The Beginning of the Intelligence Network

"Isn't Shiro supposed to be on training? Why do you have time to look for me?"

Seeing Orochimaru's voice coming from the snake he had summoned, Shiro wasn't particularly surprised. He said, "I just encountered an enemy and wondered if he might have some connection with you, Orochimaru, so I wanted to communicate with him."

"Oh? Who is it?"

"Look, that guy over there, he just showed signs of Senjutsu Chakra, but I've sealed it away. Will killing him affect Orochimaru- senpai?"

"Oh, it's alright, just kill him. The drug has been analyzed almost completely, but I don't think Shiro meant anything else, do I?"

If Shiro really only wanted this, he could have simply sent a message through Gray Snake; there was no need to specify that it was a contact. And based on Orochimaru's past experience, it was probably another deal he wanted to make.

Orochimaru was quite curious about this, because in their previous interactions, he had noticed that Shiro seemed somewhat afraid of him, and they had only made two transactions together so far.

Even after they verbally agreed to a cooperative relationship the second time, Shiro never came to see him again. In fact, he guessed that if he hadn't expressed his desire to become Hokage in the first place, Shiro probably wouldn't have made the deal with him at all.

However, this wasn't the first time he'd been inexplicably feared like this, so he wasn't too bothered by it. What he was curious about was what Shiro would ask him to trade this time.

"As expected of Orochimaru- Orochimaru, I really want to make a deal with him."

"Oh? I wonder what Shiro wants to trade?" Orochimaru was completely unmoved by Shiro's flattery.

Although he didn't interact much with Shiro, he learned about Shiro's character through occasional gatherings with Kushina. He realized that Shiro was just flattering him casually, and if you actually asked him why he was so naive, he would definitely be completely clueless.

Therefore, Orochimaru cut straight to the point, and he also wanted to know what Shiro wanted to offer in exchange, as he didn't believe that Shiro's Magecraft was limited to just a few types.

If he could obtain it, it would be of great help to his research, but he couldn't imagine what Shiro would need, so he never had the opportunity to trade with Shiro.

As for robbery?

The thought only flashed through his mind before he dismissed it.

First of all, his goal is to Hokage, so the more talented people in the village, the better. The more support he provides to them, the more advantageous it will be for him to compete for Hokage.

Secondly, this is knowledge, unlike bloodline limits. Stealing it is too risky. Ninjas have countless ways to obtain information from the corpses of the dead.

But don't forget, destruction is always the easiest thing to do; forcing it will only result in more harm than good.

Furthermore, even if he were arrested and interrogated, it wouldn't be certain that what he obtained was true. This kind of knowledge, especially that he hadn't had much exposure to before, could lead him down many detours if even a small change was made.

Therefore, in this situation, trading is the best option; only a fool would kill and rob.

"I heard him say that he bought that medicine from a religion called the Eternal Snake Church. Was that founded by Orochimaru?"

"That's right, the Crest Magecraft base plate is something that Shiro should also know about."

"Yes, I know that, but I wonder if Orochimaru is interested in immortality?"

"Heh, Shiro seems much more confident. It seems your strength has indeed increased. Tell me, what do you want to trade?"

"Orochimaru- senpai, you flatter me. I'd like to trade you some information, information related to talent, preferably related to intelligence gathering."

The snake, carrying Orochimaru's will, narrowed its eyes. Instead of answering Shiro immediately, it asked, "Does Shiro intend to build his own power?"

"Of course not, Orochimaru- senpai, please don't misunderstand. I just want to build my own intelligence network. After all, there are some things that are not convenient to delegate, aren't they?"

"I understand. I happen to have some information here. With a little training, he can definitely take on important tasks. I just don't know what kind of Magecraft Shiro used in the exchange?"

"When I saw Orochimaru- senpai perform Magecraft last time, you were using water-based magic, weren't you?"

"That's right."

"That's good. The Magecraft I used for the exchange seems to be water-based. It can extend lifespan by exchanging bodies. As long as one's mental stability is maintained, one can achieve a different kind of immortality. Someone once used this Ninjutsu to live for over five hundred years."

"This should be helpful to Orochimaru, right?"

Shiro was referring to Zouken's Insect Magecraft. Of course, Insect Magecraft isn't water-based, but Shiro didn't know how far Orochimaru's research had progressed, so he could only say it this way to make it easier for Orochimaru to understand.

Anyway, he can practice it. I'll just let him know when the time comes. Besides, I guess Shiro probably won't practice this Magecraft, but will instead incorporate the parts he thinks are useful into his own system.

After all, the Magecraft was given to him by Shiro, so it was impossible for him to completely trust Shiro, especially since he might know less about Magecraft than Shiro did.

"Body swapping? Interesting. I hope we can work together smoothly, Shiro." After that, she began to give Shiro a general overview of the information.

"That person has the ability to communicate with birds and can summon various kinds of birds. Even without Summoning Contract, I will give Shiro a training plan later for your reference."

"I see. Thank you very much, Orochimaru. Here is some information about this Magecraft. By the way, Orochimaru- senpai, this Magecraft is probably not water-based. I don't know the specifics either, because I'm still learning."

"It's alright, Shiro, you're very kind."

"Of course."

Afterwards, the two exchanged scrolls. Although he had seen the Gray Snake vomit several times before, Shiro still couldn't get used to it and found it disgusting.

Therefore, he waited until Gray Snake and Orochimaru's clone left before wiping the scroll and putting it in his pocket. Now was not the time to look at this; he wanted to collect the money first.

Then, Shiro raised his head and looked at the ninja who had awakened from Shiro's Suggestion Magecraft and whose face was full of terror.

"Heh heh heh, I have money, I can do things for you, I know a lot of intelligence channels, don't kill me, don't kill me!"

Looking at him begging for mercy in such a disheveled state, Shiro felt that he was completely different from when they fought before, but Shiro did not think it was because he was afraid of death.

If he were afraid of death, he wouldn't have chosen this path.

Shiro guessed that his condition was probably caused by the drug that gave him Senjutsu Chakra. Senjutsu wasn't so easy to master, especially a flawed Senjutsu.

Therefore, after seeing him, Shiro lost even more interest in Senjutsu. If he succeeded, all would be well, but if he failed, even if he managed to survive using some means, he would probably end up in a similar state.

The side effects of this flawed Senjutsu are too great, which is probably one of the reasons why Orochimaru doesn't use the Cursed Seal.