"Rest assured, I have no further ties with Konoha," Minato said softly.
Things remained, but the people had changed.
Both their statuses had undergone significant transformations.
The heroes who once protected Konoha were now both set on paths contrary to the village.
And the rotten darkness still lay dormant within Konoha, continuously drawing nourishment from fresh sources.
Such a fate was truly ironic.
"I will have the Fourth Hokage accompany you back to Otogakure. He will use Reiatsu to assist your research," Naruto said with a beaming smile.
"It seems Naruto-kun has thought of everything," Orochimaru chuckled sinisterly. As if suddenly remembering something, a playful look crossed his face. "By the way, what is Naruto-kun's attitude towards Konoha?"
"Konoha?" Naruto's warm smile vanished, his expression becoming impassive. "I only wish to research higher levels of power. If they obstruct me, I won't mind annihilating them."
Naruto turned his back to Orochimaru, a chilling aura emanating from him.
His tone was firm and cold.
"I've said it before: we are the same kind of people."
"Indeed, we are the same kind of people. I'll join your research; it's very interesting," Orochimaru's pale face flushed slightly, his eyes filled with a morbid craving for research.
"From your description, this might indeed be a path to eternal life. Naturally, I won't miss it."
"Then what are you doing in Konoha this time?" Naruto asked, his tone that of an equal.
Orochimaru didn't mind Naruto's tone and answered without concealment, "I'm here this time for the Konoha Crush. I don't know if you're aware of the intricate complexities among Konoha's higher-ups."
"I know. Danzo and the Third, right?"
"Correct." Orochimaru nodded, looking at Naruto with deep appreciation. "I've reached an agreement with Danzo. Through the orchestrated Konoha Crush plan, we'll kill the Third, giving Danzo an opportunity to rise to power."
"And I, in turn, can obtain a large number of ninja corpses, even those with Kekkei Genkai, for research. Without the Third Hokage to restrain him, Danzo's actions will become even more brazen. I imagine that might have an impact on you as well," Orochimaru said with a meaningful smile.
"You cannot kill the Third Hokage," Naruto said, shaking his head.
"Why is that?" A fierce glint flashed in Orochimaru's eyes.
"Because he will be one of the main witnesses to the gift I plan to give Konoha." Naruto turned back, his eyes exceptionally calm, a calmness so profound it was chilling.
In Naruto's eyes, Orochimaru seemed to see that dark childhood, and the rationality and composure born from endless malice.
Though his outward appearance was refined and amiable, his heart was, in reality, ice-cold, solely focused on advancing towards his own goals.
People like this could not be bound by mere bonds.
Just like himself.
Even though he had been intimate with Jiraiya and Tsunade, when it was time to leave, he left, never looking back.
Orochimaru also believed.
The "gift" Naruto spoke of would undoubtedly be the most spectacular sight this ninja world had ever seen.
His heart filled with anticipation, and a perverse, sinister smile involuntarily crept onto his lips. His long tongue flicked out like a viper's, licking around his lips.
"Since Naruto-kun is so enthusiastic, then I shall do my best. The Third Hokage is, after all, a Kage-level powerhouse. If I go too easy on him, I might die. So… I will incapacitate him as much as possible. That should also achieve my objective."
"Good."
Both sides reached a consensus, the process surprisingly smooth.
For some reason, the more Naruto looked at Orochimaru, the more agreeable he found him. Orochimaru truly had the air of a mad scientist.
For the sake of research, he didn't even care about gender.
And Orochimaru, similarly, greatly admired Naruto.
If it weren't for Naruto's sensitive status as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, he would have directly invited Naruto to join Otogakure.
At this moment, Minato had already returned to the seal space. He watched this scene with a hint of worry.
From past events, it was clear that Orochimaru was undoubtedly a cold, sinister viper.
No one could predict when they might get bitten by him.
Minato naturally didn't want Naruto to cooperate with such a dangerous character as Orochimaru.
With their collaborative agreement settled, they very amicably prepared to bid each other farewell.
Before parting, Orochimaru seemed to remember something and said, "Oh, by the way, I'll be taking that Uchiha brat. He's very important experimental material for me, and also a key pawn in my original plan for eternal life."
"That won't do. Sasuke is someone I have my eye on," Naruto said, his expression gentle, his tone flat, as if stating a simple fact.
Hearing this, Orochimaru narrowed his eyes, a dangerous aura emanating from them.
It was less that he had infiltrated Konoha for the Crush plan, and more that he was after the Uchiha's Kekkei Genkai.
Previously, he had been instantly taken down by Itachi's Tsukuyomi, which had birthed in him a deep craving for the Sharingan.
Itachi was someone he couldn't defeat, so that only left Sasuke.
Orochimaru had already planned everything: lure Sasuke to join Otogakure, then take over his body.
All his plans were so perfect.
But then Naruto came along and threw a wrench in the works.
Orochimaru's tone suddenly turned somewhat unfriendly. "Naruto-kun, I've already promised you I won't kill the Third Hokage. Sasuke should be handed over to me. One shouldn't be too greedy."
A cold, intense aura radiated from Orochimaru's body, pressing down on Naruto.
Naruto's expression remained unchanged, as if he didn't feel the pressure at all. He stated calmly, "The Shinigami research is already enough to satisfy your goals. You have no need to go after Sasuke."
"No, no, no. The Shinigami research has too many unknowns. Of course, I need to prepare a backup plan," Orochimaru said coldly.
"It seems our negotiations have broken down?"
"Rest assured, Naruto-kun, I will only give Sasuke a small gift, something that will enhance his strength. It won't harm him." Seeing Naruto's displeased expression, Orochimaru couldn't help but feel a little flustered, afraid that Naruto would cancel their collaboration.
It was hard to imagine that Orochimaru, one of the Sannin, would actually yield. However, Naruto wasn't the type to back down just because someone offered an easy way out.
He had his principles, and a certain psychological fastidiousness.
The targets he had his eye on needed to grow according to his plans. If they were tainted by Orochimaru, too many variables would inevitably arise, which would undoubtedly affect his own plans.
At that point, he might very well lose a worthy opponent.
Therefore, Naruto didn't back down, completely unfazed in his heart.
"No. You cannot touch Sasuke at all."
Being rejected again, Orochimaru's expression also turned cold.
"Naruto-kun, you are too greedy."
"No, it is you who underestimates the potential of Shinigami and Hollows," Naruto's tone was filled with disappointment.
After his discussion with Orochimaru, he had considered including Orochimaru in his future plans.
But now, it seemed that Orochimaru, fixated on the Sharingan, was too short-sighted.
"Mere words are useless. Since Naruto-kun believes the potential of Shinigami and Hollows is so vast as to make me overlook the Sharingan, then prove it to me."