[After receiving your gift, the pale girl remains asleep. However, a faint trace of color has appeared on her pallid face, as though she has taken another small step toward awakening.]
"Still eight points short…"
Yuu selectively ignored the latter half of the notification and focused his attention on the number 42.
If he remembered correctly, the last time he gifted the entire "left arm," it had increased the affection cap by eleven points.
This time, half of the "right arm" had increased it by six.
That seemed slightly more efficient than the left arm.
If he could obtain the remaining half of the arm from Orochimaru, there was a chance the affection cap would reach fifty.
Of course, there was also the possibility that it would stop around forty-nine.
That would be enough to drive someone with obsessive tendencies insane…
"I don't know when Orochimaru will come back, so I'll prepare the things we agreed on first. When the time comes, we can just make the exchange directly.
"Since I can upgrade the moment I get the scroll, it shouldn't take much effort."
"Also, Konoha Anbu might track Orochimaru into this area over the next few days. I'll need to be a little more careful with my movements so they don't catch me doing anything suspicious…"
Unlike Orochimaru, Yuu had no intention of leaving Konoha for the time being.
Meeting privately with Orochimaru could technically be explained away. Given his relationships with Tsunade and Namikaze Minato, it probably wouldn't be investigated too deeply.
Still, less trouble was always better than more trouble.
For the sake of avoiding unnecessary headaches, caution was preferable.
Yuu thought for a while, roughly settled on a plan, washed up briefly, and went to bed.
…
Orochimaru moved faster than expected.
Only the following night after their encounter in town, he secretly sent Yuu a message through one of his white snake summons and arranged a meeting in a small forest near the stronghold.
This time, Yuu successfully exchanged four Kiri ninja corpses for the remaining half of the "right arm."
[Cell Activation Technique affection +4. Affection cap increased by 8. Current affection: 44/50 (Unfamiliar)]
"Yes!"
Yuu clenched his fist tightly, feeling exhilarated.
The more he looked at Orochimaru, the more the man resembled his own personal Professor Agasa, Wile E. Coyote, and Doraemon all rolled into one.
Orochimaru's actual combat strength was only so-so, but he could always pull out something useful for Yuu.
If Yakushi Kabuto weren't still too young and his talent for espionage still undeveloped, Yuu would honestly have liked to shove Kabuto directly into Orochimaru's hands.
Kabuto could serve as an informant to monitor him while simultaneously improving Orochimaru's research efficiency, helping him complete the full Cell Activation Technique as quickly as possible.
Of course, considering Orochimaru's ability to brainwash people, Kabuto might end up being manipulated in reverse.
So a plan like that had to be handled carefully.
He couldn't make such a decision lightly.
"Then we'll end this transaction here. If I obtain any new valuable corpses, I'll contact you again.
"When that happens, remember to give me the latest research results on the Cell Activation Technique."
Yuu said.
Across from him,
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes slightly and looked at Yuu with considerable interest.
Honestly, he had always doubted whether Yuu had truly mastered the Cell Activation Technique.
After all, the technique was only a semi-finished product.
Even Orochimaru himself had not fully understood it yet and had merely completed the theoretical framework.
But judging from Yuu's past battle records and his behavior during these two exchanges…
the brat might genuinely have learned it.
That surprised Orochimaru.
And delighted him.
After all, now that he had already begun considering Yuu as a potential vessel, the more techniques Yuu mastered and the more perfectly developed his body became, the better it would be for Orochimaru.
As for whether Yuu becoming too powerful might cause his future possession attempt to backfire…
Orochimaru saw no reason to worry.
After all, Orochimaru was a master with Genjutsu 10.
He believed there were very few ninja in the world capable of matching him in spiritual power, much less suppressing him.
At this point, he was already somewhat impatient to see the day when he personally harvested the fruit standing before him…
"Wait."
Just as Yuu turned to leave,
Orochimaru suddenly called out to him.
"Hmm?"
"Since this transaction has been fairly pleasant, I'll throw in one more important piece of intelligence."
Orochimaru smiled, his voice hoarse.
"When I came here from the southwestern border a few days ago, I encountered some people…
"They should have been ninja from the east.
"It seemed they had taken a detour through the Land of Hot Water and were planning to approach your strongholds from the rear, creating a pincer attack."
"Oh?"
Yuu frowned slightly.
The east…
That meant Kirigakure.
No wonder the reconnaissance squads around the Land of Waves had failed to discover any significant Kiri movements recently.
So they had taken an even wider detour through the Land of Hot Water?
If they could circle around through the Land of Hot Water…
perhaps they could also go around through the Land of Whirlpools?
"Is this intelligence reliable?"
Yuu asked.
"Believe it or don't."
Orochimaru shrugged casually.
"I'm a 'free man' now. I no longer have any obligation to any ninja village.
"Besides, this intelligence is merely a complimentary gift.
"If you want more specific details, verify them yourself. I have no obligation to answer further."
"…Understood."
Yuu nodded.
"Then thank you. We'll trade again when the opportunity arises.
"And remember to continue improving the Cell Activation Technique. I need that technique rather urgently right now."
With that, Yuu turned and left.
After realizing that he had become one of Orochimaru's potential vessels, Yuu's attitude toward the Sannin had gradually become less polite.
After all, Sasuke had handled Orochimaru like this in the original story.
Yuu simply wondered whether the same approach would work for him…
Still, the most important thing right now was verifying Orochimaru's intelligence as quickly as possible.
If Kirigakure really was secretly moving forces along an unexpected route, then whichever side seized the initiative first could determine the outcome of the battle.
Of course, he also needed to raise the Cell Activation Technique's affection as quickly as possible.
Six affection points.
If everything went smoothly, two or three days should be enough to max it out…
On the other side,
Orochimaru watched Yuu's figure disappear completely from view.
Only then did the smile on his face gradually fade.
He stood in place for a moment before turning toward another direction.
After only a few steps, however, he suddenly stopped and looked diagonally ahead.
There,
in the darkest part of the forest,
stood a tall figure wrapped in a black cloak.
A large hood completely concealed the figure's face.
Only a faint gaze—calm to the point of indifference—came through the shadows.
Orochimaru instinctively felt that something was wrong.
"This person…"
When had he arrived?
Even with Orochimaru's sensory abilities as one of the Sannin, he had failed to notice the exact moment this person appeared.
That was extremely unusual.
At this moment,
the shadowy figure slowly spoke.
His deep voice revealed neither age nor emotion.
"As expected of one of Konoha's Sannin. Your perception is quite sharp."
"…Heh."
Orochimaru let out a low chuckle.
"'Sannin'? That title belongs to the past.
"The current me is merely a wandering ninja without a village."
As he spoke, Orochimaru stepped forward.
His movement looked relaxed and casual, but his eyes had already locked onto the figure without revealing the slightest tension.
"As for you…
"hiding your face and acting mysterious.
"Who exactly are you?"
Across from him,
the shadowy figure seemed completely unaffected by Orochimaru's provocation.
"I'm merely someone who happened to pass by.
"I wanted to see what was so extraordinary about one of the 'Sannin.'
"But from what I've seen…"
The figure paused.
"Rather disappointing."
Disappointing?
Orochimaru licked his lips, dangerous cold light flashing through his eyes.
"If you want to measure the weight of one of the Sannin, then you should be prepared to lose your life."
Before his words had even finished,
Orochimaru vanished from his original position!
Almost simultaneously, he appeared only several meters away from the shadowy figure.
His right hand rose.
Several enormous patterned snakes instantly twisted together and shot toward the man's throat.
"Hidden Shadow Many Snakes Hand!"
The attack was vicious, deceptive, and extremely fast.
Against an ordinary ninja—even a jōnin—it would have been difficult to evade.
However—
the shadowy figure remained standing in place.
He didn't move at all.
He merely glanced casually toward Orochimaru.
Buzz!
At that instant,
an indescribably enormous spiritual force crashed down like an invisible tsunami!
Orochimaru's entire body suddenly stiffened.
It felt as though countless invisible chains had emerged from the void and bound him tightly from head to toe.
Not only his body—
even the chakra surging through his body froze instantly.
His chakra pathways felt as if they had been encased in ice, leaving him unable to mobilize even the slightest amount of strength.
The Hidden Shadow Snake Hands stopped abruptly in midair.
The snakes were less than a foot away from the shadowy figure's neck.
Yet they could not advance another inch.
"What… technique is this?"
Orochimaru's pupils trembled violently.
His hoarse voice carried unmistakable shock.
He desperately tried to move his eyes and look beneath the other person's hood.
But his neck felt like a rusted block of iron and refused to obey.
All he could vaguely sense was a strangely familiar aura coming from the stranger.
Of course it felt familiar.
Because…
the shadowy figure was none other than Uchiha Madara.
Not long ago, Madara had gone to Kirigakure, where he issued several instructions to the Third Mizukage.
Afterward, he returned to the Land of Fire to personally supervise the progress of the entire plan.
By coincidence, he discovered Orochimaru and Yuu conducting their transaction.
Madara had some ideas regarding Orochimaru, who had already defected from Konoha.
However, he had no intention of revealing his identity yet.
So he had put on a mask beforehand.
When he used Demonic Illusion: Laṅkā Technique just now, he had also deliberately concealed the fact that he possessed the Sharingan.
As a result, Orochimaru, who was experiencing the technique for the first time, failed to recognize him.
"I'll come find you again."
Madara stepped backward.
His figure became hazy and indistinct before quickly disappearing without a trace.
Only then did Orochimaru finally break free from the binding state.
He staggered backward two steps and breathed heavily.
Fine beads of cold sweat covered his forehead.
"That person…"
Who the hell was he?!
When had such an unidentified monster appeared in the ninja world?!
However…
"Interesting."
Orochimaru extended his tongue and licked his slightly dry lips.
Complicated, unreadable light flickered in his eyes.
To him, anything unknown was worth investigating.
The shadowy figure from earlier was no exception.
If he could personally uncover that person's identity…
it would surely be extremely interesting.
…
Shakuka Town Stronghold, Command Post.
Yuu, Uchiha Fugaku, Shisui, and Kakashi stood around an unfolded map, reviewing the patrol records from the past several days.
"…The patrol reports from the past week are basically all here.
"Captain Yuu, why did you suddenly think of checking these?
"Did you discover something new?"
Uchiha Fugaku asked curiously.
Yuu did not answer.
Instead, he compared the markings on the map with the patrol reports.
After a moment, he suddenly used a pencil to circle several locations.
Then he raised his head.
"Take a careful look at these areas.
"Aren't they blind spots in our patrol coverage?"
"This…"
Fugaku frowned.
Kakashi, beside him, spoke first.
"Captain Yuu, the terrain in these areas is relatively remote and complicated.
"Some are sheer cliffs.
"Others are valleys covered in poisonous miasma throughout the year.
"Even animals normally avoid them, so our patrol squads haven't conducted detailed searches…"
Kakashi looked at him.
"You suspect something is wrong there?"
"I'm not certain yet.
"But it bothers me."
Yuu did not mention Orochimaru.
After all, Orochimaru was now a missing-nin, and their meeting had been private.
It was not suitable to tell anyone else.
"Kirigakure has always been petty and vindictive.
"They suffered a severe defeat some time ago, yet they've remained completely quiet recently.
"That isn't normal."
"I suspect they may be preparing a large-scale counteroffensive.
"And infiltrating and assembling through blind spots that our routine patrols naturally overlook would be an entirely reasonable strategy…"
Yuu pointed across the map.
"Didn't you notice?
"These blind spots can almost be connected into a single line."
"…Huh?"
Kakashi narrowed his eyes and carefully followed the direction of Yuu's finger.
Suddenly, surprise appeared on his face.
"This leads toward the Land of Hot Water…
"Could Kirigakure be planning to circle through the Land of Hot Water, come around behind us, and create a pincer attack?"
Hearing this,
Fugaku and Shisui also froze.
They carefully examined the map.
Kakashi's deduction really was possible.
Especially because…
"The Land of Water has a unique geographical environment. Fog forms much more easily there than in other countries, and poisonous miasma is also common.
"Areas filled with miasma that give us trouble may not hinder Kiri ninja nearly as much.
"Furthermore, Kiri ninja are extremely skilled in the Hiding in Mist Technique.
"They could even deliberately imitate natural environmental conditions and trick us into lowering our guard…"
"If that's the case, we can't ignore this.
"We need to send people to investigate these blind spots immediately."
Uchiha Fugaku thought for a moment and volunteered.
"Captain Yuu, leave this mission to me.
"I'll take several elite clansmen and personally confirm the situation.
"If there really is a problem, I'll immediately launch a signal flare and notify everyone at the stronghold."
"…Alright."
Yuu nodded in agreement, but added,
"Take more people.
"Bring Gekkō Shigure's squad with you as well.
"Once you reach the area, be extremely careful.
"Focus on reconnaissance and don't engage recklessly.
"If you discover enemy activity, withdraw first. We can take our time planning afterward."
"…Understood.
"I'll gather the team immediately and guarantee the mission is completed."
Fugaku wasted no more time.
He turned and left the tent to select his personnel.
After watching him depart,
Yuu stretched lazily.
Then he looked toward the other two people still inside the tent and raised his chin.
"Shisui, Kakashi.
"You two come with me to the training ground."