Junior Brother, Why Don't We Discuss a Partnership?

"Hehe."

Orochimaru let out a hoarse, enigmatic laugh.

If I have nothing else to say, then I'll be leaving.

Hagoromo had no interest in continuing this pointless guessing game with Orochimaru.

After saying that, he turned around and, just as he was about to reach the door, Orochimaru finally spoke.

"Junior brother, why are you in such a hurry?"

If you have nothing more to say, then you should just shut up.

Orochimaru Hagoromo; he had a feeling that the guy was up to something.

"Did you kill Pain? Or is it the real person behind those eyes?"

Orochimaru stuck out his long tongue and said with a sinister smile.

"Ah, don't you have informants in the Anbu?"

Hagoromo turned and stared directly at Orochimaru; this guy truly possessed extraordinary abilities.

If you really think that keeping him imprisoned is enough, he might kill you at any moment.

"To be honest, I'm very curious about your strength." Orochimaru seemed oblivious to the killing intent in Hagoromo's eyes and said with a smile.

"How about I let you out and beat you up again?"

"Of course, you might not survive this time," Hagoromo said, a calm smile playing on her lips.

"Well, what I'm trying to say is... those eyes were never Pain's to begin with."

Orochimaru chuckled, avoiding Hagoromo's words, and changed the subject to something else.

"Oh?"

Hagoromo appeared quite interested, staring directly at Orochimaru.

This guy, once he joins Akatsuki, he's definitely not going to come empty-handed, though it's unclear how much he knows.

"Tell me, you've piqued my interest."

"Although the Uzumaki Clan possesses immense vitality, their bloodline is forever barred from Dōjutsu."

"You're saying Pain is from the Uzumaki Clan?" Hagoromo asked, feigning doubt.

"No, it's not Pain, but the person controlling Pain. That person is from the Uzumaki Clan. I think you don't need to pretend anymore, Junior Brother."

"The Rinnegan you just took out, even though it was only for a short while, was enough for me to observe it."

"Those eyes are real, so Jiraiya should know by now, right? His disciple actually dared to attempt to overthrow the entire Shinobi World."

Hagoromo rubbed her temples; this guy was truly impossible to guard against.

Oh well, I brought it out specifically in the first place anyway.

"Looks like I guessed right." Orochimaru chuckled. "Then, let's continue our previous topic. Those eyes were never Nagato's from the start."

"This is what I knew the moment I saw Nagato, even after I had used some underhanded means to do so."

"So, this is your reason for leaving Akatsuki?"

Hagoromo interrupted Orochimaru directly, as he was more interested in why Orochimaru had left the Akatsuki than anything else.

"Actually, I originally intended to seize the Rinnegan."

Orochimaru was taken aback, then looked up and chuckled.

"However, the Rinnegan truly lives up to its reputation as the legendary Sage's Eye; it almost killed me that time."

"So, I faked my death and left the Akatsuki. However, I was also very curious about the Rinnegan, and in the days that followed, I read countless books."

Finally, they found a place where an inscription was preserved.

"The above contains detailed information about the Rinnegan, and how it evolved from the Sharingan Rinnegan."

"You tell me, how incredibly fortunate the Uchiha Clan is."

Silence...

Hagoromo stared at Orochimaru, seeing greed and ambition in his vertical pupils.

It's true, you should never mess with a madman.

He's also a madman who likes to do research.

"Is this why you've set your sights on Sasuke?" Hagoromo frowned.

"Ah, you could say that. Actually, I initially had my eye on Uchiha Itachi. However, that guy's body was riddled with holes from overusing the Mangekyou Mangekyo."

At this point, Orochimaru couldn't help but smack his lips.

Clearly, they showed great disdain for Uchiha Itachi's unbridled use of the Mangekyo, even to the point of overdrawing it.

"And coincidentally, Sasuke Uchiha is Itachi's younger brother, and his talent is even greater."

"Honestly, you have no idea how happy I was when I heard the information Kabuto gave me."

Orochimaru said, raising his head to look at Hagoromo.

"So, now that we've obtained the Rinnegan, how about we discuss a collaboration?"

What kind of cooperation?

"For example, do you know how to safely seal and preserve it? You should know that even Kage Level powerhouse could die if they tried to use it forcibly."

"The Rinnegan, being an advancement from the Sharingan, possesses an activity and will that are incomprehensible to ordinary people. Forcibly sealing it will only lead to disastrous consequences."

Hagoromo did not respond. He knew all that Orochimaru was saying, and it was precisely because he knew that he understood that what Orochimaru said was true.

"Continue."

"My request is very simple." Orochimaru licked his lips upon hearing Hagoromo's words.

"Let me get involved, no, even if it's just observing the research on the Rinnegan. I think with your current position, you should know how I can help you in this regard, right?"

"During the research, I can offer my experience to help the village analyze this force and, consequently, develop strategies to address the potential threats it may pose."

In exchange, I need... limited research access and data sharing.

Hagoromo chuckled lightly, "You made it clear from the beginning that you were greedy for the Rinnegan, so isn't it a bit presumptuous of you to say this now?"

"So I'll let you get in touch with the Rinnegan, and then wait for you to take it for yourself?"

Orochimaru raised an eyebrow. "I'm just expressing my thoughts. Besides, even if I wanted to take it for myself, you should be able to stop me."

Orochimaru's words carried a hint of provocation.

"You should know very well that in exploring the unknown, having someone to guide you is invaluable."

There's no denying that Hagoromo is now truly tempted.

Moreover, just as Orochimaru said this, he also thought of a method.

Even if Obito don't want to take back the Rinnegan right now, he will do everything he can to create an opening so that Obito can snatch it.

"How about it? Taking a little risk to avoid a potentially devastating crisis—this is a very worthwhile deal."

Orochimaru stared intently into Hagoromo's eyes, trying to persuade his junior brother.

He could tell that his junior brother had bigger ambitions, and that was his chance.

"Stay here for now, I'll let you know when the opportunity arises."

After Hagoromo finished speaking, she waved her hand, Inoichi walked in with a brand new batch of Anbu Ninjas, whom she had carefully verified.

At the very least, he will no longer be bewitched by Orochimaru.