Facing the threat, Orochimaru remained unfazed. He nodded slightly and agreed, "Then two it is."
He didn't care about the number of "techniques."
His life goal had long since shifted from that original ambition of "learning every jutsu in the world."
With his current understanding of "ninjutsu,"
He only needed to grasp a principle to create techniques of his own.
Besides,
He was indeed being held at his "weak point." In exchange for a single piece of information, getting the techniques he desired was more than worth it.
After all, to the outside world, he was already "dead."
Naruto formed seals and summoned a scroll.
He picked two Hadō spells.
One was "Hadō #4: Byakurai (White Lightning)," and the other was "Hadō #1: Shō (Thrust)."
He wrote down the training methods, usage techniques, and chant incantations, then handed them to Kabuto.
Orochimaru tilted his head to take a look, confirmed that it wasn't some indecipherable script and that it was a complete system rather than a crude forgery, and nodded in satisfaction.
Licking his lips, Orochimaru began to speak slowly: "The leader of the Akatsuki is a man who possesses the Rinnegan."
Naruto frowned. "The Rinnegan?"
"That's said to be the eye of the Sage of Six Paths," Orochimaru explained. "It's rumored to be even stronger than the Sharingan."
"I've fought him."
At that, Orochimaru paused slightly. "But my power was utterly crushed by him."
"His strength is beyond the realm of humans."
"Just like he said himself… he is a god!"
Naruto's expression didn't change much.
He had encountered many people stronger than himself.
He wasn't surprised by the existence of someone who could overpower Orochimaru.
Orochimaru glanced at Naruto and, seeing that he didn't interrupt, continued, "Aside from the leader, there are seven or eight rogue ninja in the organization with strength on par with mine."
"Their goal is to collect the Tailed Beasts and monopolize war."
Naruto squinted his eyes slightly.
Collect the Tailed Beasts? Monopolize war?
"They've been working toward that goal for a while," Orochimaru said softly. "They've already targeted several jinchūriki, though they haven't escalated to attacking the villages directly yet."
He stuck out his tongue and licked his lips.
His slit pupils flickered with an eerie glow. "I've been on their wanted list for a long time."
"And thanks to you, Naruto-kun—"
"You spread the rumor that I was killed."
"They'll probably halt their pursuit of me for now."
He paused for a breath and said meaningfully, "But your situation, Naruto-kun, might be a bit more… dangerous."
"If Pain—Akatsuki's leader—decides to personally take action…"
"That would be truly perilous."
Naruto didn't say much.
Karin continued recording, her pen scratching softly across the paper.
"Is there anything else Naruto-kun wants to know?" Orochimaru glanced at the scroll in Kabuto's hand and took the initiative to ask.
These two chant-based techniques that didn't require hand seals were what he truly wanted from Naruto in the first place.
He still had many things he wished to obtain.
"Do you know about the Pure Land?" Naruto asked.
Orochimaru was momentarily stunned. "That place where souls are said to go after death?"
Naruto nodded.
"That's all I know," Orochimaru shook his head. "I tried to find it once… but found nothing."
Naruto asked, "When I 'killed' you, didn't you go to the Pure Land?"
"I wasn't killed by you," Orochimaru emphasized and corrected the inaccuracy in Naruto's words. "I chose to end it myself."
"And I didn't end my life—just my use of that vessel."
"I didn't die."
Naruto nodded. "Then what about Edo Tensei (Reanimation Jutsu)?"
"I remember back in Konoha, Naruto-kun, you wanted that technique," Orochimaru saw his chance and, like a venomous snake, suddenly lunged. "The question is—how much are you willing to pay to take it from me?"
"The Forbidden Scroll in Konoha may have a record of it."
"But with your current status, I doubt you'll be able to obtain it from them."
Just like Naruto had made an outrageous demand earlier,
Orochimaru now bared his own fangs.
"Does Edo Tensei allow communication with the Pure Land?" Naruto ignored the price and calmly posed a new question.
Orochimaru frowned and shook his head.
He had used Edo Tensei many times, but had never thought about that question before.
Upon reflection, all he had done was choose a "sacrifice," perform the technique, and the souls would automatically appear.
"If you have the original research notes from when Edo Tensei was developed, I'm willing to trade for them," Naruto continued.
(Orochimaru) remained silent.
This jutsu was one he had secretly learned back when he was still in Konoha.
"That was a jutsu developed by the Second Hokage," Orochimaru finally replied. "The research notes aren't in my possession."
"But Edo Tensei can summon the Second Hokage."
"If you can convince him, then you might learn the secrets of the jutsu."
Naruto reminded him, "But the Second Hokage is currently sealed away by the Reaper Death Seal."
"Looks like we'll have to uncover the secrets of the Reaper Death Seal before we can proceed with the deal," Orochimaru said with a trace of disappointment. "Naruto-kun really profited this time—getting so much information for so little."
Naruto stood up and looked at him. "You profited too, Orochimaru."
He prepared to leave with Karin.
"Wait, Naruto-kun." Orochimaru called out to him. "I have one final request. Won't you at least hear it?"
Naruto turned back to him.
"Since you've already left Konoha, why not join the Sound Village?" Orochimaru's voice was laced with a bewitching tone. "In the eyes of the world, I'm already dead. You taking over my spoils is only natural."
"Stay, and you'll be the leader."
"You can even call yourself the 'Sound Kage'—there's no problem."
"You have that qualification."
The title "Kage" isn't something just any village head or organization leader can use—it's reserved for the leaders of the five great nations.
It's a status determined by strength.
"Orochimaru." Naruto called his name.
Orochimaru softly asked, "Well? Won't you consider it?"
"I'm no longer a ninja," Naruto replied.
That sentence stunned Orochimaru.
"The identity of a ninja is far too boring," Naruto said as he walked toward the door. "Even becoming a so-called 'Kage'—what difference does it really make?"
"What are ninja supposed to protect?"
"Is it only other people's missions?"
"I have my own life and my own goals."
"I believe those are more worth pursuing than just being a 'ninja.'"
Naruto opened the door.
Sunlight poured in from outside.
Bright and brilliant, it reflected off his blond hair and was so intense that Orochimaru had to squint to adjust.
"Even Konoha couldn't hold me."
"How could a Sound Village you control possibly keep me?"
Naruto walked out with Karin.
Orochimaru watched them leave, silently waved his hand.
Kabuto immediately understood and pushed the wheelchair back into the shadowy, lightless corridor.
(End of Chapter)