At this moment, standing outside the crater, Uzumaki Menma's expression beneath the mask was practically the embodiment of the "subway grandpa looking at phone" meme.
He had only intended to bluff Orochimaru a little—but somehow, through his own twisted logic, Orochimaru had actually reached the conclusion that "Shura" came from the future.
That realization made Menma suddenly remember something important: at this point in time, Orochimaru had not yet performed the Living Corpse Reincarnation.
Menma vaguely recalled that Orochimaru had undergone at least five reincarnations in total. By the time of the Chunin Exams, he had already switched bodies at least twice.
The female body he used then had been highly compatible with his soul, allowing him to exert his full strength. That was why, even after his arms were sealed by Hiruzen Sarutobi, Orochimaru had still felt reluctant to abandon that body.
"Looks like I was a bit too careless myself," Menma thought after reorganizing his memories.
He quickly decided to simply go along with Orochimaru's guess and let him continue filling in the blanks on his own.
"Oh? Then tell me—why haven't I killed you yet?" Menma asked, his tone full of amusement.
Believing he had seen through Shura's secret, Orochimaru's pupils contracted slightly, though a cold, smug smile appeared on his lips.
He slowly straightened his body. Even though the blood churning in his chest made his breathing uneven, he let out a low hiss and spoke like a venomous serpent:
"You know about the Living Corpse Reincarnation. That means you must also know of my contract with Ryuchi Cave and my Cursed Seal techniques. You know full well that ordinary methods can't kill me!"
"Hmm. Go on," Menma replied calmly, still walking toward him.
"Cough… cough…"
Orochimaru coughed weakly. Due to his injuries, he could feel his vitality rapidly draining.
"You are familiar with my abilities, and even more familiar with my research. That means my research must contain something you need—or perhaps something that, in the future, bore fruit!"
As he spoke, Orochimaru became increasingly excited. Among his countless experiments, there must be something that touched upon the ultimate mystery of immortality.
"Hmm…" Menma let out a soft sound from beneath the mask.
"You've guessed some things right—and some things wrong," Menma said, stopping in his tracks to look down at Orochimaru. "But even reaching that conclusion is impressive enough."
"Then let's cooperate!" Orochimaru licked the blood from the corner of his mouth, his voice growing more feverish.
"Your ambitions must be enormous. But with just this level of power, getting me to work for you won't be easy."
He seemed to have regained some confidence, lifting his head proudly as his hair fell over his pale face.
"Cooperation, huh?" Menma raised an eyebrow behind the mask, pretending to consider it.
"You're someone who traveled back from the future. What danger could you possibly fear?" Orochimaru chuckled.
Whether Shura wanted to change the future or conquer the world, Orochimaru didn't care. What he truly coveted was the "future information" Shura possessed. With that, his research could become far more accurate and efficient.
"Tell me what you want from me—what you need me to research—and I will provide it. Of course, on the basis of equivalent exchange," Orochimaru declared confidently.
He knew his greatest advantage lay in forbidden research. From his perspective, he had already gained the upper hand in this negotiation.
But he had no idea that this was exactly what Menma wanted.
Since he couldn't force Orochimaru into loyalty, cooperation was the next best method of utilizing him.
However, Menma certainly couldn't allow Orochimaru to feel like he held the advantage.
"Hmph. Do you really think you're in the superior position here?" Menma's mocking voice drifted toward him.
"The Living Corpse Reincarnation may keep you young, but your power will forever stagnate. In certain aspects, it will even weaken you severely."
At that, Orochimaru's pupils shrank violently.
Although he hadn't yet performed the technique, he had already predicted several flaws. Two of them in particular:
First, the new body had to be highly compatible with his soul.
Second, after performing it, he wouldn't be able to use it again for several years.
"Is it… a problem with the soul?" Orochimaru asked, deducing the greatest weakness from Shura's few words alone.
"You're very sharp, Orochimaru," Menma replied without denying it.
Even if he told him, so what? Would Orochimaru give up the technique? Impossible.
With his current injuries and aging body, Orochimaru was already on the path of decline. Without replacing his body, he would only grow weaker.
For someone obsessed with immortality, watching himself grow old was unbearable.
"Then you must know how to solve it!" Orochimaru blurted out—before abruptly stopping himself.
He realized he had already fallen into a disadvantageous position.
For the third time, he felt like he had been played.
Yet this time, instead of anger, Orochimaru began to laugh.
"You took the Hashirama Cells from me, but you might not be able to research Wood Release on your own. Why not let me research them for you?" Orochimaru proposed.
"Just like how I cooperated with Danzo."
When he said "Danzo," his tone deliberately grew heavier.
"Not enough," Menma replied simply.
Orochimaru frowned. "Then what do you want? What price must I pay?"
Shura held invaluable future knowledge—especially about his own research. Orochimaru was desperate to obtain it. But since he couldn't defeat him, negotiation was his only option.
And in this trade, Shura clearly held the power to set the terms.
It was a position Orochimaru hated.
Yet Shura said something that hit him harder than any attack:
"Right now, you have no value to me."
Cloning technology, genetic modification, Sharingan transplantation, cell fusion—at this point in time, Orochimaru had not yet fully mastered any of them.
Even projects like Shin Uchiha and the clones were likely developed after he defected from Akatsuki and established Otogakure.
And the most valuable asset—Hashirama Cells—was already in Menma's hands.
Orochimaru froze, remembering how Shura had stolen them from him.
"Seems I really shouldn't have handed over those cells so easily…" he muttered darkly.
Now, in this "cooperation," Orochimaru had completely lost the upper hand.
"W-what… happened here…?"
Just as Menma and Orochimaru were engaged in their "friendly discussion," Yukimi slowly walked in, trembling at the sight of the massive crater.
"Yukimi!" Kakashi and Yamato quickly followed her inside.
The moment Kakashi saw the masked man—and Orochimaru standing in the pit—his entire body tensed. He immediately drew a kunai.
"Orochimaru!"
Yamato also recognized him and stepped protectively in front of Yukimi.
As for Danzo's mission? He had already completely forgotten about it.
"Tsk tsk… Kakashi… and… 'Tenzo,'" Orochimaru sneered as he climbed out of the pit, eyes gleaming with fascination as he looked at Yamato.
His creation.
Stolen by Danzo.
A masterpiece he had lost.
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