Seeing the two's little drama come to an end, Orochimaru approached with Yakushi Kabuto, wearing a sinister smile.
"Izayoi-kun, Sasuke-kun, are you satisfied with the surgery?" he asked.
From Orochimaru's expression, it was clear he wasn't afraid that Izayoi would betray him or discard him after use.
Perhaps he had a backup plan for resurrection, or maybe he knew Izayoi was trustworthy and wouldn't rebel.
"Not bad. When it comes to professional matters, you really have to find professionals," Izayoi nodded approvingly with a smile. "The surgery is done, so now it's time to fulfill the deal."
"A deal?"
Orochimaru was slightly taken aback, nearly blurting out that the surgery was the deal.
But then his smile froze as if remembering something.
He recalled Izayoi's earlier words: helping Uchiha Sasuke with the surgery was only the later part — first, Izayoi wanted something from him.
Because of the Hashirama cells involved, Orochimaru had subconsciously ignored that part.
At this moment, Izayoi tilted his head and looked at Orochimaru confidently.
"The surgery was just a courtesy gift! Lord Orochimaru, you don't seriously think a mere surgery could compensate for the information about that White Zetsu clone and the Death God mask, do you?"
"Heh heh... then what exactly do you want, Izayoi-kun?" Orochimaru forced a smile, inwardly cursing this scheming brat who set traps in his words from the start.
Wanting something and what one wants are completely different.
By agreeing to the surgery, Orochimaru had basically agreed to the deal.
Now Izayoi could boldly ask for whatever he wanted.
If Orochimaru refused, he'd have a reason to turn hostile.
If he agreed, what if Izayoi demanded his most precious possession? How could he choose?
Orochimaru found himself in a passive position again.
If only he had known Izayoi would show up here, he would have had Kabuto take away the important items first.
Then, Kabuto could find an opportunity to revive him.
But now, knowing about the Death God mask and the perfect White Zetsu clone, Orochimaru didn't want to die.
No matter how outrageous Izayoi's request, Orochimaru had no choice but to grit his teeth and accept.
At that thought, Orochimaru suddenly woke up to a shocking realization.
This brat didn't do it by accident, did he?
Using the information about the White Zetsu clone and the Death God mask to bait him, then manipulating him psychologically.
Could it be that the Death God mask was actually in Izayoi's hands?
Orochimaru's breathing became uneven, a little rushed.
Of course, Izayoi had no idea Orochimaru was panicking again.
He stated directly, "I want the summoning scroll of Ryuchi Cave, so Sasuke can sign a contract with Ryuchi Cave."
"Ryuchi Cave?"
Orochimaru didn't expect Izayoi's demand to be a summoning scroll.
Glancing at Uchiha Sasuke beside Izayoi, Orochimaru's gaze heated up again.
If Sasuke signed a contract with Ryuchi Cave, would Orochimaru then have a chance to place a cursed seal on his neck?
But sensing Sasuke's current aura, Orochimaru's thought vanished immediately.
Unless he recovered the souls of his lost hands, Sasuke was no longer his match.
So Orochimaru also played a little trick.
He smiled, "I thought you wanted the Edo Tensei technique, but it's just Ryuchi Cave's summoning scroll. That's a small matter... but—"
His tone faltered as he looked at his hands in distress.
"My hands' souls were taken by the Third Hokage's summoned Death God. I can't use summoning jutsu to call out Ryuchi Cave's scroll.
If you can help me find the Death God mask, then the scroll will be yours to do with as you please."
After finishing, Orochimaru saw Izayoi's half-smile and felt a chill in his heart.
As expected, Izayoi then looked at Kabuto and said, "Lord Orochimaru can't form the seals, so let Senpai Kabuto do it.
Didn't you three Sannin have a reunion in Tadakatsu Street? That's how you did it."
"Heh... I can't fool Izayoi-kun."
Seeing Izayoi was so well-informed, Orochimaru stopped pretending and said,
"Izayoi-kun, the Death God mask is in your hands, isn't it?
What price must I pay for you to hand it over?"
"Why are you so sure the Death God mask is in my hands, Lord Orochimaru?" Izayoi smiled mischievously.
Seeing that smile, Orochimaru exhaled with relief and laughed.
"I wasn't sure before, but now I am.
After all... Izayoi-kun, you're too stable.
When it comes to brains and scheming, I think even the Nara clan can't compare to you."
"Thank you for the compliment, Lord Orochimaru. You're quite impressive yourself to guess it so quickly," Izayoi returned the compliment, then laid out his condition:
"If you want the Death God mask, no problem.
As long as you help Sasuke master Ryuchi Cave's senjutsu, I'll give it to you."
Sasuke, who had been watching from the side, blinked blankly at Izayoi.
Though he didn't understand what senjutsu was, exchanging it for something that could counter a forbidden jutsu that the Third Hokage sacrificed his life for must be very precious.
Such a thing might even be a foundational treasure for Konoha.
And now, Izayoi was using such a treasure to help Sasuke gain more power.
At this moment, a warm feeling surged in Sasuke's heart, and his eyes seemed a bit misty.
Perhaps having a sworn father wasn't so bad after all.
Orochimaru looked at Izayoi in surprise, "You even know about senjutsu?"
"If Lord Orochimaru had my abilities, I'm sure you'd know even more," Izayoi smiled faintly.
"That's true..."
Thinking of the Uzumaki's Kagura's spiritual eye and the First Hokage's Wood Release, Orochimaru nodded knowingly.
Then he nodded promptly.
"No problem. I can introduce Sasuke to the White Snake Sage and help him learn Ryuchi Cave's senjutsu."
"Then bring out the summoning scroll."
"Kabuto..."
Orochimaru looked to Kabuto, who immediately understood.
Using Orochimaru's blood to form seals, Kabuto squatted down and struck the ground.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
With a loud boom, white mist cleared.
A white snake, as large as an adult, appeared out of thin air.
The white snake seemed to bear a mission; as soon as it appeared, it obediently opened its mouth and spat out a giant scroll.
On the scroll's seal were clearly written the characters "Ryuchi Cave."
Izayoi patted Sasuke's shoulder and said, "Go ahead, sign your name on it with your blood."
"Alright."
Sasuke nodded, then walked over, opened the summoning scroll, bit his finger, and wrote his name in blood on the blank scroll.
"Well then... happy cooperation, Lord Orochimaru."
"Heh heh... happy cooperation.
Sasuke-kun, whenever you're ready to learn senjutsu, just notify me through the Ryuchi Cave snake," Orochimaru said urgently.
Apparently, he had suffered enough from losing his hands.
Just like forbidding a smoker from smoking — for a scientist and an S-rank ninja like him, losing his hands and being unable to use jutsu was worse than death.
Moreover, Orochimaru had many enemies now.
The entire S-ranked Akatsuki, plus the ninja villages of Konoha and Sunagakure.
If Izayoi hadn't come to make this deal, Orochimaru might already be dead.
Now that Izayoi knows his location, the people from Konoha have surely already broken the seals on the four Sound ninjas and Kimimaro, extracting their memories.
The ninja forces might already be heading toward the Land of Rice; they need to relocate quickly.
"Since the deal is done, we won't bother you any longer, Lord Orochimaru."
"I look forward to our next meeting, Izayoi-kun."
"Heh, likewise."
After Uchiha Sasuke signed the contract with Ryuchi Cave, Izayoi exchanged a few polite words with Orochimaru and prepared to leave.
But after taking only a few steps, Izayoi suddenly stopped, as if remembering something, then turned back to Orochimaru and asked, "Lord Orochimaru, do you happen to have two Kusanagi swords? Would you consider transferring the other one to me?"
"Izayoi-kun... your information is impressively accurate," Orochimaru said softly, a flicker of unease in his eyes.
He indeed had two Kusanagi swords and had been searching the world for the third one — something not even Kabuto knew.
What on earth is this brat? How does he outwit even me?
Still, Orochimaru opened his mouth and spat out a slimy scroll, saying, "This Kusanagi sword is yours, Izayoi-kun."
"Sasuke, go pick it up," Izayoi said to Uchiha Sasuke.
"Me?"
Sasuke looked at the slimy sealed scroll and instinctively showed disgust on his face.
"Nonsense, it's for you too," Izayoi rolled his eyes and said annoyedly, "Anything Lord Orochimaru treasures is a precious item. Haven't you heard the legend of the Kusanagi sword?"
"Heh... Izayoi-kun knows its worth," Orochimaru smiled with approval.
"There are three Kusanagi swords, each with unique powers. The strongest is the Totsuka Sword, which can change form and traps anyone it pierces in a dreamlike eternal genjutsu realm. For years, I've been searching for its whereabouts, but unfortunately, I haven't found it yet," Orochimaru said with regret.
Hearing of such a legendary weapon, Sasuke's eyes lit up, no longer minding the slime on the sealed scroll as he quickly picked it up and wiped it clean.
"Well, we're off now, Lord Orochimaru," Izayoi waved and kindly reminded, "By the way, I suggest you relocate soon. The base's position has already been extracted through interrogation."
"Thanks for the warning, Izayoi-kun."
The two exchanged polite words, as if old friends, chatting happily.
This deal was a win-win.
Uchiha Sasuke had reversed his fate, his power greatly increased, with an improved kill rate.
Once he masters the Super Tornado Combo and Ryuchi Cave senjutsu, he will instantly become one of the strongest ninjas in the world.
At that point, his kill rate will soar even higher.
Before his Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan finishes its final evolution and unlocks the Chakra Mode and Silver & Gold Wheel techniques, Izayoi has a good chance of awakening the Sage Eye (Red).
Meanwhile, Orochimaru gained a White Zetsu clone and hope to break the Dead Demon Consuming Seal.
Everyone was a winner.
...
Two weeks later, at the South Naka River.
"Hahaha..."
Thick branches grew from the riverbank, arching like a bridge to the opposite shore.
Uchiha Sasuke stood on the branch, laughing arrogantly as he looked down at Hinata and Karui standing by the water.
"Kuu-chan... is that all you've got? Come at me! I'm just warming up."
Hinata and Karui exchanged glances, both full of dark lines on their foreheads, then nodded in unison.
"Eight Trigrams · Empty Wall Palm!"
Hinata formed a tai chi-like gesture and pushed forward with both palms.
A huge chakra wave, many times stronger than the normal Empty Palm, surged toward Sasuke on the branch.
"Too slow!" Sasuke sneered as his three tomoe Sharingan spun once.
He leapt into the air, easily dodging the attack.
Flipping twice mid-air, he formed a hand seal and spat out a flame below.
"Fire Style · Great Fire Annihilation!"
The flames immediately grew into a roaring blaze, crashing down like a meteor.
"Water Style · Water Dragon Surge!"
Karui clasped her hands, and the South Naka River churned wildly, forming a towering water tornado colliding with the fiery meteor.
Sizzling sounds rang out as white steam spread like mist.
"No good!"
Sasuke suddenly realized his mistake, panic flashing in his eyes.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh—
Sounds of slicing air reached his ears as blue chakra needles rained through the fog.
He quickly drew his Kusanagi sword, swiftly coating it with Lightning Release nature and shape transformation, swinging to block the incoming chakra needles.
The needles were Water Needles jutsu.
Whoosh—
After blocking Water Style · Heavenly Tears, another whoosh came from Sasuke's left.
He saw Hinata sprinting, stepping on the cliff wall as she charged.
Sasuke quickly shouted, "Wood Style · Great Forest Technique!"
His arms transformed into thick wooden vines, like octopus tentacles or a swarm of snakes, lashing to bind Hinata.
But Hinata let out a sharp cry and punched the binding vines.
A massive chakra burst shattered the wooden vines into fragments flying everywhere.
The shockwave sent Sasuke crashing down to the opposite shore.
Unharmed, Sasuke barely stood up before a teasing voice came from behind.
"Kuu-chan... is that all you've got, Sasuke-kun~~?"
A palm pressed against Sasuke's back, spreading tadpole-shaped seals instantly.
Battle over!