Naruto: My Progress in Konoha.

Chapter 1176 Getting what you want

Inside the cell, upon hearing Qingming call out Orochimaru's name, the group, who were already on the verge of death, involuntarily trembled.

This shows just how much psychological trauma Orochimaru left on these people.

However, neither Qingming nor Orochimaru has any interest in these people right now.

At this moment, their attention was focused on each other.

After a moment of silence in the cell, Orochimaru continued, "Since you've come here, it means that those guys from Itō should be dead."

He paused for a moment, observing Qingming's expression.

However, Qingming's expression remained unchanged throughout, and Orochimaru couldn't discern anything from it.

He sighed softly and said, "Sigh, these young people nowadays are really something! So, what do you want from me?"

"Weren't you looking for me?"

Qingming didn't answer but asked a question in return.

Upon hearing this, Orochimaru naturally knew he was referring to Ito and the others, but he didn't want to argue with Qingming about this, so he simply admitted, "Alright, even if I'm looking for you, then..."

"Can you give Danzo back to me? This is my masterpiece!"

"No, this is my spoils."

Qingming resolutely refused.

Then, Orochimaru looked at him calmly, as if waiting for him to continue speaking.

Clearly, the other party had guessed that he wouldn't return the person, and his earlier request for the person was just a casual remark; the important thing was to keep the conversation going.

And now, they are waiting for him to reveal his true purpose.

As for why he didn't speak up first.
Haha~
Orochimaru's response clearly shows that the other party was certain he would come; otherwise, they wouldn't have emptied the base and left behind such a substitute, waiting here specifically for him.

That's right, the Orochimaru in front of you is just a stand-in.

After realizing that something was off about the person in the corner, he rolled his eyes again.

Through careful observation with his white eyes, he had already seen through the other party's true nature.

This person is not Orochimaru's true form; Orochimaru merely left a wisp of his spiritual power on him, temporarily controlling his body.

As for the control method
It's either a 'cursed seal technique' or a 'reincarnation technique'.

In any case, both of them can do similar things.

This also fits the abnormal situation where the other party's physical condition and mental state are completely mismatched.

However, once he realized this, he no longer had the means to obtain the information he wanted by capturing the other party.

Therefore, in the end, he had to take the initiative to speak.

With this thought in mind, Qingming wasted no more time and directly stated his purpose.

He said, "I need to know where the murderer was born."

Orochimaru was clearly taken aback when he heard his request.

He had considered many possibilities and prepared himself mentally, but he never expected that Qingming's purpose would be this.

You have to understand that Jugo was captured by him only a year ago, and very few people knew about him in between. So how did Qingming know about him and even mention him separately?

Orochimaru was utterly baffled by this.

Unconsciously, he stuck out his tongue again and licked his lips.

This is his habitual action when he is thinking.

After pondering for a moment, he tentatively asked, "You mean Jugo? How do you know about him?"

"Don't worry about that. Just tell me where he was born," Qingming replied bluntly.

Orochimaru showed no unusual expression at Qingming's tone; he only noticed that Qingming did not show any objection to the name Jugo.

In other words, he already knew that the killer was Jugo.

But knowing his identity yet not knowing where he was born made it even stranger. Seeing Orochimaru deep in thought, Qingming didn't urge him.

He naturally sensed a probing tone in Orochimaru's words.

However, he did not deny it, in order to confuse the other party and gain the upper hand in the subsequent transaction.

As for the other party not engaging in the transaction...
It is almost impossible.

Given Orochimaru's temperament, he would never refuse such a deal, as it would also be an opportunity to get to know him.

Who knows, the other party is already thinking about how to rip him off.

He also has to consider what he can offer.

However, Orochimaru's reaction once again surprised him.

After pondering for a while, he suddenly mentioned a place name.

Clearly, this is the birthplace of Jugo that he just requested.

Upon hearing this, Qingming was slightly taken aback, and his expression changed for the first time.

To be honest, he never expected Orochimaru to tell him the location directly.

It's important to know that the two of them didn't have much of a relationship.

On the contrary, he even intervened to stop the other party from fleeing the village.

So, strictly speaking, there was some animosity between the two.

Not to mention, the reanimated form of Danzo that the other party summoned is still with him.

This only intensified the feud between the two.

Even under these circumstances, the other party still gave him the information for free, which he found hard to understand.

But soon, he understood Orochimaru's intention.

Judging from the fact that the other party could directly state Jugo's birthplace, it is clear that after capturing Jugo, the other party must have thoroughly investigated his background.

Therefore, Orochimaru must have been aware of the special environment of his birthplace.

In this way, they will have a general idea of ​​what he is going to do.

It was this speculation that led Orochimaru to decide to give him the information free of charge.

In this way, as long as they guard that location, they can observe all his actions.

This process is an observational experiment.

In other words, in Orochimaru's eyes, he was already an experimental subject.

Therefore, he naturally did not need to pay any additional price.

Who knows, the other party might be eager for him to go over there quickly so they can do what they need to do and allow him to observe!
"Heh, that's really true."

For a moment, Qingming didn't know what to say, and only let out a cold laugh in his heart.

He was already mentally prepared for this outcome when he decided to follow Orochimaru's path and learned about Jugo's birthplace.

But what's wrong with letting the other party observe?
Anyway, he only planned to release some shadow clones to absorb natural energy, and not do anything else. How much information could the other party get through this?

At most, it can be speculated that he has mastered 'Sage Mode'.

But now, 'Sage Mode' is no longer a secret he has to keep. So what if the other party knows? Can they really do anything to him?
When doing things, one must grasp the main contradiction. From beginning to end, his only goal was to find Jugo's birthplace.

Then, by utilizing the abundant natural energy there, one can fill any gaps in natural energy that may arise during the process of strengthening the body.

As for the rest, they are not important at all.

Some petty schemes are insignificant in the face of absolute strength; he only needs to do his job well.

With that thought in mind, Qingming wasted no more time. After glancing at the others in the cell one last time, he used the 'Earth Escape: Earth Vein Dragon Technique' to leave the underground base.

(End of this chapter)