"That is a race from beyond the ninja world, but for now I can't find them either."
Aoba gave a simple explanation.
Only the pure-blooded members of the Otsutsuki clan were truly beings who transcended death.
It was just that the only pure-blooded Otsutsuki he currently knew of was Kaguya.
The others would only appear several years later.
Orochimaru quickly caught onto the key point, his eyes lighting up.
"Can't find them currently, which means you can find them later?"
Aoba nodded.
"You want me to help you research the secret of their immortality?", Orochimaru licked his lips, and his golden eyes once again lit up.
If such a race truly existed, then even without the other party's request, he would proactively pursue them.
"That's right. When the time comes, I'll provide you with the materials needed for the research, and you'll provide the research results."
"No problem!", Orochimaru agreed without hesitation and didn't doubt the truth of the other's words.
Surely he wouldn't go through all the trouble of catching him just to play a prank.
"When will you be able to provide me with research materials?"
"It'll still take some time. Before that, I hope you can help me with something else."
"What is it?"
"Research a method to allow a jinchuriki to continue living after the tailed beast is extracted."
Aoba's request surprised Orochimaru a bit, but if the other could truly provide him with materials for immortality research…
That wasn't a problem at all.
"Regarding the jinchuriki…"
"I'll provide that for you."
Right now, this little Konoha already had three jinchuriki gathered.
"I understand. I'll do as you say. But I also hope you can provide me the materials for immortality as soon as possible."
Orochimaru agreed cheerfully, the eagerness in his eyes completely unhidden.
"In that case…", As Aoba spoke, Orochimaru's eyes once again turned hollow and numb.
Time stopped.
He once more froze Orochimaru's body and thoughts.
At the same time, Aoba's figure suddenly appeared behind Orochimaru.
His right hand landed on Orochimaru's shoulder.
After probing around for a bit, rows of black markings appeared on the other's body.
These were Flying Thunder God marks.
However, they would only become visible when activated.
And when Aoba didn't use the Flying Thunder God, the marks would stay hidden.
Currently, the Flying Thunder God markings were permanently embedded, once marked, they could not be removed.
In the original series, only Uchiha Obito was able to erase Minato's mark after becoming the Ten-Tails' jinchuriki.
This also made it easier for Aoba to keep track of Orochimaru's movements at any time.
After placing the marks, he returned to his original position.
Time began to flow again.
"Then let's have a pleasant cooperation," Aoba smiled at Orochimaru.
"But, I don't want you to lay a hand on Konoha's shinobi again. Otherwise, I won't mind keeping your thoughts frozen in that previous state forever."
To seal someone permanently in the "Seal: Absolute" space was no problem for the current Aoba.
After saying that, Orochimaru's body was blasted backwards, ejected from the sealed space.
Aoba didn't immediately lift the dojutsu.
He looked at Anko beside him.
Better to let her rest a little longer.
———
"That really is an incredible ability," Orochimaru's retreating figure landed on a tree.
Looking at the surroundings that had already returned to normal, he couldn't help but lick his lips again.
Now he was extremely curious, wood Release, and that terrifying space-time ninjutsu.
It made him really want to study Aoba's body.
Unfortunately, he didn't manage to get any of the other's cellular tissue just now.
But this guy seemed a bit shy.
'There are still other methods to obtain his DNA...'
Going himself definitely wouldn't work.
Thinking it over, Orochimaru's figure vanished on the spot.
Not long after, as the dojutsu was lifted, the space seemed to ripple for a moment.
Aoba appeared holding the still-sleeping Anko.
She really could sleep.
Although she hadn't woken up yet, her body was already fine.
What had caused her earlier fainting was exhaustion; now she was probably starting to have some sweet dreams.
Even while holding Anko, it didn't affect his movements at all.
———
Crack!
Tenten and Yakumo clenched their fists, knuckles cracking.
"So you're saying, you also kissed Aoba already?"
Standing in front of the two of them now was Ino, who had just met up with them.
As for Shikamaru and Choji, they had long since run far away, off to the river to fish.
This kind of thing? They absolutely wouldn't get involved.
"That's right!", Ino crossed her arms and admitted it boldly.
It wasn't anything shameful, 'What is wrong with a couple sharing a kiss?'
"Dammit!", Tenten gritted her teeth. Just looking at Ino's face made her furious.
Yakumo also gritted her teeth.
She had originally thought she was way ahead, she didn't expect she'd already been left miles behind.
Suddenly, she thought of something and turned to Hinata, "Hinata, what day did you kiss Aoba?"
Hinata hadn't expected Yakumo to suddenly turn the topic on her.
Her little face turned red, and she stammered, not knowing how to respond.
"Was it the day you two slept together?"
Yakumo's voice was practically through clenched teeth.
Those few days, Hinata's reactions had been strange.
Hinata didn't think Yakumo would guess it so quickly. She shyly nodded.
"As expected!", Yakumo slumped to the ground, eyes lifeless at a 45-degree angle staring up at the sky, color draining from her whole being.
The plans she had painstakingly prepared were all stolen by Hinata.
She really was the clown.
But the others' attention wasn't on her.
"You guys even slept together?", Now even Ino and Sakura turned to stare at Hinata.
"It was… just one night. Yakumo was there too," Facing the sharp stares of all the girls, Hinata felt a lot of pressure.
She tried to drag Yakumo into the battlefield too.
But now none of them were in the mood to care about Yakumo.
Clearly, Hinata was the most dangerous one.
"This… you're all here huh…", Just as the pressure on Hinata was mounting, it was Aoba's voice that came to her rescue.
"Hmm?"
The group turned to look at Aoba together. At first they planned to unite and scold him.
But they all saw Anko, still asleep in his arms.
And could only temporarily swallow down their emotions.
"Is Anko-nee okay?", Tenten asked with concern.
Earlier, she had thought the other was faking danger just to avoid things, didn't expect she really was in trouble.
Aoba shook his head, "She's fine now. Probably won't be long before she wakes up."
"That's good then."
Everyone sighed in relief.
At this moment, Yakumo, once again restored to her usual color, stood up, walked straight over to Aoba, and in front of everyone...
kissed him without hesitation.
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