A New Snake In The Shinobi World
Chapter 396:

Orochimaru isn't dead?

Not only did he survive, but he actually returned with Kaguya?

What the hell is going on?!

"Th-This is…?"

"This woman… she feels so cold!"

"Orochimaru, what is happening?!"

"It's a long story." Orochimaru spoke calmly.

"I only came to tell you that you're safe. You just need to wait for me."

"Huh?!"

Before anyone could react, Orochimaru and Kaguya's figures vanished before their eyes.

Once again, they were left completely stunned.

"What technique was that?"

"The Flying Thunder God? No… it didn't seem like it!"

---

Kaguya had been revived early due to Orochimaru's intervention.

And now that she had returned, there was no one else left who could seal her away except Orochimaru himself.

Inside the Core Dimension, a vast expanse of howling wind and shifting sand stretched endlessly.

This was one of Kaguya's personal dimensions, with an environment similar to the deserts of the Land of Wind.

Using her Amenominaka, Kaguya had teleported both herself and Orochimaru into this space, while Black Zetsu slipped into the sleeves of her flowing robe.

The ability Amenominaka allowed Kaguya to instantly transport herself and those around her into one of her alternate dimensions.

These dimensions included lava, ice, supergravity, sand, acid, and all were directly linked to the Core Dimension.

Each dimension housed a castle and a statue belonging to Kaguya.

In this Core Dimension, Kaguya could absorb chakra from those trapped in Infinite Tsukuyomi—restoring and further enhancing her power.

At this moment, Kaguya gazed at Orochimaru, her gray eyes filled with unspoken emotions.

And tears shimmered within them.

"To think… the one who understands me best… is you, a human from this earth? What an irony."

Orochimaru remained unmoved by the emotion in her voice.

His tone remained calm as he replied.

"Different perspectives lead to different understandings. In order to fight against the traitors of your own clan, you chose to create White Zetsu rather than share your power with ordinary humans.

That alone proves that you understand human nature better than anyone."

Then his expression turned sharp.

"However, you still made one crucial mistake."

Kaguya's gaze hardened.

"A mistake?"

"Yes. You should have never conceived a child with a human under those circumstances."

---

Based on Black Zetsu's explanations and Orochimaru's own research, he had conducted countless in-depth analyses of Kaguya's past.

Long ago, Kaguya consumed the God Tree's fruit and later gave birth to two sons.

Then, when the God Tree transformed into the Ten-Tails and went on a rampage, Kaguya was forced to absorb its power, merging with the God Tree itself.

This was why many believed that Kaguya was the God Tree and the God Tree was Kaguya.

But why had she merged with it?

Orochimaru had a theory.

The will of the Ten-Tails had swallowed Kaguya's own will.

The two had fused into one.

It was similar to how a Tailed Beast could consume its Jinchūriki—seizing total control.

Because of this, Kaguya's once pure mind had been influenced by the God Tree's will, ultimately leading to her downfall.

This was why Hagoromo and Hamura had been able to seal her away.

---

Kaguya was a god, and thus, her lifespan far surpassed that of mortals.

The Sage of Six Paths might have been seen as a sage, but ultimately, he was still just a mortal who had inherited a fraction of Kaguya's divine power.

Had Kaguya not conceived human children, she never would have needed to pass down her power to them.

If she had never shared her power, how could two mere mortals have possibly sealed their own mother?

This meant that Kaguya's greatest mistake had been bearing human children.

Orochimaru was certain of this conclusion.

Because he understood power better than anyone.

Few people in history had ever been able to resist the corrupting influence of absolute power.

The more power one gains, the more unpredictable they become.

Even Kaguya's own children had chosen to seal her away after obtaining power.

What about ordinary humans?

If regular people were given unlimited power, they might accept it peacefully at first.

But over time, it wouldn't even take a thousand years, within just a few decades, many would grow dissatisfied with living under another's rule.

Rebellion and war would only be a matter of time.

Even if Kaguya suppressed them with her overwhelming strength, it would be a tireless, endless struggle.

She would gain nothing from the effort.

From Kaguya's perspective, it was far more practical to simply create a legion of obedient White Zetsu from the start.

If Orochimaru had been in her position, he would have done the exact same thing.

In fact—

He might have been even harsher.

If sacrificing a few lives could ensure the survival of many, including oneself, then any rational person would know which choice to make.

---

After hearing Orochimaru's words, Kaguya's expression remained calm as she replied.

"I had no choice but to bear those children.

I never expected that the power of human prayer… would allow me to conceive them."

For the first time, a trace of loneliness flickered in her ashen gray eyes.

Orochimaru, however, was caught off guard by her response.

"You're saying… you became pregnant because of human prayer?"

"That's right."

Orochimaru's brows furrowed.

"Wasn't Hagoromo born from the emperor of the Land of Ancestors?"

Kaguya's expression darkened.

"…The emperor of the Land of Ancestors?"

For a brief second, she appeared stunned.

But then—her eyes turned cold.

"Hmph! That man? How absurd."

"…Is that so?"

Kaguya's answer left Orochimaru even more puzzled.

What is going on?

Wasn't he supposed to be her husband?

Orochimaru's mind raced with thoughts.

Had he misremembered history?

Or—

Had Kaguya never once acknowledged the emperor as her husband?

Was everything he knew wrong?

Then, something clicked.

There were two different versions of the legend surrounding Kaguya's pregnancy.

One stated that she had conceived a child with the emperor of the Land of Ancestors.

The other claimed she had become pregnant due to the power of human prayer.

And now, it seemed the latter version was the truth.

Seeing Orochimaru's bewilderment, Kaguya decided to tell him a story.

One that was familiar to many, yet with subtle, crucial differences.

The story of the Ōtsutsuki Clan.

A clan that originated from beyond the stars.

And a princess who once stood above them all.

(To be continued.)

A/N: Since there are some inconsistencies between the settings in the Naruto anime and manga and even greater contradictions with Boruto—the author, who dropped Boruto after just one episode, has chosen to base most of the story's settings on the Naruto manga or anime.

For example, Kaguya is depicted as a princess, not a servant or low-ranking member of the Ōtsutsuki clan. She is the Sage of Six Paths, conceived through the blessing of human power, rather than by the emperor of the Land of Ancestors, among other differences.

If any of these settings conflict with your own interpretations, the author can only say sorry!

At the end of the day, as the author, I will write based on the settings I personally recognize and enjoy the most.

Yes, that's just how willful I am!

***

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