Kazuyama Gekkō suddenly felt like a thousand question marks popped into his head...
Madara Uchiha appeared in the Land of Earth?
That can't be right—wasn't that bastard already dead...?
Wait. Suddenly, something clicked. Back in the Land of Earth, he'd fought a group led by Kitsuchi, Ōnoki's son. At the time, he'd used a combination of Ryūchi Cave's Genjutsu and Crystal Release to disguise himself as Madara Uchiha—complete with Susanoo...
So Iwagakure's retreat and hesitation were because of him?
Damn. That means he was involved in everything that happened across all four great nations?
"Shocking, isn't it? But the intel we have says just that."
"Madara Uchiha... If he's still alive, he'd be over a hundred. How is that even possible...?"
"Or maybe... he's achieved immortality?"
At the mention of immortality, Orochimaru's eyes lit up with an intense gleam. It was, after all, the core of his research—his ultimate goal.
Kazuyama was left completely speechless.
So after all that, the biggest twist in the war... was him?
What kind of absurdity was this?
But the moment Orochimaru brought up immortality, Kazuyama's expression shifted.
"Sensei, you're still obsessed with immortality?"
"I already told you what that path leads to last time."
In Konohagakure, Hiruzen Sarutobi would never approve of research that crossed moral boundaries. The First Hokage cell project had been shut down due to its use of live test subjects.
And Kazuyama knew all too well what Orochimaru's immortality technique was.
Living Corpse Reincarnation—a jutsu that allowed one to transfer their soul into another's body, effectively possessing it to achieve eternal life.
And to succeed... it cost far more than just one or two lives.
"I know. But it's my goal. I won't give it up."
"Besides... this war brought some unexpected developments. Jiraiya's disciple, Minato Namikaze, has gained considerable prestige. There's already talk in the village that he'll be the next Hokage."
Orochimaru's tone was calm, as if the idea of Minato taking the position meant nothing to him.
What truly mattered to him was being forbidden from continuing his research.
"Even if continuing means being exiled from Konoha?"
Kazuyama looked him in the eye, his tone deadly serious.
This time, Orochimaru didn't hesitate. He nodded, voice just as firm.
"The war is over. A new Hokage is emerging. My past dealings with Danzō—there's no way the Hokage doesn't know."
"Plus, with all the research I've done, I've recently noticed ANBU hanging around outside my lab."
"You were right, Kazuyama. He won't let me keep pushing into forbidden territory."
"And lately, I haven't paid any attention to village affairs because of your disappearance. It's already stirred up plenty of resentment."
Still, there wasn't a trace of resentment in Orochimaru's expression. Instead, he looked at Kazuyama with admiration.
His student had survived a direct confrontation with a Tailed Beast. Who knew what he'd been up to over the last six months?
But the fact he'd returned alive—that was enough.
"Well then, Sensei, let me show you what I've been doing all this time."
"But I need you to keep it secret. If word gets out... I might end up joining you in exile."
Kazuyama slowly stood up and placed a hand on Orochimaru's shoulder.
In the next moment, they vanished from the lab and reappeared outside the village.
"We're outside the village now, aren't we?"
"Kazuyama, I'm really curious what you've brought me to see."
Orochimaru smiled, but Kazuyama didn't say much.
Instead, he activated the Flying Thunder God Technique again—this time with Chōmei's help.
"Chōmei, control your power. We're jumping straight to Turtle Island."
"Don't worry, I'll keep my chakra suppressed. We won't be detected."
The jutsu activated.
In an instant, the two crossed the entire Land of Fire and appeared over the South Sea, arriving on Turtle Island.
As the salty ocean breeze filled his lungs, Orochimaru's eyes showed a flicker of surprise.
The vast sea stretched out before them—there was no doubt they were now out at sea.
But what really stunned him... was what he was standing on.
"This is a giant turtle?"
"A turtle the size of an island?"
"Magnificent. I didn't think such a creature existed in this world."
As a researcher obsessed with biology and mechanics, Orochimaru was instantly captivated by the sight.
He grew visibly excited.
"Kazuyama, where did you find this giant turtle—no, Turtle Island?"
"Hehe, Sensei, why don't you take a guess?"
Kazuyama looked out over the island with visible pride.
This was his prize, his mobile fortress.
"And Sensei, Turtle Island isn't just a turtle. It's home to all kinds of giant creatures. The diversity is incredible."
"Oh, and there's a special training spot on the island too—something called the Falls of Truth."
Orochimaru's curiosity only deepened. As a scientist, especially one drawn to rare creatures, this was like a dream.
Without hesitation, he started walking into the island.
As they ventured deeper, he finally saw the massive creatures Kazuyama had mentioned.
Gorillas, lions—all of them towering in size.
"Well, Sensei? Pretty impressive, right?"
"It's fascinating. And the fact that this island moves? It's perfect for a mobile lab. The only issue is power."
Orochimaru got straight to the point. Turtle Island was incredible, but without electricity, a lab was limited.
Kazuyama burst out laughing.
"Sensei, you're overthinking it. Electricity's not a problem. Just build a generator!"
"There's so much free labor here, we'd be wasting it if we didn't use it."
The two of them laughed—though there was something a little shady in the sound of it.
When the laughter died down, Orochimaru asked again about the island's origin.
"Oh, Turtle Island?"
"I stole it from Kumogakure. Supposedly it was something they specially raised. I used Flying Thunder God to teleport it bit by bit to the southern sea of the Land of Fire."
"And I used Genjutsu to cut off its link to the Kumogakure shinobi."
"So now... Turtle Island belongs to me."
Orochimaru: ...What the hell kind of monster have I raised?