Chapter 52: Orochimaru's Deal
The morning mist enveloped Konoha Village. The air was filled with dampness and sorrow.
Uchiha Sanpō stood beside the freshly dug graves, watching the small coffins being slowly lowered into the earth.
These were the children discovered in the Root base. Their thin bodies were covered with needle marks and stitches. Some had even been modified beyond recognition.
"One hundred and thirty-seventh."
Uchiha Sanpō counted softly, his nails digging deep into his palm.
At that moment, a small figure ran out from the crowd. Short black hair fluttered lightly in the morning breeze.
The five-year-old Uchiha Itachi, dressed in formal black clothes, walked straight toward Orochimaru.
Uchiha Itachi's voice was childish yet unusually steady: "Lord Orochimaru, why… aren't you mourning with everyone?"
Orochimaru looked down at the child who barely reached his waist. The corners of his mouth curved into a half-smile: "Mourning the dead is meaningless! Only when they can be used do they have value!"
Uchiha Itachi blinked his large black eyes. This answer clearly exceeded his expectations.
"Then… what is the meaning of life?" Itachi's voice carried the persistence unique to a child.
Orochimaru's golden pupils stared directly at Uchiha Itachi: "There is no meaning. Once a person dies, everything slowly disappears. Only living eternally has meaning!"
With that, his wide sleeves fluttered in the wind as he turned and left alone.
Uchiha Itachi stood frozen in place. His small back looked exceptionally lonely.
Uchiha Sanpō walked forward and gently placed his hand on Uchiha Itachi's head.
"Because life is very short, we must do meaningful things within our limited time. A person's birth is like a blank sheet of paper. Whether this paper ends up covered with chaotic stains or a beautiful painting depends on one's choices and persistence."
Uchiha Itachi raised his head. Two completely different ideas were clashing inside his heart.
Uchiha Sanpō smiled, then chased after Orochimaru in the direction he had left.
After passing through several patches of woods, Orochimaru deliberately made his footsteps heavier before stopping in a secluded area.
"You were looking for me?"
Uchiha Sanpō's breathing was steady: "All the data about your human experiments inside the Root base has been secretly preserved by us."
Orochimaru's pupils contracted into thin slits. Killing intent faintly surfaced in his eyes: "You're threatening me?"
Uchiha Sanpō took out a sealed scroll from his bosom: "No, it's a deal. I know a lot of information—for example, your laboratory in the Land of Seas, and your pursuit of eternal life. Inside this scroll is a piece of information: as long as one possesses the forbidden treasure 'Earth Grudge Fear,' one can live forever by continuously replacing the heart. The person currently using this forbidden treasure is already 75 years old. He has installed five hearts in himself. Only by destroying all five hearts can he truly be killed."
Upon hearing this, Orochimaru's breathing clearly quickened for a moment: "What do you want?"
Uchiha Sanpō smiled confidently: "The complete research data on Heaven and Earth Cursed Seals, including all failed cases and optimization processes."
The air suddenly became quiet, as if frozen between the two men.
Orochimaru suddenly laughed, but his voice was hoarse: "Interesting. Since when did your Uchiha clan become interested in my research?"
Uchiha Sanpō did not directly answer the question: "Lord Orochimaru, your talent is astonishing. Naturally, it is worthy of our Uchiha clan's attention."
Orochimaru extended his pale hand: "Throw the scroll over. I want to inspect the goods first!"
Uchiha Sanpō tossed the sealed scroll to him. Orochimaru caught it steadily.
After quickly browsing the contents of the scroll, he spat out a wet scroll from his mouth and threw it over.
"Pleasant cooperation." After the deal was completed, Orochimaru turned to leave.
Uchiha Sanpō hurriedly called out: "Wait, Lord Orochimaru. I know you are determined to leave Konoha. Our Uchiha clan will not stop you, but I want the improved Impure World Reincarnation technique from you."
Orochimaru looked back, seemingly weighing the pros and cons: "Although my improved Impure World Reincarnation is not yet perfect, the price you're offering is not enough!"
Uchiha Sanpō thought for a moment. In the original story, Orochimaru's human experiments were funded by Danzō's Root. Now that Danzō had been killed by him, Orochimaru's future experiments would definitely lack funding.
"I know Lord Orochimaru likes to conduct research. Our Uchiha clan can provide funding and will not interfere with the process. We only require that you share the research results with us."
Orochimaru weighed it for a moment, then spat out another scroll and tossed it over.
"Remember your promise. If you fail to keep it… hehehe… I will collect interest!"
After achieving his goal, the two parted ways.
Inside the Uchiha clan shrine, the core members of the clan had already gathered.
Uchiha Fugaku was sitting in his chair, speaking in a deep voice: "Sanpō, you're late."
Uchiha Sanpō bowed slightly. His black long hair slid down from his shoulder: "Clan Head, I just went to see Orochimaru. I tried to persuade him to stay, but he insisted on leaving Konoha Village."
"Hmph!"
The hawk faction elder Uchiha Yadai was very displeased. He slammed his palm on the table: "We already concealed his participation in Root's human experiments, yet he still wants to leave!"
Immediately, many Uchiha clansmen began to discuss among themselves.
Uchiha Fugaku raised his hand slightly to signal everyone to be quiet: "We underestimated him. A powerhouse like him will not leave his weaknesses in the hands of others!"
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