The new Main Camp of the Land of Hot Springs outpost soon appeared before the group.
The camp was even larger in scale than the previous Main Camp, with countless Ninjas busily constructing defensive fortifications.
The atmosphere was grim and tense.
The group arrived at the camp's entrance.
The Ninja in charge of registration initially maintained a strictly business-like demeanor.
When his gaze swept over the names on the register, his movements halted.
"Hyuga... Aokawa?" His voice carried a hint of uncertainty.
Aokawa nodded.
The Ninja's attitude instantly transformed into one of utmost respect.
"It's you!"
"The one who single-handedly repelled the Raikage and captured the Two-Tails Jinchuriki..."
This battle report had already spread throughout the entire Front Lines.
"Please wait a moment!"
The Ninja immediately reported it through internal channels.
Soon, a Jonin personally ran out to welcome them inside.
"Everyone has worked hard!"
"We've already prepared the best Barracks for you. Please rest and recuperate first."
"Lord Orochimaru knew you would come and specifically instructed us."
Kurenai Yuhi and the others, enjoying this hero-like treatment, looked somewhat uncomfortable.
But more than that, they felt a sense of shared honor and admiration.
All of this was because of the man walking in their midst.
The group had just settled in the Barracks, not even having had time to drink a sip of water.
A figure silently appeared at the entrance.
"Aokawa."
He spoke in a flat, monotonous tone.
"Lord Orochimaru wishes to see you alone."
Kakashi and the others' expressions changed slightly, and they immediately stood up.
"We..."
"Lord Orochimaru's orders."
The messenger Ninja interrupted Kakashi.
"Only him."
Aokawa waved his hand at his companions, signaling them to relax.
He stood up and calmly looked at the Ninja.
"Lead the way."
The messenger Ninja led the way ahead, his footsteps silent.
Aokawa followed behind, passing through the heavily guarded camp.
The Ninjas along the way, seeing him, instinctively stopped their work, their gazes a mixture of awe and curiosity.
All these eyes fell upon him.
Finally, they stopped before a massive Commander's Tent.
This place was even quieter than others; even the patrolling Ninjas deliberately avoided this area.
The messenger Ninja lifted the tent's door flap, made a "please" gesture, but did not enter himself.
Aokawa stepped inside.
A white figure stood with its back to him, bent over observing an organ soaking in green liquid.
The figure was tall, wearing a Jonin vest.
"You've come."
A hoarse voice echoed within the tent.
Orochimaru slowly turned around.
His golden, vertical pupils, like a snake's, locked firmly onto Aokawa.
"I've heard about your achievements in the rear."
Orochimaru's voice carried a unique magnetism.
"Single-handedly holding off the Two-Tails and the Eight-Tails."
"Very impressive." He extended his tongue, lightly licking his lips.
"Konoha needs to reward a meritorious subject like you."
"However, ordinary Ninjutsu or money probably hold no meaning for a Genius of your caliber."
Orochimaru's gaze seemed to want to see through Aokawa, inside and out.
With a tone of enticement, he slowly said,
"Considering you've been such a great help,"
"You may make one request, something you truly desire."
"Even a personal one is acceptable."
Aokawa did not answer immediately, instead glancing around.
Orochimaru seemed to see through his concerns and waved his hand towards the shadows of the tent.
"All of you, withdraw."
Several barely perceptible presences instantly vanished.
Only the two of them remained inside the entire tent.
The atmosphere grew even more oppressive.
Aokawa remained silent for a moment.
Should he take this opportunity to ask for Sealing Techniques?
But Sealing Techniques could likely be obtained from Minato Namikaze later.
As for Orochimaru...
He needed to get something special from him.
Even if he refused, given his arrogant nature, he would likely disdain to leak the request.
He raised his head, meeting Orochimaru's inhuman eyes directly.
"Lord Orochimaru, I'll get straight to the point then."
"I want..."
"All the research materials on the Bird in a Cage Curse Seal!"
Hearing this request, Orochimaru's expression froze for an instant.
Then, he revealed an amused smile.
"The Caged Bird Seal? That's your Hyuga Clan's affair. You should go to your Hyuga Main Family." He denied it.
"How would I have something like that?"
Aokawa smiled slightly, his tone confident: "I don't believe, Lord Orochimaru, that you wouldn't be interested in a Kekkei Genkai like the Byakugan."
"With your capabilities, I believe you must have researched it."
"And have already achieved considerable results."
Orochimaru's smile grew even wider.
His slender tongue extended once more, slowly gliding over his lips.
"Aokawa-kun."
"You truly are someone who interests me more and more."
A flicker of undisguised interest shone in Orochimaru's golden vertical pupils.
"Correct, I have indeed conducted some research on the Caged Bird Seal." But then he shifted his tone: "However, compared to that boring curse seal that shackles talent,"
"Aokawa-kun, I am far more interested in you personally."
Aokawa's heart skipped a beat.
Orochimaru seemed to see through his thoughts and chuckled hoarsely.
"Ever since I heard about your Kekkei Genkai,"
"I've been curious about you."
"So, I managed to obtain a small sample of you."
Aokawa thought to himself, 'As expected.' Given Orochimaru and Danzo's capabilities, obtaining a bit of his DNA from where he lived wouldn't be difficult.
He had been injured countless times, bled countless times.
If Root was determined, collecting his blood samples would be child's play.
"The research results are... fascinating." Orochimaru licked his lips.
"Your DNA contains no special Bloodline power whatsoever."
"You are a very, very ordinary member of the Hyuga Clan."
He turned around, his vertical pupils fixed intently on Aokawa.
"In fact, if judged solely by Bloodline purity,"
"Your Byakugan purity doesn't even reach the average level of your Hyuga Clan."
Orochimaru took a step closer, his voice filled with the fervor of discovering a new world.
"A Branch Family member with subpar Byakugan purity,"
"Yet possessing Chakra control abilities that even I find astonishing, and an unbelievable learning aptitude."
"Aokawa-kun, that in itself is the most fascinating research subject, isn't it?"
He steered the conversation back to the transaction.
"The Caged Bird Seal materials, I can give them to you."
"But, in exchange..."
"You need to do me a favor."
Orochimaru explained: "Some of my experiments, during their most critical stages,"
"If there was someone with extremely high Chakra control, proficient in Medical Ninjutsu, to perform some extremely precise operations,"
"The success rate of the experiments would greatly increase."
A burning light flickered in Orochimaru's inhuman eyes.
He looked at Aokawa as if gazing upon a perfect work of art, a unique collection piece.
He formally presented his condition.
"All the research materials on the Caged Bird Seal, in exchange for your assistance in one future experiment."
"How about it?"
Assist with an experiment?
Aokawa's mind was crystal clear.
Orochimaru's experiments were always accompanied by extremely high risks.
He looked at Orochimaru; those golden vertical pupils held not a shred of goodwill, only curiosity and scrutiny towards prey.
"Just assisting with an experiment?"
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