"You may not know this, but Sakumo and I weren't particularly close. Aside from our time at the Ninja Academy, I hardly ever saw him in the village," Orochimaru said, spreading his hands.
"Besides, if you teach me this secret technique for repairing blades, who would know I possessed it as long as I kept quiet?"
Yui raised her slender brows slightly, considered for a moment, and said, "Then why are you so certain I'll teach you?"
Orochimaru truly had little to offer in exchange. After some thought, he replied, "I noticed you seem to be practicing ninjutsu. And you seem to have run into a little trouble?"
"I have many rare and powerful ninjutsu that I could trade with you... You could also use them as references to resolve the difficulties you're facing." Meeting Yui's eyes, he said slowly, "I believe you won't refuse, will you?"
Yui shook her head slightly and sighed. "Sorry, but I refuse."
"I don't need any ninjutsu. As for the difficulties I'm having with mine, that's my own business. You needn't worry about it."
"Oh?" Orochimaru didn't seem particularly disappointed by Yui's refusal, as though he had expected it.
"Tch!" Yui clicked her tongue. His unruffled expression made her frown slightly. "Orochimaru, if that's all you have to offer, there's no point negotiating."
She shook her head and made to leave, but before she had gone far, Orochimaru called her back. "Yui Hyuga... Do you know of the Kusanagi Sword?"
Yui's stride faltered, and she stopped on the spot. Turning back, she gave Orochimaru a surprised look.
So Orochimaru had finally revealed what he was after! The Kusanagi Sword... She recalled the three powerful divine weapons from the original story. She also had a good idea of why Orochimaru wanted the Hatake Blade-Healing Technique.