Natsume had wanted to directly exchange Fate Points for the Flying Thunder God Technique before, precisely because he hadn't met the training requirements.
As a forbidden jutsu of immense strategic value, Konoha's control over the Flying Thunder God Technique was extremely strict.
First, you had to render great service.
Second, loyalty to the Hokage.
Lastly, your own talent.
Let's set the first two aside and talk about the last one—talent, or rather, the conditions.
This was the most troublesome part.
Otherwise, up to now, it wouldn't be possible that only two people could use the Flying Thunder God.
There were roughly four conditions:
A vast amount of chakra.
A natural affinity for space–time.
Exceptional dynamic vision and reflexes.
Powerful sensory perception.
Natsume barely met the first two, but the third and fourth were out of reach.
Until he fully mastered the Mangekyō Sharingan and Sage Mode, when he felt he could give it a try.
Going to Tsunade would easily alert Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others.
To avoid unnecessary trouble, it would be better to look for Orochimaru.
Standing at the door, Natsume sensed countless gazes that a Wood Clone could never detect.
From the snakes.
He was sure news of his arrival had already reached Orochimaru.
Natsume stepped into the hall and sat down wherever, as if he'd returned to his own home.
He had just picked up the teapot when Orochimaru appeared in front of him.
That was quick.
"After all these years, why are you still so cold?" Natsume glanced at him, saw the surging emotion in his eyes, and asked with a smile, "Thinking of striking me down?"
Orochimaru didn't answer.
He could tell at a glance that Natsume wasn't a Wood Clone this time.
Because his serpentine instincts smelled a whiff of danger.
In an instant, he was weighing his chances if he made a move.
After so many years of research, he had already implanted Hashirama cells and developed the Cursed Seal he used himself.
Not to mention Living Corpse Reincarnation, the Eight-Headed Serpent Technique, and Impure World Reincarnation.
But recalling Natsume's terrifying Wood Release back then, and adding the Mangekyō Sharingan, the odds might not be in his favor.
Try it and die.
Orochimaru suppressed his swirling thoughts. In a cold tone, he asked, "Does your organization specialize in stealing from allies?"
"Listen to yourself." Natsume pointed at his own eye and said, "Call to it. If it answers you, I'll give it back."
"…"
Orochimaru fell silent.
What he meant, in truth, was that if Natsume hadn't shown up, Uchiha Shisui's Mangekyō Sharingan would inevitably have fallen into his hands.
But with things as they were, there was no point dwelling on it.
If he were Natsume, he'd have stolen it too.
"What are we trading today?"
Orochimaru cut to the chase.
He had many questions waiting for Natsume's answers.
Even if they were going to break ties, that would be for next time.
"I want the Flying Thunder God Technique."
Natsume was quite pleased with Orochimaru's sense of timing.
More accurately, his personality of sacrificing everything for science.
As long as Natsume was still useful, he could endure.
The Flying Thunder God, huh?
Orochimaru was a little surprised, yet felt it perfectly natural.
That technique was indeed overwhelmingly powerful.
It could both hit and run.
Namikaze Minato was called the Yellow Flash and had such brilliant achievements—no exaggeration, it was thanks to the Flying Thunder God Technique.
Orochimaru had tried to learn it, but failed and had to give up.
"The Flying Thunder God isn't a common ninjutsu. Even if I wanted to pass it on to someone, it would require the old man's approval."
He licked his lips—only a step short of saying, "You'll have to pay extra."
Hiruzen's approval was true enough, but if Orochimaru really wanted to teach it in private, who would know?
"Ask what you want to ask. I'll pay you well."
Natsume understood the subtext and waved generously.
"Why is your Wood Release far stronger than the Wood Release after implanting Hashirama cells?"
Orochimaru didn't stand on ceremony and went straight to a doubt.
"You should have already guessed." Natsume countered, "Remember the two key things I told you about becoming the Sage of Six Paths?"
"The Sage Body."
Orochimaru nodded in silence. He'd had his suspicions.
But a guess was still just a guess—only now was it confirmed.
It also gave him his next research direction.
Keep raising the body's limits.
Best would be to learn Sage Mode.
In other words, the Cursed Seal needed modification.
To Orochimaru, this answer was already on par with the Flying Thunder God.
But he still tested the waters with a second question: "How do you awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan?"
Obviously, now that he could no longer obtain Uchiha Shisui's Mangekyō, he had set his sights on the next Uchiha.
"You'll have to up the price. Once you have the method, you might be able to produce quite a few Mangekyō Sharingan."
Natsume raised his teacup and smiled. "One Flying Thunder God isn't enough."
That said, the odds were slim.
If Mangekyō were that easy, someone might already be ranching the Uchiha.
Like Uchiha Madara or Uchiha Obito.
Counting the Uchiha who had awakened Mangekyō, they were all top-tier geniuses.
Even taking ten thousand steps back, if he really pulled it off, Natsume would simply take them by force.
He'd even have Orochimaru to thank.
And given Orochimaru's personality, he'd definitely try.
When he went after those famous prodigies, he'd be helping Natsume earn Fate Points.
"What else do you want?"
Orochimaru glanced at Natsume and emphasized, "There are quite a few forbidden techniques in the Scroll of Seals."
Good thing Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't hear that.
Otherwise, he'd have a heart attack.
After learning about the Mangekyō, Orochimaru had looked through Senju Tobirama's notes and discovered many secrets.
But the how-to for awakening it wasn't specific enough.
And who had the talent—he didn't know.
Natsume stroked his chin.
There were indeed many forbidden techniques in the Scroll of Seals.
But most came with a huge price.
Like the Reaper Death Seal.
As for the more normal techniques, Natsume could have Tsunade read them for him.
"I don't want the forbidden techniques on the Scroll of Seals."
Natsume shook his head. "I want your Cursed Seal and the improved Impure World Reincarnation."
In truth, they weren't that useful to him.
But Impure World Reincarnation was truly obnoxious—if he could get his hands on it, he shouldn't miss the chance.
He also had a small idea.
As for the Cursed Seal, he could give it to subordinates with average talent.
Of course, he wouldn't split his own soul for no reason.
Orochimaru did that purely because he feared death and wanted control over those under the technique.
"That's not fair."
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed slightly.
If it were anyone else, he wouldn't bother with words—he'd send them to see the Sage of Six Paths.
The Cursed Seal and Impure World Reincarnation were the fruits of several years of research—he couldn't just hand them over.
He needed more.
"I can tell you the location of the mysterious Mangekyō Sharingan user who appeared during the Nine-Tails' rampage."
Natsume meant Uchiha Obito.
But he wouldn't say he was currently in Kirigakure.
In fact, this was a classic information asymmetry.
Orochimaru hadn't given up—he was secretly watching Uchiha Itachi, so he would very likely encounter Uchiha Obito.
Natsume was simply telling him in advance.
Orochimaru's eyes lit up and a cold smile curled his lips.
That intel was worth it.