Naruto left a letter and quietly departed.
Within half a day, the two of them arrived in the Land of Rice Fields, at the Sound Ninja Village.
"Naruto-kun is here again," Kabuto Yakushi greeted them at the entrance of the village. However, he was not surprised by Naruto's visit just days after his last, "Have you already heard the news?"
Naruto was taken aback.
What news?
"Naruto-kun doesn't know?" Kabuto seemed a bit surprised instead, "I thought you came to see Lord Orochimaru about this."
"Something related to me?" Naruto squinted his eyes.
Kabuto smiled slightly: "You'll find out when you meet him. For now, consider it an unopened surprise."
"Please, follow me."
This time, rather than taking Naruto to the Sound Ninja's conference room, Kabuto led him through a secluded cabin, making several turns to a subterranean entrance.
"The snake's den, huh," Naruto chuckled softly, "Orochimaru's really trusting me now, isn't he?"
Kabuto shook his head: "Lord Orochimaru recently found out that the Uzumaki clan possesses a secret technique known as 'Kagura's Mind Eye.'"
"Coupled with your powerful sensory abilities,"
"Lord Orochimaru feels it's better to be straightforward with you, since you'll know it regardless of whether it's said or not."
As he spoke, he opened a door.
The path underground was cold and dark, though not damp.
They navigated more twists and turns.
Kabuto stopped in front of a door and knocked respectfully: "Lord Orochimaru, Naruto-kun is here."
Inside, came a muffled response: "Naruto-kun, come on in."
The door slid open.
Orochimaru was exposed to the gaze of the three of them.
He stood in front of a laboratory table, his mouth opened wide like a snake's jaws, each tooth extending a fine chakra thread, simultaneously controlling two puppets while dissecting a body on the table.
"Long time no see, Naruto-kun, here you are again." Orochimaru grinned, squeezing out a smile, "I heard you made quite a scene in the Land of Fire during your transformation into a tailed beast. Was the Nine-Tails troublesome again?"
Naruto said nothing.
An old-sounding voice came from his shoulder: "Naruto, you should kill this guy."
"How dare you speak to me like that."
"Foul, creeping creature!"
As the words left his mouth, a bolt of white lightning struck.
It crashed into one of the puppets, flames engulfing it, charred and split as the chakra strings snapped, rendering it useless, collapsing to the ground with a crack.
Only then did Orochimaru notice the small creature on Naruto's shoulder.
A fox with nine tails, fur fluffy and a fiery red hue.
A fierce aura emanated from it, bringing an oppressive presence that was by no means inferior to Naruto's.
"The Nine-Tails?" he said in disbelief.
Naruto nodded, "Yes, Orochimaru, your current state is truly disgusting, tone it down a bit."
The Nine-Tails bared its teeth and waved its tails back and forth.
"It's truly fascinating, the technology that allows a Tailed Beast to break free from its Jinchuriki." Orochimaru twirled his tongue, severing the chakra strings caught between his teeth, "But I doubt Naruto-kun came here for that."
Kabuto Yakushi entered the room, packing away the two puppets.
"Kabuto, go bring the person over," he instructed the silver-haired man.
Kabuto complied.
"Though I don't quite understand what you two are misunderstanding," Naruto shook his head, continuing, "I'm here this time for the experimental equipment."
Orochimaru paused.
Naruto went on, "And I also wish to gather some information on exceptionally evil ninjas."
Orochimaru, deep in thought, glanced at the lab table behind him and let out a chuckle, "Has Naruto-kun developed an interest in human experimentation?"
"After all, the human body holds many secrets."
"But why make it so complicated?"
"My laboratory is at Naruto-kun's disposal anytime."
Naruto's tone turned cold, "What I intend to do is not the same as what you're doing."
"An incantation technique." Orochimaru extended his tongue, licking his lips greedily, "Name your price, I'll provide as much as you need in exchange."
Naruto did not reply, walking to the lab table.
The research material lying atop it emanated a power he found familiar.
It wasn't chakra, but a power originating from the soul.
"You managed to achieve this level just with those few techniques?" Naruto pulled a research record towards him, eyes scanning the words written on it.
He had to admit, Orochimaru was a genius.
Only by using three Kido spells, he had already delved into the concept of "soul power" and even achieved some research results.
Of course, in Naruto's eyes, these findings were quite simplistic, even containing several errors.
There was no comparison with the research done by the Twelfth Division.
Even when compared to some courses at Shin'ō Academy, these findings were unimpressive.
However, considering he had only gotten to know "Kido" for a year, and in this world, with the existence of "Pure Land"—a mystical power affecting the soul where deceased souls couldn't remain—it's quite remarkable how such research could sprout and grow.
Including the puppet technique just demonstrated using teeth, while it still utilized "chakra,"
undeniably, it was developed on a foundation of "Kido," as a "signless" technique.
Given more time, what could he achieve?
Orochimaru boasted, "For someone like me, sometimes all it takes is a spark of inspiration to accomplish many things."
"Indeed."
"The more such inspirations, the better."
Naruto reached out, placing his hand on the table, crafting a summoning spell.
Orochimaru's eyes lit up.
"The technique Naruto-kun just used," Orochimaru leaned in, "is it an improvement on the Summoning Jutsu?"
"How did you do it?"
He asked, filled with a greedy desire for knowledge.
In the past year, he had also attempted to modify the ninjutsu he originally mastered, but except for those techniques that were developed with "signless" methods in mind, all other modifications ended in failure, especially those learned from others which required seals.
Although Kabuto could substitute his hands, still... that wasn't truly his own.
It's also possible to pre-engrave these techniques on one's hands, but that's too rigid, the cost is sacrificing "tactical flexibility.
He thought modification was impossible.
But Naruto's demonstration had opened his eyes.
Without forming seals, without preparation, or even a word of incantation, he just used it directly.
This was exactly the result he desired the most.
Naruto smiled cheerfully, "I've already prepared the payment for this deal."
He dodged Orochimaru's probing questions.
The man in front of him, who was as snake-like in manner as he appeared, was as dangerous as Mayuri Kurotsuchi, if not more so.
While the Seireitei had a Head Captain to maintain order, and even Mayuri knew to limit himself so as not to cross too many lines, no one restrained Orochimaru.
Naruto had gained experience in dealing with these "mad scientists"; persuasion proved futile, and direct action was ineffective.
Their moral compass was utterly alien to normal concepts of ethics.
Only by presenting something that piqued their curiosity could you keep them engaged.
"Naruto-kun is truly—" Orochimaru's tongue flicked as he swallowed the scroll whole, "I'll have Kabuto prepare what you want shortly."
"I haven't neglected my research on the Reaper Death Seal," he chuckled wickedly. "I'm really looking forward to our next exchange."
Naruto watched him with a smile.
Kurama felt a surge of disdain, a discomfort churning in his stomach.
He recalled his own careless dietary habits of the past.
It certainly wasn't a good habit.
Just then, Kabuto Yakushi returned with someone in tow.
"Orochimaru, have you decided what you're going to teach me?" An impatient voice rang out before the owner had even entered the room.
But as the youth stepped inside, his voice trailed off.
"Sasuke," Naruto expressed surprise.
Now he understood why Kabuto had made those remarks upon their first encounter.
He never expected to reunite with Sasuke in such a place.
"Naruto?" Sasuke was even more shocked. "What are you doing here?"
Orochimaru licked his lips, leaning forward, "Naruto-kun and I are nothing less than intimate collaborators."
Naruto interrupted coldly, cutting through the conversation with a merciless retort, "He holds some value, which is why I've come to deal with him. Nothing more."
"Once he loses that value,"
"or his danger outweighs his worth,"
"I will kill him again."
Orochimaru clicked his tongue, "We've met so many times, yet not even a hint of camaraderie has arisen?"
"Who would have feelings for an ugly cold-blooded creature," came Kurama's unabashed mockery, "especially one like you."
"Such narcissism for a limbless reptile," Naruto nodded in agreement.
Orochimaru turned to scrutinize Kurama.
To be honest, it was his first encounter with a Tailed Beast in such a manner.
Was this fox's mouth always this foul?
Was it also a bit petty?
"Why are you here?" Naruto inquired.
Sasuke turned his head, his voice icy, "I've given up on my illusions about Konoha."
"And there's nowhere else for me to go."
"Orochimaru is the only one who can meet my demands."
Naruto glanced at Orochimaru, "He's not a good guy."
"I know," Sasuke nodded slightly, unafraid, "but so what? He can give me power."
"Do you know what he wants?" Naruto asked.
Sasuke also looked towards Orochimaru, "The moment I arrived yesterday, Orochimaru told me."
"He wants my body."
"This body with the Sharingan."
His tone was calm, without any turmoil, "It's a fair trade."
"I have what I want to gain from him."
"He has something he wants from me too."
Naruto spoke softly, "Is that so? Is this your choice?"
Sasuke nodded slightly.
(End of Chapter)