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Although it was a master-disciple relationship, it felt quite ironic.
"Oh?" Orochimaru's brow furrowed slightly. Shinji's words seemed to imply... he knew certain things.
"Speaking of which, Lord Orochimaru."
"Hmm?"
"The documents you saw on Hiruzen Sarutobi's desk today... you probably didn't get in through legitimate means, did you?" Shinji looked at Orochimaru with a half-smile.
Based on his understanding of Orochimaru, there was only one reason Orochimaru would enter the Hokage's office now.
The Scroll of Seals!
The full moon hung high in the sky, its bright light filtering through the window. Although the All-Purpose Shop was brightly lit, everything seemed somewhat illusory.
"Oh? Boss Shinji seems to understand me quite well," Orochimaru's mouth split into a wide grin, his tongue flicking rapidly.
"I've looked into it a bit, but... I have to say, Lord Orochimaru truly is a very qualified worker," Shinji remarked teasingly.
"Worker?"
"Lord Orochimaru, since becoming a ninja until now, you've completed 521 B-rank missions, 491 A-rank missions, and even reached 108 S-rank missions. Your total completed mission count is as high as 1468..."
Shinji rattled off the numbers as if reciting family treasures. The more he spoke, the stranger Orochimaru's expression became. A ninja's mission count was considered top-secret information.
Aside from the ninja themselves and the agency responsible for assigning missions, outsiders generally wouldn't know these details.
Yet now, Shinji could state his mission count without error. It had to be said, the source of this information...
Was somewhat terrifying.
"What does this have to do with me being a worker?"
"Don't be hasty, Lord Orochimaru. Listen to the next set of data before you speak," Shinji interrupted Orochimaru directly.
"216 B-rank, 323 A-rank, 39 S-rank, a total of 847 missions completed in his career. Lord Orochimaru, do you know whose data this is?" Shinji tilted his head, looking at Orochimaru with playful eyes.
"Whose?"
"The Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze," Shinji stated the name calmly.
"Minato~ So it was Minato's," Orochimaru seemed completely unfazed, even managing a slight smile when Minato's name was mentioned.
"Yes, the Minato who snatched the Hokage position from you~" Shinji smiled, looking at Orochimaru's profile. Sure enough, a flicker of unnaturalness crossed his face.
"It was fair competition. How can you call it snatching?" Orochimaru chuckled, tilting his neck slightly.
"Fair? Lord Orochimaru worked a 996 schedule only to have someone else reap the rewards~" Shinji felt a bit sorry for Orochimaru.
After so many years of diligent work, being so close to the Hokage position, only to have it taken by Minato Namikaze – wouldn't anyone feel uncomfortable in that situation?
Moreover, he was essentially backstabbed by his own teacher.
Speaking of which, Orochimaru really was the most dedicated employee. The first thing he did every day upon waking was frantically undertake missions to generate income for the village.
However, the treatment of veteran employees...
"Fufufu, truly interesting, Boss Shinji. You're making me more and more interested in you," Orochimaru seemed highly intrigued, his gaze never leaving Shinji's body.
"Apologies, Lord Orochimaru, but I have no interest in men," Shinji said with a look of disgust.
Although Zhongli had previously used the identity of the Geo Queen... meaning he had cross-dressed, but...
Ahem.
"Oh?"
"Lord Orochimaru, your... dealings with Danzō... are about to be discovered, aren't they?" Shinji looked at Orochimaru, who was still trying to change the subject, and directly brought the matter to light.
Vwoom!!!
Orochimaru's aura changed instantly. An overwhelming, ferocious pressure enveloped Shinji.
It seemed to carry an unstoppable momentum!
But the next second, just as the pressure was about to engulf Shinji, a golden light suddenly erupted from his body!
It completely blocked Orochimaru's imposing aura.
[Function 3: Within the All-Purpose Shop, the Host possesses three uses of Invincible Golden Body per day (immune to damage). Current uses: 2/3]
Yes!
Shinji had directly activated the third function of the All-Purpose Shop!
Invincible Golden Body!
Once activated, this function lasted for 1 minute each time. During this minute, Shinji would not take any damage!
In other words! It was like using Zhonya's Hourglass...
"Fufufu, truly an interesting ability," Orochimaru remarked, looking at the golden light surrounding Shinji, as if he wasn't the one who had just unleashed that terrifying aura.
Instead, Orochimaru watched Shinji with keen interest. This ninjutsu, something he had never seen before, intrigued him, the man who desired to collect all the ninjutsu in the world.
"Lord Orochimaru, please don't demonstrate your aura so freely in my shop. My frail body cannot withstand it," Shinji said, seemingly unfazed and not angered at all.
Instead, he looked at Orochimaru with a light chuckle.
"Cut it out, Boss Shinji. As if you couldn't withstand it," Orochimaru didn't believe Shinji's words at all. Although he had only unleashed his aura just now.
This aura was already comparable to some minor ninjutsu. Someone with weak willpower wouldn't fare so well against it.
"That might not be certain. Drink your tea." Shinji seemed completely unaffected, casually refilling Orochimaru's teacup.
Orochimaru stared intently at Shinji, his yellow, vertical pupils making his thoughts unreadable.
"In that case, does Boss Shinji have any other information?" After a long pause, Orochimaru finally picked up his teacup and took a sip.
"Information? Regarding you, Danzō should have already revealed some things to your good teacher."
Shinji mused that around this time, Danzō would have already leaked some of Orochimaru's information to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Danzō had originally intended to prevent Hiruzen from directly appointing Orochimaru as Hokage, hoping to smoothly succeed Minato Namikaze as the Fifth Hokage himself. He hadn't expected this.
The information he provided about Orochimaru not only failed to secure his own position but actually accelerated Hiruzen Sarutobi's return to serve as the Third Hokage again.
This was something Danzō hadn't foreseen.
However, Danzō still had backup plans. He intended to use Orochimaru's series of human experiments to damage Hiruzen Sarutobi's reputation. If successful, the ensuing public outrage would surely force Hiruzen to step down due to public opinion.
Then, it would be Danzō's next chance.
"Oh?" Waves had already begun to stir within Orochimaru's heart.
Why had Orochimaru gone to Hiruzen Sarutobi's office these past few days? Besides the Scroll of Seals, there was another important reason.
He sensed wariness and distrust in Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes.
Orochimaru was already highly perceptive of others' feelings. Hiruzen had only slightly revealed his distrust, and Orochimaru could already roughly guess.
Some of his affairs must have been sold out to Hiruzen Sarutobi by Danzō.
However, Orochimaru still needed to visit Hiruzen Sarutobi's office to understand the specific operational details.
This was what prompted Orochimaru to see the file concerning Shinji in Hiruzen Sarutobi's office.
"But... Lord Orochimaru, immortality... is a very fascinating field of research, isn't it?" Shinji's fingers tapped continuously on the coffee table, the rhythmic sound echoing throughout the All-Purpose Shop.
"That is indeed a profound subject. Why, does Boss Shinji himself have such needs?" Despite Shinji revealing his greatest secret, Orochimaru seemed completely unfazed, instead starting to discuss it with Shinji.
"Not really. Those who live too long can only seek out former comrades and past scenery in their memories. Wouldn't you agree, Lord Orochimaru?" Shinji looked at Orochimaru with a smile.
Immortality might seem like a wonderful thing to those newly encountering the concept, but to Shinji, who had seen so many movies and anime about immortality.
Immortality was more like a shackle, a somewhat despairing one.
"Fufufu, immortality is utterly captivating. It signifies infinite knowledge and infinite power. Past scenery in memories? Those are merely fleeting clouds."
Orochimaru wouldn't be dissuaded from his pursuit of immortality by Shinji's few words.
"In that case, I wonder if Lord Orochimaru knows of a technique called... Living Corpse Reincarnation?" Shinji looked playfully at Orochimaru.
This technique would arguably be created by Orochimaru in a few years, but right now, Orochimaru likely only had the basic concept.
"Living Corpse Reincarnation?" As expected, a hint of confusion appeared on Orochimaru's face.
"I can give you the concept, but as for the subsequent details... that will depend on you," Shinji said. Less than a year remained before Orochimaru's defection from Konoha.
If he could entice Orochimaru to visit the All-Purpose Shop more often, it would be very beneficial for Shinji's points.
"I didn't expect Boss Shinji to be a fellow traveler on this path. I wish to hear the details." Only now did Orochimaru truly regard Shinji with higher esteem.
"Lord Orochimaru, you can transfer your spirit into someone else's body (essentially taking it over), the so-called vessel, thereby obtaining eternal life through this ninjutsu."
Shinji slowly described some features of the Living Corpse Reincarnation, seemingly oblivious to how Orochimaru's eyes were growing brighter and brighter.
"Fufufu, truly a viable method. Then, allow me to ask presumptuously, Boss Shinji, are those two children your targets for Living Corpse Reincarnation?"
Orochimaru's gaze suddenly shifted towards the upstairs direction where Karin and Deidara had just gone.
"I wouldn't use such a method. However, Lord Orochimaru, allow me to offer you a piece of advice first." Shinji suddenly straightened up, his pitch-black eyes reflecting Orochimaru's image.
"Oh? Please speak, Boss Shinji."
"This method causes significant damage to the soul... you know," a strange smile played on Shinji's lips. In the future, Orochimaru's soul would be damaged, and his mental strength greatly reduced due to excessive use of Living Corpse Reincarnation.
The ultimate result was...
Orochimaru falling prey to Itachi Uchiha's Sharingan, becoming obsessed with pursuing Sasuke Uchiha's body.
"Oh?" Orochimaru hadn't extensively researched the human soul yet; his focus was still primarily on the physical body.
However, this didn't stop Orochimaru from suddenly becoming interested in this direction.
Suddenly.
The clock in the All-Purpose Shop struck 22 times.
"It's ten PM, Lord Orochimaru. My little shop is about to close," Shinji glanced at the clock on the wall. It was already ten; time for bed.
"Fufufu, so early?" Orochimaru seemed reluctant to leave just yet.
"The market stalls are closed, and the bustling docks have fallen asleep. Go rest."
[Ding!]
[Spoke Zhongli's golden phrase. Proficiency increased by 0.1%]
[Current Roleplay Progress: 10.7%]
Shinji checked the system prompt. Today's gains were quite good; he had already reached 10.7%.
"In that case, I won't disturb Boss Shinji any longer. However, today's conversation with Boss Shinji was very agreeable. I hope I can impose again next time."
Seeing the situation, Orochimaru stood up directly from the chair, reverting to his initially guarded appearance.
"Since my All-Purpose Shop is open for business, I wouldn't consider Lord Orochimaru's visit an imposition."
"Fufufu, is the payment placed here?" Orochimaru looked towards the cash box nearby. If nothing unexpected happened, this should be the place Hiruzen Sarutobi mentioned for receiving money.
"Yes. According to the All-Purpose Shop's rules, any payment is acceptable," Shinji didn't look at Orochimaru, instead starting to bend down and tidy up the teacups.
"In that case... Fufufu, I'll use this as payment," Orochimaru chuckled lightly, then placed an item in the cash box and departed.
"What did he give that made him laugh like that..." Shinji stood up somewhat puzzled and walked over to the cash box. He reached in and picked up the item Orochimaru had left.
It was a small syringe. Inside the syringe was a small vial of bright green liquid, giving off a strange feeling.
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> Check my: [email protected]/ShixT9 for extra 60 Chapters
> Each 50 Spirit Stones I will release an extra chapter
> If a member joins my p@treon
> Tier 1 = 20 Advance Chapters +1 Extra Chapter + Shoutout
> Tier 2 = 40 Advance Chapters + 2 Extra Chapters + Shoutout
> Tier 3 = 60 Advance Chapters + 4 Extra Chapters + Shoutout
A review will also be greatly appreciated ^•^