"Alright, I admit it—I was wrong before. Menma-kun, I was… rather rude. Now then, what is it you wish to discuss? Or perhaps… what sort of deal do you intend to propose?"
Orochimaru exhaled softly, retracting the gleaming Kusanagi Sword back into his body. His golden, serpent-like eyes fixed on the boy before him, voice as calm and hoarse as ever.
In the shinobi world, power defined truth. The weak perished; the strong dictated the rules.
Menma's performance had been enough to make even Orochimaru hesitate. If he hadn't matched that power, this conversation wouldn't even be possible.
Menma knew that as well.
To be honest, he had already intended to stop the fight. Neither of them could afford to draw attention—especially not Orochimaru, who risked alerting Konoha's sensor-nin and ANBU.
And Menma… the moment his fourth tail had manifested, he'd felt it—that searing, burning sensation gnawing into his skin.
It was the corrosive effect of the Nine-Tails' chakra, slowly devouring its host.
Even as an Uzumaki, his body wasn't yet strong enough to fully withstand that power. It was the inevitable pain every Jinchūriki had to endure before achieving true harmony with their beast.
"Haha, I knew Orochimaru-san would be reasonable."
Menma smiled faintly, his expression calm even as his body still smoked faintly from the Kyuubi's cloak. His words, however, carried a calculated edge.
Orochimaru's smirk returned. "Hmph… very well. Tell me, Menma-kun—what is your goal? You exposed my identity, and even used the Nine-Tails' power in public. What exactly do you want from me?"
His voice was smooth, but his narrowed eyes betrayed a hunter's wariness.
"No, no, Orochimaru-san, you misunderstand." Menma's smile deepened. "I don't seek anything from you. I'm proposing a mutual benefit—a partnership that serves us both."
"Hoho…?" Orochimaru tilted his head, his tone faintly mocking. To him, Menma was still a child—a vessel, nothing more. A tool with potential, yes, but a mere twelve-year-old brat could hardly understand the complexities of his ambition.
"Then, I'm listening."
Menma's eyes gleamed. "It's simple. I intend to leave the village soon—and when I do, I wish to join forces with you. Not as a subordinate, but as an ally. In return, I ask that you provide me a temporary refuge… and access to research materials—biological samples, experimental data, perhaps even certain secret techniques. That is my condition."
Orochimaru chuckled quietly. "Interesting. So the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki plans to defect." His smile widened, serpentine and cruel. "If my former sensei, the Third Hokage, heard this… he might finally lose what's left of his sanity. But tell me, Menma-kun—how exactly do you plan to leave? As the Jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails, the village will never let you walk away. Do you require… my assistance?"
Menma shook his head slightly. "No need, Orochimaru-san. I have my own ways of leaving. Besides, your return to Konoha wasn't merely to reminisce, was it? Let's just say… I already know you have other plans."
Of course, Menma wasn't foolish enough to reveal what he knew about Orochimaru's secret alliance with Sunagakure and the impending Chūnin Exams. Revealing that now would raise too many questions about his sources.
Right now, he only needed one thing—an agreement. The rest would come later.
Orochimaru's eyes flickered with suspicion for an instant, then amusement. The cold gleam that briefly surfaced vanished as quickly as it appeared.
"It seems Menma-kun has been preparing far longer than I thought. Still… deals are not made from thin air. Why should I offer you shelter, research, and resources? Where is the benefit for me?"
His voice was calm, but probing—testing the boy's intent.
Menma raised his hand and pointed to himself. "The benefit, Orochimaru-san… is me. The purest Uzumaki bloodline—and the Nine-Tails sealed within. Surely, that piques your curiosity, doesn't it? I know you've always had… an interest in unique subjects of research."
Orochimaru's grin widened, his tongue flicking across his lips. "Heh… you're bold, Menma-kun. To offer yourself as part of the bargain."
He wasn't surprised the boy knew of his experiments. Information leaked easily in the shadows, and Menma's growing strength proved he had access to knowledge few genin could even comprehend.
"Haha. I've always considered myself courageous," Menma said, voice calm but sharp. "And as long as it gets me out of this cursed village, I'll pay any price. Isn't that something you can relate to, Orochimaru-san?"
Orochimaru's laughter slithered through the air. "Excellent. I accept your proposal, Menma-kun. In truth, that first condition alone would have sufficed. But something tells me… you're not done, are you?"
Menma's smile deepened. "You're right. The second condition is one I prepared especially for you, Orochimaru-san—the relationship between the Sharingan and the Rinnegan."
His words dropped like thunder.
Orochimaru froze, his grin vanishing.
"What…?"
His eyes widened, disbelief and fascination blending into one expression. "Menma-kun… do you have any idea what you're saying?"
"Of course I do," Menma replied coolly. "You doubt me because of my age—but don't forget, there's someone who's lived for thousands of years still moving in the shadows. Your… 'partner,' after all, is far from ordinary. Isn't that right, Orochimaru-san?"
Menma's smile was faint but sharp, his words cutting straight through the Sannin's composure.
For the first time, Orochimaru's face darkened—not with anger, but with genuine intrigue.
The boy before him was no ordinary Jinchūriki.
And for the first time, Orochimaru realized something else—
Menma Uzumaki was far more dangerous than he looked.
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