"I'm not interested in conspiracies or schemes. What I want to collaborate on is your research—that's the truly valuable thing," Deidara said directly.
"Ah, so you're someone who sees the truth of this world as well!" Orochimaru's opinion of Deidara improved slightly. Although Orochimaru was skilled in manipulation and deception, he didn't truly value such tactics. To him, only the pursuit of truth was meaningful.
"However, my research is extremely valuable. What do you have to offer in exchange?" Orochimaru asked. Since he regarded truth as the most important thing, the price for his research was naturally high. Without something of equal value, he wouldn't agree to share it.
Deidara had anticipated this reaction. He tossed over a sealing scroll, which contained a small sample of flesh from the Eight-Tails.
"Eight-Tails' tissue," Orochimaru muttered, his eyes widening in genuine surprise for the first time.
"I have plenty more. If you agree to collaborate, all of it will be yours," Deidara said as he pulled out another sealing scroll filled with the tissue samples he had collected during the battle with the Eight-Tails a few days ago.
"Heh heh!"
"It seems you've accomplished something remarkable," Orochimaru said with an excited smile, making no effort to question how Deidara had obtained the Eight-Tails' tissue. To him, such details were irrelevant.
"Very well, what do you want in return?" Orochimaru asked, curious about Deidara's price.
"For now, I don't need anything specific from you. Consider this a friendly investment," Deidara replied. "However, as interest, I'd like you to focus some of your efforts on researching the First Hokage's cells and share your findings with me in the future. I'll compensate you further at that time."
The reason Deidara was interested in Hashirama's cells was simple—he needed to strengthen Nagato. The system's tasks required him to eventually summon Kaguya Ōtsutsuki and defeat her. And to summon Kaguya, the Infinite Tsukuyomi had to be cast.
In the end, someone had to carry out this monumental task. Among Madara, Obito, and Nagato, Deidara chose Nagato as the most reasonable candidate. The other two were far too stubborn and impossible to persuade.
"How do you know I'm researching the First Hokage's cells?" Orochimaru asked cautiously, his expression tinged with suspicion. Could there be another spy besides Kabuto—perhaps one planted by Sasori?
Seeing Orochimaru's reaction, Deidara immediately clarified, "That's just an obvious deduction, isn't it?"
"Just like how every village seeks to control the Tailed Beasts, I can't believe the higher-ups of Konoha would resist the temptation of a Shinobi God like the First Hokage," Deidara explained.
"True enough. Deidara, I didn't expect you to have such a deep understanding of human nature," Orochimaru said, accepting the scroll Deidara had tossed over. Glancing at the Edo Tensei version of the Third Kazekage that had reverted to its sacrificial form, Orochimaru commented, "It seems my Impure World Reincarnation technique still has flaws. Well then, farewell for now, you two."
"Deidara, are you really going to collaborate with Orochimaru?" Sasori asked, clearly displeased with the decision. After all, Orochimaru was his sworn enemy.
"Brother Sasori, try to be more magnanimous," Deidara said, attempting to placate him.
"Orochimaru's genetic research is terrifyingly advanced. Wouldn't you like to one day command an army of Tailed Beast puppets or Wood Release puppets in battle? Orochimaru can help make that happen!" Deidara added with a smile.
"Hmph! This better be worth it!" Sasori retorted, still unconvinced. Normally, he wouldn't have listened, but after being thoroughly outclassed by the Eight-Tails recently, Sasori had come to recognize his own limitations. His desire to grow stronger was now more urgent than ever.
The two left the desolate Land of Wind. After crossing the border, they entered the Land of Rivers.
The Land of Rivers was the largest of the smaller nations, but its strength was relatively weak—it didn't even have a ninja village. The primary reason lay in its geography: the country was covered in rugged mountain ranges, with most of its land unsuitable for agriculture. While not as barren as the Land of Wind, it still lacked the basic conditions for human settlement.
This similarity in geography was why the Land of Wind, despite being a neighbor, had little interest in the Land of Rivers.
The Akatsuki's new base in the Land of Rivers was set to be established in Matsuzaka City. Though not the most prosperous city in the region, it was a major urban center. In modern terms, it could be described as a "second-tier city."
Such a location was ideal for the Akatsuki's new base—not too impoverished to sustain operations, but not so wealthy or powerful as to attract undue attention. After all, Deidara and Sasori couldn't stay at the base indefinitely, and there were no reliable peripheral members to leave behind. If they made too much of a splash, the base would likely be destroyed as soon as they left.
Deidara and Sasori walked along a mountain path leading to Matsuzaka City. Tall trees lined both sides of the road, and the chirping of birds could be heard in the distance. The rustling of bushes betrayed the presence of wild rabbits and pheasants, and there were even a fair number of travelers on the road. It was a rare scene of tranquility.
Due to the violent, bloody, and deadly nature of their profession, ninjas often yearned for peaceful lives more than ordinary people. Though Deidara hadn't been in this world for long, he already understood this sentiment.
Constant fighting, constant battles, constant life-and-death gambles—without some form of relief, it was inevitable that one would develop psychological issues.
Now he finally understood why Akatsuki members often traveled at such a leisurely pace. It was to savor these fleeting moments of peace.
But life rarely went as one wished. Suddenly, a large group of ronin and samurai, mixed with some ninjas, emerged from the surrounding forest and surrounded Deidara and Sasori.
Their target, however, wasn't the pair but rather a merchant caravan up ahead. Still, in the interest of silencing witnesses, Deidara and Sasori had the misfortune of being caught in the crossfire. If they weren't strong enough, they would likely meet an untimely end.
"Honorable sirs, what's the meaning of this?"
"I'm just a humble merchant! Our caravan has even paid protection fees to Lord Zoey. Look, here's the permit!" An elderly man with a white beard hurried forward, trembling as he spoke.
"Shut up, old man!" The leader of the ninjas kicked him aside. The elder, clutching his stomach in pain, slammed into one of the caravan's wagons and coughed up blood.
"Grandpa Takuya!" A young man from the caravan rushed to help the elder. Seeing the surrounding ronin and ninjas, his eyes burned with fury.
"Quit pretending, brat! Lady Junko is in your group, isn't she? Hand her over and pledge loyalty to Lord Zoey. Not only will you save your lives, but you'll also earn his favor. How about it? Not a bad deal, right?" the ninja leader sneered.
From his words, it was clear this wasn't a simple robbery—there was more to the story.
"Dream on! We'll never surrender to that scoundrel Zoey!"
"And besides, Lady Junko isn't here. You're out of luck!" Realizing their cover was blown, the young man dispelled his transformation jutsu with a poof, revealing his true form—a young man with spiky brown hair.
"No matter. Once I kill all of you, I'll find out whether she's here or not," the ninja leader said with a cruel smile, pulling a kunai from the pouch on his thigh.
As the leader prepared to act, his subordinates followed suit, creating a tense and hostile atmosphere.
"Everyone, scatter and break through!"
"And you two back there—you look like ninjas as well. Sorry for dragging you into this," the young man shouted apologetically to Deidara and Sasori.
"Anyway, if you get the chance, just run!"
"Tsk! More fighting, huh?" Deidara sighed. "Brother Sasori, this one's all yours."
"Deidara, aren't you usually the one who's most eager for a fight? Shouldn't you be handling this?" Sasori replied, unmoved. He had no interest in these small fries either.
~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~
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