"You're finally here."
Orochimaru's tone was a bit impatient.
He had been having a hard time these past half - months, and every day seemed like a year as he awaited Natsume's arrival.
As a scientist, he naturally had a strong thirst for knowledge.
The Mangekyo Sharingan was an entirely new field.
Naturally, he wanted to learn about it.
"I'm glad you're still alive."
Natsume casually sat down, took a sip of tea, and said, "This tastes weird. Buy some good tea next time."
If you've got something to say, say more.
Orochimaru twitched the corners of his mouth. Since he needed a favor, he had to pretend not to hear. He asked, "How can one obtain the Mangekyo Sharingan?"
"Trading is all about equivalent exchange."
Instead of answering directly, Natsume smiled and asked, "What about the Hashirama cells I asked for?"
"I've got them."
Orochimaru's snake - like eyes rolled. "I can hand them over to you right now."
Natsume had been using a Wooden clone.
However, when the Wooden clone was dispelled, the items wouldn't go back with it. Therefore, the clone had to return to the original body.
As long as Orochimaru played his cards right, he could figure out the identity of this Mysterious Person.
Natsume could, of course, guess what he was thinking.
Previously, he had been worried about how to conduct the trade for this very reason.
But now he had a plan.
After taking control of Gunma Company, he had obtained nearly 100 million ryo in cash.
This was the profit from the Casino and underground bank over the past decade.
After setting aside expenses and real estate, the available liquid funds were quite substantial.
Natsume planned to hire Ninja to rescue Karin and her mother.
In the current ninja world, aside from the Five Great Villages, who was the most powerful?
That's right, it's them, our well - known villains, the Akatsuki organization.
Some might say that the Akatsuki organization was dangerous and there was a risk of things going wrong.
But this was the early stage of the Akatsuki organization, a period of accumulating funds.
They had two ways to make money: taking on missions and collecting bounties.
Let's not talk about the latter for now.
The former meant that the Akatsuki organization had become a mercenary group.
And in mercenary work, the most important thing was credibility.
If you backstab your employer and word gets out, you'll lose your credibility and no one will hire you again.
The Akatsuki organization wasn't stupid enough to break the rules at this time.
In other words, as long as you paid them, they could be trusted.
If Orochimaru wanted to test things out, fine. He'd send two members of the Akatsuki organization for him to test.
"Don't rush. I'm just a clone. I'll inform you in a couple of days."
Natsume waved his hand nonchalantly and said, "Trade with the members of our organization."
"No problem."
Orochimaru nodded.
Even if he couldn't meet Natsume's original body, contacting the members of his organization was just as good.
With his abilities, as long as he got the slightest clue, he was confident that he could follow the lead and completely uncover the mystery of this organization.
"I'll give you one more piece of advice."
Natsume looked at him meaningfully. "If you plan to make a move, take enough precautions. They're not as easy - going as me."
Familiar words.
Hearing this, Orochimaru was stunned for a moment, and then a nameless rage flared up.
This guy is way too cocky!
If I can't beat the Mangekyo Sharingan, can't I even beat your subordinates?
Do you think the title of Sannin was just picked up off the street?
"Then let's continue talking about the Mangekyo Sharingan."
Natsume changed the topic. Orochimaru paused and showed anticipation.
"The Mangekyo Sharingan evolves from the Three - Tomoe Sharingan."
"Doesn't that mean there are quite a few Mangekyo Sharingan in the Uchiha clan?"
Orochimaru couldn't help but interrupt.
In his opinion, while Shisui Uchiha was indeed a genius, there had been many other Uchiha geniuses before him.
Over the years, there should be more than just a single pair of eyes.
"It's not that simple. The one who awakens it must have extremely high talent and extraordinary experiences. Both are indispensable."
Natsume held up three fingers and said, "So far, there are only three people. Madara Uchiha, Shisui Uchiha, and the Mysterious Person who controlled the Nine - Tailed Fox."
Actually, there were more, but there was no need to mention it.
For example, Izuna Uchiha also had it.
Orochimaru was shocked.
Sure enough.
He had long suspected that an ordinary Three - Tomoe Sharingan couldn't possibly control the Nine - Tailed Fox.
"Who is this Mysterious Person? Is he also from the Uchiha clan?"
Orochimaru was fairly familiar with the members of the Uchiha clan.
But in the past decade or so, he hadn't heard of any outstanding geniuses.
Before Shisui Uchiha, the most famous genius was Fugaku Uchiha.
But he was indecisive and wouldn't do such a thing.
Moreover, after the Nine - Tails Incident, the situation of the Uchiha clan became even more difficult.
Fugaku Uchiha wouldn't bring trouble on himself.
"That'll cost you extra."
Natsume said with a smile.
There was no point in telling Orochimaru that the Mysterious Person was Obito Uchiha.
He wouldn't get any value from it.
Orochimaru's face suddenly turned ugly. You've got to be kidding me after getting my hopes up!
"What's the price?"
He considered himself to have a bit of spare money.
But he also knew that Natsume wasn't short of money. It must be something precious for the exchange.
"A price you can't afford."
Ignoring his gloomy expression, Natsume continued, "You've already fought against Shisui Uchiha. You must understand that it's impossible to obtain his eyes."
Although Orochimaru was annoyed, he couldn't find a reason to refute.
He looked at Natsume and suddenly his eyes lit up. He asked, "Can your organization help me seize Shisui Uchiha's eyes?"
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"As I said, you can't afford the cost."
Natsume shook his head and counter - questioned, "And even if we really got them, why would I give such a good thing to you?"
Orochimaru fell silent.
If Natsume didn't take action, he couldn't handle it alone. Unless he got Hiruzen Sarutobi, Jiraiya and others involved.
But even if they were willing to help, after seeing the Mangekyo Sharingan, they would never let him have it all to himself. Instead, it would go to Konoha.
At this time, the Akatsuki organization wasn't particularly well - known. Moreover, they were just wandering ninjas, not from the Five Great Villages.
Orochimaru naturally didn't care and thus was unaware of their existence.
"Well, there is a way," Natsume said, changing the subject. "After investigations, our organization has discovered another Uchiha prodigy who has a high chance of awakening the Mangekyo Sharingan. More importantly, you can easily get your hands on him. It all boils down to whether you've got enough patience."
Orochimaru couldn't contain his excitement and immediately asked, "Who is it?"
Patience? He had more than enough.
If his Living Corpse Reincarnation jutsu succeeded, he would have an infinite lifespan.
"Itachi Uchiha," Natsume said, naming his classmate.
Orochimaru was stunned for a few seconds before he remembered who Itachi was.
He was the eldest son of Fugaku Uchiha.
It was mainly because Itachi was only six years old at the moment and hadn't gained much fame yet. So Orochimaru didn't have a deep impression of him.
"Itachi Uchiha's talent is no less than Shisui Uchiha's," Natsume said with a faint smile and suggested, "However, he's the son of the Uchiha clan leader, and he has a close relationship with Shisui Uchiha. You need to act quickly, or things might go wrong."
Orochimaru nodded.
He was smart and naturally understood the difficulty involved.
Currently, the relationship between the Uchiha clan and Konoha was very tense.
If he went to see Fugaku Uchiha, he'd most likely come back empty - handed.
Orochimaru quickly came up with a plan, but when he looked up, Natsume's clone had already disappeared.
He actually still had some questions, but now he had to let it go.
The next day.
Orochimaru arrived at the Hokage's office.
"Orochimaru?" Hiruzen Sarutobi looked surprised.
"Well, if it isn't a rare sight!"
Since the end of the Third Great Ninja World War, Orochimaru had become a complete homebody.
He didn't take on any missions and just stayed at home all day. No one knew what he was up to.
Hiruzen had long known that Orochimaru and Tanzo were of the same kind, with devious minds and unfit to be Hokage.
However, since they were both powerful and beneficial to Konoha, he turned a blind eye.
As long as they didn't betray the village.
"Hey, it's normal for ninjas to be ruthless and have some crazy ideas."
"I want to take on disciples," Orochimaru said straightforwardly.
Hiruzen was slightly taken aback.
What's going on?
Just after Tsunade took on a disciple, you want to do the same?
"Why do you suddenly want to take on disciples?" Hiruzen asked.
Orochimaru's last disciple was Nawaki.
After Nawaki's death, he only had Mikoto Anko left. Oh no, just Anko.
"Nothing much. I'm short of people for my experiments, so I'm looking for two disciples," Orochimaru replied casually, which was in line with his personality.
Hiruzen asked, "Who have you set your eyes on?"
"Not sure yet," Orochimaru, naturally not wanting to arouse Hiruzen's suspicion, said, "I plan to choose two good students from the Ninja Academy."
"No problem," Hiruzen said, his doubts completely dispelled. "I'll have the Ninja Academy hold an exam. You can go and pick your disciples then."
He was nominally the principal of the Ninja Academy.
But after he said that, he suddenly thought of someone.
Itachi Uchiha.
He remembered Itachi clearly because he was the son of Fugaku Uchiha and extremely talented, always ranking first in the school.
If Orochimaru takes him as an apprentice, there might be unexpected benefits.
In the original work, Fugaku Uchiha sent Itachi Uchiha to the Anbu as a spy.
But Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't know about it.
Judging from the current situation, Fugaku Uchiha wouldn't want Itachi Uchiha to become a direct disciple within the Hokage lineage.
Because the Uchiha clan had just relocated, and they were extremely enraged.
However, Orochimaru taking in an apprentice was a legal and justifiable procedure.
Hiruzen Sarutobi believed that if Itachi Uchiha was incorporated into the Hokage lineage, he might end up being another Shisui Uchiha.
"Orochimaru, I remember that Fugaku's son, Itachi Uchiha, has good talent. You can take him as your apprentice."
"I'll consider it."
At first, Orochimaru thought his goal had been exposed, but then he realized Hiruzen Sarutobi's plan.
The Uchiha clan was currently very difficult to handle.
Hiruzen Sarutobi inherited the gentle side of his teacher, Tobirama Senju, and planned to break them from within by taking Shisui Uchiha and Itachi Uchiha under his wing and then deal with them slowly.
Tanzo Shimura, on the other hand, adhered to a tough-handed approach and planned to uproot the Uchiha clan.
At noon.
The Ninja Academy.
Class A, Grade One.
Yamanaka Naoto walked into the classroom and said, "Guys, great news! Lord Orochimaru, one of the Sannin, will come to the school this afternoon to select apprentices. Everyone of you has a chance!"
The classroom immediately erupted in cheers.
The Sannin held extremely high prestige in their minds.
You know, Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage, was the apprentice of Jiraiya, another one of the Sannin.
If they became Orochimaru's apprentices, wouldn't they be the fellow apprentices of the Fourth Hokage?
Although Orochimaru was usually cold, he was powerful and had outstanding achievements, so he had quite a few die-hard fans.
Moreover, for civilian ninjas, joining the Hokage lineage would undoubtedly mean a huge leap forward.
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So their excitement was normal.
Natsume, sitting in the back-row by the window, was somewhat surprised.
Was this the way he was going to take in apprentices?
But thinking about it carefully, it was very smart.
Even the Uchiha clan couldn't say anything.
They could only blame Itachi Uchiha for being too talented.
Natsume wasn't very interested in Orochimaru taking in apprentices. He was more concerned about his wooden clone in Booklet Street.
Normally, ninjas undertake missions via the ninja village.
Unofficial channels involve the underground black market.
Here, there are all sorts of disreputable missions and head bounties.
For example, Asuma Sarutobi, known as the 'Hokage's measurement unit', had a bounty of thirty-five million ryo.
Don't underestimate this price; it's already very high.
An ordinary Jonin wouldn't be worth that much; a few million ryo would suffice.
After all, in normal situations, the most difficult S-rank ninja missions only start at one million ryo.
There's no underground black market in Konoha Village, but there is one in Booklet Street.
Through the connections of Gunma Company, Natsume found out the specific location.
In the morning, he sent his wooden clone there to check it out.
It was a rather ordinary Japanese-style two-story wooden house.
Natsume opened the door, and what greeted his eyes were all kinds of counters.
It was somewhat similar to the mission hall in games or anime series.
"Guest, are you here to take on a mission or post one?"
A young man in his twenties or thirties, sitting behind the window, politely asked.
"Post a mission."
"Please fill out this form."
"My mission is quite difficult. I'd like to ask, which ninjas do you recommend? Ones with a good reputation."
Natsume casually slipped him a thousand Ryo.
"You've come to the right person!"
The young man quickly broke into a grin and said, "I tell you, about a few months ago, several extremely powerful ninjas suddenly emerged. They only take on high - difficulty missions and bounties, and they've never failed so far."
"Really?"
Natsume showed an interested expression and asked, "What are their names?"
"They use code names. I only know that one of them is called Kakuzu." The young man replied.
"Okay, then I want to specify them for this mission."
Natsume grinned and said.
However, it was possible to specify the ninjas for a mission, but the price would be higher.
"Guest, please wait a moment."
The young man quickly explained, "They have a rule. If you want to specify them, the reward should be at least one million Ryo."
"No big deal."
Natsume said indifferently, "I'll offer two million Ryo."
The young man was dazzled by the money.
He quickly posted the mission.
[S - rank Mission: Go to Kusagakure Village to rescue two people and bring them to Booklet Street.]
[Reward: Two million Ryo, specifying Kakuzu and Tama.]
[Note: After accepting the mission, meet the employer in front of Winter Snow Casino at 7 a.m. on July 7th.]
Winter Snow Casino was just a random casino Natsume picked.
If it were at Gunma Casino, there would inevitably be risks.
The wooden clone dissipated, and Natsume's real body learned about the situation.
Next, it was up to the Akatsuki organization to decide whether they wanted to take on the mission.
But he guessed they probably would.
Right now, the Akatsuki organization was quite short of money.
In the afternoon.
Orochimaru arrived.
All the students were called to the playground for a gathering.
Natsume was no exception.