"Just assisting with experiments?" Aokawa repeated, not responding immediately. Orochimaru's golden vertical pupils gleamed with inquiry, the atmosphere tense.
"Of course." Orochimaru's voice was hoarse. He then shifted the topic: "Some experiments require in-depth observation of the research subject."
His gaze lingered on Aokawa.
"If we could obtain more direct data from you, the success rate of the experiments would increase significantly."
Aokawa's face was calm, but his internal vigilance heightened.
He knew Orochimaru's experiments were never ordinary.
Helping others with their experiments and being the subject of experiments yourself were two entirely different matters.
"I have a habit," Aokawa's voice was steady and firm.
"I dislike others interfering with my body, even a little bit."
Orochimaru's mouth split into a dry, raspy laugh: "Aokawa-kun is very cautious. That's good."
"I can guarantee those experiments pose no direct danger whatsoever."
Aokawa said nothing.
He understood clearly that Orochimaru's 'no direct danger' often implied indirect, long-term, or unforeseen dangers he himself couldn't anticipate.
He did not want to compromise on such matters.
"I refuse!" Aokawa suddenly turned and strode towards the tent exit.
Although having Orochimaru's Caged Bird Seal research materials would make his own study of the Caged Bird Seal much smoother...
There was no need to agree to participate in human experimentation for that, especially when he himself would be the subject.
Seeing Aokawa walk away without a backward glance, a flicker passed through Orochimaru's gaze, and he uttered a low syllable: "Wait!"
His figure blurred, instantly appearing in front of Aokawa.
A slender hand reached out, aiming to rest on Aokawa's shoulder.
The next moment!
Aokawa's figure blurred momentarily, and a gust of wind lifted Orochimaru's long hair.
Immediately after, Aokawa's voice came from behind him: "Lord Orochimaru... You say I'm cautious in nature, so why..."
"...would I dare to come and make a deal with you?"
The smile froze on Orochimaru's face, his hand hanging in the air. After a long pause, he suddenly laughed again: "Aokawa-kun, you are truly an interesting person. No wonder you could go toe-to-toe with the Eight-Tails."
He slowly lowered his hand and turned around.
Looking at the upright, handsome young man behind him, a flash of surprise crossed his golden vertical pupils.
He abandoned the idea of experimenting on Aokawa.
But his interest in Aokawa remained intense.
"Regarding the experiments, since you are unwilling to be the subject, there's no need to force it. If you have time, come visit my laboratory and lend a hand. That will suffice."
Orochimaru spoke, the corners of his mouth stretching into a grin that reached his ears.
He extended his slender tongue, which was coiled around a tightly sealed scroll covered in talismans, still dripping with some sticky fluid, and offered it to Aokawa.
Aokawa remained motionless at the sight. Orochimaru chuckled, "Aokawa-kun is indeed very cautious!"
"About the experiments, you can decide later whether to help or not. I'm giving you the scroll. I'm also very curious to see how far you can progress with the Caged Bird Seal, something even I couldn't decipher, in your hands."
"Deal." Aokawa reached out his hand, then suddenly noticed the sticky fluid on it.
Frowning, a small Water Release technique instantly materialized around his hand, coating it with rapidly swirling water. He took the scroll, and the water flow, upon contact, washed away all the sticky fluid cleanly and precisely.
Watching Aokawa's actions, Orochimaru inwardly sighed in admiration. *Truly a Medical Ninja who can condense Chakra into a Spirit Bow. His Chakra control is extremely precise.*
Aokawa stored the scroll in his Ninja Tools pouch: "Thank you, Lord Orochimaru. Regarding your request for assistance with experiments, if it's normal scientific research, I would be happy to help you out."
After speaking, Aokawa turned and walked out of the tent.
Simultaneously, he silently added in his heart: "As for what's 'normal,' I'll be the judge of that."
Behind him, Orochimaru watched him leave the tent, a mysterious curve forming at the corner of his mouth.
Stepping out of the commander's tent.
The tent flap fell behind him, cutting off that chilling gaze.
Aokawa did not look back.
He could feel Orochimaru's gaze still clinging to his back, full of probing curiosity.
*Truly the most dangerous person in Konoha.*
If he had recklessly come to make a deal with Orochimaru without sufficient strength...
He would probably have been devoured without a trace left.
Strength is the most solid foundation for any transaction.
For the sake of the Caged Bird Seal, he had no choice but to deal with someone like Orochimaru.
But to break free from the cage on his forehead, it was all worth it.
The gazes of the Ninja along the way remained complex.
Awe, curiosity, scrutiny.
Aokawa ignored it all and walked straight towards the Barracks assigned to them.
Pushing open the door.
The air inside the Barracks instantly tensed.
Kakashi, Kurenai Yuhi, and the others immediately gathered around.
"Aokawa, how did it go?"
"Lord Orochimaru summoned you... did anything happen?"
Kurenai Yuhi's face was etched with worry.
"It's fine."
Aokawa waved his hand, expression calm.
"Just a routine post-battle debriefing, with some rewards given as well."
He found a relatively quiet corner, sat down leaning against the wall, and closed his eyes.
Seeing he seemed tired, his teammates didn't press further and dispersed to their own Barracks to rest.
After everyone had left, Aokawa reached into his Ninja Tools pouch and slowly pulled out the scroll.
Right at that moment.
*Bang!*
The Barracks door was violently slammed open.
A figure rushed in, carrying an air of urgency.
It was Hinata Iruha.
His face was pale, his breathing ragged. His eyes swept the room and immediately locked onto Aokawa in the corner.
He rushed the few steps to Aokawa.
"Aokawa!"
His voice was hushed but carried an unmistakable, irrepressible panic.
"The clan... there's an urgent matter!"
Aokawa's pupils contracted slightly, and he inconspicuously pushed the scroll back into his pouch.
He looked up at Hinata Iruha.
Hinata Iruha leaned down, bringing his mouth close to Aokawa's ear.
"The Clan Head has a message for you."
In a volume only the two of them could hear, he slowly and deliberately relayed a single sentence.
"The general in the field need not obey all orders!"
"'The general in the field need not obey all orders?'" Aokawa looked up at Hinata Iruha, puzzled. "Nothing else?"
"Nothing else!" Hinata Iruha shook his head. "The Clan Head couldn't contact you directly, so he ordered me to convey this message to you as quickly as possible."
Aokawa nodded.
It seemed something had happened within the clan.
He had long heard that after Hyuga Hiashi took office, he had been vying for power, both openly and covertly, with the Main Family Elders who originally held regency.
But since Hyuga Hiashi later secured his position in the original story, he presumably won this political struggle.
Being sent a message specifically by name, yet without clear explanation...
That left only one possibility: this was an internal clan matter, not something to be stated plainly.
And simultaneously! The source that triggered this matter... was himself!
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