"It seems like you really know me well, Orochimaru."
Fujiwara Kirito didn't deny it and glanced toward the depths of the forest, where one of Yamato's Wood Style clones was hiding. He got straight to the point:
"Let me be clear. The training method for Dust Release, the most primitive cells of the First Hokage—and by the way, let me see my dear Sasuke again."
"If you meet these three conditions, you can keep your life today. I can also promise not to hunt you down in the future—of course, as long as you don't provoke me."
Orochimaru had a sinister smile on his face. "Kirito-kun's appetite is as big as ever. Meeting Sasuke is no problem, and I can also give you the First Hokage's cells."
"But Dust Release is the only kekkei tōta in the ninja world. So can I understand that Kirito-kun has already integrated the three chakra attributes: fire, wind, and earth?"
"Of course." Kirito nodded, not denying it.
Hearing this, Orochimaru instantly lost composure and licked his lips with his tongue. A sinister smile spread across his face, and his vertical golden pupils could no longer hide the greed. "It's so wonderful. So wonderful. I never thought Kirito-kun could even accomplish such a thing."
"You haven't answered my question yet. Also, don't look at me like that—or I'll kill you." Kirito smiled as he threatened.
"Sorry, sorry. When I see something beautiful, I can't help myself and want to obtain it—even though I know I can't."
Orochimaru smiled awkwardly and said, "But unfortunately, Dust Release is the top secret of Iwagakure. Only the Tsuchikage and their successors can access it. So even if you kill me, I can't give it to you."
"You don't need to worry about that. As long as you do what I ask, I'll figure it out myself. Let's head to your base first." Kirito said as he released his perception, locking on Sasuke's chakra.
He brought Pakura and rushed straight toward Sasuke.
"Lord Orochimaru, it seems Lord Kirito has found Sasuke through his perception. What should we do?" Kabuto asked hesitantly.
"Let's just see what he plans to do." Orochimaru's expression turned grim. He sighed and chased in the direction Kirito and the others went.
Kabuto followed close behind.
Orochimaru thought, I need to be patient. I still have Sasuke. Once I obtain his body, there's nothing I'll fear.
I never thought even Orochimaru feared Kirito this much. He really is dangerous, Kabuto thought.
Why does he want the First Hokage's cells? And what does 'my Sasuke' mean?
And it seems like they're targeting the Iwagakure bloodline.
Also, Akatsuki assigned Kirito to kill Orochimaru, but he chose to blackmail him instead.
What is he really planning? There are too many questions.
After the group left, Yamato's Wood Clone stepped out from behind the tree, thoughts racing.
He sighed and began to contact his original body.
Half a day later—
Kirito and his three companions stopped before a rocky mountain rarely visited by people.
Boom—
The cliff opened, revealing a gray passage lined with talismans.
"Orochimaru, you still like living in dark and damp places. Don't you have a normal place to stay?"
Kirito, after sensing the location of Naruto, Karin, and the others, looked at Orochimaru with distaste.
"Come in. Sasuke's inside. I'll give you the First Hokage's cells later." Orochimaru rolled his eyes and walked inside, thinking, You think I actually like these creepy places? If I weren't being hunted by Konoha and Akatsuki, I wouldn't be hiding in holes.
The four walked down the dim passage. White candles hung along the walls, casting eerie shadows.
The only sounds were their footsteps echoing down the corridor.
The atmosphere grew increasingly gloomy and strange.
Soon, they arrived at a dim stone hall.
Above the hall, a carved stone serpent head opened its mouth wide. Sasuke, with a Kusanagi sword at his waist, sat below the snake head in a composed, intimidating posture.
The room looked impressive in the flickering light.
"You're late. Didn't you say we'd train new jutsu this afternoon, Orochimaru?"
Sasuke raised his eyelids slightly, revealing a pair of scarlet three-tomoe Sharingan, and addressed Orochimaru with a commanding tone.
Hearing Sasuke's words, Kabuto frowned.
Orochimaru didn't get angry—he patiently explained.
This made Kirito burst out laughing.
"What's so funny, Kirito-kun?" Orochimaru frowned.
"Yeah, it's pretty funny," Kirito replied, then turned to Sasuke. "When Sasuke cried and begged me to teach him to become stronger, he didn't hesitate to call me 'Dad'. But when it comes to you, he treats you like a father figure. Don't you think that's hilarious?"
"Is that true?" Orochimaru looked at Sasuke in surprise. This person—the only one who had surpassed him—had actually called Kirito 'Dad'?
Sasuke suddenly recalled calling Kirito 'Dad' three years ago. His cold face flushed, and he felt socially destroyed.
Enraged, he opened his eyes and launched a genjutsu at Kirito.
"Stop, Sasuke!" Kabuto shouted.
He wasn't worried about Kirito or even Sasuke. He was concerned about Orochimaru's vessel.
Kirito had a nickname: the "Phantom God" of the ninja world. His fame even overshadowed Uchiha Itachi, the one who had defeated Orochimaru. Casting a genjutsu on the Phantom God? That was like an old man hanging himself.
But Sasuke ignored him and completed the genjutsu.
Inside Sasuke's illusion space, Kirito showed no surprise. He smiled and looked up at the large three-tomoe design in the illusion sky and muttered, "Genjutsu? As a trick, it's interesting, but compared to Itachi's Tsukuyomi, it's far inferior."
"Sasuke, do you still feel cheated because you called me 'Dad' but I didn't teach you anything?"
"Fine. I'll make an exception today and teach you some genjutsu principles."
"Listen carefully—genjutsu is a duel of spiritual energy. The pupil power your Uchiha clan always talks about is only a part of that."
"Just like how a three-tomoe Sharingan will never beat a Mangekyō."
"With your little spiritual energy, I don't even need to disrupt my own chakra. Just releasing a bit of mine is enough to crush yours."
As he spoke, a massive surge of spiritual energy exploded from Kirito's body.
"Ah!"
A scream echoed. Sasuke's illusion space shattered like paper.
Blood poured from Sasuke's eyes as he clutched his face, his body trembling.
(End of this chapter)