"Hm? Orochimaru-san actually wants my help?"
Menma's eyes flickered with a faint glint as he raised his gaze. While calculating rapidly in his mind, he met Orochimaru's stare directly and spoke in an even tone.
"Then let's hear it. What exactly do you want me to do?"
"This matter is not particularly complicated," Orochimaru replied calmly. "I only require Menma-kun to go to a designated location at a specific time… and retrieve my subordinates."
As he spoke, Orochimaru gestured lightly.
Yakushi Kabuto stepped forward and placed a simple but precisely marked map on the table between them. With a finger, Kabuto indicated a single point.
The instant Menma saw the marked location, understanding surfaced in his eyes.
"The Land of Fire… near the Valley of the End."
Menma's gaze sharpened slightly.
"I've only recently defected from Konoha, and now you want me to re-enter the Land of Fire? Orochimaru-san, isn't that pushing things a bit far?"
"The risk involved here is no small matter."
Menma already understood, in broad strokes, what Orochimaru intended to do.
Truthfully, the course of events in this life had already diverged significantly from the original trajectory. Menma could no longer be certain that future developments would unfold exactly as they once had.
Some matters such as Tsunade's return to Konoha were inevitable.
But many people and events had already been altered by his existence.
The so-called butterfly effect was no empty phrase.
While weighing the probability of success and the risks involved, Menma was also carefully negotiating.
Whether he would accept the task was one thing.
What he would gain from it was another.
Just as Orochimaru valued Menma's potential, Menma viewed Orochimaru as a walking treasury of forbidden knowledge one that could not be replaced.
In most fields, there might be alternatives.
But in experimental research and bodily modification, Orochimaru was unquestionably at the pinnacle of the shinobi world.
Menma's growth in this area could not proceed without Orochimaru's support.
"Haha… Menma-kun remains as cautious as ever."
Orochimaru's lips curved faintly.
"Do not worry. I have already made arrangements. There will be almost no Konoha garrison near that border region."
"Menma-kun will not need to go deep into the Land of Fire. You only need to wait at the designated location."
"If my subordinates fail to arrive… then Menma-kun bears no responsibility for whatever follows."
"How does that sound?"
Orochimaru's gaze locked onto Menma, unblinking.
"Well, if that's all," Menma replied with a faint smile, "then I have no major objections."
"But I am very interested in what Orochimaru-san is offering in return."
Orochimaru's snake-like pupils contracted slightly.
"The research data of the Uzumaki clan… as well as my findings on the First Hokage's cells."
"These will be your compensation."
The moment those words were spoken, Menma's pupils constricted sharply.
Then, slowly, he smiled.
"It seems Orochimaru-san knows exactly what I want."
"In that case, there's no need for further discussion."
"The deal stands."
"I will arrive at the designated location within the time you specified."
Menma extended a finger and lightly tapped the map directly on the Valley of the End.
"But as you said yourself, Orochimaru-san."
"I am responsible only for this task."
The Valley of the End.
The site of the legendary final battle between Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara.
The place where an era of endless war had come to a close.
For reasons Menma himself could not fully explain, the moment his eyes rested on that location, a strange pressure seemed to push against his consciousness.
As though something unseen was urging him forward.
This place… may be where I must make a decisive choice.
A deep, unreadable light gathered in Menma's eyes.
With the negotiations concluded, Orochimaru departed swiftly.
Regarding the current physical condition of one of the legendary Sannin, Menma already had a clear understanding.
Even without relying on his knowledge of the original timeline, Menma's sensory perception vast and refined allowed him to detect the decay permeating Orochimaru's body.
Especially his arms.
That unnatural aura of corrosion spread throughout his chakra network.
Menma could already foresee it.
Orochimaru's current body had reached its limit.
In the original path of events, Orochimaru would temporarily regain the ability to form hand seals through body replacement. Yet such measures were never a true solution.
They merely postponed collapse.
Repeated body transfers would only accelerate the deterioration.
In the end, only one path remained.
And that path was exactly what Menma wished to see unfold.
This problem needed to be resolved through Orochimaru.
Not only because Menma lacked the time
But because Orochimaru was the foremost authority in this field.
Menma was not concerned about Orochimaru seeing through his intentions.
This was a naked conspiracy.
As long as Orochimaru could find no alternative, this road was unavoidable.
He would have no choice but to walk it.
Following the discussions of that day, Otogakure officially entered a full-scale relocation phase.
The first to withdraw were naturally Orochimaru, Menma, and their inner circle, along with the experimental data, research materials, and specimens Orochimaru valued most.
Next came the evacuation of personnel.
At present, Konoha had not launched any overt action.
However, reports confirmed that Konoha shinobi had begun appearing frequently throughout the Land of Rice Fields.
Their target was obvious.
They were waiting.
If Otogakure failed to evacuate now, there would be no second chance.
Naturally, the withdrawal could not be too conspicuous.
Large-scale movement would draw unnecessary attention.
Orochimaru deliberately left behind expendable forces as bait to divert focus.
Even so, without direct interference, the evacuation proceeded smoothly.
And under these circumstances
The four Sound ninja who had once protected Orochimaru during the invasion of Konoha, the ones who deployed the Four Violet Flames Formation, set out once more.
Their destination:
Konohagakure.
This time, they would infiltrate the village again.
And bring back someone Orochimaru desired above all others.
Someone who had long occupied his thoughts.
Meanwhile
Konohagakure.
The Uchiha clan compound had long since been designated a restricted zone.
On this night, a solitary figure moved silently through the darkness.
Black hair flowing.
The fan crest emblazoned on his clothing.
A cold, familiar expression.
It was Uchiha Sasuke.
He crossed the deserted streets with ease, his presence swallowed by the night.
Moments later, he arrived before a shrine.
Once the most sacred site of the Uchiha clan.
The place where ancestors were honored… and clan councils once convened.
After a brief scan of his surroundings, Sasuke leapt forward.
He landed atop the innermost stone slab.
With a practiced motion, he lifted it aside.
A deep, pitch-black passage was revealed beneath.
Without hesitation
Sasuke descended into the darkness, heading straight toward the hidden depths below.
WE ARE CURRENTLY ON CHAPTER 205 ON PATREON.
JOIN MY PATREON TO READ ADVANCED CHAPTERS BEFORE PUBLIC RELEASE OR PURCHASE THE BOOK FOR LIFETIME ACCESS!
Patreon.com/HACKDWORLD