Orochimaru’s Magic Lamp

Crackling.

A series of azure-blue lightning arcs danced across the Fourth Raikage's body. He frowned and spoke in a deep voice, "Are you threatening me?"

"Wrong. This is a reminder."

Orochimaru rested his chin on his hands, eyes narrowing. "When I summoned the snakes, I was already giving you a warning. But it seems you've chosen to ignore it."

"Bastard!"

The Fourth Raikage shot to his feet. With a thunderous bang, cracks spread across the stone table like spiderwebs.

"Incapable and furious. That only makes me take you less seriously."

Orochimaru frowned slightly and pressed a hand to the table. Like smoothing ripples on water, the cracks mended themselves until the surface was perfectly smooth again.

The Raikage's face darkened. Lightning surged again, jumping from his body into the table, leaving scorched pits in the stone. But lightning had only limited effect against earth release. The table held together.

Unwilling to relent, he poured even more chakra into his palm. Lightning surged and hissed, blanketing the stone in raw power.

Orochimaru merely grinned, spreading the fingers of his right hand. Sage chakra radiated outward, neutralizing the lightning inch by inch, smoothing every scorched groove.

Anyone watching could tell who held the upper hand.

Kaede stepped forward, frowning. "Orochimaru, to provoke war during peace talks—this behavior tarnishes Konoha's name."

"Heh. As if Konoha has any name left to tarnish."

Orochimaru raised his right hand, allowing the Raikage's lightning to ravage the table once more. Then, with a simple hand seal, he restored it again to pristine condition.

Laughing, he said, "Whether Konoha's name is blackened or not isn't up to you, Kumogakure. Instead of judging us, consider your next move: war or peace."

"War or peace…"

Kaede repeated the words, glancing past Orochimaru at the stunned Konoha shinobi behind him. She asked, "War? Is that your personal stance, or Konoha's?"

Orochimaru followed her gaze and smiled. "Just mine. Don't worry—if you choose war, you'll only face me and my strength."

The Raikage sneered. "Just your strength? Shouldn't you add Ryūchi Cave to that?"

Orochimaru grinned wider, not denying it.

Alone, he could handle the Raikage. But against the AB combo and a dozen elite jōnin, he'd be forced to retreat. His power had grown, but he hadn't yet reached the realm of absolute dominance.

Kaede turned to the three Snake Princesses. Her voice was low. "Sages of Ryūchi Cave, are you really letting Orochimaru drag your domain into this war?"

"This is a human war. A war of shinobi."

The three Great Sanctuaries had intervened in past wars, but only marginally—summoning a few beasts at most. Orochimaru's intentions were different: he sought full-scale involvement from Ryūchi Cave.

Even Mount Myōboku, backing Jiraiya, had never gone so far. And Myōboku lay deep in the western deserts—peaceful by distance alone. Ryūchi Cave, however, was embedded within the shinobi world. Every major village knew where it was.

If Ryūchi Cave participated fully, it would become a target. The villages would unite if necessary, and destroy it.

A non-human power capable of influencing the shinobi balance was too great a threat to ignore.

Kaede's voice grew sharper. "So? Will Ryūchi Cave truly risk annihilation for Orochimaru?"

Tagorihime, the oldest, licked her lips and smiled.

"Ryūchi Cave will not harm civilians or seize territory. We fight only when hired—and Orochimaru has paid our price. It is no different than how you shinobi operate."

She tilted her head, slyly adding, "If your village can afford it, we're open to your offer next."

Bargaining with the enemy in front of the employer—an act reserved for the most mercenary of shinobi.

But Orochimaru didn't flinch. He remained calm, smiling, completely unbothered.

He had expected this from Ryūchi Cave. They would never openly side against humanity as a whole. The White Snake Sage had no need to invite a united war against herself.

After all, the shinobi world wasn't ruled by ninja alone. In the Pure Land, an ancient figure still lingered—someone who had lived for over a thousand years. He would never allow the White Snake to tip the world into chaos unchecked.

Compared to the White Snake Sage, the Sage of Six Paths was like a god above gods. Orochimaru was but an ant in comparison.

But even so, Orochimaru didn't worry. Kumogakure could never afford the price the White Snake demanded. He had bought time with nothing but promises and potential.

Of course, no one else in the room knew that.

After Tagorihime's words, the Konoha ninja grew visibly uneasy. On the other side, the Kumo shinobi straightened with newfound confidence. If Ryūchi Cave supported Orochimaru, Konoha was no longer a match.

But Kaede wasn't convinced. She narrowed her eyes at Tagorihime. "What is the price?"

Tagorihime lifted a finger to her lips, eyes gleaming. "That's not for you to know. The answer lies within Ryūchi Cave. Unless you're able to meet the White Snake Sage herself, you're not qualified to ask."

In other words, betrayal was off the table.

Kaede's face darkened further. She could sense how dangerous this situation had become. Her mind raced for solutions—but Orochimaru gave her no time.

"Well?" Orochimaru raised an eyebrow. "What's your decision? War or peace?"

"If it's war, then the best moment is now."

His gaze sharpened.

"Because next time... I won't choose a battlefield that's this civilized."

A direct threat—bold, naked, and unapologetic.

Veins bulged on the Raikage's forehead. He was seething. But Orochimaru had been right before: rage without power was meaningless.

And the threat worked because everyone knew he meant it.

Orochimaru was a top-tier shinobi—there was no denying that. His personal strength, mobility, and counter-surveillance abilities were second to none. If he wanted, he could infiltrate Kumogakure at any moment. And with the backing of Ryūchi Cave, he had the power to ignite a large-scale battle whenever he pleased.

Kumogakure could do nothing but stay on the defensive. Even relocating their village wouldn't help—because Orochimaru wasn't using Konoha's forces. This wasn't a war between nations. It was him alone.

After a long silence, the Fourth Raikage sat back in his chair with a heavy thud. His expression was dark, and the frustration written across his face made it clear—he felt utterly humiliated.

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