When Anya arrived at the laboratory where Minato's body was kept, he was startled. Two experiment chambers were connected together. Minato was surrounded by a layer of orange Nine-Tails chakra that had transformed into countless thin threads, flowing through the green liquid into the other chamber.
Inside that chamber was a deformed creature with eight heads growing along its spine. Anya recognized it immediately—it was Yamata no Orochi, created by Orochimaru using the Eight Branches Technique.
"Using this technique's immortality trait to gradually peel away the Nine-Tails' chakra… Once enough accumulates, your main body will absorb it. You really dared to do this. If the Nine-Tails goes berserk, not only will Minato be finished, but this stronghold will also be completely destroyed—and I would be very angry."
Anya's tone remained calm, yet the meaning behind his words was clear.
"A mere beast," Orochimaru replied without concern. "Man was born to rule over beasts like this. I've measured the amount being extracted—it's balanced against the Nine-Tails' regeneration rate. It won't affect it."
Anya said, "After extracting it for so many years, you must've built up quite a bit of the Nine-Tails' chakra by now. However, relying solely on this still won't let you defeat Sasuke. The Sharingan is naturally superior to tailed beasts. Once he detects this chakra, instead of aiding you, it will trigger physical rejection and produce the opposite effect instead."
Orochimaru frowned. "You're so sure I can't consume him?"
"Tsk. It's inevitable. Deep down, you know this well—you're just clinging onto a shred of hope." Anya smirked faintly. "Or did you leave something up your sleeve that I don't know about?"
A flicker passed through Orochimaru's eyes. After a moment's hesitation, he finally answered in his raspy voice, "[The Curse Mark] I left behind isn't easy to remove. As long as he strongly desires chakra, I can appear anytime. The moment my Eight Branches Technique reaches completion, I'll already be an [Immortal Body]."
"Don't place too much faith in this so-called immortality," Anya replied unimpressed. "[The Chakra Matriarch] was powerful beyond measure, yet no one knows where she went."
"Oh? Then tell me, how would you counter my [Immortal Body]?" Orochimaru's interest suddenly spiked.
Without unnecessary words, Anya stepped forward to the experiment chamber holding Yamata no Orochi. He placed his palm on it and chakra surged from his body, pouring invisible power into the chamber. The green liquid within twisted and morphed, forming ripple-like chains that effortlessly coiled tightly around Yamata no Orochi, restraining its every movement.
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed. "A Sealing Technique… I haven't seen anything like this before."
"Yes," Anya confirmed. "From the Uzumaki clan. Someone taught it to me when I was young." He had fully mastered all of the Uzumaki clan's sealing techniques, refining them further during research discussions with Minato and even Hashirama—the Uzumaki son-in-law—by his side. In fact, when it came to sealing arts, there were none who could truly stand beside him, which was why he easily cracked the Caged Bird Seal and developed the [Moon in the Well] technique.
Orochimaru's expression darkened. "The Uzumaki clan has been wiped out. No one should have reached this level of sealing artistry."
"Who knows? Besides, that's only one method among others."
"Have you come here just to provoke me again?"
"I'm not that bored."
Orochimaru lost interest in continuing the conversation and started dismissing her. "Fine. Minato's body is right here. You can take it."
Anya, however, smiled. "I've suddenly had an idea, and I'll need your help."
A flicker of interest passed through Orochimaru's eyes as he spoke with an uncertain tone. "You've trained a sword-wielding prodigy back in Konoha—Little Girl. I imagine you put considerable effort into her. And yet, I wasn't even aware there was any hatred between me and her, rooted all in a minor figure who's been dead for years."
A flicker crossed Anya's face as she started to speak...
"Don't worry about it," Orochimaru said offhandedly. "Just simple hatred—something I can easily bear. It's normal for you to come asking for my help. After all these years, isn't this exactly how our relationship has always worked?" The smile on Orochimaru's face gradually turned unsettling.
Anya sighed softly. "Uncle, we've always had a give-and-take thing. If you help me, I'll make sure to return the favor."
Orochimaru gave no clear response, just saying, "Go ahead."
Anya spoke bluntly, "[Shiki Fujin]—this sealing technique must have been your main focus over the past three years. To undo it requires locating the ruins of the Uzumaki clan and using the Shinigami Mask discovered there. Coincidentally enough, I know exactly where those things are."
Orochimaru's body trembled slightly, though he remained expressionless and silent.
So Anya continued, "My idea involves a great experiment—one unlike anything you've ever undertaken before—and I'm willing to let you participate alongside me."
"Oh? What kind of experiment?" Now Orochimaru seemed intrigued.
"About the Tailed Beasts—you know full well that Akatsuki is gathering them. In fact, we could do the same."
After seeing those bull-like horns of the Eight-Tails, Anya had developed this idea. The hardest ones—the Eight-Tails and Nine-Tails—had already been secured. Surely collecting the rest would be even easier?
"Naive," Orochimaru scoffed. "Without the [Demonic Statue of the Outer Path], collecting all nine chakra of the Tailed Beasts will be useless."
"What if there were *two* [Demonic Statue of the Outer Path]s?"
"What?! That's impossible!" A look of disbelief flashed across Orochimaru's eyes.
"It's just a hypothesis of mine," Anya replied. "The [Demonic Statue of the Outer Path] was originally summoned from the moon by Nagato through his Rinnegan. Which means, long ago, the Sage of Six Paths must have sealed it on the moon. But since the Sage himself was the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki and later split the Ten-Tails into nine Tailed Beasts upon his death, logically, he should also have carried within him another copy of the [Demonic Statue of the Outer Path]. However, with his death, this statue simply vanished without a trace."
Orochimaru's face darkened while his mind raced furiously through Anya's words. He finally spoke after a long pause. "Legends say whoever becomes the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki can obtain the Chakra of the Six Paths and become the next Sage of Six Paths. Your ambitions really aren't small."
"Just being prepared is all—better safe than sorry. Becoming the next Sage of Six Paths doesn't interest me anyway—it's just the relic of a decrepit old fool."
What Orochimaru didn't yet realize was that only recently, Anya had almost become the father of the next Sage of Six Paths.
"Still," Orochimaru countered, "you'd still need the Rinnegan. What? Are you planning to target Pain now?"
"With your skills, seizing it isn't impossible."
Anya shook her head and said, "Not yet. First, you should focus on capturing the Tailed Beasts. I assume you only need their cells. As for cultivating them afterward, that'll be up to you."
Orochimaru nodded in agreement, "Although I still don't understand your ultimate goal, this is fascinating. I accept this collaboration."
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