All That's Missing Is Sunflower Seeds, Drinks, and Mineral Water

Hinata and Orochimaru actually have a very good relationship.

Over the past ten months, Hinata has discussed academic issues with Orochimaru more than once, especially regarding their research on Urashiki. On many occasions, Hinata and Orochimaru would discuss these issues so much that they would forget to eat or sleep.

Hinata's imagination is even more boundless than Orochimaru's, but Orochimaru's foundation and theories far surpass Hinata's.

Orochimaru was clearly happy to give Hinata some pointers.

In terms of their relationship, if we disregard personality factors, Hinata and Orochimaru's relationship is probably similar to that of Naruto and Jiraiya!

As long as there is no one else in the base, Hinata will rely on her strength... no, on her cute and adorable appearance to recklessly peruse Orochimaru's past research notes on Ninjutsu.

Furthermore, given that Hinata often talked with Orochimaru to the point of forgetting to eat and sleep, Orochimaru was also forced to become a chef.

You can't expect Hinata, the Hinata lady, to cook when she's with Orochimaru, can you?

As a result, Orochimaru's figure is slightly fatter than before, and his originally thin cheeks have become a little fleshy.

In the distant cave, Sasori of the Red Sands's 'Father and Mother' puppets had already been Teuchi Kakashi and the other two. At this moment, he was manipulating the Third Kazekage's Human Puppet, suppressing Kakashi, Naruto, and Chiyo.

Iron Sand flew and crisscrossed in the air, and the ground was covered with traces of the clash of hidden weapons. Naruto, Kakashi, Chiyo had no ability to resist the Iron Sand Technique and were now completely at a disadvantage.

Iron Sand is the nemesis of all puppets, Chiyo can only rely on her Taijutsu to fight against Sasori of the Red Sands.

Naruto's Rasengan couldn't break through the Iron Sand's defense, and his Shadow Clone were also completely countered by the 'Iron Sand Drizzle'.

Kakashi's tactics are diverse, and with his Sharingan and exquisite Ninjutsu, he can occasionally pose a threat to Sasori of the Red Sands. However, Sasori of the Red Sands's true form is not afraid of attacks of this level.

Orochimaru said calmly, "What should we do next? Should we use the Nine-Tails' power?"

Hinata shook her head slightly.

Kurama (the Nine-Tails) had always been indifferent to Naruto, and without Hinata's help, Naruto would have been unable to control Nine-Tails's power.

After Naruto and Jiraiya returned to the village, Jiraiya specifically asked Hinata to help Naruto control Hinata Nine-Tails 'Chakra.

"Just you wait and see, that guy named Scorpion is dead meat!"

Hinata confidently declared, "Orochimaru, do you believe it or not? In just a little while, Naruto will shatter the Third Kazekage's Human Puppet!"

Although Orochimaru couldn't see what was happening on the battlefield, he was informed by the little snakes.

At this moment, Naruto could only dodge Sasori of the Red Sands's attacks with Chiyo's help. He lacked combat experience too much, and the puppet's attacks were often insidious and vicious. Naruto alone could not avoid Sasori of the Red Sands's attacks.

"I have controlled the Third Kazekage, and this is not his limit."

"In this environment, he can turn underground iron ore into Iron Sand and manipulate more Iron Sand to fight."

Hinata glared at Orochimaru, gave a harsh snort, and asked expressionlessly, "Want to make a bet?"

Hinata has a good understanding of Sasori of the Red Sands. Besides the Third Kazekage's Human Puppet, his trump cards include the Hundred Puppets Performance and three Ninjutsu scrolls.

In the Original Story, Sasori of the Red Sands only used two Ninjutsu scrolls, one for water and one for fire, and kept one last trump card.

However, Hinata could probably guess what the last scroll was for.

Those three Ninjutsu scrolls were probably Sasori of the Red Sands's trump cards, which he specifically left for Konan.

That's right, it's Konan from the Akatsuki.

Sasori of the Red Sands was defeated by Konan and forced to join the Akatsuki... He was clearly very resentful.

Konan's 'Paper Person of God Technique' allows her to turn her body into a sheet of paper. In this state, Konan is immune to all physical attacks.

The attacks from Puppet Technique are precisely physical attacks.

Back then Sasori of the Red Sands used all his trump cards, but he couldn't even scratch Konan.

Water Release and Fire Release are precisely the abilities that counter Paper Release.

Based on this line of reasoning, Sasori of the Red Sands's last scroll should also be a move that counters Konan.

Hinata was confident enough, but upon hearing the word "bet," Orochimaru immediately changed the subject.

"I also gathered some intelligence about your previous battle."

Orochimaru said calmly, "That guy must have fused with Hashirama Cells to be able to use the Mangekyo at will."

Hinata already knew about this, and upon hearing it, she simply said "Oh".

Orochimaru continued, "Hinata, the Chakra you left in my body allowed me to discover a secret of Chakra."

Hinata felt a little embarrassed upon hearing this, realizing that Orochimaru had discovered her little trick.

However, Orochimaru clearly didn't care about this, since he was about to change bodies soon.

"It seems you've also discovered the secrets of Chakra."

Orochimaru said, "If Hashirama Senju be resurrected, he might be able to influence that guy through his Chakra."

"Hiss..."

Hinata gasped; what Orochimaru was saying was entirely possible.

Orochimaru continued, "However, the influence of Chakra on a person is related to willpower. As long as one's willpower is strong enough, one will not be influenced by others."

Hinata asked curiously, "What's the use of this?"

"As long as you summon Madara in his prime, that guy will naturally be left to Madara to deal with."

Currently, Hinata, the Hyuga Clan, Orochimaru, and Black Zetsu can be considered to be on the same side. If Orochimaru wants to understand the truth of Ninjutsu, he has no choice but to cooperate with Black Zetsu and Hinata.

Therefore, Hinata and Black Zetsu would also leak some less important information to Orochimaru.

Orochimaru's lips curled into a playful smile.

"I understand ninjas better than you and Black Zetsu, especially Konoha ninjas."

"Sometimes even I have to admit that the old man from the Third had a great influence on me."

Hinata understood; Orochimaru's meaning was simply that Obito might betray them at the last minute.

"You can talk to Black Zetsu about this; I think he'll be very happy."

As they were talking, the battle situation in the cave changed once again.

Naruto lived up to Hinata's expectations, shattering the Third Kazekage's Human Puppet with a single "Great Ball Rasengan," and the Iron Sand barrier covering the cave collapsed instantly without the support of Chakra.

Without the Third Kazekage's Iron Sand, Chiyo can now fight using puppets.

Sasori of the Red Sands's defeat was already inevitable.

Hinata raised an eyebrow at Orochimaru with a smug look.

"Hinata, it seems you were right!"

Orochimaru seems to be in a good mood.

"That old man, the Third, once said that ninjas unleash even greater power when protecting their comrades."

"Although I don't agree..."

Orochimaru said calmly, "While intense emotional fluctuations may enhance a ninja's power, that power is something we usually hide, not something we suddenly gain because of the idea of 'protecting'."

"However, it is undeniable that intense emotional fluctuations can indeed enhance a ninja's power."

"Hinata, would you be interested in studying 'emotions' with me? It might bring out an even more terrifying power that you've been hiding!"