Orochimaru heard Mu instantly reveal his identity.
His mind buzzed, and his brain went blank.
He trembled all over, standing rooted to the spot, not daring to move.
"You've really grown up, little Orochimaru..." Mu said with a sigh, looking at Orochimaru.
The last time he saw Orochimaru, he was a quiet child.
Now he was actually a Jonin capable of participating in battle.
Hearing this, Orochimaru was astonished again, knowing in his heart that he couldn't bluff his way through.
Poof!
The Transformation Jutsu was dispelled.
"You actually still remember me..."
Orochimaru closed his eyes, waiting for his fate.
It wasn't that he hadn't thought of escaping, but that he didn't dare.
The Old Tsuchikage hadn't attacked him immediately, which meant he didn't intend to kill him.
There was still a glimmer of hope.
If he insisted on fighting, the Old Tsuchikage would probably have no choice but to kill him.
Mu's eyes lightly swept over Orochimaru.
The entire laboratory was silent; you could hear a pin drop.
A drop of cold sweat ran down Orochimaru's forehead.
How would this Tsuchikage deal with him?
Mu focused slightly, weighing the pros and cons, and silently made a decision in his heart.
"You're very interested in science, aren't you? I remember when you were little, you used to linger in the Iwagakure bookstore, begging Hiruzen to buy you science books."
Mu recalled, speaking.
Orochimaru looked up, staring blankly at Mu, not expecting the Old Tsuchikage to have such a good memory, remembering even these things.
"Thank you, Tsuchikage-sama, for remembering me."
"I'm very interested in science,"
Orochimaru lowered his head.
He felt more or less ashamed in his heart.
"I've always believed that those who advance the Ninja World's technology are far more important than powerful Ninja politicians like me."
"Politics is something that, as long as a person has normal intelligence and decent strength, placed in the right position, they can probably handle."
"But technological progress is different; it requires true geniuses to break boundaries and lead change."
Mu slowly explained.
"You are very right."
After listening, Orochimaru expressed his heartfelt agreement.
His admiration for this Tsuchikage deepened in his heart.
Not only was he powerful, but his vision was also sharp.
Even in this Ninja World, where Ninjutsu was supreme, he could see the importance of technology through countless Ninjutsu.
This Old Tsuchikage was a person of great wisdom.
"Staying in Konoha will only bury you. Come to Iwagakure; I will unearth your scientific genius."
Mu slowly extended an olive branch to Orochimaru.
Orochimaru suddenly looked up at Mu in surprise.
His eyes filled with fervor and excitement.
There was also a hint of pride.
The various instruments and scientific knowledge in Iwagakure were things that made Orochimaru envious; he could also conduct all the experiments he wanted.
As for that hint of pride, it was because only this Old Tsuchikage in the current Ninja World realized his scientific talent.
Hiruzen-sensei only saw his Ninjutsu talent.
But he didn't see his other precious talent.
However, Orochimaru then thought of many things.
He thought of Jiraiya.
He thought of his disciple, Nawaki.
He thought of Hiruzen-sensei, who had always placed high hopes on him.
Orochimaru struggled internally.
If he defected, he couldn't imagine how these people would view him.
But if he didn't agree, he might...
"If I don't agree, Tsuchikage-sama probably won't let me leave alive, will he?"
Orochimaru said, looking at Mu with his snake-like eyes.
Mu raised an eyebrow.
At this point in the timeline, Orochimaru had not yet experienced war, and his disciple Nawaki was not dead.
Hiruzen Sarutobi placed high hopes on him.
Orochimaru still cared about many people and things, more or less.
He wasn't as mercenary and unscrupulous as he would be later.
Orochimaru's refusal was within expectations.
"....."
Orochimaru stared intently at Mu.
If he didn't agree, he probably wouldn't be allowed to leave alive.
However, the next sentence made Orochimaru stunned again.
"Even if you don't agree, you can go back."
"Whether to go or stay is entirely up to you."
Mu said lightly.
Orochimaru paused slightly, then became utterly confused.
He didn't understand why Mu would allow it.
Perhaps...
Perhaps this Tsuchikage was old and, remembering knowing him as a child, was letting him off the hook?
However, since he could live, he would seize the opportunity.
"Thank you!"
Orochimaru was about to retreat.
However, Mu called out to him again.
"Wait!"
Orochimaru's heart rose again.
Then, the various research materials that Mu had taken were thrown to Orochimaru.
"Take these and research them. If you research anything, you can come back, and we can discuss it together. Iwagakure welcomes you."
Mu said calmly.
Since Orochimaru hinted that he didn't want to defect from Konoha, he would take a step back.
He would give the research materials to Orochimaru and let Orochimaru research them.
Relying solely on Iwagakure's scientists to help him research cell longevity would take forever...
If Orochimaru researched something, he could come back to Iwagakure to discuss it.
It was like having Orochimaru work for him on research.
He wasn't afraid that Orochimaru would take the research materials and not come back.
Because the research results and cells were all in Iwagakure.
If Orochimaru wanted to continue researching or develop further, he would have to come back.
As for completely recruiting Orochimaru, that would have to be done slowly.
He gave him the cell research materials.
Then Orochimaru would definitely get involved in human experiments.
Once he got involved in human experiments, the current Konoha would not allow Orochimaru to do such things.
This would trigger his defection, and with nowhere else to go, Orochimaru would only be able to choose Iwagakure.
"This..."
Orochimaru was completely shocked now.
He just gave them to him?
Such important research materials, just given to him?
"Don't hesitate. You can go. If you research anything, you can come back to Iwagakure for further research. Iwagakure welcomes you very much."
"After all, science has no borders!"
Mu turned his back, no longer looking at Orochimaru.
Orochimaru looked at Mu with deep admiration, then bowed slightly.
Just as Orochimaru was about to leave,
Orochimaru suddenly turned back and spoke.
"Tsuchikage-sama, you really need to check Iwagakure's security system. I gave a pack of cigarettes and a few silver coins, and I just walked in like that..."
Orochimaru kindly reminded him.
Mu froze, then his face darkened.
"Alright, I understand."
After Orochimaru left,
Mu stayed there alone.
"Next, it's time to deal with Ōnoki..."
"He actually let Orochimaru infiltrate like that..."
Mu was still a little annoyed.
He hadn't expected Iwagakure's defenses to be so weak.
He just let Orochimaru in like that.
If Hōzuki Gengetsu and he hadn't discovered it, how many spies would have entered Iwagakure?
If Orochimaru had used a method similar to Jiraiya's infiltration of Amegakure, like spitting snakes or something, that would have been one thing.
But Orochimaru just walked in with a pack of cigarettes.
"A pack of cigarettes actually paralyzed Iwagakure's main gate security system."
"If this continues, will even the Three-Body fleet be able to just sail in later?"
Mu immediately used the Body Flicker Jutsu to arrive at the Tsuchikage's office.
At this time, Ōnoki was busy with political affairs.