CHAPTER 212

Trading

Speaking of Itachi Uchiha, Orochimaru's expression shifted subtly.

Before facing Itachi, he had never imagined that he—who once used genjutsu to manipulate the Eight-Tails' Jinchūriki—would suffer such a devastating defeat in the realm of illusions. If he hadn't prepared in advance, he might have truly died at Itachi's hands.

And this matter had always remained a secret—yet, unexpectedly, Uzumaki Mianma had uncovered it.

At this moment, Shisui Uchiha, his expression unreadable, said, "Master Mianma is right. You can attempt a sneak attack on me, but if you intend to target Uzushio Village, you'd best reconsider your own strength."

Orochimaru, a master of deception akin to a performer of Sichuan opera face-changing, swiftly altered his demeanor. "I was merely joking," he said smoothly. "I have little interest in the Sharingan. I only came here to pay my respects to an old friend who passed away. If not for him, I would never have left Konohagakure. I had to confirm for myself whether he is truly dead."

Naruto glanced at Orochimaru, then gestured for Shisui to step back. "Enough with the poor theatrics. Let's get down to business. When Pain and I eliminated Danzō, how much of his legacy did you inherit?"

"Not much, just a few laboratories and some real estate," Orochimaru replied dismissively, unwilling to linger on the topic. Instead, he changed the subject, his tone turning serious. "Lord Mianma, I came here to propose a major collaboration."

"What kind of 'major' event?" Naruto asked indifferently. "An invasion of Kumogakure or Iwagakure? An offensive against the Akatsuki? Surely, you're not planning a counterattack against Konoha. I recall that you and Jiraiya still have unfinished history."

"This has nothing to do with that fool…"

A flicker of nostalgia passed through Orochimaru's golden eyes before he continued, "I am here to propose an assault on Sunagakure. Sand is weak—it has no right to occupy such vast territory."

"I have no interest in Sunagakure," Naruto said flatly. "Uzushio Village has no need for such an expansion. Managing Uzushiogakure and the Land of Waves is already sufficient."

Orochimaru, unwilling to give up, pressed further. "As I understand, Kirigakure falls under Lord Mianma's influence. If the war is launched under the guise of Kirigakure, seizing the Land of Wind shouldn't be too difficult."

Naruto's gaze remained unreadable. "I am not a warmonger who incites battles without reason. Provoking another ninja war will bring Uzushio no benefit. If you wish to attack Sunagakure, do so without involving me."

Orochimaru pondered for a moment before responding, "Since Lord Mianma is uninterested, I won't insist. However, I request that this conversation remain confidential. Once I have control over Sunagakure, I will provide support in your dealings with the Akatsuki."

Naruto's expression didn't change. "And what makes you so certain that the Akatsuki is my enemy?"

Orochimaru nodded knowingly. "The Akatsuki's goal is to capture the tailed beasts, and Lord Mianma is a Jinchūriki. An irreconcilable conflict between you is inevitable."

"Knowing too much can be dangerous…" Naruto said, pausing before adding, "I won't interfere with your plans for Sunagakure, but I want access to the Curse Seal techniques. This time, don't try to evade the request."

"Why is Lord Mianma so obsessed with the Curse Seal? You've already mastered senjutsu."

Orochimaru had long been puzzled. He had developed the Curse Seal as a substitute for Sage Mode, which he himself could not attain. But Naruto had already grasped the power of senjutsu, so why would he turn back to the Curse Seal's inferior alternative?

"Compared to Ryūchi Cave's so-called senjutsu, I see greater potential in Curse Seal technology," Naruto replied. "You've always wanted to create a perfected ninja Sage Mode, haven't you?"

Orochimaru's eyes gleamed with intrigue. Crafting a Sage Mode tailored for ordinary shinobi had always been one of his aspirations.

After some contemplation, Orochimaru proposed, "Does Lord Mianma intend to collaborate in researching the Curse Seal? If you can provide me with some of your cell samples, I believe it could accelerate the process."

Naruto smirked, unfazed by Orochimaru's underlying schemes. "Forget it. I won't be handing over any experimental materials. However, I can give you some insight into Curse Seal development."

"I recall the White Zetsu corpse I gave you. If you combine its cells with Jūgo's, you might be able to clone a shinobi naturally attuned to Sage Mode."

Orochimaru's expression turned thoughtful. Naruto's suggestion was remarkably viable.

As things stood, the survival rate for recipients of the Heaven and Earth Curse Seals was dangerously low. Only Kimimaro had successfully adapted to the Earth Curse Seal, while most others could only endure its weaker variations—boosting them to Chūnin-level at best.

Although there was no shortage of war-torn volunteers willing to undergo the transformation, the procedure remained highly impractical. If the Curse Seal could be integrated from the cellular level, the process could be streamlined significantly—perhaps even leading to the creation of artificial Sages.

But how did Naruto know that the Curse Seal's origins lay in Jūgo's unique physiology? Could Uzushio Village have spies embedded within Otogakure? Who was the mole?

Pushing aside such thoughts, Orochimaru retrieved a scroll containing the Curse Seal techniques and tossed it to Naruto.

He wasn't particularly concerned about the knowledge spreading. In fact, a wider proliferation of the technique would provide more experimental subjects, reducing his personal workload.

With a final glance at Naruto's black fox mask, Orochimaru vanished underground, retreating beyond the range of sensory detection.

Naruto caught the scroll and slipped it into his backpack.

He was indifferent to Orochimaru's gaze. By now, the major figures of the shinobi world had likely already guessed his true identity. No one openly confronted him about it.

He had long outgrown the need to conceal his identity. The mask he wore wasn't for anonymity—it was merely a cover for his youthful features.

Compared to the world's strongest shinobi, he was still young. Though three years had passed since the Uchiha massacre, he had yet to reach an age where his presence commanded the true authority of a Kage.

Still, despite Konoha's leadership shifting from Hiruzen Sarutobi to Jiraiya, Orochimaru remained committed to his grand scheme—the destruction of Konoha.

Thinking back on the intricate details of the Konoha Crush plan, Naruto could only conclude that, in a twisted way, Orochimaru loved Konoha. Despite being branded an S-rank rogue ninja, despite being hunted down, he remained fixated on Konoha's future—going so far as to orchestrate the deaths of his former teacher and the Fourth Kazekage.

Shaking off these thoughts, Naruto turned his gaze toward the Land of Fire.

As the dominant power in the ninja world, Konoha remained the central force influencing the entire continent. Every shift in its stability sent ripples across the shinobi world.

After returning to Uzushio Village, Naruto knew that beyond simply developing his village, he had to keep a close watch on Konoha.

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