I, Uchiha Hikaru, have joined the chat group.

Chapter 136 I will be loyal to you

"Not included."

Hikaru Uchiha answered decisively: "But I can give you blood samples from other Uchiha clan members, including Uchiha Itachi, whom you've been longing for."

to be honest……

She really didn't dare to easily hand over her blood sample to Orochimaru.

After all, her current genetic sequence is likely completely different from other Uchiha, or even the entire ninja world. Not only is it the special eye technique "Eight Thousand Spears," but it also incorporates many powers from other worlds... Who knows if Orochimaru will create a bunch of clones of her after obtaining these samples, making things difficult to manage.

Itachi doesn't care.

After all, even if Itachi awakens the Mangekyou Sharingan now, he's just a completely weakened version of her.

the other side.

Orochimaru subtly pursed his lips.

Before today, he had indeed longed for Itachi's body for a long time; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say he had "constantly desired" it. But now...

Itachi?

He's just a callow child.

The "great-grandmother" in front of me looks more... well, she doesn't seem that big either.

"The second question is, if you die someday, what will happen to this agreement...?"

"It can be cancelled."

Uchiha Hikaru casually replied, "But that's on the condition that I'm really dead, not just missing."

"I know you have some inappropriate thoughts about my body, and I can tolerate those thoughts, but if you act on them... remember to be prepared for the consequences. Because you only have one chance."

After a pause, Uchiha Hikaru offered another incentive: "Furthermore, if you can fully demonstrate your value and gain my trust, then I might consider giving you some of my blood samples."

"..."

Orochimaru narrowed his eyes and licked his lips again: "If it's a ninja with a long list of evil deeds, like someone like me, can I just use them for experiments?"

(...You really do have a clear sense of self.)

Uchiha Hikaru silently cursed in his heart, then slowly replied, "...Okay, but there needs to be a solid reason."

—For some people who have crossed the line of basic human decency, such as those ninja from before, talking about "human rights" is indeed a bit too much of a luxury.

Even so, there must be a relatively accurate set of criteria, rather than simply subjective likes and dislikes determining life and death.

"Outside of research time, I..."

"You can do anything, as long as you don't touch my people, I won't interfere."

"What about research funding and related resources..."

"Prepare a budget request and submit it to me. I will allocate funds as needed."

"if……"

After the series of questions and answers ended, the air fell silent for a moment.

Orochimaru remained silent for a long time before finally speaking slowly: "I've asked all my questions, so..."

"I will be loyal to you, Lord Guangda."

"A very wise choice."

Uchiha Hikaru opened and closed his eyes, releasing the Tsukuyomi.

……

What happens inside the Tsukuyomi space is only a fleeting moment to the outside world.

So, just a moment ago, Honglian and the others were still brooding over Uchiha Hikari and her group injuring Orochimaru, but the next moment they were surprised to see Orochimaru respectfully bowing to Uchiha Hikari and inviting her to visit the base.

"Guren, Ox-Head, from today onwards, Master Guang is the new master of Otogakure. You must be more respectful to her than to me, and you must not show any disobedience."

"??"

Guren was completely bewildered by Orochimaru's instructions.

After asking a few questions in a low voice and confirming that Orochimaru wasn't joking, the woman with the pineapple-shaped haircut walked over somewhat dejectedly, bowed to Uchiha Hikaru, and greeted him: "Your subordinate, Guren, greets Lord Hikaru."

"Okay, good girl."

Next.

Uchiha Hikaru followed Orochimaru on a tour of the Sound Village.

Just as she guessed, the village had been established for less than a year. The current total population was only about thirty or forty people. Guren was the strongest among them, possessing the Crystal Release Kekkei Genkai, but she was only at the level of an elite Chunin. The others were all below the Chunin level on average.

However, considering Orochimaru's cunning nature, he likely still has some secret hideouts outside of Otogakure.

In addition...

A sizable space was also carved out underground in the Sound Village, connecting all the way to the heart of the cave behind the village.

"...Do all you people with dark minds like to hide in places like this?"

Uchiha Hikaru glanced at Orochimaru with a slightly strange expression.

The last person who liked to hide in such dark places was Danzo Shimura. However... a rat curled up in a ditch, a treacherous and cunning venomous snake, does indeed fit quite well with environments like caves and underground dwellings.

"By the way, have you been to Kirigakure recently, Orochimaru?"

"Hidden Mist Village? No."

Orochimaru gave a negative answer: "I originally planned to go and take a look after some time, but it seems there have been some changes over there, so I have temporarily canceled the plan."

"misfortune?"

"I heard that the policies of the Village of Blood Mist have changed... Is Lord Kou unaware of this? As far as I know, the root cause of this change seems to be the attack that Kirigakure infiltrated Konoha a while ago."

"So, do you know about the Akatsuki organization?"

"Is it that organization from the Land of Rain? I've heard a bit about it. I've heard that their leader also has very powerful eye techniques, but unfortunately I've never seen them in person."

That means...

The Akatsuki organization has never invited Orochimaru?

That's true. Orochimaru seems to have joined Akatsuki after witnessing Pain's Rinnegan, making his joining relatively late compared to other Akatsuki members. If Uchiha Hikaru hadn't come, he might have joined Akatsuki within the next six months to a year, but not now.

"Looks like I'll have to find some time to go to Kirigakure and bring Kimimaro over..."

The Kaguya clan, after all, is a direct descendant of the Otsutsuki clan, and therefore has considerable research value.

"And Jugo..."

Orochimaru began researching cursed seals very early on, even placing one on Anko before defecting from Konoha. However, the advancement and refinement of this technique likely occurred after he acquired Jugo.

Hozuki Suigetsu doesn't really matter, since it's just a water-based secret technique anyway.

Uchiha Hikaru secretly calculated in his mind, then stopped and called Erii over. He then looked at Orochimaru:

"This girl possesses the power of 'Word Spirit,' but because of it, she is cursed by that power, and her body is constantly being eroded... These two are examination reports from Konoha Hospital and a friend of mine, respectively. Do you see any clues?"

"...Is it similar to a hematopoietic disease?"

Orochimaru glanced at it briefly, then looked at Dr. Brief's report for a while longer before looking up and saying, "Let's take some blood samples first."

(End of this chapter)