"So, are you satisfied with my gift?"
Natsume was as nonchalant as ever. He picked up the teacup and chugged the tea.
Anyway, he was just a wooden clone, so he wasn't worried at all.
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed.
He was confident that no one would notice his abduction last night.
At most, Tanzo Shimura would only realize that Yamato was missing after the fact.
But how did Natsume know that he had succeeded?
What if he hadn't found Yamato last night? Wouldn't his trip tonight have been in vain?
Yet Natsume's confident answer clearly indicated that he already knew.
Orochimaru concluded that there was a mysterious organization behind Natsume with strong intelligence capabilities.
"I'm indeed very satisfied," he said coldly. "If it weren't for you, I'd still be kept in the dark by Tanzo Shimura."
As a scientist, Yamato was extremely significant to him.
Thanks to Zero's breakthrough, he was able to continue his research.
He had already given up on the Wood Release research, but now it was out of the question for him to do so.
He even planned to suspend the research on Living Corpse Reincarnation for the time being.
"Don't thank me," Natsume said with a warm, sunny smile. "It seems our deal can proceed as normal."
"How many Hashirama cells do you want?"
After a brief silence, Orochimaru said, "The Hashirama cells are limited. If you ask for too many, it'll be difficult for me to obtain them."
Natsume raised an eyebrow.
Don't think I'm in the dark. You've desecrated not only the tombs of Hashirama Senju but also of Tobirama Senju and others.
"Enough for nine people's Hashirama cell transplants will suffice," Natsume said, tapping on the table. "Besides, I also want your experimental data."
Orochimaru nodded expressionlessly.
He wasn't surprised.
Since the other party wanted Hashirama cells, they were naturally for transplantation.
In the ninja world today, he was the best in this technology.
"I want the data on perfect Hashirama cell transplantation," Natsume added. "Not your current technology."
Orochimaru had carried out so many experiments, yet only Yamato had made it through.
The death rate was incredibly high.
As for Tanzo Shimura, he had only transplanted an arm, which was totally different from Yamato's transplant.
Orochimaru became vigilant again.
This mysterious person seemed to know an awful lot about the Wood Release experiments.
How did he know?
"No problem," Orochimaru agreed.
Anyway, the data was in his hands, and he could modify it at will.
It was very easy to deceive someone.
Unless Natsume found a medical ninja excellent enough.
Someone like Tsunade, for example.
But is that possible?
There's only one Tsunade in the whole ninja world.
And there's no way she'd have anything to do with this mysterious person.
"Now can you tell me what the other secret is?"
Orochimaru licked his lips, looking a bit impatient.
If Yamato was considered a small secret, he was really looking forward to what the so - called big secret was.
"Normally, I should tell you after I get the Hashirama cells," Natsume said calmly and unhurriedly. "But I'm not afraid of you going back on your word."
Orochimaru's expression turned solemn.
His strong confidence really surprised him.
But upon closer thought, this truly aligned with the style of the Mysterious Person.
"What do you think of Hashirama Senju's strength?" Natsume asked.
"Extremely powerful." Although Orochimaru was puzzled, he still answered honestly.
He had gone through the books preserved by Konoha, which contained rather detailed introductions of Hashirama Senju.
Between the lines, one could see his might.
Orochimaru believed that Hashirama Senju far surpassed the so - called Five Kage. Otherwise, it would have been impossible to end the chaotic era and even capture the tailed beasts.
He had witnessed the Nine - Tailed Fox. Without special means, it would be extremely difficult to defeat it, not to mention capture it.
"What about Madara Uchiha, who was as famous as Hashirama Senju?" Natsume asked again.
"Shouldn't be bad either." Orochimaru thought for a moment and said.
Although the books mentioned Madara Uchiha less frequently, everyone knew about his battle with Hashirama Senju at the Valley of the End.
It directly split the earth and created a valley.
Even if Madara Uchiha was weak, he wouldn't be much weaker than Hashirama Senju.
"What made Madara Uchiha so powerful?" Natsume asked.
"The Sharingan." Orochimaru grew even more curious.
What does this question have to do with the so - called secret?
"What do you think of Fugaku Uchiha's strength?"
"Not bad."
Orochimaru commented, "The Three - Tomoe Sharingan is indeed good, but he's only stronger than an average Jonin."
"Don't you think there's something wrong?"
Natsume counter - questioned, "They both have the Sharingan. Why is Madara Uchiha so much more powerful?"
Orochimaru suddenly froze.
Yeah, right.
In terms of strength, Madara Uchiha could probably take on ten Fugaku Uchihas.
Why?
He then thought of the Nine - Tailed Fox that was presumably controlled by the Sharingan.
Could the Three - Tomoe Sharingan really control the tailed beasts?
"Are you saying there's a stronger form of the Sharingan above the Three - Tomoe Sharingan?"
Orochimaru was very smart and quick to react, immediately hitting upon the correct answer.
"Exactly."
Natsume nodded and said, "Above the Three - Tomoe Sharingan, there's the Mangekyo Sharingan."
"Mangekyo Sharingan?"
Orochimaru repeated these words.
Hiruzen Sarutobi and Tanzo knew of the existence of the Mangekyo Sharingan because of Tobirama Senju.
It was only after Shisui Uchiha's Self - Destruction that they realized how terrifying it was.
After that, Tanzo sneaked up on Shisui Uchiha and obtained his Mangekyo Sharingan.
Oh, my!
"Love Konoha: Starting from Being Adopted by Tsunade. Please bookmark: (m."
"How powerful is it?" Orochimaru asked.
Just from these words, it was hard for him to gauge the power of the Mangekyo Sharingan.
"Want to give it a try?" Natsume counter - questioned.
"Has someone from the Uchiha clan awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan?"
Orochimaru's eyes lit up, and he was already thinking about how to seize the eyes.
Natsume looked at his expression, as if he had never experienced a setback, and couldn't help but smile.
Obviously, Orochimaru thought that even if the Mangekyo Sharingan was powerful, there was a limit to its power.
"Yes, his name is Shisui Uchiha."
"Really? It's him?"
Orochimaru showed a look of surprise.
Natsume knew that Shisui Uchiha had shined brightly in The Third Great Ninja War.
However, he never expected that Shisui had awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan.
"Here's a piece of advice. Take measures to ensure your survival, or you might get into big trouble," Natsume warned.
Natsume's words really got on Orochimaru's nerves.
Since he received the title of Sannin, few ninjas had managed to make him take things seriously.
What Natsume meant was that he not only couldn't defeat Shisui Uchiha but also might mess up if he wasn't careful.
He didn't believe it.
Natsume didn't say anything more.
With Orochimaru's life - saving tricks, he's most likely not going to die.
Moreover, if Shisui Uchiha knew that it was Orochimaru who attacked him, he wouldn't strike a fatal blow.
As for himself, Natsume had nothing to worry about.
The Mangekyo Sharingan is ridiculously powerful. If Shisui Uchiha used Kotoamatsukami, Orochimaru probably wouldn't have any countermeasures.
"Well, see you next time," Natsume dispelled his wooden clone with a smile and said. "I hope you'll have the Hashirama cells ready by then."
Orochimaru watched him leave and immediately sent someone to find out Shisui Uchiha's whereabouts.
The next day,
he tracked down Shisui Uchiha and a great battle ensued.
Meanwhile,
Natsume, who was having a class at the Ninja Academy, suddenly received a notification from the Tamaki of Destiny.
[Because of your actions, Orochimaru's destiny has changed. You have gained 58 destiny value points.]
[Because of your actions, Shisui Uchiha's destiny has changed. You have gained 19 destiny value points.]