Chapter 100: Orochimaru's Analysis, Izayoi's True Nature

Chapter 100: Orochimaru’s Analysis, Izayoi’s True Nature

“Heh heh… The Sound Ninja Four and Kimimaro indeed became stepping stones for you.”

Orochimaru showed no panic as he faced Izayoi, only a raspy chuckle escaping his lips. His bandaged face bore eyes with yellow serpentine pupils, burning with hunger. “I suspected you were a descendant of the Whirlpool or Senju clans with a dormant bloodline, but you’ve surpassed even my expectations. Not only do you rival the Second Hokage in ninjutsu talent, but you’ve also awakened the First Hokage’s bloodline limit.”

“What truly astounds me,” Orochimaru continued, his voice thick with certainty, “is that you mastered Wood Release far earlier than revealed. You concealed it until Tsunade’s ascension, then seized the moment to become the Leaf’s beacon of hope. This isn’t mere precociousness or cunning—it’s foresight. I’d wager you’re also an Uzumaki, blessed with the Kagura Shingan, allowing you to witness the Leaf’s darkest secrets.”

Orochimaru’s tone left no room for doubt.

With spies entrenched in the Hidden Leaf, he’d easily unraveled Izayoi’s deeper truths: six unremarkable years, followed by an inseparable bond with the Hyuga clan’s heir—a commoner prodigy in the mold of Minato Namikaze.

Initially, he’d assumed Izayoi’s courtship of the Hyuga heiress was a bid for power.

But no—it was all a mask.

Izayoi had awakened Wood Release early, yet suppressed it, biding his time until his strength rivaled elite warriors. Only after his clanmate became Hokage—a shield for his ambitions—did he unveil his true power.

Otherwise, why wait until now to reveal Wood Release? The Chunin Exams, where he could’ve subdued Suna’s One-Tailed Jinchuriki, would’ve been the perfect stage.

Realizing this, Orochimaru elevated Izayoi’s standing above even Minato Namikaze and Kakashi Hatake. Compared to this man, even his younger self had been a mere shadow.

Before Izayoi could speak, Orochimaru smirked. “You’ve come alone—does this mean you seek my head to secure your path to Sixth Hokage?”

Izayoi hadn’t realized how deeply Orochimaru now viewed him: a mastermind cloaked in layers of deception.

As he clapped slowly, admiration laced his voice. “Impressive, Orochimaru. With so little to go on, you’ve deduced my Senju and Uzumaki heritage.”

*

A blur materialized behind Izayoi, emerald chakra blazing in the dim chamber.

“Orochimaru-sama, flee!”

Kabuto Yakushi’s scalpel, glowing with chakra, slashed toward Izayoi’s neck—

—only to falter.

Izayoi stood motionless. From his back, wooden tendrils erupted like octopus tentacles, coiling around Kabuto’s limbs and torso. Blue chakra surged through the wood into Izayoi’s body.

Orochimaru’s eyes gleamed with fanaticism. “Chakra absorption… truly the authentic Wood Release!”

Wood Release, a bloodline limit of unparalleled versatility—offense, defense, terrain manipulation, flight, and sealing.

But its greatest secret, known only to the First Hokage, Leaf elders, and Orochimaru himself, was its ability to drain chakra.

Once ensnared, an opponent’s chakra fueled the wood’s growth, turning their strength into the user’s advantage. The more they fought, the weaker they became—and the stronger the Wood Release wielder grew.

This was why tailed beasts had been the First Hokage’s playthings.

Witnessing Izayoi’s ability, Orochimaru confirmed his origin: not a Leaf experiment, but a true Senju heir.

At this moment, Izayoi became the ultimate vessel—surpassing even Sasuke Uchiha.

With this body and his own knowledge, Orochimaru would fear no one—not Itachi, not the Rinnegan-wielding Akatsuki leader.

Yet he knew better than to challenge Izayoi now.

He still had cards to play.

“Kabuto merely acts out of loyalty,” Orochimaru said smoothly, eyeing Izayoi’s effortless restraint of his subordinate. “My body nears collapse—I can’t transfer into a new host. Take my head as your trophy… and spare Kabuto.”

“Orochimaru-sama…” Kabuto’s eyes glistened with tears—flawless acting.

Had Izayoi not known Orochimaru’s indifference to death, he might’ve believed this charade.

As Izayoi tightened the wooden bonds around Kabuto, Sasuke Uchiha materialized beside him, his Sharingan swirling with tomoe.

“Sasuke Uchiha…” Orochimaru’s breath caught. His eyes blazed anew.

Two perfect vessels—two unconscious naked beauties tossed before a starved lecher.

If not for his withered chakra reserves, barely a tenth of his prime, he’d gamble on seizing them both—even if Izayoi wielded Wood Release and Sasuke’s Sharingan had evolved.

“Nauseating gaze,” Sasuke muttered, shuddering. “Can we trust this creep?”

“Orochimaru-sama has his uses,” Izayoi replied, smiling.

Orochimaru’s eyes narrowed, then widened with realization. “So… you’re not here to kill me.”

“I never claimed otherwise,” Izayoi said. “Wood Release has already paved my way. Your head is merely… decorative.”

A chuckle. “Fair enough. Then why bring Sasuke Uchiha here? Seeking my expertise?”

“Precisely,” Izayoi said. “I’m here to make a transaction.”

Izayoi nodded slightly, then retrieved two scrolls from his person and handed them to Sasuke beside him.

Sasuke immediately understood, taking the scrolls and unfurling them to activate the sealing technique within.

With two pops, the smoke cleared to reveal a White Zetsu clone and a metal security case.

Orochimaru’s gaze locked onto the White Zetsu clone, his expression shifting to shock. “This… is Zetsu!”

“Oh? So Lord Orochimaru recognizes this creature,” Izayoi feigned ignorance, smirking. “Is that what it’s called? Its abilities are quite unique—it can merge with the earth and vegetation. If not for my Wood Release, and the fact it was hiding to spy on me, I wouldn’t have noticed it at all.”

He chuckled, snapping back to focus. “This is a clone of an Akatsuki member named Zetsu,” Orochimaru explained, glancing at Sasuke. “Akatsuki is the mercenary organization Itachi Uchiha joined after defecting.”

Sasuke’s brow furrowed, a flicker of murderous intent flashing in his eyes as he memorized the name.

“This body’s quite special. Consider it a gift for you, Lord Orochimaru.”

Izayoi crouched, prying open the Zetsu clone’s mouth. “Your current body will collapse soon, won’t it? Want to switch early?”

Orochimaru fell silent, his smile tightening. He knew the answer didn’t matter.

Suddenly, the bandages on Orochimaru’s face shredded. A gaping maw erupted from his throat, spewing a massive white serpent that lunged at Izayoi and Sasuke.

Sasuke recoiled instinctively, but Izayoi only widened the Zetsu’s jaw, his grin unwavering.

The serpent’s golden eyes flicked between them before slithering obediently into the clone’s mouth. Moments later, the body shifted—skin paling to human tones, clothing materializing as if by magic.

Soon, Orochimaru stood, reborn.

“This body…”

He rose slowly, disbelief melting into awe.

Izayoi alone knew the truth: no jutsu was perfect. The Edo Tensei had glaring flaws—struggles for dominance weakened the soul, and even successful transplants left the user frail. Yet Orochimaru seemed unaffected, as though this were his original flesh.

And this body was just a clone. Zetsu held secrets beyond reckoning.

Orochimaru’s tongue flicked out, amused. So this is the Sage’s Eye organization… Full of mysteries indeed.

Izayoi’s laughter cut through his thoughts.

“Enjoy the new body, Lord Orochimaru?”

Orochimaru turned, eyes narrowing at Izayoi’s casual smirk—the man who’d treated him like a mere pawn. “Your gift delights me. Now… what bargain do you seek?”

Izayoi’s next words made Orochimaru’s composure crack.

“Want to undo the Dead Demon Consuming Seal?”

Orochimaru’s breath hitched. “You know how?!”

“I didn’t… until I found a Uzumaki clan member.” Izayoi lied smoothly. “The Dead Demon Consuming Seal sacrifices one’s soul to summon the Death God, sealing the target’s soul in a one-for-one trade.”

“What’s the solution?!”

“Find the legendary Shinigami Mask. Offer a sacrifice to summon the Death God, then reclaim the trapped soul.” Izayoi shrugged. “As for the Mask’s location? No idea.”

Orochimaru nodded slowly, half-convinced. This lead was worth pursuing.

“Valuable intel,” he mused. “What do you want in return?”

“A favor… and surgery for Sasuke.”

Izayoi entered a code, flipping open the case.

“Hashirama’s Cells!” Orochimaru blurted, eyeing the contents. “I thought Danzō had most of these… and he was killed by Akatsuki’s leader. You’re sure you don’t know Zetsu?”

“Found them in the Hokage Office,” Izayoi lied again. “Thanks to that Rinnegan freak breaking their perception barrier. Made sneaking in easy.”

Orochimaru chuckled, realization dawning. So that’s how this prodigy got Wood Style—not inherited, but stolen.

Sasuke, too, now understood where Izayoi had acquired those forbidden scrolls.

Orochimaru eyed the cells, then Sasuke’s tomoe-marked Sharingan. “You certainly know your way around secrets, Izayoi.”

“Exactly,” Izayoi smiled warmly, a promise of safety for Sasuke. “So no funny business. If I catch you at it, I’ll kill you all.”

No chakra flared, yet the underground chamber—already dim and chilly—seemed to freeze. Kabuto trembled, sweat beading his brow. Even before Kakashi or Tsunade, he’d never felt such pressure. Orochimaru stiffened, recalling only two others who’d unnerved him so: Itachi and Pain.

This brat… truly grown wings.

Still, he smiled. “Of course. A small matter.”

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end