NOVEL NEXT Chapter 23: Orochimaru
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**Half a month passed.**
The first high-end casino on Tanzaku Street had officially opened!
The scene was bustling with life: drums pounding, firecrackers exploding, red flags fluttering in the wind, and crowds flocking from every corner.
Natsume wasn't exaggerating when he predicted its success.
Even Kajiwara Satomi, the wife of the governor of Tanzaku Street, made an appearance to show her support.
**That dinner had definitely been worth it.**
The only downside was that Satomi had a habit of being a bit too touchy-feely for Natsume's liking.
Still, her presence made one thing clear to everyone: Gunma Casino had powerful backing. Any competitor thinking of causing trouble would have to think twice. And in the gambling world, hesitation often meant losing out.
Gunma Casino's offerings were a *dimensionality reduction attack* on the local competition.
The six-story building catered to various levels of clientele. Entry to the first floor required 10,000 ryo and offered services on par with other casinos. But the sixth floor? That was an entirely different level. Admission started at five million ryo, with the best service money could buy. The dealers and waitresses were recruited in collaboration with the nearby Red Light District, where they could be *requested* for companionship. The food and drinks were of the finest quality available in the Land of Fire.
It was a place where the wealthiest indulged in *absolute decadence*.
Even if other casinos tried to copy the concept, it would take at least a month or two to catch up. By then, Gunma Casino would have solidified its dominance.
On top of that, Gunma Bank had quietly reopened its doors.
**But Gunma Bank wasn't some underground loan shark operation.**
It was a legitimate bank, modeled after institutions Natsume remembered from his previous life. It accepted deposits from anyone, large or small, and even offered interest. Loans, while available at lower interest rates than typical underground banks, required collateral—whether that be property, or even a jutsu scroll.
With both the casino and the bank up and running, Natsume was confident he wouldn't have to worry about money again. That is, unless Orochimaru's experiments drained him dry.
### That Night
Natsume sent one of his Wood Clones to Orochimaru's mansion to finalize the deal on the Uzumaki clan's sealing techniques.
*"Wait."* Orochimaru's voice stopped Natsume's clone as it prepared to leave.
*"I have something you might find interesting."*
He handed Natsume a small vial filled with a strange, pale liquid. *"This is a potion I developed using Yamato's cells, neutralized with those of Hashirama Senju. Regular consumption could potentially grant someone access to Wood Release. It's relatively safe."*
Natsume raised an eyebrow, curious but not overly impressed. After all, he already had Wood Release.
*"And what else does it do?"* Natsume asked, humoring Orochimaru.
*"It enhances the user's physique and chakra reserves,"* Orochimaru explained, his eyes glinting with ambition. *"With enough use, there's a possibility of developing a body akin to that of Senju Hashirama himself."*
Now that piqued Natsume's interest. Attaining Hashirama's level of power seemed far-fetched, but if it could significantly boost his strength and chakra, it might be worth it.
*"What's your price?"* Natsume asked.
Orochimaru's expression grew serious. *"I want to become stronger. I've hit a wall. No matter what I try, I can't seem to break through my current limits."*
Natsume considered his words. It was true—without a special bloodline, Orochimaru had nearly reached the peak of what a non-kekkei genkai user could achieve.
*"You want to stop being human and become something more."*
Natsume smirked and decided to share some of his knowledge about the Sage of Six Paths.
Orochimaru's eyes lit up with curiosity. *"The Sage of Six Paths, you say?"*
*"Do you know how the Sage attained his power?"* Natsume asked, his tone deliberately mysterious.
Orochimaru's brow furrowed in skepticism. *"The Sage of Six Paths is a myth, a legend. Some even doubt he existed."*
*"The Sage had two key elements: the *Immortal Body* and the *Immortal Eyes.* You're familiar with the concept of the Immortal Body, aren't you?"*
*"Sage Mode?"* Orochimaru's eyes widened with understanding.
*"Exactly,"* Natsume nodded. *"But not just any Sage Mode—the most perfected form."*
In truth, the "Immortal Body" referred to the Sage of Six Paths' unmatched vitality and resilience. Sage Mode allowed one to tap into natural energy, but the body of a true Rikudō Sennin (Sage of Six Paths) was on a level far beyond that of ordinary sages.
Orochimaru remained silent, processing the information.
*"And as for the Immortal Eyes…"* Natsume continued, pausing for dramatic effect. *"They are called the *Rinnegan*—the evolved form of the Mangekyō Sharingan."*
*"What?!"* Orochimaru's shock was palpable.
*"The Uchiha and Senju clans are descendants of the Sage of Six Paths,"* Natsume explained. *"The Rinnegan is the pinnacle of the Sharingan's evolution. To attain it, you need both the Immortal Eyes and the Immortal Body."*
Orochimaru's lips curled into a bitter smile. So, that was the secret behind the overwhelming power of the Uchiha and Senju clans—*bloodlines*.
*"With the Immortal Body and the Rinnegan, you could become the second Sage of Six Paths. No one would be able to stand against you."*
Natsume gave Orochimaru a glimpse of the ultimate power that could be his.
Orochimaru's mind raced, but he quickly composed himself. He didn't want to be the *second* Sage of Six Paths—he wanted to be the *first* Orochimaru, to forge his own path and transcend the limits of any bloodline.
**If Natsume could read his thoughts, he would've been impressed.** Orochimaru's ambition and drive to innovate truly set him apart.
*"One vial of Wood Release Potion isn't enough for this kind of information,"* Natsume said with a sly smile. *"Prepare more."*
With that, Natsume's Wood Clone dispersed, leaving Orochimaru alone in deep thought.
The path Natsume had laid out was incomplete and vague. Orochimaru still had no idea how to evolve the Mangekyō Sharingan into the Rinnegan or how to combine the Immortal Body with the Immortal Eyes.
**But the possibilities were intoxicating.**
Coincidentally, both Jūgo—whose abilities were linked to the *Sage Transformation*—and Uchiha Itachi—whose eyes harbored untapped potential—were within Natsume's grasp.
The more Orochimaru thought about it, the more dangerous Natsume seemed.
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