having an abundant chakra pool. Not only does it make learning faster, but it also allows for quicker activation of Sage Mode.
As for whether Orochimaru would end up like the original Yakushi Kabuto, with his body becoming heavily snake-like due to Ryūchi Cave's senjutsu? Orochimaru wasn't concerned.
Yakushi Kabuto's transformation had far more to do with his transplantation of foreign cells than the effects of senjutsu itself.
Turning into a snake through training? That would only happen if one's body was too weak or their mastery of senjutsu was flawed.
In Orochimaru's case, he was confident this wouldn't happen.
---
While Orochimaru focused on mastering senjutsu within Ryūchi Cave, the outside world descended further into chaos.
Kumo's forces were embroiled in a fierce conflict with Konoha when they were suddenly ambushed by Iwa ninjas.
The reason? During their previous clash with Konoha, Kumo had taken advantage of Iwa, and now Iwa wanted payback for their losses.
When news of the attack reached the Third Raikage, he was furious. He ordered his son to continue fighting Konoha while he personally led a counterattack against Iwa.
Though Kumo and Iwa had cooperated briefly in the past to deal with Orochimaru, that had been a situational alliance with no lasting trust.
The conflicts between the ninja villages ran deep. Once a fragile truce was broken, it was every nation for itself.
Without a shared enemy to unite them, war was inevitable.
Fortunately for Kumo, despite being attacked on two fronts, their battle lines didn't overlap. Iwa and Konoha were not allies and had no intention of cooperating, which prevented Kumo from being sandwiched between two coordinated forces.
Meanwhile, Sunagakure chose to stay out of the conflict.
Rasa, having recently ascended as the Fourth Kazekage, opted to wait and observe the situation rather than rush into battle.
Among the Five Great Ninja Villages, Suna was the weakest.
Their barren land had stunted their economy, which in turn left their military resources and equipment lacking.
Their population was small, second only to Kirigakure in its "Bloody Mist" days and the number of active ninjas in the village was limited.
Adding to their hesitation was the death of the Third Kazekage during the previous war. Still reeling from the loss, they couldn't afford to act recklessly.
---
The chaos of the Third Ninja World War reached its peak within a month.
Yet back in Konoha, life inside the village remained deceptively peaceful.
On one sunny day, the village basked under the warm glow of sunlight, and the iconic faces of the Hokage Monument stood proudly under the clear sky.
---
At Orochimaru's former mansion, Tsunade sat sipping tea in the yard. Nearby, Mikoto was hanging clothes to dry.
Tsunade's lips curved into a small smile as she turned to Mikoto.
"Mikoto, thank you for helping out during this time," she said warmly.
Each time Tsunade thought back on how she had brought Mikoto into Orochimaru's life, she couldn't help but feel it was one of her better decisions.
Mikoto's personality was the polar opposite of her own.
Where Tsunade lacked patience or interest in certain tasks, Mikoto excelled.
In many ways, they complemented each other perfectly, and Mikoto's presence had saved Tsunade from much of the hassle she normally would have had to endure.
"It's no trouble, Lady Tsunade. I'm just doing what I should," Mikoto replied softly.
"What you should do? Heh…" Tsunade chuckled lightly, setting her teacup down before strolling over to Mikoto's side.
"By the way, you're 24 this year, right?" Tsunade asked, a playful glint in her eyes.
"Yes, that's right. Why do you ask?"
"Oh, no particular reason," Tsunade said with mock casualness, taking another sip of tea. "I just couldn't help but notice you're always alone. Aren't you interested in finding a boyfriend?"
The sudden question caught Mikoto off guard, and a deep blush spread across her cheeks.
"L-Lady Tsunade, what are you talking about? Lord Orochimaru and I have already…" Mikoto stammered, trailing off before she could finish her sentence.
Her words didn't need to be completed, both women knew exactly what she meant.
After all, it had been Tsunade herself who had orchestrated Mikoto's relationship with Orochimaru.
Tsunade's expression remained calm, her tone nonchalant. "Orochimaru? That guy… He's a rogue ninja now. Why bother waiting for him?"
"Please don't joke with me, Lady Tsunade," Mikoto said with a soft smile. "If Lord Orochimaru were truly a traitor, I think you'd be far more upset than you are now."
Mikoto's smile radiated quiet confidence.
She was certain that Orochimaru wasn't truly a traitor. If he were, Tsunade wouldn't be living so comfortably.
Tsunade laughed, shaking her head. "You see things clearly, Mikoto. You're right, he probably isn't a traitor. But still… I haven't seen him since the last time we parted ways."
"I wonder what he's up to now. Probably off with some other woman," she added teasingly.
"Th-that can't be true!" Mikoto protested, her voice flustered.
"Why not?" Tsunade smirked. "You don't know him as well as I do."
"R-really?" Mikoto stammered.
"How about we make a bet?" Tsunade suggested.
"A bet?" Mikoto hesitated, then smiled knowingly. She didn't respond but left the challenge unanswered.
---
Meanwhile, at Ryūchi Cave, Orochimaru was deep in meditation, seated cross-legged in front of the temple.
He was shirtless, his long black hair draped casually over his shoulders.
To the casual observer, there didn't appear to be anything unusual about the scene.
Except for the fact that a petite figure—with a long, dark blue hair and a golden crown was sprawled across his back.
Despite her small frame, her actions were anything but innocent.
She rested her chin on his shoulder while trailing her fingers across his chest in a manner that could only be described as suggestive.
Orochimaru remained still, his eyes closed, though his raspy voice broke the silence.
"Ichikishimahime, if you're going to touch, just touch. But using your tongue might be going a bit too far," he said flatly.
Though his eyes were shut, his heightened senses left him acutely aware of her movements.
Ichikishima-hime didn't stop. In fact, she doubled down.
"Too far? Not at all," she said with a sly grin. "I'm just helping you improve your focus. Besides…" Her voice softened as her lips drew closer to his ear.
And with that, her tongue brushed against his earlobe.