Naruto: I'm in Konoha, my name is Uzumaki Menma

Chapter 37: Deceiving Orochimaru

At this moment, the vortex-faced man standing outside the pit had a face under the mask that looked like a "senior citizen's cell phone on the subway".

He just wanted to fool Orochimaru, but Orochimaru, based on his own understanding, actually deduced that "Shura" came from the future.

This made Menma realize that Orochimaru had not yet performed the Reanimation Jutsu.

Menma vaguely remembered that Orochimaru had performed the Reanimation Jutsu at least five times, and at least twice during his appearance in the Chunin Exams.

The woman's body was highly compatible with Orochimaru's soul, allowing Orochimaru to unleash his full power. So much so that even after his hands were sealed by Hiruzen Sarutobi, Orochimaru was somewhat reluctant to part with that body.

"It was I who was being a bit presumptuous." After sorting through her memories, Menma decided to continue using Orochimaru's hypothesis and let Orochimaru fill in the blanks himself.

"Oh? Then tell me, why don't I kill you?" Menma asked with interest.

Orochimaru felt he had uncovered the other's secret. His pupils contracted slightly, but a sinister smile curled at the corner of his mouth.

He slowly straightened up, although the surging blood in his chest made his breathing slightly disordered. He let out a soft groan, the sound like the hiss of a venomous snake.

"You know about the Reanimation Jutsu, so you must also know about my contract with Ryuchi Cave and my cursed seal technique. You must know that it's very difficult to kill me using ordinary methods!"

"Hmm, continue." Menma continued walking.

"Cough cough..." Orochimaru coughed twice, feeling his life force rapidly draining away due to his injuries.

"You are familiar with my abilities and even more aware of my research, so my research direction must have what you need, or rather, there must be a certain research that will bear fruit in the future!" Orochimaru thought about his research, which might touch upon the ultimate secret of immortality, and became even more fanatical.

"Tsk..." A soft tsk came from under the mask of the face numb man.

"You guessed some things right, but you also guessed some wrong." Menma stopped and looked at Orochimaru in the crater. "But it's already quite remarkable that you could guess this."

"Then, let's cooperate!" Orochimaru licked the blood from the corner of his mouth with the tip of his tongue, his tone becoming increasingly fanatical.

"I know you must have great ambitions, but if this is all the strength you have, it will be difficult to get me to risk my life for you." Orochimaru regained his confidence, raising his head and letting his hair fall over his face.

"Cooperate?" The eyebrows beneath the pockmarked mask twitched slightly as he pondered.

"Someone like you, who can travel back from the future, what danger could you possibly be afraid of?" Orochimaru chuckled.

Orochimaru didn't care whether the other party came back from the future to change something or to rule the ninja world. What he cared about was the "future information" the other party possessed. If he could obtain it, his research direction would definitely be more accurate, and the research speed would also be much faster.

"Whatever you want from me, or whatever you want me to research, I can give it to you, provided it's an equal exchange." Orochimaru knew his advantage lay in his research on forbidden techniques, so he believed he had the upper hand in this negotiation.

However, little did they know that this was exactly what Mian Ma wanted.

Since Orochimaru cannot be made to pledge allegiance, then cooperation is another way to exploit him.

However, we must not let Orochimaru think that we have the upper hand.

"Hmph, do you think you have the upper hand in this deal?" Menma's flippant tone drifted into Orochimaru's ears: "While the Reanimation Jutsu may keep you young, your strength will forever remain stagnant, and in some areas, you will be greatly weakened."

Upon hearing the other party's description of the weaknesses of the "Reanimation Jutsu," Orochimaru's pupils suddenly contracted, and his expression became serious.

Although the Reanimation Jutsu has not yet been performed, there are indeed potential flaws in this technique, and quite a few at that. Orochimaru has identified two so far.

One requirement is that the target's body must be perfectly aligned with one's own soul; the other is that once it is used, it may not be possible to use it again for several years.

So...

"Is it related to the soul?" Orochimaru guessed the most serious flaw of this technique based solely on the description of "Shura".

"You're very smart, Orochimaru," Menma didn't deny.

What good would it do to tell him? Does that mean we shouldn't perform the Reincarnation of a Corpse?

Orochimaru's current injuries and his body being over forty years old mean he'll be declining in a few years. Without finding a younger body to replace him, he'll only get older and older.

For Orochimaru, who pursues immortality, watching his body grow older and older is the greatest pain!

"Then you must know a solution!" Orochimaru paused as soon as he said this, because he realized that he had already lost the battle in this deal.

He felt like he was being "tricked" for the third time, but this time Orochimaru wasn't so angry; instead, he laughed.

"Even if you take Hashirama's cells, you might not be able to research Wood Release on your own. Why don't I do it for you?" Orochimaru proposed a cooperative model: "Just like how I cooperated with Danzo."

Orochimaru emphasized his words when mentioning "Danzo".

"Not enough," Menma said softly.

Orochimaru frowned slightly: "Then what do you want, or rather, what price do I need to pay?"

The other party possesses "future information," especially information about his research, which makes Orochimaru extremely eager to acquire it. However, he is no match for the other party and can only obtain the "future information" from them through a transaction.

The value of the goods being traded is determined by the other party.

Orochimaru disliked the feeling of being at a disadvantage.

However, Shura said something that made Orochimaru extremely nervous.

"You are worthless to me now."

Whether it's cloning technology, gene modification technology, Sharingan transplantation technology, cell transplantation technology, or other technologies, Orochimaru has not yet fully mastered them.

For example, Shin Uchiha and those clones were probably collected and researched by Orochimaru after he defected from Akatsuki and established the Sound Village in the Land of Rice Fields.

The most important interstitial cells have already been obtained by Menma.

Orochimaru froze on the spot, his pupils dilating slightly as he recalled the Hashirama cells that had been stolen by "Shura".

"Tsk tsk, it seems I really shouldn't have given you the Hashirama cells so easily back then..." Orochimaru's eyes were sinister, and he couldn't help but feel a little regretful.

Now, Orochimaru is completely at a disadvantage in this collaboration.

"What... happened here..." While Menma and Orochimaru were having a "friendly exchange" and "discussing cooperation," Yukimi slowly walked in, looking at the large crater that had been smashed into the ground, trembling with fear.

"Yukimi!" Kakashi and Yamato followed Yukimi's trail and arrived at the cave of the Ibri clan.

Upon seeing the mysterious masked man and Orochimaru in the crater, Kakashi tensed up and drew a kunai.

"Orochimaru!" Yamato recognized Orochimaru and stood protectively in front of Yukimi.

As for the task Danzo assigned him, he had already forgotten about it.

"Tsk tsk, Kakashi... and... 'Armor'!" Orochimaru stepped out of the pit, his eyes showing increasing satisfaction as he looked at Yamato.

This is his work!

Unfortunately, Danzo got the better deal!