Yuu had actually expected that Orochimaru might contact him after defecting.
He just hadn't expected it to happen this quickly.
Judging from the situation, Orochimaru had probably come straight here after shaking off the Konoha Anbu accompanying him and leaving the southwestern front.
He had not gone to the Land of Rice Fields at all.
So…
what exactly did he want?
Yuu couldn't quite tell, but he wasn't afraid either.
After all, his current strength was completely different from before.
Aside from Orochimaru having a broader arsenal of ninjutsu and more methods for preserving his life, Yuu didn't think he was inferior in many other areas.
If negotiations broke down and they actually fought, Yuu could probably give Orochimaru quite a surprise.
The only thing he needed to be careful of was the Four Violet Flames Formation.
If he got trapped inside that thing, it could become troublesome.
At once,
Yuu quietly surveyed the surroundings, confirming whether anyone else was lying in ambush while speaking again.
"I heard Orochimaru-senpai recently encountered some… unexpected changes.
"May I ask why you came all the way here?"
"I wouldn't call it anything so grand. I merely came to 'thank' you."
Orochimaru laughed hoarsely, his voice sounding somewhat sinister.
"If you hadn't exposed Danzō's affairs, how would my dear teacher have noticed the abnormalities within Root, investigated those experiments, and forced me to make the decision to defect?"
"…Huh?"
No, seriously…
You're putting that blame on me?
Why don't you just say I'm the one who told you to conduct all those human experiments too?
Honestly, if Orochimaru had exercised even the slightest restraint and used only outsiders or prisoners for his experiments, Sarutobi Hiruzen probably would have found some way to protect him.
But Orochimaru hadn't even bothered pretending.
He had directly used Konoha villagers as test subjects.
There was no way something like that could be tolerated.
Although Yuu was somewhat speechless, he still followed Orochimaru's logic and offered some consolation.
"Orochimaru-senpai, I don't think that's the right way to look at it.
"Although you've lost everything now, you've gained freedom!
"And freedom is priceless!"
"?"
Orochimaru froze.
Something about those words sounded strangely wrong.
However, he hadn't actually come to settle accounts with Yuu.
After casually mentioning the matter, Orochimaru looked at him with great interest through those golden snake-like pupils.
"Well, what's done is done. There's no meaning in dwelling on it now.
"The main reason I came to find you is actually because I want to ask you one question—
"Mikami-kun, what do you think of Konoha as it is now?"
"…What do you mean?"
"I mean that the Konoha of today is no longer the Konoha that was founded in the beginning.
"Decayed. Rigid. Lifeless…
"The once-spirited Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, who was known as the 'God of Shinobi,' has already lost the sharpness of his youth under the erosion of time.
"That was precisely why someone like Danzō was allowed to operate in the shadows for so many years…
"Does a village like that truly still have a future?"
Orochimaru stepped forward and spread his arms, adopting a passionate posture.
"So I often wonder…
"If the old Konoha is already beyond salvation, why not simply build a new one?
"A place that isn't restrained by those rotten rules.
"A place where we can freely explore the truths of ninjutsu, where talented people can fully display their ambitions…"
"Mikami-kun, you possess talent, strength, and vision far beyond ordinary people.
"Remaining in the current Konoha will only cause you to be dragged down by mediocrity and restrained by the so-called 'Will of Fire'…
"Why not come help me?
"Together, we can create a more perfect new ninja village.
"What do you say?"
"…"
Good grief.
Only a few days ago, Yuu had been wondering how Orochimaru would establish Otogakure without the Sound Four and his other future subordinates.
So this guy had actually decided to recruit him.
If Yuu had truly been a native of this world, there really was some possibility that such words might have moved him and made him want to accomplish something grand.
Unfortunately…
"I'm sorry, but I refuse."
"?"
Under Orochimaru's slightly surprised gaze, Yuu continued.
"First, I'm already past the age where I want to chase something as vague as 'freedom.'
"Compared with starting a new business from scratch, my current stable life is much more appealing.
"Second, that more perfect 'new Konoha' you're talking about would probably consist of you and a bunch of experimental subjects, wouldn't it?
"I don't think a ninja village like that would be any better than the decaying Konoha you just described.
"Or do those experimental subjects not count as people in your eyes?"
"…Science always requires sacrifices."
Orochimaru spoke calmly.
"For those ordinary people destined to live mediocre lives, being able to sacrifice themselves for a great truth is an honor.
"If they retained awareness after death, I imagine they would even thank me.
"As for you… Mikami-kun, you're different."
"You possess exceptional potential.
"You are someone capable of becoming my partner and my disciple.
"With your talent, if you could abandon those meaningless bonds, you would walk a path leading to far greater heights.
"As long as you're willing, I will cultivate you wholeheartedly and teach you every result of my research."
Got it.
Yuu nodded.
So he had received Sasuke's script.
That made sense.
Because Orochimaru had defected earlier than in the original timeline, he never witnessed Itachi's famous shuriken-training scene.
Among the current prominent members of the Uchiha clan, Fugaku was too old, Shisui deliberately concealed his abilities, and Obito was a village-famous dead-last…
Naturally, none of them were particularly likely to catch Orochimaru's attention.
It was even less likely that he would develop an obsession with the Sharingan.
Yuu, meanwhile, had become Konoha's most dazzling young genius in nearly a decade thanks to the galgame system.
Even Kakashi and the others looked mediocre beside him.
Naturally, Orochimaru had set his sights on Yuu and regarded him as a potential vessel for reincarnation—
just like Sasuke in the original timeline.
Yuu had already watched this storyline once before, so he was completely familiar with it.
He decisively rejected Orochimaru's invitation a second time.
However…
Yuu suddenly changed the subject.
"I appreciate Orochimaru-senpai's high opinion of me, but unfortunately I cannot accept.
"Still…
"would you be interested in another form of cooperation?"
"As you can see, I've fought Kirigakure several times recently and accumulated quite a few Kiri ninja corpses.
"Some belonged to the Hōzuki and Kaguya clans.
"I imagine you would be quite interested in researching their Hydrification Technique and Dead Bone Pulse, wouldn't you?"
"Moreover, Kirigakure hasn't given up on the war yet.
"Perhaps in the future, I'll be able to provide body parts from other ninja clans—or even chakra from Kirigakure's two tailed beasts.
"What do you think about exchanging those things for the results of your research?
"For example…"
The remaining body components for the Cell Activation Technique.
That technique was one of Yuu's trump cards.
Combined with Monster Strength: Mad Gamble, boosted by Certain Victory of the Desperate, its upper limit was terrifyingly high.
Unfortunately, the Cell Activation Technique's affection was stuck at thirty-six, preventing him from using it frequently.
Then there was an improved version of Reanimation Jutsu.
The Kusanagi Sword.
The Eight Branches Technique.
The Four Violet Flames Formation.
And all sorts of cell transplantation and genetic modification technologies…
Just as Orochimaru himself had said, he possessed plenty of valuable things.
Quite a few of them could bring considerable benefits to Yuu.
The only issue was that most were still under development.
Orochimaru needed time to research and advance them.
They couldn't be completed overnight.
As for that…
so long as Orochimaru kept his hands away from the people around Yuu, Yuu could temporarily overlook his extremely questionable moral standards.
At this moment,
Orochimaru fell silent, seemingly considering whether to accept Yuu's proposal.
Just then,
a faint chakra fluctuation appeared nearby again, accompanied by the soft sound of approaching footsteps.
With no one else around, the sound was particularly clear.
Yuu glanced from the corner of his eye toward the alley he had entered through earlier.
Orochimaru noticed it at the same time and gave a sinister smile.
"It seems that Uchiha brat has come looking for you…
"Well, let's stop here for today.
"I'll come find you again, Mikami-kun."
As he spoke, Orochimaru pulled a scroll from his sleeve and casually tossed it over.
"A farewell gift.
"It contains a few observations I made during my recent ninjutsu research.
"Perhaps you'll find them useful.
"I hope that the next time we meet, I'll get to see those corpses you mentioned."
With that,
Orochimaru's figure slowly began sinking.
Like a transparent shadow, he merged into the ground and disappeared.
Only Yuu remained in the courtyard.
At this moment, Obito's noisy voice came from behind.
"Huh? Yuu, weren't you going to buy oranges? Why did you come all the way here?
"Sniff, sniff—what's that smell?
"Was someone here just now?"
"…No.
"I just thought this courtyard looked rather interesting when I passed by, so I came in to take a look."
With a casual flick of his hand, Yuu stuffed the scroll Orochimaru had thrown him into his pocket.
Then he turned toward Obito, who was sniffing the air and looking around suspiciously.
"Why did you come over?
"Where are Rin and Kurenai?"
"Oh, they're still scooping goldfish.
"The paper nets that old man gave us are way too thin. They break the instant they touch the water. It's basically impossible to catch anything…"
Obito paused.
"Seriously, no one was here just now?"
"What benefit would I gain from lying to you?"
Yuu replied indifferently.
Then he turned and started walking back, motioning for Obito to follow.
Although Obito remained suspicious, he looked around and genuinely couldn't find any traces.
He could only scratch his head and hurry after Yuu.
"By the way, Yuu, did something good happen?
"You seem like you're in a really good mood."
"You could say that.
"I suddenly figured out a problem that had been bothering me for a long time."
Yuu smiled faintly and spoke casually.
His mood really was quite good.
Because…
the moment he caught that scroll earlier, several notifications from the galgame system had quietly flashed before his eyes.
[Ding! Special Item detected — Body Component: Cell Activation Technique — Sealed Right Arm (Incomplete)!]
[In a small town in southwestern Land of Fire, you accidentally discovered a fragment of something that had been sealed away for many years. After carefully cleaning and examining it, you realized that it was the missing right arm of the "Cell Activation Technique." Unfortunately, only the forearm remains.]
[You decide to continue searching the surrounding area to see whether you can locate the rest of the limb and reconnect it to the incomplete girl.]
[…]
That was right.
Orochimaru's "farewell gift" was none other than part of the Cell Activation Technique that Yuu had been thinking about for so long!
Unfortunately…
it wasn't a complete arm.
Only half of one.
Yuu was both delighted and somewhat helpless.
If you're going to give me a gift, at least give me the complete thing!
What was the meaning of handing over only half?
Was Orochimaru deliberately trying to keep him in suspense?
Still…
something was better than nothing.
Especially when he had obtained it for free.
He couldn't demand too much.
Since Orochimaru had "given" this fragment to him and deliberately left those final words, he probably possessed more research materials.
He simply wanted to see what Yuu could offer before deciding whether to hand them over.
Once Yuu returned, he planned to sort through the corpses of those Kirigakure ninja, quietly select a few, and deliver them to Orochimaru.
Perhaps he could trade them for the remaining half of the arm.
Then he could gift it to the Cell Activation Technique and unlock the second stage of [Overload Pulse].
At that point, Yuu estimated that his strength would rise considerably.
He might even be able to begin developing some new combination ninjutsu…
Before long,
the two returned to the goldfish stall one after another.
By now, evening had arrived, and the sky had grown slightly darker.
Rin and Kurenai were still waiting there.
Each girl held a water-filled bag containing several goldfish that swam around while blowing bubbles.
"These are…"
"Hehe! These are the results of our hard work!"
Kurenai happily raised her bag like she was displaying a treasure.
"Look! I caught three!
"Rin caught two, and one of hers even has a really unusual pattern…
"Only Obito deserted halfway through and didn't catch a single one!"
"…What do you mean, deserted?! I was going easy on you!
"If I actually used these Sharingan properly, I could catch a hundred goldfish without missing a single one!"
Obito's face turned red as he immediately defended himself.
"Hmph. There are still plenty of fish inside the tank.
"If you want to prove yourself, buy some more scoops and keep trying.
"No one's stopping you."
Kurenai mercilessly exposed him.
Rin covered her mouth and smiled before looking toward Yuu.
"Yuu, do you want to try?
"It's actually pretty fun."
"I'll pass."
Yuu shook his head.
"It's getting late. We should head back to the stronghold first.
"If we wait much longer, we might miss dinner."
"Oh…"
Rin answered softly without saying anything else.
Kurenai obediently lowered her bag as well and followed behind Yuu toward the stronghold.
…
That night.
Yuu first copied the scroll Orochimaru had given him.
He then gifted the copy to the Cell Activation Technique, increasing its affection by three points and its affection limit by six.
[Cell Activation Technique affection +3.]
[Affection limit increased by 6.]
[Current affection: 39/42 (Unfamiliar)]
~~~
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