With his black hair, golden vertical pupils, purple eyeshadow extending to his nose, pale skin, blue-green magatama earrings, and a light yellow sash tied with a lavender rope, Orochimaru, the man known as the Wind of Calamity, still exuded an otherworldly aura.

He scrutinized Naruto, no longer displaying the disdain he once had. This was inevitable, as he had witnessed Naruto's current prowess while inside Anko.

"Naruto Uzumaki, the clumsy boy who once followed Sasuke-kun, seems to have grown into a true ninja... So, what brings you to seek out someone who once wronged you?"

Naruto got straight to the point, "Orochimaru, I won't mince words. I need immense power to create a new ninja world. For that, your knowledge and jutsu are indispensable."

Orochimaru's gaze deepened, "I thought it would be something simple, like letting you meet your father, Minato Namikaze. But your ambition is much greater..."

Naruto replied, "It seems you're unwilling."

Orochimaru said, "My goal is to uncover all the truths of this world, not to serve any person or organization. Villages, Akatsuki, they are all shackles that hinder my progress!"

Naruto responded, "I won't be your shackle. You can continue your research while helping me, as long as..."

Orochimaru interrupted with a smile, "As long as what? Not harming this ninja world?"

Naruto unexpectedly said, "It's impossible to cause no harm at all. I just hope you act within certain limits..."

"Oh?" Orochimaru was slightly surprised, "To hear such realistic words from you, I'm curious about what has happened to you..."

Naruto said, "If you're interested, I can tell you slowly in the future~."

Orochimaru laughed, "Better not. Rationality tells me not to delve into these matters..."

At this moment, Konan interjected, "Orochimaru, you need a stable place now. If you assist Naruto, Amegakure will provide you with an experimental site and protection."

Orochimaru replied, "That sounds good, but I must decline..."

"Is that so? What a pity." Konan's gaze was cold, observing Naruto's reaction. He was deep in thought, head lowered.

Orochimaru seemed to want Naruto to give up completely, "To be honest, Naruto, I've long studied the power of the Uzumaki clan. Their strong life force can suppress the chakra of Tailed Beasts, and their powerful sealing techniques hold potential equal to the Senju. But compared to these, the power of the Uchiha is more beautiful and captivating."

The shock Itachi once brought to Orochimaru was profound, leading to his obsession with the Uchiha's power.

Naruto raised his head, "So, you still can't let go of Sasuke, right?"

Orochimaru said, "Pursuing truth requires unwavering dedication, Naruto. Even if your current power surprises me, I won't give up on Sasuke. He is the best vessel I've found, with the potential to surpass Itachi, no... even Madara Uchiha!"

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Unlike in the original timeline, Orochimaru had not yet witnessed Kabuto's fate before being revived, so he still plotted to take over Sasuke's body.

Naruto's gaze turned cold, "Then I can't let you go..."

"That's not up to you..."

*Rustle, rustle, rustle* Orochimaru's legs transformed into snake tails, swiftly slithering towards the cave's exit!

*Whoosh!*

Naruto appeared at the cave entrance, where he had placed a Flying Thunder God mark, blocking Orochimaru's path!

"Flying Thunder God Technique..." Orochimaru thought: My hands are still in the belly of the Shinigami from the Reaper Death Seal. I can't use any jutsu that requires hand signs. In Anko's body, I saw that Naruto's basic combat ability is on par with an elite Jonin. If he enters Sage Mode, the situation will be very unfavorable for me...!

—Ninja Art: Soft Physique Modification!

*Swish!* As he slithered, Orochimaru's neck suddenly extended, wrapping around Naruto and biting his neck with sharp fangs!

"I'll use the power of the curse mark to bind his body!"

*Buzz!*

Black curse mark patterns spread from Naruto's neck to his entire body.

But at that moment, Naruto suddenly raised his arm, locking Orochimaru's neck with his elbow, preventing him from retracting his head!

"Hmm!?" Orochimaru realized: Could it be... he let me bite him on purpose!

"You injected chakra into my body with your fangs. Similarly... I can do the same."

Naruto closed his eyes, meditating to enter Sage Mode without moving.

*Swish!*

Natural energy surged in, causing Orochimaru's beautiful face to contort in pain, "Ugh... Natural energy is flowing back into my body through our connection, argh...!"

Naruto opened his eyes and smiled, "What's the difference between the sage energy of Mount Myoboku and Ryuchi Cave? Orochimaru, care to share your thoughts?"

*Snap!*

Orochimaru suddenly opened his mouth, first extending an arm, followed by his head and body... Seconds later, a new Orochimaru emerged, distancing himself from Naruto.

*Sizzle, sizzle!*

Naruto suppressed the curse mark, looking at the shriveled snake skin in his hand, "Orochimaru's substitution technique is truly unparalleled..."

"It seems you won't let me leave easily..."

—Formation of Ten Thousand Snakes!

Orochimaru smiled, lying on the ground as hundreds of snakes emerged from his mouth. Each snake then opened its mouth, spitting out thousands of Kusanagi swords, forming a torrent of blades advancing forward!

"Konan-sensei, please take care of Anko!" Naruto said, retreating swiftly to the outside of the cave!

Konan carried Anko away from the danger zone.

*Boom!*

Naruto's shadow clone outside the cave dispelled, transferring the sage chakra back to the original body. Orange eyeshadow appeared, and his right eye showed the toad's horizontal pupil as he entered Sage Mode!

*Boom!*

A new shadow clone appeared in mid-air, assisting Naruto in forming a Rasengan with one hand [later Naruto can form Rasengan with one hand], changing its nature!

*Buzz, buzz, buzz!*

The sharp sound of cutting accompanied by wind blades rising, Naruto charged in mid-air, throwing the 'weapon' in his hand towards the torrent of snakes and swords below!

—Sage Art: Wind Release: Rasenshuriken!

*Boom!!!*

The white storm exploded, shattering all the advancing snakes. The cave shook under the storm's force!

*Boom!!!*

Suddenly... with an even more intense sound, the cave completely collapsed, revealing a colossal eight-headed serpent!

*Rustle, rustle, rustle!* Orochimaru's slippery, slimy body emerged from the central snake head, laughing hoarsely, "Hehehe, too bad, Naruto... Your jutsu is strong, but it can't completely defeat me!!"

"Is that Orochimaru's ultimate technique, the Eight Branches Technique..."

Naruto landed, his expression solemn.

Since my return, Kurama has been ignoring me. Should I summon the Great Toad Sage? But it's hard to explain the current situation...

In mid-air, Konan asked, "Naruto, do you need my help?"

"No need. Even if we forcibly take Orochimaru, it won't mean much if he doesn't willingly cooperate..."

*Swish!* As he spoke, Naruto removed the bandage from his left eye, revealing a pale purple eye with three concentric rings, radiating a noble light!

The Rinnegan, the symbol of the Six Paths!

Orochimaru's pupils contracted, "Hmm!? That left eye, could it be..."

Naruto's lips curled into a smile, "This should make things a bit more interesting..."