Deal with Orochimaru
In the dimly lit interrogation room, Naruto rested his chin on both hands, his cerulean eyes locked onto Orochimaru with undisguised intrigue.
Orochimaru, one of the Legendary Sannin and a former pupil of the Third Hokage, was a scientific genius who rivaled even Tobirama Senju. Whether it was the development of the Cursed Seal, the study of Sage Mode, or the cloning of Kekkei Genkai, he had delved into fields that most would never dare approach.
More significantly, it was Orochimaru who refined the Edo Tensei, transforming it into an almost unstoppable resurrection technique. This, in turn, set the stage for the Fourth Great Ninja War, where the revived shinobi legions wreaked havoc.
The war itself, lasting a mere three days, claimed over 30% of the world's ninja population, forcing the Five Great Nations into a reluctant peace. Ironically, it fulfilled Nagato's vision of unity through destruction, albeit in an unintended way.
Yet, despite his brilliance, Orochimaru's greatest flaw was his callous disregard for life. Having witnessed countless deaths, he had long since abandoned conventional morality. Neither enemy nor ally mattered—he viewed them all as mere tools for his experiments.
Naruto's unwavering stare made Orochimaru pause. For a brief moment, the snake-like shinobi was reminded of himself—of the detached gaze he once cast upon his own test subjects before proceeding with his grotesque experiments.
Breaking the silence, Naruto spoke in a measured tone. "Orochimaru-kun, what do you think I should do with you?"
The familiar, almost mocking address made Orochimaru narrow his eyes, yet he remained composed. "That depends, Mianma-kun. Do you seek an ally… or an enemy?"
Crouching slightly, Orochimaru continued, "Though, if you intended to kill me, you would have done so already."
Naruto regarded him for a moment before his expression hardened. "Orochimaru, I need something from you. If you refuse, I wouldn't mind handing you over to Konoha—or even Akatsuki. I'm sure they'd love to receive such a gift."
A wry smile tugged at Orochimaru's lips. "How ruthless… befitting of the leader of Uzushiogakure." He sighed, knowing resistance was futile. If he refused, he might soon find himself seeking refuge in the barren deserts of the Wind Country, reduced to mere whispers on the wind.
Still, he wasn't entirely concerned. With his mastery of Living Corpse Reincarnation and the division of his soul into multiple fragments, death was merely an inconvenience. However, surrendering his knowledge too easily was another matter entirely.
"I can share my research," Orochimaru conceded, "but I require something in exchange. Otherwise, I'd sooner die than part with my work."
Naruto shook his head. "Follow me."
Leading Orochimaru to a secluded chamber, Naruto reached into a locked drawer, retrieving a heavily sealed scroll. With a flick of his fingers, he broke the seal, revealing several lifeless White Zetsu sprawled across the floor.
Orochimaru's brow furrowed. "Zetsu?" Their appearance was eerily similar to those within Akatsuki.
Naruto nodded. "These White Zetsu were the subordinates of the masked man, Tobi. Their bodies differ fundamentally from normal humans, and they possess the ability to wield Wood Release. You, who once conducted Wood Release experiments in Konoha, should find them… fascinating."
Orochimaru's golden eyes gleamed with interest. The prospect of dissecting and studying such unique specimens was undeniably tempting. Yet, his instincts screamed caution. This deal was too convenient. The value of these bodies far outweighed whatever Naruto sought in return.
After carefully inspecting a corpse, Orochimaru straightened. "Mianma-kun, what exactly do you want?"
Naruto met his gaze with quiet intensity. "Once you've analyzed the Zetsu, I want a copy of your research data. Additionally, I need the summoning contract for Ryūchi Cave."
Orochimaru's smirk faltered. "You wish to learn Senjutsu?"
Naruto nodded. "That's right. After my battle with Pain, I realized my strength is still insufficient. The only way forward is through Sage Mode."
Orochimaru fell silent, deep in thought. Before even mastering Sage Mode, Naruto had already held his own against the leader of Akatsuki. If he were to harness true Senjutsu, he would become an undeniable force—perhaps even surpassing the greatest shinobi of the era.
After a long pause, Orochimaru produced an aged scroll from within his robes, tossing it to Naruto. "This contains the location of Ryūchi Cave. However, whether the White Snake Sage deems you worthy is another matter entirely."
Naruto unrolled the parchment, scanning the coordinates. Ryūchi Cave was located deep within an isolated mountain range, far removed from the Five Great Nations.
As Naruto stored the scroll, Orochimaru nonchalantly swallowed the White Zetsu corpses whole before turning toward the exit. "Mianma-kun, our deal is complete. I look forward to our next encounter."
However, just as he was about to leave, Naruto's voice halted him. "One more thing."
Orochimaru's expression darkened. "Do you intend to go back on our agreement?"
Naruto chuckled. "Not at all. I merely wish to ask—do you possess any basic ninjutsu scrolls? Specifically, civilian-accessible techniques."
Orochimaru blinked, momentarily caught off guard. He had encountered countless warlords, visionaries, and conquerors—but never before had he met someone seeking to spread ninjutsu among commoners.
Wordlessly, he regurgitated several storage scrolls before giving Naruto a long, searching look.
Naruto accepted them with a satisfied nod. "If you ever choose to abide by Uzushiogakure's rules, know that you are welcome. I sincerely hope we won't stand as enemies in the future."
Orochimaru said nothing, merely offering a cryptic smile before vanishing via Reverse Summoning.
As the chamber fell silent once more, Naruto stared in the direction Orochimaru had departed. His offer had been genuine—Uzushiogakure needed minds like Orochimaru's.
After all, in the future, Orochimaru would accomplish the unthinkable—cloning Jinchūriki, artificially creating Sharingan users, and even synthesizing pseudo-immortals. Though these creations were weaker than the originals, the fact that such feats were even possible was a testament to his genius.
Given enough time, Orochimaru could very well recreate the lost arts of the Ōtsutsuki Clan.
But the current Orochimaru was unpredictable—too dangerous for true collaboration. He could be negotiated with, even used, but trusting him completely was a death wish.
Shaking off the lingering thoughts, Naruto spread a map of the ninja world before him, his gaze settling on Ryūchi Cave's location.
If he mastered Senjutsu, he would finally surpass the limitations of age and rank. With it, he would not just stand among the strongest—he would dominate them.
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