Chapter 150: The Deal
"You are... Shinnō? And Orochimaru?"
Upon receiving the notification, Kakashi immediately arrived at the Land of Rain border. He had no fondness for either of them; rather, if he could, he wished these two would vanish from the world forever.
He had indeed considered seeking out Orochimaru before.
"Kakashi-kun, it's been a long time."
"Have we met?"
"Your father, the White Fang of Konoha, had quite a few dealings with us."
Nagato had no interest in hearing these old Konoha tales. He only knew he felt an inexplicable revulsion towards the man before him. Yahiko and Konan must also remember this chilling man.
"Kakashi, do you know them?"
After a moment of silence, since they had sought him out here, something must be happening. Missing this opportunity wouldn't be good; it was better to understand the whole situation clearly before considering these two individuals.
Anyway, within the current Amegakure, Kakashi believed these two couldn't stir up any trouble, even if Shinnō brought the Land of Sky's aircraft carrier.
"I know them. We had a little cooperation before."
Turning around, Shinnō and Orochimaru followed behind Kakashi. The two constantly surveyed the current Land of Rain, with Orochimaru continually comparing Amegakure's defenses and facilities to Konoha's.
The answer was: while there were still gaps, they were not insurmountable.
In a few more years, given the growth rate of the new generation of ninja and the complete integration of the Uchiha clan, Konoha might gain another formidable enemy.
Orochimaru, however, really wanted the old man, the Third Hokage, to come here and see Amegakure's development, to make him understand whether his so-called Will of Fire had even a trace remaining within the Uchiha clan.
"These are all the research results from your cells last time."
Arriving at a hidden location within Amegakure, and ensuring the surroundings weren't monitored, Shinnō took out a scroll and tossed it to Kakashi.
"You came here just for this?"
Kakashi couldn't believe this guy would be kind enough to specifically deliver his research data.
Regarding the authenticity of this data, he would also need to have Yakushi Nonou evaluate it later; that woman was far more reliable than these two guys.
"Of course, it's not just for these. Hatake Kakashi, do you remember me saying your cells' soul ability was extraordinarily powerful? This time I've come to introduce you to our new collaborator."
"Orochimaru?"
Kakashi fixed his gaze on this member of the Sannin, subtly gathering chakra within his body to guard against a sneak attack. He wondered if this guy had mastered the Curse Mark yet.
If he were suddenly bitten, it wouldn't be good.
But judging by appearances, probably not yet.
"Kakashi-kun, do you not welcome my participation?"
"You are most welcome, Lord Orochimaru. Your arrival brings great honor to Amegakure. However, there's one thing I don't understand: how much longer can you stay in Konoha? You must have conducted quite a few human experiments, haven't you? Has Lord Third not noticed at all, or has he simply not discovered it... or perhaps he hasn't told Lord Fourth Hokage yet?"
"Kakashi-kun, you seem to know quite a lot. I recall never mentioning it to outsiders."
Orochimaru let out two cold laughs, his pupils shifting shape several times, finally releasing a trace of killing intent to test this former young Konoha junior before him.
"Your father never spoke to me like that."
"What he said, what does that have to do with how I speak?"
A lightning senbon, in the flick of a finger, impaled a small white snake that had just emerged from the ground. Truly, one cannot be careless when conversing with this man.
Poison, arguably, is the item in the ninja world most capable of challenging beyond one's rank. If one uses poison well, they are at least a jōnin.
Evidently, Orochimaru was a master of poison.
"Alright, pleasantries are exchanged."
Shinnō stepped in to mediate, stating the purpose of their visit.
"Lord Orochimaru and I require more research material—your cells. Their proliferation rate is too slow. You should know the properties of your own cells. In exchange, I will hand over a portion of the Dark Chakra research data to you."
"You'd be willing to give me the cultivation method for Dark Chakra?"
"No, Hatake Kakashi, not the cultivation method, but the Dark Chakra data. Not everyone can cultivate Dark Chakra."
"Isn't it just drawing energy from negative emotions?"
That single remark made Orochimaru glance at Shinnō twice. He hadn't mentioned having such an interesting thing before.
Shinnō's expression didn't change. Although Kakashi knowing this was unexpected, it wasn't enough to fully expose his trump card. The Zero-Tails' existence only allowed him to cultivate Dark Chakra; it didn't matter if others knew and took precautions.
"However... if this deal is agreed upon, I can give you my cells."
Kakashi smiled, narrowing his eyes, exuding a rather dangerous aura. Orochimaru couldn't see any trace of the White Fang's sharpness in him.
"How much?"
"The more, the better."
Without changing his expression, he took out a kunai and sliced off a piece of flesh from his arm. Blood immediately dripped from the wound onto the ground. He quickly sealed the flesh into a scroll.
But the silver-haired young man didn't immediately hand this item to the two individuals opposite him.
Instead, he waited for his arm to emit white smoke and heal at a visible rate before raising the scroll and walking towards Orochimaru.
"Hatake Kakashi, I am the one making the deal."
Shinnō noticed Kakashi's actions and reminded him.
"Isn't it obvious that Kakashi-kun would seek a better deal?"
"Indeed. However."
The silver-haired young man paused.
"I want a ninjutsu."
"What ninjutsu?"
"The Edo Tensei jutsu."
"Hush. Where did you learn of this ninjutsu?"
Orochimaru's smile faded, his tongue circling his lips as he fixed his gaze on the young man before him with the eyes of a predator.
"Do I have an obligation to tell you that?"
"Kakashi-kun, it's best to show some respect to your former seniors."
"I am very respectful of you, otherwise, by now, I would have already made my move."
"You don't think the title of 'one of the Sannin' is just an empty rumor, do you?"
"Hanzō of the Salamander is dead, and you're still bringing up the Sannin with me."
"I wonder if your strength matches your mouth."
Orochimaru ultimately did not make a move. He took a scroll from his sleeve and handed it over as an exchange.
The Edo Tensei jutsu was still an incomplete version, requiring extensive corpse experimentation to be fully perfected. This version of the ninjutsu was acceptable as a trade.
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