"Sage Mode..." A sharp, covetous gleam flashed through Orochimaru's eyes when he saw Uchiha Shunichi's transformation.
Yakushi Kabuto caught Jūgo as he came flying toward him. After a quick inspection of his injuries, he returned to Orochimaru's side.
At that moment, Yakushi Kabuto served as Orochimaru's hands. He could not offer much help, but he still had his uses.
After knocking Jūgo away, Uchiha Shunichi did not attack again. He simply stood there, maintaining his lightning-transformed state with senjutsu chakra.
Meanwhile, Karin finished tying up Suigetsu, then joined Yamato and Ibiki Morino in surrounding Orochimaru, awaiting Uchiha Shunichi's orders.
Uchiha Shunichi was in command of this mission, so until he spoke, they would only make the necessary preparations.
"Shunichi, did you ever truly intend to make a deal with me?" Orochimaru put aside his anger and addressed Uchiha Shunichi.
"To be honest, I haven't decided whether to kill you. I know very well that your Cursed Seal can bring you back to life, but clearly, that comes at a price."
"And frankly, I'm very dissatisfied with what you've produced." Uchiha Shunichi pointed at the scroll on the ground.
Hearing Uchiha Shunichi's answer, Orochimaru abandoned the idea of fleeing, but he did not know how to proceed.
"That experiment... this is as far as I can take it. Tell me whatever you want, Shunichi. I have only one nonnegotiable condition: getting my hands back." After a moment's hesitation, Orochimaru laid out his bottom line.
For a researcher who aspired to learn every ninjutsu in the world, being without his hands was unbearably painful.
"Two Kusanagi Swords, Impure World Reincarnation, the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique, the complete experimental records on the Cursed Seal, Sage Mode, and natural energy, and the contract scroll for Ryūchi Cave..." Uchiha Shunichi demanded an exorbitant price, listing