Chapter 126 – Don't Stir Up the Fetus
"The gift you mentioned—tied up, or not?"
Orochimaru's voice was flat. "Sasuke now has the same eyes as Uchiha Itachi; I'm no match for him."
"No." Naruto shook his head.
What, you want me to turtle-tie Sasuke and deliver him to your bedside?
"Are you toying with me?" Orochimaru's face darkened.
He didn't fear Sasuke, but the boy's strength was undeniably troublesome.
Tossing Sasuke into Otogakure—what's the difference between that and throwing a husky into a pack of wolves?
He could already picture the world-shaking chaos to come.
"I've no reason to toy with you."
Naruto gave a mysterious smile. "I spoke with Sasuke; he's quite willing to become your disciple."
"?"
Orochimaru frowned. Become my disciple—was he serious?
"He bears your Curse Seal and wants to learn how to use it. You know his goal: kill Uchiha Itachi. Right now he lacks the strength, so he seeks the seal's power."
Orochimaru's face turned thoughtful.
What The Fool said sounded true—and logical.
Uchiha Itachi had massacred their clan and fled; Sasuke was the sole survivor.
An unbreakable blood feud lay between the two.
Besides, during the Chunin Exams, if Sasuke hadn't accidentally awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan, Orochimaru had planned to tempt him with power.
Look at it differently…
If Sasuke really came to Otogakure—
Heh.
Wouldn't the boy be at his mercy?
This was his domain; dragon or tiger, they all coiled at his feet.
Orochimaru pondered, already tempted.
Seeing him silent, Naruto guessed his thoughts.
"So, what do you think?"
"Agreed." Orochimaru nodded.
"Good. Then it's settled. In a couple of days Uchiha Sasuke will come on his own."
Naruto offered sincere blessings: "Good luck, Orochimaru."
Orochimaru studied him. "Why help me? What do you want?"
Tch.
It's not like I want your body.
Naruto grinned. "Want to know?"
Orochchimaru nodded.
He truly couldn't figure out what The Fool was after.
Though the man had aided him many times.
"You want to know, but I just won't tell you."
"…" Orochimaru's rage shot up, chest heaving.
"Lord Orochimaru." Yakushi Kabuto hurriedly said, "Stay calm; don't stir up the fetus."
"Hmph, I know." Orochimaru waved a hand, gradually cooling down. "If there's nothing else, you may leave."
Naruto felt the scene before him was absurd.
He hoped Sasuke could handle it in the future.
An extra niece or nephew ought to make him happy, right?
After all, the Uchiha clan was one step closer to revival.
"By the way, boy or girl?" Naruto pointed at his belly, curious.
However it happened, at least a third of the credit was his.
Kabuto glanced at Orochimaru; seeing no reaction, he said, "Twins—a boy and a girl."
"!!!"
Naruto was stunned.
Two of them?
A second one had formed later?
One boy, one girl.
Nice—the Uchiha revival just advanced two steps.
"Congratulations! Congratulations!"
Naruto said with absolute sincerity.
He swore there wasn't a trace of lie in those words.
"You may go now." Orochimaru reminded again.
"Any proof?" Naruto shrugged. "What if your underlings get blind again? I'm soft-hearted and didn't kill, but Sasuke's different."
"…"
Soft-hearted my foot.
Orochimaru felt a rant stuck in his throat.
"What proof do you want?"
"Make an Otogakure admission letter," Narutosuggested.
Orochimaru didn't grasp the man's quirky taste; he only wanted him gone, so he glanced at Kabuto.
His trusted aide understood at once and turned to leave.
"One more thing."
With only two left in the hall, Naruto asked, "Know where Sasori is?"
"He was once my teammate, but we weren't close; I've no idea."
Orochimaru shook his head. "You're asking the wrong person. With your strength, why not raid the Akatsuki base directly?"
You keep digging pits for me.
Going to Akatsuki would be suicide.
Though Naruto had the Flying Thunder God Technique, he wouldn't provoke Uzumaki Nagato—owner of the Rinnegan—without absolute certainty.
Even the slightest danger is still danger.
Akatsuki already wanted the Nine-Tails.
Delivering himself to their door—
How nice would that be?
Still, Orochimaru spoke the truth.
He and Sasori were incompatible.
One: clashing artistic ideals—machinery versus biology.
Two: Orochimaru never cared about Sasori; he only wanted the Rinnegan and Sharingan.
Though he'd been "educated" by Nagato and Uchiha Itachi in turn.
"If you hear anything, let me know."
Naruto stated his purpose.
Orochimaru had Otogakure and ties with Danzo; his intel net was wide.
Right now Akatsuki hadn't begun collecting Tailed Beasts, but they still took high-difficulty missions.
With their strength, they easily attracted attention.
"Of course, I'll pay as an equal trade."
Orochimaru didn't refuse; it was no loss to him.
A moment later Kabuto returned with an admission letter.
Naruto skimmed it, nodded, and turned to leave.
He didn't use Flying Thunder God.
Orochimaru knew that jutsu; it risked exposing his identity.
Only after leaving Otogakure did Naruto vanish instantly.
He lifted his eyes—and was already at Sasuke's door.
He knocked.
"Come in," Sasuke said.
Naruto opened the door, walked in, and tossed the admission letter.
Sasuke caught it doubtfully and read.
Dear Mr. Sasuke,
We are pleased to inform you of your acceptance to Otogakure's Advanced Ninja Academy.
Term begins 1 November. We await your arrival or owl by 31 October.
Sincerely, Orochimaru
Headmistress (female)
"???"
Sasuke was dumbfounded.
His first thought: Naruto forged this.
But it seemed pointless.
Once he reached Otogakure, the truth would out.
And Orochimaru marked as female—
Few knew that secret.
Only Uchiha Itachi, Orochimaru, The Fool, and himself from the Chunin Exams.
"Where did you get this?" Sasuke asked. "Are you hiding something?"
I've got plenty of secrets.
Naruto rubbed his chin.
Should I tell him?
Sasuke was unquestionably trustworthy.
Naruto had, after all, watched him grow up.
"You know Uchiha Itachi joined some secret group, right?"
"Yeah." Sasuke nodded.
Back then Itachi and The Fool wore the same uniform—impossible not to notice.
"Their group is called Akatsuki. I know because I joined an organization that opposes them."
Naruto looked at him and extended an invitation: "Want to join Amatsu, Sasuke?"