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"Yes, Boss Shinji mentioned he is the Third Tsuchikage's student, Deidara." After communicating with Shinji, Shisui knew that Shinji wasn't hiding anything about Deidara's identity.
"It really is him..." Hiruzen Sarutobi puffed on his pipe, the acrid smoke almost completely filling the Hokage's office.
...
"Record their activities as well. I want all the intelligence. This is your mission," Hiruzen Sarutobi stated calmly. Ōnoki didn't know yet that Deidara was in Konoha, meaning Hiruzen currently held the advantage. If he could exchange Deidara for corresponding benefits... it seemed like a decent option. As for Karin... her identity as an Uzumaki clan member couldn't be confirmed yet, so further investigation was needed.
"I understand." Shisui accepted the mission directly. If he carried out this mission, it would at least benefit Shinji somewhat. However, if Shisui refused, it wouldn't be good for himself, for Shinji, or even for the entire Uchiha clan.
"Alright, that's the mission content. You may leave, Shisui. This is the mission scroll. The time limit... is one month." Seeing Shisui accept the mission, Hiruzen Sarutobi took out the prepared mission scroll and placed it on the desk.
"Yes, Lord Hokage." Shisui stood up, nodded slightly, took a step forward, and picked up the mission scroll from the desk. Then, with a Body Flicker, he vanished from the Hokage's office.
...
"Haru," Hiruzen Sarutobi said softly towards the direction Shisui had left.
"Lord Hokage." An ANBU-attired ninja suddenly vaulted in through the window.
"Your mission is, without being detected by Shisui Uchiha, to comprehensively evaluate the completion of Shisui Uchiha's mission this time, including the mission report he submits afterward." Hiruzen Sarutobi exhaled a thick cloud of smoke, his eyes filled with calculating light.
"Yes! Lord Hokage! May I ask if this includes everything?" The ANBU named Haru hesitated before asking.
"Everything, including the people he interacts with daily," Hiruzen Sarutobi replied calmly.
"Understood!" With a flicker, Haru vanished from the Hokage's office.
...
"Kagami's son, hmm? Hehe, I hope you don't disappoint me... Uchiha... Shisui..."
The depths of winter. Konoha, approaching the New Year, was covered in silvery snowflakes. However, the usual joyous atmosphere of the New Year was absent. Although decorations and lanterns were hung everywhere, the faces of the villagers lacked the usual festive cheer. Instead, everyone hurried along as if being chased. Moreover, children were nowhere to be seen on the streets, seemingly all kept indoors. And various ninja frequently passed through the streets, each carrying an air of grim determination. The only things reflecting the Spring Festival atmosphere were the colorful decorations on the houses.
"Relations with Kumogakure seem to have become even more tense, Lord Orochimaru," Inside the All-Purpose Shop, Shinji and Orochimaru sat opposite each other. Firewood burned fiercely in the nearby fireplace, bringing a touch of warmth to the shop. Although for people of Shinji and Orochimaru's level, such comforts were largely unnecessary.
"Of course. Given Fourth Raikage A's explosive temper, this is a perfect opportunity for attack. Hiss, this mutton stew is delicious." Orochimaru held a bowl of warm mutton stew, happily savoring the delicacy Shinji had prepared. At another table, Deidara and Karin were also enjoying their mutton stew immensely, though the fist mark on Deidara's face wasn't particularly attractive.
Over the past half-month, Orochimaru had been visiting the All-Purpose Shop more and more frequently. And compared to before, Orochimaru seemed increasingly relaxed each time, as if his experiments were progressing significantly.
"However, Lord Orochimaru doesn't need to go to the battlefield?" Shinji picked up his bowl and drank the remaining mutton broth in one go. Instantly, a wave of warmth swept through his body, seemingly making him feel warmer in the cold winter.
"Hehe, Boss Shinji, do you think my esteemed teacher would let me go to the battlefield?" Orochimaru's yellow, vertical pupils reflected Shinji's image as he spoke playfully.
"That's true. But... aren't you going to flee yet?" Shinji put down his bowl. Seeing his action, Karin quickly ran over, took the bowl, and refilled it for Shinji.
"Me? Flee from what?" Orochimaru seemed completely unperturbed, as if these matters had nothing to do with him.
"The rumors about you have increased quite a bit lately," Shinji said calmly, accepting the bowl Karin handed him.
"Then where did these rumors come from, Boss Shinji? You should know this better than I do, right?" Orochimaru smiled, picking up a piece of mutton to savor. Ever since eating Shinji's cooking once, Orochimaru now basically chose to come over during meal times. Why not enjoy a free meal?
"They couldn't possibly all come from Lord Danzō, right?" Shinji looked out the window at the still-falling snow. It really was beautiful. Just that not many people were appreciating it properly.
"Indeed. They couldn't possibly all come from Danzō," Orochimaru chuckled. Conversations with intelligent people were quite pleasant. Over the past half-month, Konoha wasn't just filled with talk about Kumogakure; there were also matters concerning Orochimaru. And to spread rumors to this extent, Danzō alone clearly wasn't enough. Hiruzen Sarutobi's shadow was involved in these matters, both overtly and covertly!
"Then, hasn't Lord Orochimaru thought about his escape route?"
"Escape route? That matter is indeed a bit troublesome," Orochimaru licked his lips, a strange glint flashing in his eyes. His experiment was about to reach the most critical stage. Orochimaru didn't want to leave Konoha prematurely at this time. Moreover, if he left just like that, many experiments would have to be restarted. This was something Orochimaru didn't want to see.
"Why, could the great Cold Lord Orochimaru, one of the Sannin of Konoha, also have troubles?" Shinji asked teasingly.
"Well, of course. How can one live in this world without troubles?"
"Is it some bond you can't take with you?" Shinji looked at Orochimaru with a smile, a playful look in his eyes.
"Bonds? Hehe, how could I possibly have such things that hold me back?" Orochimaru sneered coldly, seemingly scoffing at Shinji's words.
"Oh~ Then... if you leave, what about your little apprentice, Anko?" Shinji remembered that Orochimaru had brought Anko along the last few times he visited. (PS: Anko was born in Konoha Year 36. It is currently the transition between Year 48-49. Anko became Orochimaru's apprentice at age 10 and has been with him for 3 years.)
"Anko, hmm? Hehe, she's quite a good experimental subject," Orochimaru merely frowned slightly upon hearing Anko's name, but it passed quickly, and he spoke lightly soon after.
"Oh... is that so." Shinji didn't look at Orochimaru, instead glancing towards Karin, who was currently fighting with Deidara over the last bowl of mutton stew. Of course, Deidara quickly lost. It wasn't a matter of strength, but Karin's natural assertiveness (towards outsiders).
"Fufufu, however... I happen to need Boss Shinji's help with something," Orochimaru seemed somewhat caught off guard by Shinji's comment, coughing twice to change the subject.
"Oh, what is it?"
"If... that day truly comes... I hope Boss Shinji, for the sake of our acquaintance... will let... cough cough, help me leave Konoha." Orochimaru avoided Shinji's gaze, looking instead at the white snow outside the window.
"How do you know I will definitely help you?" Shinji smiled playfully. He knew this wasn't what Orochimaru truly wanted his help with.
"Intuition."
"Then, contracts are always two-way. Do you wish... to sign a contract with me?" A faint golden light seemed to flash in Shinji's pupils. The seemingly free contract signed with Minato Namikaze earlier still had follow-up measures to claim corresponding benefits. After all, Minato Namikaze still had chakra remaining in Naruto's body, which was an excellent way to obtain payment. But Orochimaru... he had even more good things...
"A contract?" Orochimaru became interested. This novel feeling of mutual commitment made Orochimaru feel an impulse to agree immediately.
"Yes, a contract." Light surged in Shinji's hand, eventually solidifying into a Star Rock.
"Once signed, there will be a pact between us. Since we will share a bond through this 'Contract'—then anything within its scope can be discussed with me. Of course, you must pay the corresponding price." The Star Rock in Shinji's hand shimmered, its light reflecting in Orochimaru's eyes.
"Truly an intoxicating color," Orochimaru stared at the Star Rock in Shinji's hand, fascination flickering in his yellow pupils.
"Then what price must I pay?" Orochimaru reached out, picked up the Star Rock from Shinji's hand, and examined it. The strange power contained within the Star Rock made him feel intoxicated.
"Hashirama Senju's cell fluid. I want a higher grade," Shinji chuckled lightly. This was the most suitable item for Shinji. It could be directly converted into points, and moreover, if he were to help Orochimaru leave Konoha, his temporary roleplay card would likely need to be used. But in the point shop, the temporary roleplay card was worth 1000 points. Meaning, the item obtained from Orochimaru certainly couldn't be worth less than 1000 points. Or rather, subsequent service guarantees would be required.
"Fufufu, I didn't expect Boss Shinji to be so interested in Lord Hashirama's cell fluid," Orochimaru licked his lips, his tone filled with amusement. As long as Shinji wanted something, everything became easier to discuss.
"I am slightly interested. However... the purity of the one Orochimaru gave last time wasn't enough. It must have been defective, right?" Shinji chuckled lightly. After all, the Hashirama Senju cells last time had the word 'Inferior' appended to them.
"Fufufu, truly worthy of Boss Shinji. How about it, do you need my assistance in applying this item?" Orochimaru assumed Shinji wanted the Hashirama Senju cells for his own use and offered directly.
"No need. I will research it myself."
"Alright then. This contract... I'll sign it." Orochimaru stared at Shinji for a moment, then channeled his chakra directly into the Star Rock. With a flash of golden light, in that instant, time seemed to stand still. With pulsating flashes of light, the Star Rock transformed into a golden afterimage and entered Shinji's body. Contract established.
"So that's all it takes, right?" Orochimaru watched curiously as the Star Rock entered Shinji's body. This was truly the first time he had seen such a thing.
"Yes, that's all. When you wish to leave Konoha, according to the terms of the contract, I will help you," Shinji smiled slightly and extended his hand towards Orochimaru.
"Alright. This is the payment." Orochimaru suddenly opened his mouth wide, pulling out three test tubes filled with cell fluid from his throat and placing them on the coffee table. Looking at the test tubes still covered in some unknown slime, Shinji suddenly felt a bit disgusted. This was simply...?
To avoid directly touching Orochimaru's somewhat mysterious slime, Shinji directly reached out with his hand virtually, letting the system inspect these test tubes.
[Ding!]
[Beginning detection!]
[Detection Result: Hashirama Senju's Cells (Ordinary) *2]
[Exchangeable Points: 800]
[Detection Result: Hashirama Senju's Cells (Refined) *1]
[Exchangeable Points: 1000]
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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 ^•^