*Chapter 231: The True Meaning of Resurrection*

The Ope Ope no Mi, a Devil Fruit that Trafalgar Law once thought was nothing more than an ordinary fruit, soon revealed its true power to him.

After curing his own illness—an affliction that no medicine in the world could heal—Trafalgar Law slowly began to understand the true value of this fruit. It was something every doctor could only dream of.

However, when he learned the true secret of the Ope Ope no Mi from the old man—that it could grant someone eternal life, the ability to live forever—Law finally realized the true significance of the Devil Fruit.

*Immortality!*

This was a dream cherished by countless people.

Many powerful individuals on the sea had been forced to retreat, not because of defeat, but due to the inevitable effects of aging. Just like Whitebeard now, once a mighty figure with few rivals, but as time passed, his strength gradually faded. Countless eyes were watching Whitebeard, waiting for the end of his era, so they could feast on the remains of the Whitebeard Pirates.

Aging is something no human can escape. No one is immune, not even the high and mighty Celestial Dragons.

But when Raijin heard Trafalgar Law's words, he couldn’t help but burst into laughter—a sharp, mocking sound that puzzled Law.

*Why was this guy laughing?* Was there something funny in what he said?

“Hahaha! The Ope Ope no Mi! I can’t believe you think I’m that shallow.”

“While the Ope Ope no Mi is impressive, and countless people on the seas seek the power of immortality, the Uchiha don’t need such a petty, insignificant power.”

Raijin from the Uchiha Clan laughed uncontrollably, looking down at Trafalgar Law with disdain. This guy had no idea what he was dealing with, spouting such nonsense.

Immortality might be something others crave, something people would kill for, but not Uchiha Raijin.

Raijin already possessed infinite life. He could die, but his consciousness would travel between realms, and if he wanted, he could resurrect himself anytime he wished. The Ope Ope no Mi held no allure for him; in fact, Trafalgar Law himself was more intriguing than the fruit.

“What do you mean?” Law asked cautiously, confused as to why Raijin remained so calm, uninterested in immortality. Didn’t he realize Doflamingo had antagonized the World Government, the Celestial Dragons, and even Admirals for this very fruit? Doflamingo had spent an unimaginable amount of effort to obtain it!

Yet, this guy laughed, even mocking him. Law couldn’t help but feel that if nothing else, he should stand up for all that Doflamingo had sacrificed.

“Since you’ve entered the palace, joining us in Dressrosa is your only option now. And if that’s the case, I don’t mind showing you a few things from our side.”

Raijin stood up, speaking as he walked in a certain direction. “After all, they’ll be your colleagues in the future, so I hope you’ll all get along.”

Trafalgar Law’s face darkened. He had truly fallen into the lion's den now. Escaping from Dressrosa seemed impossible. This guy was just as interested in his Devil Fruit, and Raijin was far stronger than Doflamingo, with alliances across many powerful factions.

If he left with Raijin, there was no hope of returning to the seas.

But after a few moments of hesitation, Law decided to follow him. He needed to see what right Raijin had to judge his Devil Fruit.

Law followed Raijin through the palace, eventually arriving before a young man. The youth glanced at him and then casually opened a door in the air.

Law had thought he’d be taken directly to some secret place, but it turned out Raijin had hidden a few tricks up his sleeve. Not rushing, Law decided to see what kind of game Raijin was playing.

“Where is this?”

After passing through the air door, they entered a long corridor filled with moisture, lit brightly but still giving off an oppressive vibe. The rooms ahead felt odd, yet Law couldn’t help but feel curious.

Raijin remained silent, leading the way to a door, which he knocked on. After a minute or two, the door slowly opened, revealing a pale-skinned man with a gloomy presence.

“Oh my, Lord Raijin, I wasn’t expecting you.”

"Oh my, I didn't expect it to be Lord Raijin. Truly unexpected!"

Orochimaru looked at Raijin in surprise. After all, he had been sent here two days ago.

Raijin hadn’t visited him once, almost as if he had been forgotten.

He hadn't even given any instructions regarding his research!

Orochimaru could only continue researching his own Immortal Reincarnation technique in the meantime.

Although, Raijin had sent over quite a few books recently, which had greatly broadened Orochimaru's horizons.

This world was far more advanced than the Shinobi World in many aspects. Some things Orochimaru had only begun to conceptualize already existed here.

Moreover...

Artificial humans, technology, robots...

So many things that left Orochimaru overwhelmed for a moment.

While these things might not impress others, to Orochimaru, they were like a bright road leading to eternal life.

"You don't need to be here yet. Until my materials arrive, you won't have anything to research."

"Soon, I'll send you research on Devil Fruits attached to inanimate objects. When that time comes, you'd better study it thoroughly."

"I'll even send you data on artificial Devil Fruits eventually. You don't need to be so anxious right now!"

Raijin noticed the look of resentment in Orochimaru's eyes!

He could guess that Orochimaru was silently questioning why none of the things promised to him had arrived yet.

It wasn’t that Raijin didn't want to deliver. It was because Yakushi Kabuto hadn’t sent any updates yet.

Nonō Yakushi had entered the World Government, but there hadn’t been a single sign from her.

Though Kabuto had tried to contact him when he was away not long ago.

Raijin estimated Kabuto would try to contact him again soon.

"Then I’ll await your good news!"

Orochimaru didn't expect such a big gift from Raijin right off the bat, but he wasn’t overly moved either.

After all, he was no stranger to empty promises—he’d experienced plenty of that in Konoha.

He was long past the stage of falling for mere promises!

If there wasn't any tangible proof, he wouldn’t take it too seriously.

"Who's that behind you? Is that the experimental subject you brought for me?"

Orochimaru licked his lips, staring at the young figure before him.

He wondered if this body could bear his power and allow him to shed his current shell.

His Immortal Reincarnation technique had reached the stage where it could finally be tested!

Though no one could say for sure if there were any flaws in the technique—it would only be confirmed through firsthand experience.

Orochimaru was already eyeing potential candidates, ready to leave his old body behind.

"This guy? He'd make a fine assistant for you. He can't just die here."

Raijin glanced at Trafalgar Law, who had drawn his sword in caution.

Orochimaru was acting up again! But that was normal.

It would be odd if he didn’t.

"Oh?"

Orochimaru was curious. He didn’t know who this young man was.

But being praised by Uchiha Raijin was enough to prove that this person was something special.

"He’s a user of the Ope-Ope Fruit, and he's mastered it to the point where he could fulfill your dream of eternal life."

"But the one who performs the technique dies in the process, which is the only drawback."

"Though, at this point, you probably won’t need such external help!"

Raijin walked into the lab with Trafalgar Law.

Orochimaru’s lab was meticulously organized. Everything was neatly arranged.

He had even brought all of his cherished collections from the Shinobi World here.

"True! But he could still die from external forces, whereas my technique won’t fail!"

"I've already glimpsed the path to immortality through your Uchiha clan."

"I’ll figure it out sooner or later! But this kid is still a good test subject. I’d like to explore the mysteries of the Devil Fruits a bit more."

Orochimaru licked his lips, eyeing Trafalgar Law up and down.

He was already incredibly close to immortality.

He didn’t need Devil Fruits to assist him.

But still...!

Orochimaru was very interested in the Ope-Ope Fruit. He wanted to experience firsthand how to use other methods to achieve immortality for others.

Orochimaru was obedient to Raijin, at least to the extent that he didn’t act impulsively right away.

"You can discuss it later! For now, summon the Second Hokage."

A swirling pattern appeared in Raijin’s eyes, and a chakra form manifested before the two of them.

At the same time, Raijin activated the chakra within his body, and two Zetsu slowly emerged from him.

This was Zetsu’s Spore Technique. As long as there was enough chakra, they could take shape!

And they made ideal bodies for the Edo Tensei technique.

"Understood!"

Orochimaru glanced at the chakra form and immediately realized it was the soul of the Second Hokage.

Unfortunately, historical research on souls was limited, with the Second Hokage having done only a little study.

Orochimaru would have to continue to push beyond the Second Hokage’s findings on his own.

"What is this?"

Trafalgar Law’s eyelid twitched as he sensed something was off, especially with the floating matter before him.

"Edo Tensei!"

Orochimaru quickly formed hand seals and slammed his hands onto the ground!

The soul in front of him slowly descended and merged with Zetsu’s body.

Zetsu’s form was enveloped in a layer of dust!

The anguished cries of Zetsu echoed through the lab.

Trafalgar Law watched, horrified.

But the two men in front of him remained completely unfazed.

The dust slowly gathered, and a person stood before the three of them.

"Is it Edo Tensei again?"

Senju Tobirama raised his hand and examined the cracks in his palm.

However, after sensing the power within his body, he realized something was different.

The last time he was summoned with Edo Tensei, he could only use about 30% of his power.

This time, he could access 70% of it.

"Next! Law, use your Ope-Ope Fruit to switch the souls of these two individuals!"

Raijin brought another Zetsu in front of Trafalgar Law.

"Is that a dead person?"

Trafalgar Law couldn’t feel any signs of life from Senju Tobirama’s body.

But the man was standing right in front of him, even capable of speech.

He was beginning to doubt his own senses.

"That’s right! So, relax! We can even control the dead!"

"Your Ope-Ope Fruit seems rather insignificant compared to what we can do."

"Now, let's test my theory and see if it works!"

Raijin patted Trafalgar Law on the shoulder, trying to ease his tension.

"Room!"

Law raised his hand, and in an instant, both Zetsu and Senju Tobirama froze in place.

Ordinary people wouldn’t be able to see what happened next—only someone with a Devil Fruit ability would understand.

"Uchiha Raijin, what did you do?"

The Zetsu in front of them suddenly spoke, glaring at Raijin.

He saw his own body standing before him while his soul had entered another body.

"Amazing! Truly amazing!"

Orochimaru couldn't help but applaud, his eyes filled with curiosity.

This was the power of a Devil Fruit?

It had accomplished something that defied logic.

It was far more convenient than his Dead Demon Consuming Seal.

"It looks like we’ve discovered a real method for resurrection."

Raijin’s face broke into a smile.

As for the limitations of Law’s power?

They didn’t exist.

Those limitations would disappear sooner or later.

"It seems you’ve achieved something remarkable! But was summoning me just for this experiment?"

Senju Tobirama felt the reality of his touch, his taste, and more.

These were things his Edo Tensei body never had. He could feel that he was alive again.

"You're too noisy! For now, go to Dressrosa and learn about the situation there."

Uchiha Raijin frowned, calling for Shiranui Genma and instructing him to take Senju Tobirama to learn about the basics.

Senju Tobirama’s body was perfect—no need for food, no need for rest.

As long as there was enough chakra, he could live indefinitely.

It was the perfect body.