Revitalizing the Uchiha clan starts with becoming a Kage.

Furthermore, it is rumored that since Madara Uchiha's death, no one in the Uchiha clan has awakened the Mangekyou Sharingan.

wrong!

It should be said that it excludes that one person!

Orochimaru's thoughts drifted back to more than a year ago.

The scene of the nine-tailed fox rampaging, and the crimson Sharingan reflected in its fox eyes.

Both Wood Release and Sharingan can subdue Tailed Beasts, a fact known to those with a certain status and understanding in Konoha. However, compared to Wood Release, Sharingan must be upgraded to the Mangekyou Sharingan to achieve this.

Ordinary Sharingan won't work.

Orochimaru, as one of the high-ranking officials of Konoha, naturally understood these things as well.

This is why Konoha's fear and vigilance towards the Uchiha clan surged after the Nine-Tails' attack. Before, the Uchiha were just strong and troublesome, but not to the point of needing complete fear and vigilance. However, the Uchiha with the Mangekyou Sharingan were different. Why did Danzo never trust Shisui in the original work?

It's all because Shisui possesses the Mangekyou Sharingan.

In Danzo's view, the Uchiha clan members with these eyes were the least trustworthy!

Who can guarantee that Shisui won't control the Nine-Tails?!

Danzo didn't want to take such a risk.

70. A special meeting and transaction

"So you're the Uchiha clan member from over a year ago?"

Orochimaru's gaze fell to Shoji's chest, a faint hint of coldness emanating from the depths of his slender snake eyes. His body tensed subconsciously, as if he were ready to strike at any moment.

"Hmph, you don't need to be so nervous, Orochimaru. Haven't I already said that who I am is not important? What's important is what my arrival means to you, isn't it?"

Shoji didn't care at all about Orochimaru's battle preparations. Putting aside the current Orochimaru, even if it were the Orochimaru who had grown to his limit in the original work, even if it was difficult for him to kill this old snake skin, it would be easy to suppress him in front of these eyes.

Orochimaru is a person whose strengths and weaknesses are too obvious.

They couldn't be easier to deal with.

Of course, even so, Jiang Si had prepared for the worst. In Jiang Si's plan, all actions must prioritize ensuring his own safety and identity. Only by ensuring this can he take the next step.

Any carelessness or negligence could cost you your life.

"What does this mean to me? It seems that you have infiltrated Konoha again for my sake? I thought you were going to target Konoha and the Nine-Tails again."

Orochimaru's face still wore a cold expression.

"Of course I'm here for you, Orochimaru. Your situation in Konoha isn't very good right now, is it? I'm here to make a mutually beneficial deal with you. Believe me, this should be a very good choice for you!"

Jiang Si smiled gently, and the intense crimson color reflected in his pupils appeared so rich and so cold at this moment.

"A deal? Huh?"

Orochimaru scoffed dismissively, as if he had heard a joke.

Then came that indifferent attitude.

This undoubtedly demonstrates the attitude of this legendary Konoha Sannin.

Shoji, however, seemed completely unhurried, saying calmly, "If I'm not mistaken, you shouldn't be staying in Konoha for long. Not to mention that the Third Hokage's direct ANBU will soon find your trail, you yourself should be planning to leave Konoha soon. Although you've probably already set up one or two hiding places for yourself abroad, their safety and reliability may not be the best, right?"

"And I can provide you with an excellent hiding place: join Akatsuki, join our organization. Of course, it's a two-way street. You can ask the organization for what you want, and the organization also needs you to complete certain tasks and targets. In addition, what you pursue can also be verified within our organization. For example, our leader possesses the same eyes as the legendary Sage of Six Paths—the Rinnegan. Aren't you interested in all of this, Orochimaru?"

Enticing words, a gentle and rhythmic tone.

At that moment, Orochimaru's previous indifference was clearly affected by Shoji's words, especially when he heard the words "Rinnegan". Orochimaru's expression changed slightly and his eyes became extremely sharp.

At this moment, Orochimaru exuded an extremely dangerous aura.

Shoji remained calm and composed, watching Orochimaru with a composed expression, waiting for this one of the Legendary Sannin of Konoha to make his choice.

What do I need to give in return?

It seemed like a second.

It seems as if it has existed since time immemorial.

After this quiet and chilling atmosphere lasted for some time.

As those hoarse words slowly fell to the ground once again.

Beneath the mask, Shoji's lips curved into a beautiful smile.

Often, what's most frightening in a transaction isn't how difficult it is, or how much the other party might demand; what's truly worrisome is indifference. Once they make a demand, it means they're interested. Intentional and unintentional are two different things. The former at least has a certain success rate, while the latter means you'll never succeed no matter what you do.

For Orochimaru now...

What is the most important?

Undoubtedly, 'immortality' is the most important thing.

So, did the Sage of Six Paths, who only exists in legends, have any appeal to Orochimaru? The answer is yes. Orochimaru believed that the Sage of Six Paths was the closest person to immortality, and it's even uncertain whether the Sage of Six Paths was actually dead.

At the very least, Orochimaru, as a 'mad scientist,' was skeptical of everything. He wouldn't believe any so-called facts until he saw them with his own eyes and verified them through experiments. He only believed what he saw!

Orochimaru was drawn to Shoji's words.

After his defection, he would certainly need to find a place to stay. Although he had no intention of serving anyone, it would be fine as a transit point, provided that the effort and reward were proportional and the risk assessment was within his acceptable range.

The original work doesn't mention when Orochimaru joined Akatsuki, nor does it explicitly state how Obito persuaded him, but Shoji still had plenty of confidence in his persuasion and the conditions he offered.

"Hehe, it's very simple. There are only two conditions: one is that you have the First Hokage's Wood Release cells and some of the research data on their activity; the second is that you must obey the organization's orders and carry out certain missions. Of course, you have the right to refuse the latter depending on the circumstances, as long as you do not violate the organization's basic obligations!"

"The First Hokage's Wood Release cells?"

Orochimaru completely ignored the second condition.

The former is the most important one to grasp.

It could be said that this was the moment Jiang Si finished speaking.

"hehe!"

Orochimaru's face revealed a strange smile.

As his hoarse laughter subsided.

Not by choice, Shoji subconsciously tensed up, before the crimson hue emanating from his exposed Mangekyou Sharingan became extremely intense.

"Alright! I promise you! This is the First Hokage's Wood Release cells and some data on their activity!"

In the next second.

Orochimaru, however, changed the subject and pulled out two scrolls from his robes, throwing them toward Shoji's position.

Jiang Si's eyes narrowed.

To maximize the insight of the Mangekyou Sharingan.

Once you have confirmed that both scrolls are in good condition, proceed with caution.

"Snapped!"

The scroll was caught with a reverse hand.

"Very good, then the deal is done! Here are some organizational documents, clothing, and your code name!"

Shoji tossed a scroll containing some information about the Akatsuki organization, along with the Akatsuki's Fire Cloud Robe and a ring engraved with the character 'emptiness,' to Orochimaru in front of him.

Orochimaru caught it with his backhand.

"Finally, let me give you a piece of advice: if possible, complete your plan as soon as possible, leave Konoha, and don't underestimate your teacher. After all, he was once a ninja hero!"

Before turning to leave, Jiang Si said in a calm tone.

71. You might not lose money, but I'll definitely make a killing!

That's all.

Shoji's figure seemed to blend perfectly into the dark shadows behind him, disappearing in less than a second. Orochimaru looked at the spot where Shoji had stood, gently stroking the 'Void' ring on his palm, and subconsciously licked his lips with his tongue, a sinister look appearing in his snake eyes.

'Akatsuki, Nine-Tails, Rinnegan, and the Sage of Six Paths? This is getting more and more interesting!'

Regarding this transaction.

Orochimaru was very satisfied.

The First Hokage's Wood Release cells and some active data are nothing at all. To put it bluntly, Orochimaru didn't really contribute anything. As for joining the Akatsuki organization in the future...

Accepting now doesn't mean I have to join in.

Anyone can use an abacus.

But who will ultimately benefit depends on their plans. At least for now, Orochimaru feels he has gained so much useful information with zero effort. As for the possibility of deception, given Orochimaru's experience, the probability is extremely low. He doesn't think the real culprit behind the Nine-Tails' rampage would be so bored as to deceive him. The most important point is...

Orochimaru could sense that the opposing team definitely needed him.

In this way, there will be no problem. We can deal with the future later. It's always good to lay some groundwork in advance.

'But what about Sarutobi-sensei? Well, we can't be too careless then; let's speed things up a bit!'

After frowning and thinking for a while, Orochimaru silently made a decision in his heart.

He then turned around and disappeared back into the darkness, returning to his underground chamber.

Orochimaru felt that he had gained everything with zero effort.

As he left, Jiang Si also felt that he had gotten something for nothing. Having already left Orochimaru's underground chamber, Jiang Si stood on a small mound not far away. He glanced back at Orochimaru's residence under the moonlight, a faint look of excitement in his eyes.

He genuinely hadn't expected his journey to go so smoothly.

Of course, this may also be related to the fact that Orochimaru did not think the First Hokage's Wood Release cells were valuable. As for his own identity, Orochimaru probably still believed it. If the Mangekyou Sharingan of the Uchiha clan were so easy to obtain, there would be no place for any other ninja clan in this ninja world. At least Konoha would have easily fallen into the hands of the Uchiha clan after the deaths of the First and Second Hokage.

Over the years.

Since Madara Uchiha died in battle.

The Uchiha clan had not seen a pair of Mangekyou Sharingan since then, until a year ago when a mysterious Uchiha clansman appeared during the Nine-Tails' rampage. The events before and after matched perfectly, so Orochimaru had no reason to doubt it. And even if his identity was questionable, so what?

Orochimaru wouldn't care at all unless it affected him.

Ultimately, the biggest reason this deal went smoothly was that Orochimaru felt he didn't need to take any risks, didn't make any substantial contributions, just a verbal agreement and some Wood Release cells that weren't very useful.

It's not surprising that Orochimaru made this choice.

Although Shoji wasn't Orochimaru's mind reader, he could still guess a little bit about it, so this really was a win-win situation.

The premise is.