Chapter 77: A Pact with the Snake
Having decisively subdued Sasuke, Ren turned his back on his unconscious brother and walked toward Orochimaru. The Snake Sannin's gaze was unsettling—a mix of frenzied curiosity and blatant, predatory possessiveness. It made Ren's skin crawl.
*This disgusting snake. Is he already sizing me up as a potential vessel?* Ren thought, his frown deepening.
"Hehehe~~ Ren-kun, you are truly impressive," Orochimaru rasped, his voice like sandpaper. "Sasuke has been training under me, improving at a remarkable rate. Yet you subdued him so effortlessly. It's no wonder you defeated Konoha's Kakashi. Most impressive."
For Orochimaru, Sasuke had been the perfect prize. But this new Uchiha—this hidden prodigy—presented an even more tantalizing possibility. His current goal was simple: make Ren stay, discover his weaknesses, and eventually claim his body during the next reincarnation. He was confident in his ability to manipulate and corrupt; he had never failed to claim a desired vessel before.
"Oh? To receive such praise from one of the Legendary Sannin, Orochimaru of the Sound, is truly an honor," Ren replied, his tone laced with false modesty. He remained internally vigilant, knowing Orochimaru's reputation for cunning and survival above all else.
"Hehe~ You are too modest..."
"Enough of the pleasantries," Ren cut him off, his voice turning businesslike. "I'm genuinely curious. Why go to such lengths to bring me here? Do you want me as a container, just like Sasuke? You already have him. Isn't that enough?"
"Hehe, from your tone, Ren-kun, you don't seem to object to Sasuke being here. Could it be you don't care for your brother at all?" Orochimaru probed, a sly smile playing on his lips.
"I have no interest in that fool," Ren stated coldly, injecting a heavy dose of arrogance into his voice. "He came to you seeking power. That's his business, not mine. I have no right to interfere, and no desire to. If I truly wanted to stop him, I would have slaughtered the four useless ninja you sent to Konoha the moment they appeared."
"Oh? Is that so?"
"Hmph. Do you think I have a reason to lie? Or... do you doubt I could have handled them?" Ren's challenge was direct, his posture dismissive.
"No, no, no, you misunderstand me, Ren-kun," Orochimaru waved a hand dismissively. "I would never doubt someone who could defeat Konoha's Hatake Kakashi."
"I'm tired of this circular talk. Get to the point. Why did you seek me out?" Ren feigned impatience. "If you can't offer something that piques my interest, I won't waste any more time here." This was a bluff, of course. He had come for a reason—to acquire something only Orochimaru possessed.
"Don't be so hasty. Now that you are my guest in the Hidden Sound, it is only proper that I extend every courtesy. For me to let you leave so abruptly would give others the impression that Orochimaru is a poor host. I couldn't bear the embarrassment."
"Humph! I don't need your 'courtesy.' It seems you have nothing of interest to offer. I'm leaving." Ren turned on his heel and took several deliberate steps toward the exit, only to find Kabuto smoothly blocking his path.
"Hehe. What is the meaning of this? Planning to keep me here by force?" Ren asked, a dangerous edge entering his voice as he glared at Kabuto.
"My apologies, Ren-kun," Kabuto said, adjusting his glasses with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Please allow us to host you for a few days. Let us fulfill our duties as hosts."
"Humph! You? A defeated lackey? You dare to stand in my way? Move!"
"Sorry, Ren-kun. I am aware I am no match for you. But I still cannot let you pass."
"Since you're seeking death, I'll oblige you." Ren's Sharingan flared to life, his body coiling for an attack.
At that moment, Orochimaru's rasping laugh echoed through the hall. "Hehehe~ Now, now, Ren-kun, there's no need for such hostility. Kabuto is merely ensuring I don't fail in my duties as a host. Is that so disrespectful?"
"Your 'face' means nothing without demonstrated sincerity. I've seen none from you," Ren retorted, turning back to face him with a look of utter disdain. He showed no fear at being cornered; his demeanor screamed that he viewed them as insignificant.
"Then, Ren-kun, perhaps you can satisfy my curiosity. What was your purpose in hiding your power so completely? To endure the humiliation of being seen as a fool... you must have been deceiving someone very specific. Who was it?"
"That is none of your concern. I don't owe you any explanations. If keeping me here is just to ask pointless questions, then this conversation is over."
"Hehe, mere curiosity. If you won't tell me, I won't press. What I truly wish to discuss is this: you left Konoha to find Uchiha Itachi, did you not? To exact revenge for your clan?"
"The thought had crossed my mind."
"I see. And you plan to confront Itachi alone? Even if you find him, vengeance is not guaranteed. Forgive my bluntness, Ren-kun, but while you are strong, Itachi is... on another level. Furthermore, he is a key member of a mysterious and powerful organization. An organization comprised entirely of S-Class missing-nin. Even I am wary of provoking them. Do you truly intend to face such a force alone?"
"A mysterious organization?" Ren feigned ignorance, though he knew far more about Akatsuki than Orochimaru did. His entire revenge story was a convenient fiction.
"Indeed. A very dangerous one. If you insist on facing them alone, then I have nothing more to say..."
"What are you proposing?"
"Hehehe~~ A partnership."
"Partnership? You and me? An alliance?"
"Precisely. If you wish to confront Itachi, you face his entire organization. Alone, it is an impossible task. It so happens I have... disagreements with this same organization. We could join forces. Pool our resources. What do you say?"
"And what exactly would you bring to this 'partnership'? And what would you expect in return?" Ren knew Orochimaru's offer wasn't altruistic. There was always a price.
"I can make you stronger. You will have full access to all my resources—ninjutsu, supplies, my personal tutelage. I have a vast intelligence network with spies across the ninja world; you would share in that intelligence. In return, I ask for very little. Merely that you reside here in the Hidden Sound, focus on honing your strength, and on occasion, perform a few... tasks for me. When the time is right, we strike the organization together. Hehehe~~"
*Hehe~, he's really pulling out all the stops to make me stay,* Ren thought, a cold smile playing internally. *But this is exactly what I wanted. I'll play along.*
"I have to admit, the terms you offer are... attractive. They align with my immediate needs. I could be persuaded to stay. But I have two conditions."
"Oh? Conditions? Name them. If they are within reason, I will accommodate you."
"First: I stay here as a partner, an equal. You do not *order* me. I am not your subordinate. Second: I want a sample of the First Hokage's cells."
Orochimaru's smirk vanished. His eyes turned cold and calculating as he stared at Ren, who met his gaze unflinchingly with his own crimson Sharingan.
After a tense moment, the weird smile returned to Orochimaru's face. "Hehehe~ The First Hokage's cells? Where did you hear about such a thing?"
"I found a rather dilapidated laboratory in the woods behind the ruins of the Uchiha compound in Konoha," Ren lied smoothly. "I assume you're familiar with it? I discovered some... enlightening information there." It was a complete fabrication, a cover story to explain his knowledge.
*A lab? The one I built initially? He found it?* Orochimaru thought, slightly alarmed. *But I was certain I removed all valuable data... How careless of me.*
"Well? Orochimaru?" Ren pressed.
"Hey~~ Very well," Orochimaru conceded, his decision made. The potential of securing this new Uchiha was worth the price. "As I said, as my partner, you have access to all my resources. I happen to have a sample of the First's cells. I can give it to you. And your first condition is also acceptable. You will be a partner here."
"Excellent. In that case," Ren said, his tone formal yet satisfied, "I accept your proposal for cooperation."
The pact was struck. Ren would remain in the snake's den, a wolf biding its time among the serpents.
𝗚𝗨𝗬𝗦, 𝗙𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗢𝗪 𝗠𝗘 𝗢𝗡 𝗜𝗡𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗠 𝗔𝗧 𝗚𝗘𝗛𝗥𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗦𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗥𝗢𝗪9