"Wish fulfillment? Taking over my body is part of fulfilling my wish?"
Orochimaru scoffed, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
"It's not difficult to explain," the Djinn replied calmly. "I merely demonstrated that I can do anything I want to you. That should help eliminate some of your unnecessary suspicion."
The lamp god's voice was smooth, deliberate.
"To fulfill your wish, we need to cooperate. Trust is the foundation of everything."
"I don't understand."
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed in confusion. This lamp god wasn't behaving how he expected.
"To make your wish come true, a price must be paid," the Djinn said patiently.
"Those who delay the price and then take everything from the wisher afterward—we call them 'evil gods' in our world."
"Those who pay the price themselves, regardless of their losses, are simply being exploited."
"But I am different from both. I provide information—and let the wisher achieve their wish on their own."
This perspective was new to Orochimaru. He fell into silent thought.
After a moment, he asked, "Then what price must I pay for the information that leads to immortality?"
"There is no price."
"No price?" Orochimaru raised an eyebrow.
"Or rather," the Djinn said with a smile in his voice, "the process of achieving eternal life is the price you'll pay."
"During that journey, you'll create knowledge. You won't be using my power—you'll be expanding your own."
Orochimaru grew contemplative.
This "lamp god" wasn't a divine being in the traditional sense. He was more like a merchant—or an investor. One who always profited, whether the deal succeeded or not.
Of course, he wouldn't be losing either—as long as the information the Djinn provided was accurate.
The Djinn, sensing Orochimaru's shifting thoughts, didn't press further. He knew that someone as wary and calculating as Orochimaru would never fully trust without proof.
But for now, he'd revealed enough. Their cooperation had begun.
The Djinn smiled faintly, shifting the conversation.
"Orochimaru, what exactly does eternal life mean to you?"
"Is it immortality of the universe and spirit itself?"
"Or living as long as the heavens, as enduring as this planet?"
"Or perhaps you only seek to outlive humanity, to reach the end of its age?"
Orochimaru stirred at the question. Part of him wanted to answer honestly—that for now, simple immortality would suffice.
After all, his current method, the Living Corpse Reincarnation Technique, though imperfect and riddled with limitations, was the most tangible path.
But hearing the lamp god pose such lofty ideals after lowering himself to speak as an equal… Wouldn't picking the third option seem too small? Too petty?
He hated showing weakness, especially in front of someone who might see his ambitions as his limit.
"Don't answer yet," the Djinn interrupted his thoughts, voice calm.
"Wait until you witness the heights the ancestors of this world once reached. Then decide."
"It just so happens… there's a show worth watching tonight."
---
Under the cloak of night, a lone figure dashed through the dead forest, tree trunks cracking beneath heavy steps.
One man. One lamp. Together on their way to witness the chaos unfolding around the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato.
The Djinn had taken control of Orochimaru's body, and Orochimaru observed everything from within, silently noting every movement.
The Djinn didn't move like a ninja leaping through branches—he used teleportation. The same technique Orochimaru had once used to dodge the Djinn's earlier strike.
Speed. Distance. Chakra expenditure—each action mirrored perfectly.
It wasn't just imitation.
The Djinn was replicating Orochimaru's previous actions with flawless accuracy.
This… was the price for helping him attain eternal life.
Orochimaru recalled the failed ninja corpse from earlier that night. A flicker of excitement lit in his heart.
If the Djinn could replicate his actions—could he not also replicate the techniques of others?
The shortcut to mastering bloodline limits and forbidden techniques… it felt so close.
"Unfortunately, I can't do that," the Djinn replied, dashing his hopes with one sentence.
Orochimaru frowned. "Why not?"
"I can replicate your abilities because we have a contract," the Djinn explained. "But until a contractor dies—or their wish becomes impossible—I cannot change contractors."
"However..." He paused, letting the tension rise.
"Some of the power from my former contractors can be reproduced within you."
Just as he'd been drenched with cold water, a fire sparked again in Orochimaru's chest.
In their earlier talks, he had learned that this Djinn came not from this world—and that he had entered contracts before.
Another world. Another contractor's legacy.
Orochimaru's heart burned with curiosity.
"But," the Djinn said flatly, "I won't do that now."
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed. "Why not?"
"That's my treasure. I earned it. Why should I hand it over so easily?"
"But you copied my abilities."
"That wasn't a trade," the Djinn said calmly. "Everything you have now—your skills, your knowledge—I can take without making a deal."
Shameless.
Orochimaru fell silent, hiding the disdain in his eyes.
This lamp god might have better manners than the so-called evil gods, but he was far more calculating.
"Wait a moment," Orochimaru smirked, "You can't perfectly use the Body Flicker Technique."
The Djinn paused.
"You seem to only replicate the abilities I've already used in your presence."
"Yes. I've never hidden that." The Djinn didn't seem bothered.
"If I want to function in this world, I have to use your techniques. And soon, I'll be able to walk like you, sit like you, even mimic your strange laughter."
"Good," Orochimaru replied, voice cool once again.
Techniques like chakra control, condensation, and even the five elemental jutsu didn't concern him. He rarely needed his more forbidden techniques in daily life. Those could be withheld and used as bargaining chips.
The Djinn could sense his thoughts and chuckled internally.
So smug, he thought. Just because I haven't taken your trump cards doesn't mean you're holding any power.
Knowledge belongs to those who wield it. Replicating it costs nothing—but shared at the right time, it could grow into something much greater.
Even if Orochimaru had no leverage, the Djinn would still share knowledge from other worlds. That was his nature.
But give too much, too easily—and it would never be valued.
He had learned this through many contracts. He would not repeat that mistake.
Besides, some knowledge came with physical costs. Orochimaru's body might not be able to endure it.
---
The two arrived at the heart of the unfolding tragedy: the sealing of the Nine-Tails.
A crimson, bowl-shaped barrier had split the world open. Onlookers gathered outside, unable to cross the barrier. At the front stood the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Within the barrier, under the Djinn's control, Orochimaru's steps quickened—just in time to witness the most dramatic moment.
Kushina Uzumaki, using the last of her strength, had summoned the Adamantine Chains to halt the rampaging Nine-Tails.
And Minato Namikaze—Fourth Hokage—summoned the Reaper himself.
He sealed half of the Nine-Tails and Kushina's chakra into their newborn son, Naruto, at the cost of his own life.
Orochimaru's expression shifted. Even without divine insight, he understood the consequence.
The Minato couple… would not survive this night.
"Save the awe," the Djinn said coldly, guiding Orochimaru's gaze to Minato's back.
"I didn't bring you here to witness love and sacrifice."
"If you truly seek eternal life—there, before you, stands an immortal."