The Deal

Orochimaru extended his long tongue and licked his lips, his greedy gaze sweeping over Hikari and Yue's eyes. "You two have a lot more nerve than I expected. Are you planning to give me those captivating eyes to add to my collection?"

He had his own sources of information and knew that the Three Tomoe Sharingan couldn't possibly wield power on that level.

"A collection?"

Hikari's gaze turned icy. Her killing intent erupted in an instant, and the red aura of Susanoo flickered around her. "You think you're worthy?"

"Hikari, stand down."

Yue reached out to stop Hikari, who was ready to draw her blade, then smiled at Orochimaru.

"Senior Orochimaru, don't try to scare children with that killing intent. You know that kind of probing is pointless against us, with our Mangekyō Sharingan."

Yue pulled a scroll from his clothes. It contained research notes on Yin Release and the soul that he had compiled during the Warring States period.

"I'm here to discuss a deal—one involving the flaws in Living Corpse Reincarnation and the rejection response of soul vessels."

At the words "Living Corpse Reincarnation," Orochimaru's mocking expression froze.

His golden pupils contracted to pinpoints, and a terrifying killing intent locked onto Yue like a tangible force.

This was his most central and closely guarded forbidden jutsu research.

There was no way anyone else could know about it!

"How did you find out?"

Orochimaru's voice turned dangerous. Dozens of Hidden Shadow Snake Hands were already poised in his sleeves.

"I'm an Uchiha, Senior Orochimaru."

Yue pointed to his eyes and began spinning an outrageous tale with a perfectly straight face. "These eyes can see things ordinary people can't. The future, for instance."

"Your body is powerful, but your soul is restless. You're trying to transfer your soul and gain immortality by changing vessels, aren't you?"

Yue stepped forward, paying no heed to Orochimaru's killing intent.

"But you've hit a bottleneck. The rejection between your soul and its new vessel will cause your spiritual power to weaken rapidly. If you don't solve this, then even if you change bodies, you'll be left with a defective vessel that could collapse at any moment."

Orochimaru fell silent.

That was indeed the key problem he was stuck on.

He had developed a prototype of Living Corpse Reincarnation, but the damage caused by transferring his soul was severe.

Of course, he didn't yet know that this would be why he would suffer one defeat after another at the hands of the Uchiha Clan in the future.

As for Yue's claim that he could see the future, Orochimaru had no way to verify it for now.

"Looks like you came prepared."

Orochimaru reined in his killing intent, the greed in his eyes growing stronger. "Since you've identified the problem, you must have brought a solution?"

"Of course."

Yue tossed the scroll to him.

Orochimaru caught it and glanced through the contents. His golden pupils immediately lit up.

"Yin Release... Spiritual Molding... Soul Anchor?"

The scroll contained the deepest understanding of Yin Release held by Izumi Uchiha, as well as the theory of "Soul Digitization" that Yue had developed with knowledge from his previous life.

Within this system of jutsu, Yin Release represented "creating form from nothing"—the manifestation of spiritual energy.

If Yin Release could be used to construct a "deception layer" over the surface of the soul, it could fool the new vessel's immune system!

"Genius... What a genius idea!"

Orochimaru had found a priceless treasure. A feverish flush rose on his pale face. "The Uchiha Clan truly is the best in the Ninja World when it comes to using spiritual energy. These techniques will be extremely useful to me!"

He closed the scroll and looked at Yue differently.

He no longer saw him as prey, but as a partner worthy of standing on equal footing.

"Tell me, Yue Uchiha. What do you want?"

Orochimaru licked his lips. "You've given me something so precious, so you must want something just as valuable. A forbidden jutsu? Something else?"

"I want Hashirama Senju's cells."

Yue spoke calmly, as if he were asking for a glass of water.

"And they have to be a stable version that you've cultivated and stripped of some of its unstable factors."

"I'd also like all your experimental data on human genetic modification."

Orochimaru paused, then let out a low, amused laugh.

"Heh heh heh... How interesting. Don't tell me you plan to study them yourself?"

"That's none of your concern, Senior."

Yue didn't deny it. "A deal is about each side getting what they want. I give you something, you give me something. What difference does it make whether we know each other's reasons?"

"True."

Orochimaru turned and walked toward a row of refrigerated cabinets deeper in the laboratory.

"Hashirama Cells are precious, but I do have some in stock. Still, Yue Uchiha, I should warn you: they're highly invasive. Even an Uchiha's body, combined with your terrifying spiritual power, might not be able to withstand them."

"You don't need to worry about that."

A short while later, Orochimaru emerged carrying a cultivation tank filled with green liquid and a large sealing scroll.

"This is a third-generation refinement of Hashirama Cell Serum. It's far less volatile than the kind Danzo used, but it's still dangerous. The scroll contains the data you asked for."

They completed the exchange.

Yue inspected the tank. The powerful life force within made the chakra in his body stir faintly.

"Thank you."

Yue put everything away and prepared to leave with Hikari.

"By the way."

At the cave entrance, Yue stopped and glanced back at Orochimaru.

Orochimaru was gazing at the Yin Release Scroll in a trance, as if it were the most wonderful lover in the world.

"Senior Orochimaru, Konoha's great tree has rotted from the roots. If one day you can no longer stay in the village... Rōran's doors will always be open to you."

"There will be some restrictions on human experimentation, but you'll be free to pursue the truth."

Orochimaru raised his head, a flicker of surprise passing through his golden, slit-pupiled eyes.

"Rōran... I'll consider it."

They emerged from the sewer and stepped once more into the moonlight.

Hikari took a deep breath of fresh air and slapped at her clothes with a look of disgust.

"That long-tongued creep has such a revolting stare. If you hadn't stopped me, I'd have cut him down."

"Just put up with him. He's the greatest scientific talent in the Ninja World."

In high spirits, Yue patted the Hashirama Cells tucked against his chest.

With these cells and the Dragon Vein's energy, he would have a chance to awaken true Sage Mode and perhaps, one day... reach the threshold of the Rinnegan.

"I've got the research on the soul, and I've got the beginnings of research on the body."

Yue looked toward the distant Hokage Building, ambition gleaming in his eyes.

"Next, all that's left is that fox's chakra—and verifying a few theories."

"Hikari, are you ready? The stage for this grand performance is set, and the cast will be in place soon."