A Fair Deal

"My teacher, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had sat in the Hokage's seat for far too long. As he aged, his thinking had grown increasingly rotten. Konoha was slowly sliding into the abyss along with him!"

Orochimaru stuck out his tongue and washed his face with it, 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."

"Then go do it. 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 his lips.

Doichi Hyuga understood what he meant. Once this was done, 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.

You could see it from the fact that he had killed Rasa. If he truly wanted to destroy Konoha, Orochimaru would not have gone to such lengths to kill a powerful man like Rasa.

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

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

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

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

He couldn't beat him four years ago. Now, Doichi Hyuga somehow felt even stronger. The Byakugan, Sharingan, and Rinnegan were known as the three great ocular techniques for a reason! Back then, I shouldn't have overlooked the Byakugan!

"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 name it!"

Orochimaru grew interested. As long as there was room to negotiate, it was fine.

"I want the results of your research into Kekkei Genkai and cells. And Impure World Reincarnation as well!"

"Hahahaha! Dao Yi, you really are 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 his lips. He still did not understand Doichi Hyuga deeply enough!

Over the past few years, Orochimaru had gathered all the intelligence he could on Doichi Hyuga. After patiently analyzing it, he had believed he understood him quite well.

Yet this meeting gave Orochimaru an illusion: Before Doichi Hyuga, it seems I have no secrets at all!

"Just tell me whether you accept or not!"

"I can give you the research results on Kekkei Genkai 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, revealing a regretful expression.

"I thought you shared my views and wouldn't stand by while Konoha continued to decline."

"Dao Yi, you can go back and think about it. You may name one other condition!"

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

After all, this Ninja World was simply too dangerous.

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

After thinking it over, Doichi Hyuga proposed another condition.

In the original story, after Tsunade took office, Danzo and those three old fossils had restrained her so badly that she could barely move. Danzo was already dead now. Once the remaining three were dealt with, Tsunade could develop Konoha without restraint.

After all, she was his woman, and they even had a child together. It was only right for him to look out for her.

"Fine! I agree! That is exactly what I wanted to do as well. However, I'll need to make some preparations in advance!"

Orochimaru looked extremely excited, though also a little deranged.

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

That was really disgusting!

The scrolls were still covered in slime. Doichi Hyuga used a gust from his palm to send them into the water. After washing them, he fished them out and dried them with chakra.

He opened the scrolls and gave them a cursory look. There was no problem with the contents.

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

"Dao Yi! Leave that to me!"

"By the way! Do you know about the Akatsuki Organization?"

Orochimaru hesitated for a moment before asking.

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

Doichi Hyuga asked.

"Then, Dao Yi, 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 very interested, though!"

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

"Dao Yi! 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 simply don't understand what those eyes represent!"

Doichi Hyuga offered a kind reminder. He did not want one of the Ninja World's rare scientists to throw his life away.

"Hmm? Can Dao Yi tell me what those eyes represent?"

Orochimaru grew interested and wanted to learn more.

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

Doichi Hyuga asked in return.

"When Pain, the leader of the Akatsuki Organization, invited me, he displayed the ability to control attraction and repulsion. With that ability, he could fly through the sky. Ordinary shinobi would find it difficult to deal with him."

Orochimaru believed Pain's flight ability was the most troublesome. If the other party wanted to flee, all you could do was watch helplessly. Therefore, defeating him was meaningless.

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

"I don't... You mean the other party's abilities are related to the number six?"

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

"The Rinnegan has at least six abilities! I'll only tell you this much: one of those six abilities is specifically aimed at souls! So tell me, how many people would you need to find before you stood a chance?!"

Doichi Hyuga looked at Orochimaru teasingly, seemingly not yet satisfied.

Orochimaru was horrified, and cold sweat immediately broke out across his forehead. He feared not only the Rinnegan, but Doichi Hyuga as well.

What does Doichi Hyuga mean? Is he hinting at my research on souls? At present, only I know of that secret... Besides my intelligence, he even knows detailed information about the Rinnegan. This is... this is far too interesting!

Orochimaru wiped the cold sweat from 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 some bold guesses. Many people have their eyes on the Rinnegan, and every one of them is a powerful figure no weaker than you."

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

Doichi Hyuga smiled.