20demayo Chapter 308 Orochimaru: This me, actually treating Wood Release as a disease?
Chapter 308 Orochimaru: This me, actually treating Wood Release as a disease?
Chapter 308 Orochimaru: This me, actually treating Wood Release as a disease?
on the screen.
The Senju clan ninjas dispersed, gradually moving further and further away, each going about their own business.
Orochimaru turned his gaze away from the direction the Senju clansmen had left, looked at Nawaki, and said thoughtfully, "Nawaki, take me to the lab. I need to check the recent experimental records."
This is what he most wants to know right now.
How did the version of myself in this dream succeed?
Rope Tree nodded without hesitation: "Yes, Master, this way."
The boy didn't seem to notice anything amiss, turned around and led the way with light steps.
Suddenly, as if remembering something, he couldn't contain his excitement and turned his head to add, "By the way, Master, speaking of experiments, that guy Kabuto is really amazing! Yesterday, not only did he pass the test, but when a problem arose during the test, it was he who reminded me and helped me solve it."
As Rope Tree spoke, his eyes lit up, his tone full of admiration for his companion's abilities.
Orochimaru simply nodded slightly upon hearing this, without saying anything more.
In reality, Kabuto Yakushi is his most capable assistant.
His talent, character, and loyalty are impeccable. This test, which many members of the Senju clan can pass, is naturally not worth mentioning to Kabuto.
only----
Orochimaru glanced at Nawaki's genuinely admiring expression out of the corner of his eye, and a strange feeling welled up in his heart.
In reality, Kabuto's excellence is not shown to others, but in this dream world, Kabuto is praised and recognized in the way a normal ninja would.
The two walked one after the other on the streets of Konoha.
The ninja villagers they encountered along the way reacted remarkably in unison when they saw them.
Some people stopped and bowed slightly, some placed their hands on their chests and nodded solemnly, and several young ninjas who had just returned from the training ground carried ninja tool bags, their eyes shining with undisguised admiration.
"Good morning, Orochimaru-sama."
"Lord Nogeki."
Greetings rose and fell, polite and respectful, full of heartfelt approval.
Orochimaru calmly accepted the stares, his steps steady.
He didn't even deliberately focus his gaze on any one person.
To him, these people's reactions were at most environmental variables, social feedback that could be observed and utilized.
However, deep down, Orochimaru still had some mixed feelings.
Such treatment has been something we haven't experienced in the real world for far too long.
When did it start?
He couldn't remember anymore.
Nowadays, the people of Konoha fear him like the plague.
The feeling of walking in the sunlight and being looked at directly by everyone felt so unfamiliar and ironic to him.
Orochimaru's residence was not far from the laboratory.
After crossing two streets, gray buildings came into view.
The two quickly arrived at the laboratory.
Rope Tree skillfully opened the gate.
The door slid open automatically, revealing the interior.
There were seven or eight researchers in white lab coats working busily in the laboratory.
Some were crouching in front of the microscope, some were recording data, and others were adjusting the instrument.
The moment Orochimaru stepped into the laboratory, all the researchers, no matter what they were doing, stopped what they were doing at the same time.
They all turned around in unison, their eyes fixed on Orochimaru.
Their reaction was far stronger and more unified than that of the people on the streets outside.
That was not just simple respect, but a gaze filled with faith.
Excitement, devotion, and even a desire for recognition shone directly on him like spotlights.
Orochimaru stopped in his tracks, his eyes slowly sweeping over the excited and devout faces, a slight smile unconsciously curving his lips.
He wasn't enjoying the attention.
Rather, it was a clear-headed understanding that "it was just as it was."
When it comes to controlling people's hearts and cultivating loyal followers, Orochimaru considers himself a master of this art.
Whether through fear, self-interest, a thirst for knowledge, or by leveraging lofty ideals and personal charisma, he could make his followers devoted to him.
The ninjas of Otogakure are basically his followers.
He knew perfectly well what that look meant.
interesting.
Orochimaru murmured to himself, his eyes gleaming with amusement.
It seems that in this dream, I am just as adept at manipulating people's hearts as I am in this dream.
This fueled his even stronger desire to investigate the methods and purposes of his other self.
"Continue your work."
As soon as Orochimaru finished speaking, the researchers dared not slack off and immediately and efficiently returned to their work.
They moved swiftly and were focused.
Rope Tree, however, remained calm.
These researchers' reactions were nothing new to him.
He led Orochimaru to the innermost archive room of the laboratory.
Pushing open the door, it was quieter inside than outside. The walls were made of sound-absorbing black material, and the lights were deliberately dimmed.
Rope Tree stopped at the door and respectfully asked, "Master, the experimental records are all here, categorized by project and date."
Which part do you need me to retrieve?
Orochimaru did not answer immediately.
He stood in the center of the archives room, looking around.
Rows of filing cabinets stood neatly in an array, with codes affixed to the cabinet doors, the numbers and symbols arranged in a fairly regular pattern.
After scanning the area, a look of great satisfaction appeared in his eyes. These were the footprints left by a hunter upon seeing his prey, and the sweet scent of science that a scientist had caught.
Let me reveal the secret to your success.
Orochimaru silently recited this in his mind.
He turned to Rope Tree and ordered, "Bring me all the initial files, especially the detailed records about the experimental design."
He needs to know where success in this world truly begins.
His failure, and where he went astray.
Rope Tree nodded and said, "Yes, Master."
As soon as he finished speaking, Rope Tree moved quickly.
He took several heavy folders from a numbered filing cabinet and neatly stacked them on his large desk. Each one was tightly sealed, with the edges of the seals showing signs of being pressed again, clearly indicating that they had been repeatedly read and carefully filed.
The numbers on the labels indicate that this is where the research on this world began.
Orochimaru did not allow Nawaki to stay.
He only gave one instruction: do not let anyone disturb him, and then sat down alone at his desk.
Rope Tree responded and retreated, his footsteps disappearing at the end of the corridor.
Orochimaru extended his pale, slender fingers and flipped to the top file marked 00000001, his gaze quickly sweeping over the pages of records.
At first, the contents of the archives were largely the same as his actual research.
Cell origin, culture conditions, chakra stimulation, pre-transplant physical examination data—everything is exactly the same.
However, as he read on, his brow began to furrow imperceptibly.
The direction of his thinking, revealed between the lines, gradually deviated from the path he was familiar with.
In reality, Orochimaru's understanding of the First Hokage's cells always revolved around power and compatibility.
He regarded it as a precious treasure.
The boundless vitality, the power to change the landscape, and the powerful regenerative ability all captivated him, as if he were stealing the power of a god. If he could grasp it, he could transcend the boundaries of mortals.
However, this gift is unruly, extremely aggressive and exclusive, like an untamed beast.
In his eyes, the large number of deaths of the experimental subjects was an inevitable result of their own insufficient qualities, making them unable to withstand or match this powerful force.
The problem wasn't that the experimental subjects were unsuitable for Wood Release, but rather that Wood Release itself was flawed.
Therefore, his research has always focused on screening and enhancement.
We are constantly searching for more suitable containers.
From ordinary people to bloodline ninjas, from adults to children, or trying various methods to enhance the container's resilience.
There is only one goal.
To create or discover a suitable individual who can perfectly wield this power.
But the line of thought recorded in this file is completely different.
Shortly after the opening, after analyzing a few initial, relatively minor cases of loss of control, the author abruptly shifted focus, underlining that line with even more emphasis.
"In conclusion, it can be preliminarily determined that the strong erosion, assimilation, and uncontrolled proliferation characteristics exhibited by the cells of the First Generation after being separated from its host body are very similar to a terrible disease that can take the host's life if not carefully managed."
disease.
Orochimaru's pupils contracted slightly when he read the word.
He viewed the interstitial cells as either ferocious beasts or treasures that needed to be conquered.
However, the self here defines it as a disease that needs to be controlled.
This fundamental difference in understanding left him with an inexplicable sense of absurdity and unease, as if someone had rewritten a formula he was familiar with and then confidently told him—
You miscalculated back then!
[Ding! Orochimaru's emotional fluctuations have been detected! Emotional value +600!]
He patiently continued reading.
As you delve deeper into the text, the differences become increasingly apparent.
The files in my hand focus entirely on how to suppress interstitial cells, assess the number of transplants that the experimental subjects can tolerate, and how to save them after the rampage.
This is not a search for warriors who can tame wild beasts.
Instead, they were carefully testing how many interstitial cells an ordinary human body could carry without being completely destroyed.
The purpose of the experiment changed from creating superhumans to enhancing ordinary people.
Orochimaru's brows furrowed more and more tightly.
He quickly flipped through the files, his gaze sweeping over the conservative cell implantation experiments conducted on volunteers with different physical conditions.
Each volunteer was labeled with their age, chakra nature, physical condition rating, and even their sleep quality and dietary preferences were clearly written down.
There was no radical, forced integration.
Only one tedious clinical trial after another.
It records the host's various physiological indicators, the degree of rejection response, and the maximum safe amount that can be tolerated without going berserk after implantation of a very small unit of cell.
What kind of research is this?
Orochimaru was somewhat bewildered.
This completely contradicts his understanding of Wood Release.
Such conservatism and fear of death are more like comforting a weak kitten than touching the power of God.
However, another, more sober voice was reminding him.
The radical experiment in reality failed.
In this dream, the Senju clan's Wood Release technique was able to continue.
There were dozens of ninjas who had mastered Wood Release.
And everyone survived.
This point is more convincing than any argument.
He instinctively wanted to refute it, saying it was just a dream, some kind of illusion.
However, Orochimaru, who had long been tested by dreams, had already experienced the reality of dreams—
"Master————"
Rope Tree's concerned voice rang out.
He was clearly worried but didn't dare to disturb him rashly, so he asked softly, "You've been looking at this for so long, and you don't look too well. Is there a problem with the records? Or is there something wrong with the data?"
Orochimaru was jolted awake from his chaotic thoughts.
He looked up, his usual playful and serious expression gone, replaced by astonishment.
That was the expression on a scientist's face when their conclusions were overturned in front of them—not anger, but bewilderment.
Orochimaru quickly adjusted his expression, looked at Nawaki's worried face, and tried to force a reassuring smile.
"It's nothing, just some details that need to be carefully considered."
"Don't worry, Nawaki, go about your business."
He waved his hand, signaling Rope Tree to leave.
There was a half-second silence outside the door.
Rope Tree was skeptical, but out of trust in his master, he nodded and gently closed the door.
The moment the door closed, the archives fell silent again.
Orochimaru looked down at the file in his hand, his expression still showing some difficulty in digesting it.
Just because they care more about the life or death of the test subjects?
The thought echoed repeatedly in his mind.
In reality, he viewed experimental subjects as necessary consumables on the path to truth.
He pursues brilliant results, and in his view, some sacrifices are a reasonable price to pay.
He never considered the survival rate of experimental subjects as something to be considered in his research.
Not to mention considering it the key to success.
In the dream, the self seemed to have prioritized reducing the mortality rate and ensuring the safety of volunteers from the very beginning.
In Orochimaru's view, this kind of backward thinking was a fundamental error, a sign of weakness and pedantry. How could one be so hesitant and indecisive in the face of a greater cause?
But unfortunately—
This wrong direction yielded the fruits of success.
"hehe----"
What's this?
A cruel joke of fate?
Or is it that what he has always believed in was wrong from the start?
[Ding! Orochimaru's emotional fluctuations have been detected! Emotional value +600!]
Orochimaru slowly closed his eyes, then opened them again.
There was no longer a trace of amusement in his golden snake eyes.
All that remains is to investigate.
He sat up straight again, and this time, he began to read carefully, word by word.
time flies.
The dream has ended.
the next day.
morning.
-
The underground base of Otogakure Village.
a new day.
As usual, Kabuto headed to the laboratory on time.
Dou's steps were steady, but a stone always weighed on his heart.
Orochimaru's depressed state yesterday still worries him.
Lord Orochimaru spent an entire day working on those old, failed files.
That wasn't the research method he was familiar with; it was more like a weakness that shouldn't have appeared.
Kabuto would rather Orochimaru focus his attention on the White Zetsu samples, at least that was a research path he was familiar with.
He reached out and pushed open the laboratory door, and a familiar scene came into view, bringing a sense of relief to his heart.
Inside the laboratory, under the stark white light of the operating room lamps, Orochimaru stood with his back to the door, intently observing something.
He changed back into his signature purple kimono, his long hair casually draped over his shoulders, and that instinctively breathtaking sense of oppression returned; everything had returned to the familiar normalcy he knew.
Dou sighed inwardly.
It seems that Lord Orochimaru has found a new direction from last night's dream.
As an assistant, one of his greatest strengths is ensuring a stable and efficient research environment.
Orochimaru's return to normal means that he can successfully fulfill his most core responsibilities.
"pocket.
""
Without looking up, Orochimaru said, "Slice a piece of White Zetsu tissue from culture tank number three."
"Yes."
Dou immediately responded.
His steps quickened as he walked toward the large culture containers soaking different White Zetsu samples, just as he had done countless times before, carrying out Orochimaru's orders with precision and efficiency.
However, at that moment, space began to distort violently without warning.
Dou stopped in his tracks, his pupils suddenly contracting.
He instinctively took a half step back, ensuring he could draw his kunai at any moment and form hand seals.
Orochimaru also suddenly looked up, his hand movements abruptly stopping, his eyes wary.
Immediately afterwards, a figure dressed in a black robe and wearing a tiger-striped mask appeared out of thin air and gently landed on the ground.
Without a doubt, the only two people in the ninja world who like to show up uninvited or without knocking are Black Zetsu and Obito; the two are birds of a feather.
The eye that Obito had visible behind his mask calmly looked at Orochimaru and Kabuto.
Using the shadow between the control panel and the culture tank, Kabuto moved stealthily, forming a pincer movement with Orochimaru to surround Obito.
Orochimaru slowly straightened up and gently placed the scalpel in his hand on the operating table.
He looked at Obito, his eyes openly scrutinizing the uninvited guest, and said with displeasure, "You barged into my laboratory without prior notice. Isn't that extremely impolite?"
Orochimaru was now on high alert.
This place contains his research findings accumulated over many years, as well as forbidden techniques materials.
Not to mention the white samples soaking in culture medium.
No accidental damage or spying will be tolerated.
Despite Orochimaru's undisguised hostility and wariness, Obito remained unusually calm.
His single eye, hidden behind his mask, swept across the laboratory environment, lingering briefly on the White Zetsu culture tanks.
Then he landed back on Orochimaru and said directly, "Relax, Orochimaru."
"I am here on behalf of the Akatsuki organization."
"Representing the Akatsuki organization?"
Orochimaru repeated, his golden snake eyes still locked on Obito, but the scrutiny within them had transformed into a calm assessment.
He recalled sitting with the masked man in the audience not long ago.
Konan, on the surface, is a core member of the Akatsuki organization, an angel, and Pain's representative, holding a transcendent position.
Someone who can get so close to Konan, and who is also unfathomable, can't possibly be just an ordinary member.
"I see."
Orochimaru instantly grasped a logical chain.
Payne is a god, the one in control on the stage.
The masked man, along with Nagato, sat with Konan, their postures equal.
It seems that the Akatsuki organization is far more complex than it appears on the surface.
Payne was not a simple leader.
At least, the one in front of us, and Nagato, are both hiding behind Pain, this god.
Orochimaru pondered that although he had once betrayed the Akatsuki organization, Pain had ultimately spared him last time.
This means that, within the Akatsuki organization, or rather, within Pain's organization, the old scores between him and the organization have been put to rest.
And Jue had traded with him before.
This indicates that Xiao or the forces behind him are interested in the technology and resources he possesses, and there is a precedent for such transactions.
If the other party is a high-level executive or one of the decision-makers, then this sudden visit is not intended to cause trouble.
If the other party comes to your door, it can only be because they have something to discuss.
Thinking of this, Orochimaru slowly took off his gloves.
He rolled up the milky white gloves and threw them into a nearby waste bin.
He raised his eyes, looked at Obito, smiled wickedly, and teased, "Looks like the Akatsuki members like to just appear out of nowhere in other people's homes like this?"
Dou, standing behind, felt relieved upon hearing this joke.
The fact that Lord Orochimaru spoke in this tone indicates that he has already regarded the other party as someone with whom he can negotiate terms.
Obito's brow furrowed slightly behind his mask.
Orochimaru's sudden shift from high alert to a relaxed attitude surprised him.
However, Orochimaru jokingly mentioned that "they all like to appear out of nowhere like this."
Besides him, who else could find Orochimaru directly using a similar method?
Obito glanced at the jar containing the White Zetsu again, and understood.
He asked directly, "Did Jue come looking for you?"
"Hehe—" Orochimaru chuckled, seemingly quite satisfied with Obito's reaction.
He nodded readily: "That's right."
"That half-black, half-white guy did come here."
"We also made a pretty good deal."
Orochimaru was confident that, given the other party's level, they should be able to understand what the transaction meant.
Orochimaru is not someone who can be easily manipulated; rather, he is someone who is qualified to engage in equal trade with Akatsuki.
So, Orochimaru relaxed and looked directly at Obito, saying, "Just tell me, what do you want?"
He stopped beating around the bush.
Now that it's confirmed the other party has a request, the initiative seems to be shifting in his favor.
Orochimaru was in a very good mood at the moment.
With Danzo's downfall, he lost his most convenient supplier.
That old guy is incredibly cunning. He talks about cooperation, but he's always plotting to double-cross you.
But Old Deng happens to be the shadow of Konoha, and he is the only one who can reliably supply many forbidden items and rare materials.
Now that the old man is gone, Orochimaru has half-finished many of his experimental circuits.
He was just worrying about how to continue some of his research when the Akatsuki organization came knocking on his door.
Compared to Danzo, that old fox, who was still constrained by the Konoha leadership and the Hokage, the Akatsuki, a group of S-rank rogue ninjas from various countries who operated outside the Five Great Nations system, was clearly a better fit.
The Akatsuki organization may have access to far more than Danzo could provide, including resources from the black market, the underworld, and even restricted areas blocked by major powers.
It's like a pillow being delivered to someone who's sleepy.
Orochimaru sneered inwardly.
He was eager for cooperation.
However, he must determine the method and price of cooperation.
So, after asking the question, he didn't even wait for Obito to explain in detail before speaking again, "However, let me state this beforehand."
He raised a finger.
"The price they charged me for this job wasn't cheap."
The atmosphere inside the laboratory had shifted from a tense standoff to a negotiation of mutual calculation.
Kabuto's breathing finally calmed down, which at least meant that there would be no need for a fight for the time being.
Orochimaru remained calm and collected, waiting for the other party to make their demands.
Obito's gaze behind the mask was deep and unfathomable.
Orochimaru's keenness, cunning, and undisguised greed were all within his expectations.
But the other party's swift reversal of the situation and their subsequent haggling truly befits their reputation as a notorious schemer in the ninja world.
It seems that there's absolutely no way to persuade this venomous snake without offering something truly compelling.
Obito's voice came through the mask, hoarse and deep: "My request is not simple."
Tell me about it.
"I need a way to effectively treat severe physical depletion caused by overdrawing one's vitality or enduring enormous burdens for a long time."
Orochimaru's usually composed expression froze for a moment upon hearing the request.
A look of surprise flashed in his golden vertical pupils.
Without him.
This was because the problem Obito described almost completely overlapped with the research topic he had just decided on today.
How can the life energy and repair capabilities contained in white blood cells be transplanted into people whose bodies have suffered severe damage due to various reasons, so as to achieve replenishment and repair?
This is precisely the area he intends to explore after gaining a preliminary understanding of the characteristics of White Zeus cells.
One reason is to alleviate the problem of rejection caused by the resurrection of corpses.
On the other hand, it was also for Kimimaro's bloodline disease.
Orochimaru naturally took Kabuto's suggestion to heart yesterday.
Orochimaru did not immediately agree.
He never easily changes his research path, much less changes it based on a dream.
He was just looking for a safe way.
Perhaps even Orochimaru himself didn't realize that at some point, his views on the followers around him had already changed.
In the past, he would have found it laughable to hear a reason like Kimimaro.
Even if a container is precious, if it's broken, it's broken; it can be replaced.
Now, he subconsciously places the name Kimimaro in the same deductive chain as his research direction.
Orochimaru was quite surprised at this moment.
Is there really such a coincidence in the world?
He had just set his direction when a client came knocking with an order for the exact same requirements.
The shock lasted less than half a second.
In the next instant, Orochimaru's mind began to work at an astonishing speed, instantly completing a logical chain of reasoning.
"Yes."
"Giving Bai Jue a deal isn't going to be that simple—"
"It seems that Madara Uchiha also has intricate connections with the Akatsuki organization."
His gaze toward Obito became meaningful.
White Zetsu is the best material for treating this life deficit.
However, leukocytes are not something that ordinary people can safely utilize.
The Akatsuki organization probably doesn't have the confidence to use it directly, or lacks the corresponding technology to render it harmless.
His gaze swept over the white scorpion culture tank in the laboratory.
The white tissue inside seemed to be asleep, brimming with a vitality that did not belong to humans.
The more Orochimaru looked at him, the more pleasing he became, and the more irritating he felt.
This thing shouldn't have ended up in his hands unless someone deliberately brought it to him.
That's why they came to me.
Give me the materials, and then use this contact to make your demands.
What appears to be a new transaction may actually have been a pre-planned process from the very beginning.
So, within the Akatsuki organization, who needs this kind of treatment the most?
Who could possibly make them go to such lengths?
A name instantly jumped into Orochimaru's mind—Uchiha Itachi.
The Akatsuki organization is collecting tailed beasts and is in dire need of manpower; Itachi Uchiha is an important high-end combatant.
If his illness can be cured, it will undoubtedly be a great help to the Akatsuki organization.
Moreover, Rong's condition does indeed fit the description of "severe deficit".
"I see."
Orochimaru sneered inwardly, feeling that he had seen through all of the other party's schemes.
A sense of displeasure at being tricked welled up inside me.
However, this displeasure was more like the annoyance of being taken advantage of than fear, because he had turned the tables and found a way to get leverage over the other party who needed him.
More than anything, it's the smugness of seeing through your opponent in an intellectual game.
His face regained that wicked, mocking smile, and he slowly shook his head, saying leisurely, "Heh."
"First, they traded me White Zetsu, this interesting material."
"Now, they've come to me again, wanting me to figure out how to use it for them."
97
"Your plan is quite clever, isn't it? I bet it's all for Uchiha Itachi, isn't it?"
Obito, standing in the center of the laboratory, stiffened upon hearing Orochimaru's words, especially the last name.
"Uchiha Itachi?"
Obito's thoughts also faltered for a moment.
Heal the weasel?
Itachi has a physical problem.
But Ah Fei has already cured him, hasn't he?
His purpose in coming here was, of course, because of Nagato.
How did Orochimaru come up with the idea of targeting Itachi?
Obito remained silent for a moment.
In Orochimaru's eyes, this silence was just like being speechless after being told the truth.
But in reality, Obito was quickly processing this completely off-topic interpretation.
His confusion lasted only a moment before he realized that Orochimaru's misunderstanding was perfectly timed.
Obito was still racking his brains trying to figure out how to ask Orochimaru for treatment of Nagato's physical depletion without revealing Nagato's weakened state.
Just tell me about treating Pain?
That would be tantamount to exposing Akatsuki's greatest weakness to Orochimaru, a dangerous and uncontrollable scientist.
The risk is too high.
Now, Orochimaru has automatically locked onto Uchiha Touch as his target.
This couldn't be better.
Itachi's physical problems were not a top secret in the ninja world, so using him as a cover was reasonable.
It can both explain the source of the treatment need and perfectly conceal the real goal.
In the blink of an eye, Obito had made up his mind.
He quickly adjusted his posture, revealing an attitude that said it didn't matter since you'd seen through him, and nodded slightly, saying, "As expected of Orochimaru."
"You guessed it."
"That's right, it's for Itachi Uchiha."
"His presence still has value to the organization."
Seeing Obito so readily admit it, Orochimaru's smile deepened.
His golden vertical pupils gleamed with a smug sense of complete control.
He felt he had seen through all the other party's schemes and had gained the upper hand in this verbal exchange.
"This request is not difficult."
Orochimaru said in a relaxed tone, "I've already made some progress on the characteristics of White Zetsu cells."
"So, what are your conditions?"
Obito got straight to the point.
Any price is acceptable as long as Nagato can be cured.
He was prepared to be overcharged.
However, the conditions Orochimaru then stated caused Obito to raise his eyebrows in surprise behind his mask.
"My requirements are very simple."
"All I need is for the members of Akatsuki to collect some experimental materials for me while they are on missions or active in the black market."
"This shouldn't be too difficult for a mercenary organization that operates in the black market year-round and whose eyes and ears are everywhere in the shadows of the ninja world, right?"
Orochimaru added leisurely, even implying that you got a great deal.
Obito was silent for two seconds.
The conditions are simpler than you can imagine.
It was simply a matter of having organization members collect things while carrying out their tasks.
Compared to the huge price he had expected in the deal, this was practically free.
On the surface, this deal was extremely advantageous to him.
Trading something readily available for technology that could potentially save Nagato would be an incredibly profitable venture.
"OK."
Obito nodded in agreement without hesitation.
He didn't haggle or ask for details.
This actually shows his sincerity, or rather, his urgent need for treatment technology.
Seeing Obito agree so readily, Orochimaru's eyes flashed with a glint of light, but his smile remained unchanged.
In his view, the other party's relief at having their secrets exposed also showed their appreciation for the technology.
Trading a research project that one had already planned to undertake for the support of the Akatsuki organization, a vast and dark network, was an incredibly profitable deal with no risk involved.
He didn't think he was asking for too little.
He's just an Uchiha Tensei; from his current perspective, it doesn't matter anymore.
Besides, there's plenty of time. Once the cooperation starts, he has plenty of ways to gradually increase the stakes.
Orochimaru slowly uttered four words: "It's a deal."
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