Chapter 69 – The Snake Sells Everything for a New Soul
"I figured you'd wait a few more days before crawling out."
Aike showed zero surprise. "Done hiding?"
Nami, Carina, Kaya, and Izumi all turned their eyes on the newcomer.
"Heh heh… one has to be cautious in the face of the power you displayed."
Orochimaru's voice rasped, body visibly tense despite standing openly in front of them.
"You found me because those two brats sold your location, right?"
Greed flashed in Orochimaru's golden eyes.
"Yes. I wish to trade for knowledge—specifically about souls."
Trade?
Neji, who had been warily watching the Sannin, caught that word instantly.
A premonition hit him.
This deal might be his chance.
His one shot at breaking the caged-bird seal and seizing his own fate.
"Soul, huh. Your body looks fine, but your soul is paper-thin and patchwork garbage. A few more body hops and you'll cease to exist entirely."
Aike gave him a casual once-over and dropped the verdict.
Cease to exist?!
Even a man who had survived countless horrors felt ice crawl down his spine.
"Cease… how, exactly?"
"Literal non-existence. No afterlife. No Pure Land. Nothing. Gone from the root."
Five words turned Orochimaru's world cold.
The man obsessed with immortality felt true fear for the first time in decades.
"Please, my lord—save me!"
All pride abandoned. He bowed, voice desperate.
"I can save you."
Aike remained unmoved.
"But I'm a merchant. Everything has a price. Life is only paid with life—or with something even more valuable."
He gently ran his fingers through Hinata's hair as she turned crimson beside him, waiting in silence.
Nami, Carina, Kaya, and Izumi watched with amused interest.
They still remembered when Aike had said the exact same thing to them.
Moments later they were all aboard his ship—body, heart, and soul.
Orochimaru's mind raced.
Something equal to life…
Could other lives be used as currency?
As expected of a scientist—he instantly grasped the loophole.
"Can I use subordinates as payment?"
"Accepted. But the price doubles."
Aike nodded, curious who the snake would offer.
Doyu?
Honglian (Guren)?
Those were the only two under Orochimaru worth taking.
With the crew growing, Aike had been thinking about adding utility members anyway—people to handle chores while the main wives stayed main wives.
Doyu and Guren fit perfectly.
Status-wise:
Nami and Carina were already the ship's queens—completely his.
Kaya, Izumi, Hikari, and Nojiko would reach that rank soon enough.
Newcomers would serve under them. No competing for the top spots.
Orochimaru had exactly the right candidates.
So when it came to negotiating details, Aike went full unscrupulous merchant.
First: Doyu and Guren as base payment.
Second: full intel on the Ryuchi Cave as extra.
Third—and the killing blow: every scrap of research Orochimaru ha
d ever done.
Out of everything, that forbidden knowledge was what Aike valued most.
The snake bled.
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