Orochimaru Wants a Free Ride

"Haha, I'm just joking. Let's put it another way: how about we work together? Feeling better now?" Obito said with a faintly amused smile.

"It's been a long time since I've disliked someone this much. I'm starting to regret coming here," Orochimaru said.

"No more joking. Let's get down to business. Have you heard of the Evil God Cult?" Obito asked seriously.

"The Evil God Cult... Yes, I've heard a little about it. There are some fools in the Land of Hot Water who worship the Evil God and offer sacrifices to him. Don't tell me the immortality you mentioned comes from worshipping the Evil God," Orochimaru said.

"I met someone in the Land of Hot Water, a God Messenger from the Evil God Cult. She wasn't very strong, maybe a little stronger than an ordinary Jonin. But she had an incredible ability. I crushed her kidneys and cut off her head, and a moment later, she was back to normal. Isn't that amazing?"

Obito half-truthfully spun his tale about Hidan, whom he had met after fusing with him.

"Crushed her kidneys? Cut off her head, and she still didn't die..." Orochimaru propped his chin on one hand, tapping it with his fingers as he began recalling the information he had read.

The First was known to have the strongest regenerative abilities, but even he couldn't instantly restore his kidneys... If this kid wasn't lying, then the God Messenger's power was certainly worth investigating.

"Is that God Messenger in your hands?" Orochimaru asked, leaning forward slightly.

"Take a guess," Obito replied.

Obito's answer infuriated Orochimaru... If he weren't worried he might lose, he'd drag the kid into his laboratory and study him thoroughly!

"What exactly do you want? If you're just trying to amuse yourself, Obito, you've come to the wrong person," Orochimaru said coldly.

"Work with me, and I can provide you with some funding and test subjects. In return, you'll share your research findings with me. I think we'll work together very well."

Obito was particularly interested in Orochimaru's research capabilities, especially in the field of life sciences... If biological pharmaceuticals were put to good use, they could become a major asset in the future.

Besides, the Evil God's final trick still worried Obito. It would be best if Orochimaru could find a solution. If not, nothing would be lost.

But Orochimaru was no good subordinate or partner. In the original story, he had defected from Konoha to join the Akatsuki, then left the Akatsuki as well. He couldn't stand being under anyone else.

If Orochimaru still couldn't be brought around in the end, then Obito would have no choice but to send him off to study the Death God...

Orochimaru fell silent, weighing the pros and cons.

"Orochimaru, how do you understand immortality?" Obito set down his teacup and asked solemnly.

"Immortality means life doesn't fade with time. Undying and indestructible!" Orochimaru said.

"I think that's the lowest form of immortality. A walking corpse, or a life prolonged through sheer desperation, doesn't count as true immortality," Obito said.

"Oh? Then what do you think immortality is?" Orochimaru countered.

"Immortality is an elevation of the level of life, a change in its quality. Being undying is merely a byproduct. It means transcending the very concept of being human. You can become a god! Do you know where shinobi came from?" Obito asked.

"Legend has it that the Sage of Six Paths invented ninjutsu and passed down the method of refining chakra," Orochimaru rasped.

"That's both right and wrong. The Sage of Six Paths played a huge role in the birth of shinobi, but he wasn't the source of chakra."

"To show my sincerity in inviting you, I'll tell you an earth-shattering secret! The chakra of shinobi in the Shinobi World is eternal. All chakra belongs to one person: the Progenitor of Chakra, Otsutsuki Kaguya! And the Sage of Six Paths was Kaguya's son!"

"All chakra belongs to one person?" Orochimaru was stunned by Obito's words. Shinobi had always believed that they cultivated chakra themselves, and now this kid was claiming it all belonged to someone else? How powerful must that person be?

"Hard to believe, isn't it? Orochimaru, I couldn't believe it at first either. But it's a secret passed down through generations of the Uchiha Clan. The Uchiha Clan are descendants of the Sage of Six Paths, and the Sharingan comes from that lineage!"

"I see. No wonder the Sharingan is so powerful..." Orochimaru murmured.

"And Kaguya isn't dead. She was sealed by the Sage of Six Paths and his younger brother. Kaguya, who had endured for a thousand years without fading away—that's true immortality! And I believe there are many more beings like her!" Obito dropped another bombshell.

For some reason, Orochimaru's reason told him the kid in front of him couldn't possibly be telling the truth! But his instincts told him it was true!

"Interesting. Is Kaguya the god you were talking about?" Orochimaru licked his lips excitedly with his long, slender tongue.

Obito watched Orochimaru's long tongue flicking over his lips... It was honestly a little disgusting...

"Yes, and the Evil God is that kind of being too. Orochimaru, I know you're ambitious, but forgive me for saying this: your ambition is too small!" Obito continued.

Have you ever wondered how many people there are in this world? And how many shinobi?

Have you ever wondered how vast this world is? How large all the countries are together?

Have you ever wondered what you'd see if you flew straight up from the ground, broke through the atmosphere, and looked around? I'll tell you: you'd see countless planets!

Have you ever wondered what's on the moon? I'll tell you: the descendants of Otsutsuki Hamura, the younger brother of the Sage of Six Paths, live on the moon! And the moon itself was created to seal Kaguya!

Your eyes are fixed on the world of shinobi, while I look upon the entire planet! Even the entire universe!"

"I'm not going to hand over my research so easily, Obito Uchiha. You really are a madman. That was a good story, but I'll be taking my leave!" Orochimaru said.

What Obito had said was valuable, at least to Orochimaru. But expecting him to hand over his research findings based on a few words was underestimating him!

Obito's expression darkened. Damn Orochimaru, he was looking to get everything for free. But it seemed he'd picked the wrong person!

"Orochimaru, it seems you don't intend to cooperate in good faith. Fine. You can't force a melon to be sweet, so how about we make a bet?" Obito said.

"I'm no Tsunade! I'm not interested in gambling," Orochimaru said.

"The God Messenger is the stake." Obito raised his teacup and took a sip.

"Fine. What are we betting on?" Orochimaru asked solemnly.

"I'd like to see the power of one of the legendary Sannin—Orochimaru! If I defeat you, or you admit defeat, I win. The time limit is ten minutes," Obito said.

"You're quite confident, Obito. Ten minutes, is it? I accept your bet!"

Outside Konoha, at the training ground

Obito and Orochimaru faced each other from a distance of about thirty meters.

"Let's see the power of the Sharingan, Obito Uchiha!" Orochimaru licked the corner of his mouth excitedly.

"Heh. Orochimaru, you know nothing about power. How could a frog in a well understand the vastness of the sky?"