Shenyue Yuan looked at Orochimaru—
That same gentle smile on his face.
The kind—
That made people uneasy.
…
"I'll be direct."
"I need you to transplant that arm onto me."
…
Orochimaru blinked.
Genuinely confused.
"…With your strength…"
"You don't need something like that."
…
A man on par with Pain—
Why would he need Sharingan enhancement?
…
Even knowing about Izanagi—
He still couldn't make sense of it.
…
Yuan smiled faintly.
"That's not your concern."
"So—are you willing to part with it?"
…
Silence.
…
For Yuan—
This wasn't about power.
It was about margin for error.
…
His trump card—
Equality of All Beings—
Was on cooldown.
Seven days.
…
In that time—
He needed insurance.
…
And in the ninja world—
Nothing surpassed Izanagi—
When it came to cheating death.
…
Of course—
There were risks.
Hashirama cells.Multiple Sharingan.
…
Most bodies—
Would collapse under that burden.
…
But Yuan had one thought—
I have Wood Release.
Maybe… I can handle it.
…
"Fufu…"
Orochimaru forced a smile.
"No problem."
"When would you like the surgery?"
…
"After I finish a few things."
Yuan nodded.
Then tapped lightly on the container of eyes.
…
"What Danzo could offer—"
"I can offer more."
…
"…Understood."
…
Orochimaru relaxed slightly.
…
As long as he remained useful—
He would live.
…
As for Danzo Shimura?
…
Who?
…
Their alliance had always been transactional.
Now—
The deal had changed.
…
And honestly—
This new deal?
Better.
…
"…If that's all, I'll go prepare?"
Orochimaru asked carefully.
…
"Wait."
Yuan stopped him.
…
"You and I—same village."
"Meeting here…"
"Don't you have anything to say?"
…
He leaned forward slightly.
Voice lowering.
"Snake-san…"
"The cherry blossoms of our hometown…"
…
"…?"
Orochimaru froze.
…
What is he talking about?
…
"…The cherry blossoms bloomed?"
He answered cautiously.
Testing.
…
Yuan sighed.
"They exploded."
"All gone."
"Naruto skipped class—wanted to test explosive tags."
"I lent him some…"
…
"…"
…
Orochimaru's thoughts stalled.
Completely.
…
What are you even saying?
…
Then—
Yuan's expression shifted.
From casual—
To serious.
…
"Have you heard a saying from the East?"
…
"…Please enlighten me."
…
"Those who understand the times—survive."
…
Yuan stepped closer.
His voice calm.
Steady.
…
"Orochimaru."
"I know you want to leave Akatsuki."
…
"Give up that idea."
…
"Work under me."
…
"Your future will only improve."
…
Silence.
…
Orochimaru's pupils contracted.
…
He saw through me…?
…
"…Then… I look forward to working together?"
He tried to phrase it carefully.
Leave himself room.
…
Yuan shook his head.
"No."
…
He stepped beside him.
Placed a hand on his shoulder.
…
"Not cooperation."
…
"It's hierarchy."
…
"You work for me."
…
"And in return—"
"You'll get closer…"
"To immortality."
…
BOOM.
…
Orochimaru's heartbeat surged.
…
That single sentence—
Struck deeper than anything else.
…
He knows…
He knows everything.
…
Yuan's serious expression vanished—
As if it had never been there.
…
"Oh, right."
"Where do you live here?"
…
"In the tower."
Orochimaru replied honestly.
"I mostly stay in my lab."
…
"Good."
Yuan patted his shoulder again.
"Don't go anywhere for now."
"I'll come find you."
…
"…Understood."
…
Finally—
He could leave.
…
Relief flooded through him.
…
"Oh—one more thing."
Yuan added casually.
"Don't spread news about my strength."
"I prefer to keep a low profile."
…
"…Of course."
…
Orochimaru forced a stiff smile.
…
Low profile?
You punched a meteor in front of an entire village.
…
He didn't dare say it aloud.
…
And left.
Quickly.
…
After a while—
Konan returned.
…
"Come."
"I'll show you your room."
…
"What floor do you prefer?"
…
Yuan smiled.
"I'm not picky."
"I'll stay next to you."
…
"…."
Konan's expression darkened slightly.
…
"Is that a problem?"
…
"Follow me."
She turned—
Walking ahead.
…
Yuan followed—
A faint grin on his lips.
…
Akatsuki life—
Had officially begun.