I Am the One Who Hunts Destiny

Although the Wood Clone was a clone technique, in terms of how it manifested, it was closer to the Shadow Clone Technique and possessed its own thoughts.

The principle was simple.

In the original story, Yamato had once recalled a Wood Clone and turned it into a seed.

In other words, this seed could resonate with the original body's Chakra, producing effects similar to the Shadow Clone Technique.

Orochimaru's courtyard was extremely dim beneath the night sky.

Natsume looked around vigilantly, but there was no one in sight.

Puzzled, he opened the main hall doors.

At the same time, in the underground laboratory.

Orochimaru held a scalpel as he dissected a corpse.

A moment later, a White Snake slithered up before him, sticking out its long tongue and hissing.

"Someone has arrived uninvited. An unfamiliar ninja, with a very strange presence."

Orochimaru understood snake speech and was immediately intrigued.

He glanced at the corpse and casually tossed aside the scalpel.

It was the corpse of a ninja with a Kekkei Genkai.

Ever since his disciple Nawaki had died, Orochimaru had come to recognize his own limitations.

On one hand, he developed Living Corpse Reincarnation in an attempt to attain immortality; on the other, he researched Kekkei Genkai in order to break through those limits.

However, both experiments were exceedingly difficult.

Even now, Orochimaru had achieved little.

Since that was the case, he was in no hurry. He first intended to deal with this unexpected visitor.

Orochimaru left the laboratory and entered the main hall.

When he saw Natsume, his narrow snake-like pupils narrowed.

There really was something off about him.

But he could not put it into words.

Orochimaru licked his lips and raised a hand. Several venomous snakes immediately shot from his sleeve and coiled around Natsume.

Anything that interested him naturally had to be captured, lest it escape.

Polite words were not his style.

He preferred to seize his prey, peel it apart bit by bit, and study it slowly.

But in the next instant, something happened that Orochimaru had not expected.

The Natsume entangled by the snakes suddenly transformed into several wooden branches, which in turn wrapped around the snakes.

For a moment, it became a ridiculous cycle of you wrapping me while I wrapped you.

Orochimaru froze where he stood.

As someone determined to learn every ninjutsu, he immediately recognized the technique Natsume had used.

Wood Clone Technique.

Orochimaru had previously collaborated with Shimura Danzō on experiments involving Wood Style and Hashirama Cells.

Simply put, they transplanted Hashirama Senju's cells into ninjas or infants in an attempt to grant them Wood Style.

However, because of the intense rejection response, every test subject had died.

Orochimaru and Shimura Danzō had no choice but to temporarily abandon the project.

And now, a ninja who could suddenly use Wood Style had appeared.

One could imagine just how shocked and astonished Orochimaru was.

"Is this how one of the legendary Sannin, Orochimaru, treats his guests?"

Another Natsume walked in from outside and said, "If so, then I am quite disappointed."

Orochimaru's expression darkened slightly, but he did not attack again.

He could tell that this Natsume had a similar presence to the previous one and was likely another Wood Clone.

"Let me guess what you're thinking."

Natsume casually pulled out a chair and sat down as though he were in his own home.

Orochimaru noticed that his gaze was remarkably calm, devoid of the fear or respect other ninjas showed upon seeing him.

Clearly, he was confident.

"Are you wondering why someone can use Wood Style when all the Wood Style experiments clearly failed?"

Natsume slowly asked, "Am I right?"

Orochimaru was suddenly startled.

He had hit every mark.

But only a handful of people knew about the Wood Style experiments.

There was no way he could have leaked it. Could it have been Shimura Danzō?

"Who exactly are you?"

A dangerous gleam flashed in Orochimaru's eyes. This situation, which had slipped beyond his control, stirred up his killing intent.

"Who I am is unimportant. What matters is that I can bring you benefits."

Natsume lifted his teacup and said slowly, "For example, I can grant your wish."

"My wish?"

Orochimaru snorted disdainfully and asked, "Do you even know what my wish is? How dare you claim you can grant it?"

"Immortality and omniscience."

Natsume smiled faintly. "I know many secrets."

Orochimaru could no longer maintain his composure.

Impossible! Absolutely impossible!

How could anyone know the wish hidden deep in his heart?

No one besides himself should have known.

Had he leaked it himself?

That was even more absurd.

"Who exactly are you?"

The same question, but a different state of mind.

Orochimaru had become wary.

A stranger who knew all his secrets—how terrifying was that?

Natsume gave a soft laugh.

This was the advantage brought by an information gap.

In the manner of a cryptic riddle-speaker, he said, "I am Destiny, lurking within Destiny, hunting those of Destiny. Do you understand?"

Actually, Natsume had imitated what the second male lead in I Want to Be the Strongest had said.

Orochimaru tilted his head. What kind of nonsense was that?

In truth, Natsume was telling the truth.

He possessed the Sacred Ring of Destiny and was planning to hunt this so-called Destiny.

"Looks like you do not understand."

There was a trace of exasperation in Natsume's tone, as though he hated to see someone fail to meet expectations.

"..."

For once, irritation surfaced in Orochimaru's heart.

Can you fucking speak normally?

"It does not matter if you do not understand. Let's discuss business."

Natsume raised two fingers. "I want Hashirama Cells. In return, I will give you two secrets."

Orochimaru's gaze sharpened.

Natsume was extremely mysterious.

But by proposing a trade now, he made Orochimaru realize that mysterious did not mean omnipotent.

The person before him had weaknesses.

Orochimaru licked the corner of his mouth, a gesture he made when excited.

"Hashirama Cells—you should understand their value. How do I know your so-called secrets are worth that price?"

"I can give you one small secret first. Once the deal is complete, I will give you a greater secret."

Natsume had anticipated this and replied without panic, "You are a good trading partner. We can cooperate long-term. What do you think?"

Orochimaru frowned slightly.

To be honest, he did not like working with someone who knew him while he knew nothing about them.

But Natsume knew too much.

Orochimaru wanted to investigate him, and cooperation was a good way to do so.

"That depends on whether your secret has any value. If it does, cooperation would not be a problem."

"Among the subjects from your Wood Style experiments with Shimura Danzō, there was one survivor. And he awakened Wood Style."

"What?"

Orochimaru immediately lost his composure.

Danzo, you actually dared to deceive me?!

"That survivor is in Root, codenamed Kano."

Naturally, Natsume was referring to Yamato.

Yamato's Destiny Node was leaving Root and joining the Anbu. Even the name "Yamato" had been given to him by Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Now, his destiny was about to change.

Natsume was very curious: if Yamato followed Orochimaru, what would his future become?

Ordinary transmigrators were unwilling to alter the plot.

But his cheat was destined to change the plot drastically.

Naturally, Natsume would not be bound by the plot just to become stronger.

Because as long as one was strong enough, the plot did not matter at all.

Orochimaru took a deep breath and said, "I will verify what you said. If it is true, then our deal is made."

"Pleasure doing business with you."

Natsume smiled, rose to his feet, and dispelled the ninjutsu right before Orochimaru's eyes.

There would be no disguise-based approach, nor would there be multiple identities. He would only occasionally use the identity of a mysterious organization's leader to do certain things.