Fair Trade

"My teacher, Hiruzen Sarutobi, has held the position of Hokage for far too long. As he has aged, his thinking has grown increasingly rotten. Konoha is slowly sliding into the abyss along with him!"

Orochimaru stuck out his tongue and washed his face, then looked seriously at Doichi Hyuga.

"So?"

Doichi Hyuga did not refute him, because Orochimaru was right.

"So I want to personally send him to the Pure Land, as the last thing I do for Konoha."

"If you want to do it, then go ahead. Why come to me? Let me make this clear beforehand: I won't lay a hand on anyone from Konoha."

"That really is a pity!"

Orochimaru licked the corner of his mouth.

Doichi Hyuga understood what he meant. Once he did this, Orochimaru would be completely severed from Konoha, with no ties left between them.

It was clear from the original story that Orochimaru had never intended to destroy Konoha.

His murder of Rasa was proof enough. If he truly wanted to destroy Konoha, Orochimaru would not have gone to such lengths to kill a powerhouse like Rasa.

A living Kazekage could have caused immeasurable damage to Konoha, while also providing Orochimaru with far more help.

That was even under the premise that Rasa had already formed a cooperative relationship with Orochimaru.

"If you interfere, it will be difficult for me to achieve my goal!"

Orochimaru stared at Doichi Hyuga and let out a faint sigh:

Four years ago, I couldn't beat him. Now, Doichi Hyuga feels even stronger. The Byakugan, Sharingan, and Rinnegan are called the three great dōjutsu for a reason! I never should have overlooked the Byakugan back then!

"It's not impossible for me not to stop you. What do I get out of it?"

Doichi Hyuga looked at Orochimaru with a half-smile, wanting to see what terms he could offer to move him.

"What do you want? As long as I have it, you can ask for it!"

Orochimaru became interested. As long as there was room to negotiate, that was enough.

"I want your research results—those concerning bloodline limits and cells. And Impure World Reincarnation."

"Hahaha! Doichi-kun really is the same kind of person as me. It seems my deduction was correct. But how did you know I possessed Impure World Reincarnation?"

Orochimaru excitedly licked the corner of his mouth. He still did not understand Doichi Hyuga deeply enough!

Over the past few years, Orochimaru had gathered all of Doichi Hyuga's information. After patiently analyzing it, he had believed he understood him very well.

Yet this meeting gave Orochimaru an illusion: in front of Doichi Hyuga, it seemed he had no secrets at all!

"Just tell me whether you accept or not!"

"I can give you the research results on bloodline limits and cells, but Impure World Reincarnation is out of the question!"

Orochimaru nodded, agreeing to half of it.

"You may name another condition!"

"Then there's nothing to discuss! Those are the only three things I'm interested in!"

Doichi Hyuga spread his hands like a little bear and put on a regretful expression.

"I thought your ideals aligned with mine. I thought you wouldn't stand by and watch Konoha continue to decline."

"Doichi-kun, you can go back and think it over. You may name one more condition!"

Orochimaru could not possibly hand over Impure World Reincarnation. It was the foundation of his survival.

After all, the Ninja World was simply too dangerous.

"How about this? Deal with Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado as well, and I'll agree."

After thinking for a moment, Doichi Hyuga proposed another condition.

In the original story, after Tsunade took office, she had been constrained so badly by Danzō and those three old fools that she could barely move. Now that Danzō was dead, if the remaining three were dealt with as well, Tsunade would be able to develop Konoha boldly and without restraint.

After all, she was his woman, and they even had a child together. Thinking of her was only natural.

"Fine! I agree! It's something I wanted to do anyway. I'll just need to make some preparations and arrange a few targeted measures in advance!"

Orochimaru's expression was exceedingly excited, though he looked somewhat deranged.

Orochimaru reached into his throat, pulled out two scrolls, and tossed them over.

That was honestly rather disgusting!

The scrolls were still covered in mucus. Doichi Hyuga used a palm wind to send them into the water, washed them, retrieved them, and dried them with chakra.

He opened the scrolls and gave them a rough look. There was nothing wrong with their contents.

"Then it's settled! When the time comes, I won't interfere in your battle with the Third Hokage. But Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado must be dealt with properly!"

"Doichi-kun! You can leave that to me without worry!"

"By the way, do you know about the Akatsuki Organization?"

After hesitating for a moment, Orochimaru spoke.

"I know a little. What are you trying to say?"

Doichi Hyuga asked.

"Then, Doichi-kun, are you interested in the Rinnegan?"

Orochimaru excitedly stuck out his tongue and licked his face in a circle.

"Not interested! It seems Senior Orochimaru is quite interested, though!"

Doichi Hyuga truly had no interest in it. Those eyes carried far too much karma; getting involved with them would mean enormous trouble.

"Doichi-kun! The leader of the Akatsuki Organization possesses the Rinnegan. I want to invite you to help me obtain it. If we succeed, I can give you Impure World Reincarnation. I'll even give you one Rinnegan. What do you say?"

"I refuse! I advise you to abandon that idea. You have no understanding of what those eyes truly represent."

Doichi Hyuga kindly warned him. He did not want this rare scientist of the Ninja World to throw his life away.

"Hm? Can Doichi-kun tell me what those eyes represent?"

Orochimaru became interested and wanted to learn more.

"How much do you know about the Rinnegan? What are its abilities?"

Doichi Hyuga countered.

"When the Akatsuki Organization's leader, Pain, invited me, he displayed the ability to manipulate attraction and repulsion. Using that ability, he could fly high through the air. Ordinary ninja would find it difficult to counter him."

Orochimaru believed Pain's flight was the most troublesome part. If the other side wanted to flee, all one could do was watch helplessly. Therefore, defeating him would be meaningless.

"Do you know why the Sage of Six Paths is called the Sage of Six Paths?"

"I don't!... Are you saying that the other party's abilities are related to the number six?"

Orochimaru truly was a rare genius. He quickly caught the key point.

"The Rinnegan has at least six abilities! I'll tell you just one thing: one of those six abilities is specifically aimed at souls! So tell me, how many people would you need to recruit before you had any chance of winning?!"

Doichi Hyuga looked at Orochimaru teasingly, as if he had more to say.

Terror rose in Orochimaru's heart, and cold sweat instantly broke out across his body. He feared not only the Rinnegan, but Doichi Hyuga as well.

What did Doichi Hyuga mean? Was he hinting at my research into souls? At present, only I know that secret... Besides knowing my information, he even knows the Rinnegan's detailed abilities. This is... this is far too interesting!

Orochimaru wiped away the cold sweat on his forehead, unable to understand how his greatest secret had been exposed.

"Then what are the Rinnegan's other abilities?"

"I can't tell you that! You can use your imagination and make bold guesses. Many people have their eyes on the Rinnegan, and every one of them is a powerhouse no weaker than you."

"If you insist on seeking death, then pretend I never said anything!"

Doichi Hyuga laughed.