360NoScopeKamui
Member
This is a bit long, and it meanders into two separate lines of inquiry, so I'll keep everything in spoiler tags. Of course, a lot of this is going to be supposition, but I think it's based on solid textual evidence from the manga.
Theory of Orochimaru and his possible connections with Madara
Theory of Orochimaru, Sasuke, and the "Man Who Knows Everything"
Thoughts on my theories? Also, did I get any data wrong from the manga? I've read every chapter at least twice, but it's been a while since I've seen some of them.
Theory of Orochimaru and his possible connections with Madara
To start with, there's a reason why Kishi brought Orochimaru back after having him lie dormant for over 200 chapters. Orochimaru is a formidable shinobi, a great fighter, but his greatest asset is knowledge. He has done years and years of research on various taboo aspects of the ninja world (forbidden jutsus, studying Hashirama's cells, etc, perfecting Edo Tensei, etc), and through various contacts he knows the history of the world.
I think that Orochimaru and Madara were at one point temporary allies, much like Kabuto and Tobito; each had something that the other wanted, though neither trusted the other, and certainly was planning to double-cross them whenever it became prudent. They are the two people most closely related to the research on Hashirama's wood jutsus; remember, Madara stated that he collected some of his DNA after the Battle at the Valley of the End, and Orochimaru was always fascinated with Hasirama's cells (experimentation on Yamato and all the unnamed shinobi who died when implanted with the cells, in addition to working with Danzo and implanting him with Hashirama's cells).
I also believe that the timeline fits perfectly. Madara really started his plotting in earnest around the time of the 2nd Shinobi World War. Nagato and Akatsuki were a huge part of the Moon's Eye Plan, an essential element in acquiring all the tailed beasts. Madara claims that he "gave Nagato his eyes." Many people have taken this literally, but I think he may be talking metaphorically. Madara was involved in the machinations that resulted in the 2nd SWW. The 2nd SWW ended up killing Nagato's parents, awakening the Rinnegan.
At this point in the timeline, we know that the Sannin were fighting Hanzo the Salamander, who would later conspire with Danzo to wipe out Yahiko, Nagato and Pain before Akatsuki could become a threat to Hanzo's control of Amegakure. It's entirely possible, one could even say probable, that Madara was pulling the strings behind the scenes. Perhaps he even had a technique at his disposal on par with Koto Amatsukami to manipulate the various players? In fact, it's possible that Madara manipulated the countries into all three SWW's, as they all served a useful purpose to him. Besides destabilizing the ninja world in general (and guaranteeing that the great countries would keep using jinchuriki as a way to balance power between them), the 1st SWW led to the death of the 2nd Hokage, the 2nd SWW provided him with Nagato as a pawn, and the 3rd SWW likely gave him Obito as his last, most important pawn.
So the timeline works, and the motivations works. Orochimaru, through Jiraiya, knew about Nagato, the Rinnegan, and the fledgling Akatsuki. This was valuable information to Madara. At some point, Orochimaru may have even promised to join Akatsuki in the future to make sure they stayed on track in collecting the tailed beasts (though this eventually became redundant through Madara's interaction with Tobito). In return, Madara provided Orochimaru with Hashirama's cells and information on how to utilize them. It's possible that this is the time period when either Madara, Orochimaru or both created the Zetsus, or at least a prototype, as I believe we've also been told that Tobito created white Zetsu, though it was almost certainly with assistance from Madara.
Another piece of evidence that they worked together at some point: Orochimaru (and Kabuto through him) knew where Madara's corpse was. He was likely always planning on using his body as a weapon once he perfected the Edo Tensei. No one else in the shinobi world was even 100% sure that Madara was dead, but Orochimaru not only knew he was dead, he knew where to find his body.
I think that Orochimaru and Madara were at one point temporary allies, much like Kabuto and Tobito; each had something that the other wanted, though neither trusted the other, and certainly was planning to double-cross them whenever it became prudent. They are the two people most closely related to the research on Hashirama's wood jutsus; remember, Madara stated that he collected some of his DNA after the Battle at the Valley of the End, and Orochimaru was always fascinated with Hasirama's cells (experimentation on Yamato and all the unnamed shinobi who died when implanted with the cells, in addition to working with Danzo and implanting him with Hashirama's cells).
I also believe that the timeline fits perfectly. Madara really started his plotting in earnest around the time of the 2nd Shinobi World War. Nagato and Akatsuki were a huge part of the Moon's Eye Plan, an essential element in acquiring all the tailed beasts. Madara claims that he "gave Nagato his eyes." Many people have taken this literally, but I think he may be talking metaphorically. Madara was involved in the machinations that resulted in the 2nd SWW. The 2nd SWW ended up killing Nagato's parents, awakening the Rinnegan.
At this point in the timeline, we know that the Sannin were fighting Hanzo the Salamander, who would later conspire with Danzo to wipe out Yahiko, Nagato and Pain before Akatsuki could become a threat to Hanzo's control of Amegakure. It's entirely possible, one could even say probable, that Madara was pulling the strings behind the scenes. Perhaps he even had a technique at his disposal on par with Koto Amatsukami to manipulate the various players? In fact, it's possible that Madara manipulated the countries into all three SWW's, as they all served a useful purpose to him. Besides destabilizing the ninja world in general (and guaranteeing that the great countries would keep using jinchuriki as a way to balance power between them), the 1st SWW led to the death of the 2nd Hokage, the 2nd SWW provided him with Nagato as a pawn, and the 3rd SWW likely gave him Obito as his last, most important pawn.
So the timeline works, and the motivations works. Orochimaru, through Jiraiya, knew about Nagato, the Rinnegan, and the fledgling Akatsuki. This was valuable information to Madara. At some point, Orochimaru may have even promised to join Akatsuki in the future to make sure they stayed on track in collecting the tailed beasts (though this eventually became redundant through Madara's interaction with Tobito). In return, Madara provided Orochimaru with Hashirama's cells and information on how to utilize them. It's possible that this is the time period when either Madara, Orochimaru or both created the Zetsus, or at least a prototype, as I believe we've also been told that Tobito created white Zetsu, though it was almost certainly with assistance from Madara.
Another piece of evidence that they worked together at some point: Orochimaru (and Kabuto through him) knew where Madara's corpse was. He was likely always planning on using his body as a weapon once he perfected the Edo Tensei. No one else in the shinobi world was even 100% sure that Madara was dead, but Orochimaru not only knew he was dead, he knew where to find his body.
Theory of Orochimaru, Sasuke, and the "Man Who Knows Everything"
The 'man who knows everything' is either Hashirama Senju or the SO6P. The 'place Sasuke knows well' might be that secret Uchiha meeting place in the shrine that contains the tablet which can only be fully read with the Rinnegan. I believe that Madara read the full tablet after unlocking his own Rinnegan. I think that the tablet contains some hidden truth about the SO6P, his sons, and the true founding of the Senju and Uchiha clans. Maybe the SO6P truly chose his eldest son to be his successor, but the Senju clan rebelled, and history has been rewritten to make the Uchiha into the villain? Whatever it was, it was enough to make Madara want to execute the Moon's Eye Plan.
I think that the scroll found by Juugo and Suigetsu is the culmination of Orochimaru's research into the Edo Tensei. Kabuto claims to have perfected it, but I think Orochimaru was hiding things from Kabuto. My theory is that Orochimaru, at the time of his death, was close to perfecting a form of Edo Tensei that could bring back someone without any trace of their body, and even bring back someone who was sealed in a place that could not be normally reached (like, for example, the stomach of the Death God). Remember how Juugo and Suigetsu said that this scroll could single-handedly win the war? Well, what would be more of an instant checkmate than being able to summon the man who originally was able to control the Juubi and split it into the 9 tailed beasts? Whichever side could claim the services of the SO6P would instantly be the victor.
I think that the scroll found by Juugo and Suigetsu is the culmination of Orochimaru's research into the Edo Tensei. Kabuto claims to have perfected it, but I think Orochimaru was hiding things from Kabuto. My theory is that Orochimaru, at the time of his death, was close to perfecting a form of Edo Tensei that could bring back someone without any trace of their body, and even bring back someone who was sealed in a place that could not be normally reached (like, for example, the stomach of the Death God). Remember how Juugo and Suigetsu said that this scroll could single-handedly win the war? Well, what would be more of an instant checkmate than being able to summon the man who originally was able to control the Juubi and split it into the 9 tailed beasts? Whichever side could claim the services of the SO6P would instantly be the victor.
Thoughts on my theories? Also, did I get any data wrong from the manga? I've read every chapter at least twice, but it's been a while since I've seen some of them.
