Naruto: Unlocking Kaido Template

Orochimaru's underground residence was shrouded in darkness, a thick layer of moisture clinging to the cavern walls. Perhaps due to the late hour, a faint, transparent mist hovered in the air, adding to the eerie atmosphere.

Thanks to the Sage Mode of Ryūchi Cave, Zixu felt more energized at night. Despite the dim surroundings, his enhanced vision allowed him to see every detail, from the damp walls to the motionless snake camouflaging itself as a stone pillar.

At first glance, the crypt's entrance appeared ordinary. However, once inside, following Kabuto's lead, Zixu quickly discovered its hidden intricacies. The former Four Sound Ninjas had set up layers of traps throughout the underground lair—several of which were intricate genjutsu designed to mislead intruders. Only after skillfully bypassing these barriers could one fully witness Orochimaru's domain.

The room was dominated by rows of massive test tubes filled with a green liquid, each containing various experimental subjects. The floors, walls, and ceiling were all reinforced with steel plating, giving the space a cold, sterile feel. Embedded within the metallic grooves were rows of blue lights, casting an eerie glow across the chamber. Though the lighting wasn't particularly bright, it was still far more illuminated than the cavern outside.

The soft blue glow resembled moonlight filtering through stormy clouds, or the neon shimmer of a city lost in the mist.

Orochimaru stood with his hands behind his back, clad in a flowing white robe. From Zixu's angle, only the shinobi's long, jet-black hair was visible, cascading down like a waterfall.

Carefully stepping past the glass tubes, Zixu finally caught sight of what stood opposite Orochimaru.

A humanoid steel construct—its skeletal frame fully visible. Orochimaru, wearing a mask-like device, was operating on it with an electric drill in hand.

Beside him, an enormous electronic screen displayed an array of dense, rapidly updating data. A web of tangled wires snaked across the floor, connecting to the screen and various machines. Orochimaru's clone, standing to the side, meticulously recorded every detail with such speed that sparks seemed to fly from his pen.

Zixu ignored the clone's frenzied writing and turned to Kabuto. "Tell Orochimaru I'm here."

"You're here earlier than expected," a mature, magnetic female voice responded. Orochimaru removed the mask, revealing a strikingly beautiful woman's face. "I know what's on your mind. You're worried about the Impure World Reincarnation (Edo Tensei), aren't you?"

She smirked, brushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "I don't plan on using it—for now. Tell me, what would I gain from plunging the ninja world into chaos? My only pursuit is unraveling the mysteries of immortality... and for that, I need a body brimming with vitality."

Zixu crossed his arms and chuckled. "You changed bodies again? At this point, I can't tell if you're a man or a woman."

"There's a lack of trust between us," Orochimaru replied smoothly. "How do you expect me to believe in your promises?"

"Maybe if you let me study your cells," she mused, her golden eyes gleaming with intrigue. "With your vitality, war would hold no meaning for me."

"Not a damn chance," Zixu shot back. "You've already dissected the First Hokage's body enough times. Aren't his cells enough? Focus on your own research." His gaze flickered toward the steel skeleton. "Looks like you're working on something... mechanical? If you're aiming for nuclear pacifism, someone might actually take an interest in your work. You know what I mean."

Orochimaru let out a quiet sigh. The First Hokage's cells were indeed powerful—too powerful. Most test subjects succumbed to assimilation, their bodies transformed into lifeless wood. Yet Zixu's cells... they held a vitality that might even surpass Hashirama's. The possibilities were endless.

"Oh?" Orochimaru's lips curled into a sly grin. "And what must I offer in return for this so-called pacifism? Forbidden jutsu? Knowledge? Something else?"

With a graceful wave of her hand, countless glass jars emerged from the steel walls, each containing a floating, preserved eyeball.

"Sharingan? Rinnegan? I've gathered quite the collection," Orochimaru said teasingly. "I have almost everything you could possibly want. But tell me—can this 'pacifist' truly be as powerful as you claim?"

Zixu smirked. "Relax. What I want is simple, and you'll give it up willingly. I know you won't part with the Edo Tensei, so I won't ask for it—yet. But if I find out you're still using it behind my back, we'll need to have a serious talk."

With that, he gestured toward the exit. It was time to showcase the power of the Pacifist.

Leaving behind the clone and the four gatekeepers, Zixu, Orochimaru, and Kabuto made their way to a vast clearing far from the village. The landscape was surrounded by towering rock formations, making it an ideal testing ground.

"We're here. Show me what you've got." Orochimaru smirked, motioning for him to begin.

Without hesitation, Zixu summoned the Pacifist.

With a thunderous boom, smoke and dust erupted into the air. Loose rubble tumbled down the nearby cliffs as a massive, seven-meter-tall humanoid figure emerged. The behemoth had rounded ears and a bear-like visage, standing motionless in standby mode.

Orochimaru circled the creation, his eyes filled with insatiable curiosity. This was something new—something unknown.

At Zixu's command, the Pacifist's eyes gleamed with a sinister red light. Its bear-like ears twitched, and its body—once rigid—moved with an eerie fluidity, as though it were truly alive.

"First test: physical strength and combat ability," Zixu announced. "Hit it with your best jutsu."

Orochimaru, unwilling to damage such a fascinating specimen, opted for a mid-level Fire Release. Kabuto, however, went all out—chakra scalpels forming in his hands as he lunged forward, aiming to carve through the Pacifist's steel frame.

The robotic behemoth remained utterly unfazed. The scorching flames engulfed its body, but it stood firm, its iron exterior unscathed.

Orochimaru's eyes widened slightly. He had restrained himself, yes—but even so, that level of fire should have been enough to melt steel. Yet the construct remained unharmed.

Then came the sound of metal clashing. Kabuto's chakra scalpel, infused with his full strength, was caught mid-air by the Pacifist's oversized paw. In that same instant, a blinding ray of energy burst forth from its mouth—so fast that it reached its target in the blink of an eye. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

Kabuto barely managed to tilt his head, but the heat still seared half of his hair. A deafening explosion erupted behind him as the energy beam obliterated a nearby rock formation, sending debris cascading down like an avalanche.

Zixu turned to Orochimaru, only to realize the soundproof barrier was still up. With a snap of his fingers, he deactivated it and grinned.

"Well? Not bad, huh? By the way, is Gaara's training coming along? If he's slacking, I'll go knock some sense into him."

Orochimaru let out a low chuckle. "Gaara is progressing well. As for this..." He glanced at Kabuto, who was still being held aloft like a helpless child. "Kabuto! Record the data. Make sure to note your firsthand experience."

Kabuto, dangling in the Pacifist's grasp, sighed in defeat. He had nearly died, yet he still had to document the results.

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