Chapter 113: Chapter 113 : Chakra vs Senjutsu
The White Snake Sage gazed at Orochimaru in silence, her eyes fixed upon him. Her silence stirred unease within Orochimaru, causing his heart to race as he contemplated the possibility that the Sage might engulf him...
"Do you believe I am unaware of your apprehensions?" The White Snake Sage finally spoke, her tone calm and deliberate.
"...Hmm?"
"Do you think I remain ignorant of the events unfolding beyond this place?"
"..."
The White Snake Sage's gaze bore into Orochimaru, her voice sharp. "Young one, do you truly believe I am incapable of guiding you toward the path of Senjutsu cultivation?!"
"...Uh... You never mentioned..."
The White Snake Sage interrupted with a sudden question, "Young one, do you believe attaining significant power overnight is within your reach? You are unlike the others, for you possess the bloodline and power of the white-scaled snake. You must carve your own path."
Observing Orochimaru's continued silence, the White Snake Sage continued, "Given your current circumstances, I assume you wish to avoid drawing unnecessary attention. There is no need to confine yourself here for constant cultivation."
Orochimaru pondered the proposition. Indeed, the First Great Ninja War was not the optimal stage for three Sannin. Despite the losses of the Three Kage, the conflict's intensity paled in comparison to subsequent Ninja wars.
Orochimaru harboured no desire for swift renown across the ninja world. At a mere nine years of age, attracting the attention of powerful figures behind the scenes would prove unwise.
However, Orochimaru wondered, how could the White Snake Sage discern this? Was she unconcerned about implicating herself in Konoha's affairs following the loss of the "Two Ninja Gods"?
Could it be...
"White Snake Sage, I heard there is a prophetic toad on Mount Myoboku. As a Sage, do you also possess such foresight?"
"A prophecy? Allow me to provide some context."
The White Snake Sage regarded Orochimaru with meaning. "According to my foresight, the lifeline of the ninja world experienced a subtle shift several years ago, disrupting the established order and causing a distortion in the preceding world context."
"Is that so? What a pity," Orochimaru feigned nonchalance while discreetly wiping away an imaginary bead of sweat.
"Enough digression. Let us discuss Senjutsu."
The White Snake Sage's tone grew stern. "By my teachings, you may attain the level of a Kage-class shinobi through Sage arts within two decades."
Two decades to reach Kage-class power? While the White Snake Sage's description rivalled the legendary Otsutsuki Clan's capabilities, twenty years remained a considerable span. By that time, the Third Great Ninja War would conclude.
"Absurd!" The White Snake Sage shook her massive head.
"Have you forgotten why the white scales brought you here in the first place?"
"Me? Oh!"
Orochimaru was startled, realizing that his pursuit of Senjutsu was solely a personal obsession. White-Scaled Serpent's initial suggestion involved acquiring strength adequate for soul separation.
"The power you seek... the most potent within the white-scaled bloodline... can be harnessed solely by an Awakened one!"
The white-scaled serpent emphasized, "We differ from the beasts you've encountered, be they the Tailed Beasts or summoning ninja beast."
The White Snake Sage distinguished between the "Sage beasts" guarding the Three Great Sacred Places and the summoning beasts such as Akamaru, Garuda and Monkey King, Enma.
"Do you assume I withhold teaching genuine Senjutsu just for it's rarity?"
"Is that not the case?" Orochimaru retorted inwardly.
"The truth is different." The White Snake Sage's expression conveyed her exasperation.
"A thousand years ago, Chakra emerged, sweeping the world with its power. Only our Three Great Sacred Places and select potent entities avoided Chakra's taint by virtue of Senjutsu."
The origin of Chakra's birth during an Infinite Tsukuyomi manifestation wasn't detailed. Orochimaru pretended ignorance, and the White Snake Sage refrained from elaboration.
"With Chakra's advent, human bloodlines became tainted. All beings possessed trace natural energy, yet this resource remains untapped due to the Chakra's pervasiveness. Even individuals with immense potential lie dormant until their demise."
The White Snake Sage sighed mournfully, evoking Orochimaru's unease.
Orochimaru realized that this marked the genesis of his own exploration into Senjutsu and kinjutsu research. Chakra bloodlines resisted integration with Senjutsu's power, necessitating alternative avenues like the Snake Sage Mode.
"What of me? Do I also possess Chakra?" Orochimaru raised a pivotal question. Genuine Senjutsu involves refining natural energy, distinct from Chakra-based power. Despite Orochimaru's bloodline's devouring talent, does his essence diverge from Chakra's grasp?
"In this world, a sole human possesses potential for True Senjutsu," The White Snake Sage asserted.
"Your potential surpasses age, strength, and ninja talent. Remarkably so."
Indeed, Orochimaru's soul outstripped his Chakra, allowing him to challenge foes exceeding his own power level.
"Such potency signifies your initial soul split shall be no trouble. With steady body and soul recovery, up to four splits may be achieved."
The White Snake Sage expressed satisfaction with Orochimaru's soul strength, abstaining from further inquiry.
"Er... Could you elucidate soul splitting's significance and utility? More importantly, What is soul splitting?" Orochimaru voiced a troubling premonition.
"Ah, am I destined for schizophrenia?!"
"Explanation is straightforward. Each instance involves splitting your primary soul into two, yielding independent consciousness," The White Snake Sage explained with a cryptic smile.
Orochimaru's expression mirrored his consternation, a revelation arising—he would become a "fifth personality."
"Soul splitting initiates via attachment to a new body, forming your clone—a profoundly potent ability."
Inevitably, Orochimaru realized that upon perfect control, this technique would bestow a quantum leap in power, yet his qualms persisted. Could he claim true identity, despite his clone's distinct entity?
"The initial soul split marks utmost importance, fraught with peril. Ninety-nine percent of the white-scaled bloodline's Awakened perished during this stage, as initial soul quality is pivotal."
The White Snake Sage's demeanour softened, regret tracing her words. Perhaps her soul prowess surpassed Orochimaru's, yet she lacked his unique aptitude.
"Premature age during initial soul split restricts plasticity, impairing optimal division."
"How does this relate to learning Senjustu?" Orochimaru discerned the crux.
"This is the crux." The White Snake Sage spoke with earnestness.
"Subsequent soul splits sidestep initial complications, assimilating remnants to forge a harmonious clone—loyal, unrebellious."
The White Snake Sage affirmed the clone's loyalty, an essential reassurance.
"Except for the initial attempt, which varies greatly. Informed by a fragment of your persona, your first clone exhibits your primal self, separated from your corporeal form. Hence, robust true strength is mandatory!"
"What?!" Orochimaru's scalp tingled, aghast.
The clone's emergence heralded a bifurcation of self—split identity, split power—discordant with the Otsutsuki Clan's prowess.
"For the first instance, the newly separated body retains your essence, personality, and select aptitudes. This body strays from your own—completing this separation obliges exceptional innate power."
"Really?!" Orochimaru exclaimed, unnerved.
This initial soul split instigated not only a fragment of Orochimaru's persona, but actual flesh-and-blood segregation.
"You must fathom the gravity of your task." The White Snake Sage's tone turned solemn.
"Succeeding soul splits won't pose the same quandary, as subsequent clones integrate your soul's essence, eradicating any propensity toward rebellion."
The White Snake Sage's pledge carried weight, alleviating Orochimaru's apprehension.
"However, the initial separation is unparalleled. This clone embodies a sliver of your nature and hails from your own flesh. Your true power thus imposes strict prerequisites."
"What's more, the body stemming from your initial split selects unique abilities and personality facets. Upon erasing chakras influence, Senjustu can be pursued."
Orochimaru's pulse quickened, grappling with an unsettling truth—he might necessitate this transformation, requiring adaptation to his redefined essence.
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