In Exchange for Intelligence on Immortality...

Uchiha Shunichi had always thought Yakushi Kabuto was Orochimaru's subordinate. While that was indeed true, the timing was somewhat off.

At this point, Yakushi Kabuto was actually Orochimaru's partner.

Kabuto, a multi-faced spy, had lived a miserable life. As a child, he had been a ninja from the Land of Wind—though he was only a child, he still counted as a ninja—and Sasori had sent him to Konoha as a spy.

After finally meeting the director who treated him kindly at the orphanage, Kabuto had been forced to leave because of Danzo and work for Root.

Later, Danzo assigned Kabuto to Orochimaru. Orochimaru discovered this and began cooperating with him.

This life as a double agent had driven Kabuto close to collapse.

Just as he wanted to escape, an accident happened. The director he regarded as his mother died by his own hand, never recognizing him until the end.

It was precisely then that Kabuto began leaning toward Orochimaru, becoming something like a subordinate partner.

But now, aside from the emptiness in his heart, Kabuto wanted something else even more: a goal.

"Kabuto, I found a very interesting child. But it seems you noticed him earlier than I did." Orochimaru licked his lips with his long tongue before speaking.

"No, Lord Orochimaru. I'm not interested in anyone. I merely... have some things I want to ask him." Kabuto's tone was complicated.

Orochimaru stared at Kabuto for a while, then abruptly changed the subject. "Because of that brat Kakashi, it seems my Cursed Seal is about to be sealed."

"Though it won't have much effect, I need you to provoke Uchiha Sasuke for me. The power of the Uchiha Clan truly is enticing."

"Yes, Lord Orochimaru. I understand." Kabuto answered without hesitation.

After that, Orochimaru left.

Orochimaru appeared to move freely throughout Konoha, but in truth, he had always been avoiding Konoha's Anbu. Everything he did was kept within certain limits.

This was not because he feared Konoha. He simply did not want his plans disrupted so soon.

However, because of a figure who seemed unfamiliar yet somehow familiar, Orochimaru's plans began to slip out of his control.

"Orochimaru, did you need something?" After his match ended, Uchiha Shunichi came outside and ran straight into Orochimaru.

This time, Orochimaru did not conceal himself. He appeared beside Uchiha Shunichi in his true form.

"Come to think of it... I do have many things to discuss with you. But first, how about we talk about our views on life and death?" Orochimaru's voice was full of temptation.

"Immortality?" Uchiha Shunichi asked curiously.

"That's right, immortality. I wonder what Shunichi-kun thinks of it." Orochimaru spoke with great enthusiasm, as though he had truly found someone who could understand him.

"I don't know. I know most people don't want to die, but most people will die. I haven't experienced that feeling yet, but as for immortality, I can give you a clue." Uchiha Shunichi spoke.

At those words, light immediately flared in Orochimaru's eyes. By now, he had come very close to immortality, yet he could still be killed.

"What clue?" Orochimaru's eyes were filled with desire. Even if it was only an uncertain lead, he wanted to know.

Though it was somewhat laughable to believe a child, a child with the Mangekyō Sharingan might know far more than anyone else.

"I want Hashirama Cells, as well as the one you have called... called... Forget it, I can't remember his name. I only know that his body can perfectly accept any Bloodline Limit transplant."

"Of course, I don't want the person himself. I only want a piece of his flesh."

Rather than answering Orochimaru immediately, Uchiha Shunichi made this demand.

"Shunichi-kun really does know a lot!" A flicker of alarm passed through Orochimaru's eyes. What Uchiha Shunichi had mentioned was the location of his true laboratory.

Orochimaru had many laboratories throughout the shinobi world, but only one was truly important. That laboratory contained some of his most crucial achievements.

And... absolutely no one knew about it.

"With these eyes, I can naturally see more. If you want, you can try taking my body." Uchiha Shunichi said calmly.

Others feared Orochimaru, but Uchiha Shunichi did not.

Because this body might not have belonged to him from the very beginning. The original soul might still be there, might have died, or might have merged with his own.

Still, the Mangekyō Sharingan's abilities were truly powerful. He did not know whether that was because of himself or the original owner of this body.

But presumably, it was more likely because of himself.

"Shunichi-kun truly fears nothing!" Orochimaru could only chuckle dryly upon hearing that.

Honestly, he truly coveted Uchiha Shunichi's eyes. Yet even he did not dare do anything before someone who might be able to see through everything.

Uchiha Shunichi's words were impossible to tell as true or false! But regardless, this was not information an ordinary Uchiha boy could possibly know.

"Fine, I accept your terms. After all, immortality is what matters most to me. Your bodies are merely treasures." Orochimaru agreed at once without hesitation.

"This information is simple. The path to immortality is related to natural energy. The Cursed Seal you have researched may be quite mature, but it is also a failure, because the line of thinking was wrong from the start."

"As for the sages who have lived for thousands of years in the three great summoning sanctuaries, they can serve as references, but you cannot simply copy what they do."

"After all, they are not human."

"Alright, that is the price for this information. When we trade again, I might tell you about the Sage of Six Paths."

After saying that, Uchiha Shunichi left directly.

Watching Uchiha Shunichi's departing back, Orochimaru used immense self-control to suppress the greed in his heart.

After staring deeply at Uchiha Shunichi's back, Orochimaru vanished from the spot.

When he appeared again, he was beside a red-haired girl. The walls around her were covered with photographs of Uchiha Shunichi, as though she were a crazed fan.

Moreover, her strength was no weaker than Yakushi Kabuto's—perhaps even greater!

"Karin, I have a mission for you."