Naruto: All My Targets Are Ninjutsu.

Since Orochimaru "gifted" this to him and even left that last sentence, it's likely that the latter has more research data, but he just wants to see what his bargaining chips are before deciding whether to give it to him.

Mikami Yu planned to sort through the corpses of the Hidden Mist ninjas after returning home, and secretly send some to Orochimaru. Perhaps he could get the remaining half of an arm from Orochimaru and give it to him to "Neural Activation Technique" to activate the second stage of [Overload Pulse].

At that time, Mikami Yu estimated that his strength would be greatly improved, and he might even be able to try to develop some new combination ninjutsu...

soon.

The two of them returned to the goldfish stall they had just been standing in, one after the other.

It was already evening, and the sky looked a little dark.

Nohara Rin and Yuhi Kurenai are still waiting here.

The two girls each carried a water bag, inside which several goldfish were swimming around and blowing bubbles.

"This is……"

"Hehe, these are our spoils of war!"

Kurenai Yuhi grinned and held up her water bag as if presenting a treasure, showing it to Yu Mikami: "Look, I caught three! Rin caught two too, and one of them has a very special pattern... Only Obito deserted and didn't catch any."

"...What do you mean by deserting in the face of battle? I was letting you off easy! Otherwise, with my Sharingan, I could have caught a hundred goldfish!"

Obito's face flushed red, and he immediately began to argue.

"Hmph, aren't there still plenty of goldfish in that tank? If you want to prove yourself, just buy some more nets and go catch some. Nobody's stopping you."

Kurenai Yuhi dismantled the earthen platform with a disdainful look.

Nohara Rin smiled and then looked at Mikami Yu: "Yu, do you want to try it? It's quite fun."

"never mind."

Yu Mikami shook his head: "It's getting late, let's go back to the base first. If we stay any later, we might miss dinner."

"Oh……"

Nohara Rin responded without saying anything. Kurenai Yuhi, standing beside her, obediently put down her water bag and followed Mikami Yu towards the base.

……

That night.

Yu Mikami first copied the scroll that Orochimaru had given him, then gave the copy to "Neural Activation Technique," which increased his favorability by 3 points and the maximum favorability by 6 points.

[Neural Activation Technique: Affection +3, Affection Max Increased by 6, Current Affection: 39/42 (Stranger)]

Chapter 280 The Deal with Orochimaru, Unexpected Kirigakure Information

[After receiving your gift, the pale girl remained asleep, but a faint blush appeared on her pale face, as if she were one step closer to awakening.]

"Is it still 8 o'clock...?"

Yu Mikami selectively ignored the following hint and focused his attention on the number 42.

If I remember correctly, when he gave away the entire "left arm" last time, it increased his favorability cap by 11 points. Now, half of the "right arm" has increased it by 6 points, which seems to be more than the left arm. If he can get the remaining half of the arm from Orochimaru, there is a chance to reach the 50-point cap.

However, it's possible that the value will stay around 49, which would be a nightmare for perfectionists...

"I wonder when Orochimaru will come again. Let's prepare the things we agreed on beforehand, and then we can just exchange them when the time comes. Anyway, we can upgrade as soon as we get the scrolls, so it shouldn't be too much trouble."

"Also, Konoha's Anbu might track Orochimaru to this area in the next few days, so we need to be a little careful in our subsequent operations and avoid giving them any leverage..."

Unlike Orochimaru, Mikami Yu has no plans to leave Konoha yet. Although the matter of "secretly meeting with Orochimaru" can be explained, given his relationship with Tsunade and Minato Namikaze, it is unlikely to be investigated further. However, it is better to avoid trouble and be cautious to save unnecessary problems.

After pondering for a while and roughly figuring out a plan, Mikami Yu quickly washed up and went to bed.

……

Orochimaru moved faster than expected.

The night after their chance encounter in the town, this guy secretly sent a message to Mikami Yu through the White Snake spirit beast, inviting him to meet in the grove near the base.

This time, Mikami Yu successfully exchanged the other half of his "right arm" from Orochimaru using the corpses of four Kirigakure ninja.

[Neural Activation Technique: Affection +4, Affection Max Increased by 8, Current Affection: 44/50 (Stranger)]

"Great!"

Yu Mikami clenched his fist tightly, feeling excited.

He looked at Orochimaru and thought, "He's really like my Agasa, Big Bad Wolf, or Doraemon. Although his own strength is just so-so, he can always pull out something useful for me."

If Kabuto weren't still too young and his espionage talents were still developing, Yuu Mikami would love to put Kabuto directly under Orochimaru's command. He could act as an informant to monitor Orochimaru and also help Orochimaru improve his research efficiency so that he could quickly develop the complete "Neural Activation Technique".

However, given Orochimaru's brainwashing abilities, it's possible that Kabuto could be manipulated in reverse. Therefore, this plan needs to be approached with caution and not decided lightly.

"Then let's end this deal here. If I acquire any new valuable corpses, I'll contact you again. Remember to give me the latest research results on 'Neural Activation Technique' then."

Yu Mikami said.

opposite.

Orochimaru narrowed his eyes slightly, looking at Mikami Yu with interest—to be honest, he had doubts about whether Mikami Yu had mastered the "Neural Activation Technique," after all, the technique was only half-finished, and even he himself had not fully understood it, only completing the theoretical deduction.

However, judging from Mikami Yu's past record and his performance in these two transactions, this kid may have really mastered it.

This surprised Orochimaru, but also brought him some joy.

—Since he already considers Mikami Yu as a potential vessel, the more techniques Mikami Yu masters and the more perfectly his body is developed, the better for him.

As for whether Mikami Yu's strength might become too great and backfire on his possession plan...

Orochimaru felt there was absolutely nothing to worry about.

After all, Orochimaru was a master of Genkai 10, and he believed few ninjas could rival his mental strength, let alone suppress him. At this moment, he was already impatient to see the scene of personally reaping the rewards before him…

"Wait a mininute."

Seeing that Mikami Yu was about to turn and leave...

Orochimaru suddenly called out to him.

"Ok?"

"Since this transaction went relatively smoothly, I'll give you an important piece of information as a bonus."

Orochimaru chuckled and said in a hoarse voice, "When I came from the southwestern border a few days ago, I encountered some people... they should be ninjas from the east. They seem to have come from the Land of Hot Water, trying to encircle your strongholds from both sides."

"Oh?"

Yu Mikami frowned slightly.

East side...

That's Kirigakure (Hidden Mist Village).

No wonder the reconnaissance teams around the Land of Waves hadn't been able to detect any movements from Kirigakure for a while. So they were taking a detour from the even more distant Land of Hot Springs? If they could detour from the Land of Hot Springs... then perhaps they could also detour from the Land of Whirlpools?

Is this intelligence reliable?

Mikami Yu asked.

Believe it or not.

Orochimaru shrugged, his tone nonchalant: "I'm a 'free agent' now, no longer responsible to any ninja village. Besides, this information was just a bonus. If you want more details, go verify it yourself. I have no obligation to continue answering."

"……Understood."

Yu Mikami nodded: "Thank you very much then. Let's trade again next time we have the chance. Remember to further develop and improve the 'Neural Activation Technique'. I really need it right now."

After saying that, Mikami Yu turned and left.

Realizing he had become a potential vessel in Orochimaru's eyes, Mikami Yu's attitude towards this "Legendary Sannin" gradually became less polite. After all, Sasuke had used the same tactics against Orochimaru in the original story; it remained to be seen how effective he would be in doing so...

However, the most important thing right now is to verify Orochimaru's information as soon as possible. If Kirigakure really is playing a trick of feigning an attack, then whether they can gain the upper hand will determine the outcome of this battle.

Of course, we also need to raise the "Neural Activation Technique" affinity level as soon as possible. If everything goes smoothly, a 6-point affinity level should be maxed out in two or three days...

the other side.

Orochimaru watched as Mikami Yu's figure completely disappeared from sight before his smile slowly faded. He stood there for a moment, then turned and walked in another direction.

After walking a few steps, he suddenly paused and turned his gaze to the diagonal front.

there.

A shady spot in the woods.

A tall figure shrouded in a black cloak stood silently, the wide hood completely obscuring his face. Only a faint, calm, and indifferent gaze pierced through the shadows, causing Orochimaru to instinctively sense something amiss.

"This guy..."

When did it come?

Even with Orochimaru's legendary sensory abilities, he couldn't pinpoint the exact time of the opponent's appearance. This is definitely unusual.

at this time.

The shadowy figure spoke slowly, his deep voice revealing neither age nor emotion: "As expected of Konoha's 'Sannin,' your senses are truly keen."

"……Oh."

Orochimaru let out a low chuckle, then said in a hoarse voice, "'Sannin'? That's all in the past. Now I'm just a wandering ninja without a village."

As he spoke, Orochimaru took a step forward, his movement appearing relaxed and casual, but his eyes subtly locked onto the dark figure not far away. "As for you, hiding your face and playing coy, who exactly are you?"

opposite.

The shadowy figure seemed unconcerned by Orochimaru's provocation, simply saying, "I was just someone who happened to be passing by and wanted to see what was so special about the 'Sannin,' but now it seems... rather disappointing."

Disappointed?

Orochimaru licked his lips, a dangerous glint in his eyes. "If you want to weigh the weight of the 'Sannin,' you'd better be prepared to die."

Before he finished speaking, Orochimaru's figure vanished from his spot! Almost simultaneously, he reappeared several meters away from the shadowy figure, raising his right hand, and several large, colorful pythons coiled around the figure's throat: "Hidden Shadow Serpent Hands!"

This attack was ruthless, cunning, and extremely fast; even a regular ninja, or a Jonin, would have a hard time dodging it.

however--

The dark figure stood firmly in place, without moving an inch, merely glancing at Orochimaru with a nonchalant air.

hum!

At this moment, an indescribable, immense, and suffocating spiritual force, like an invisible tsunami, crashed down!

Orochimaru felt his entire body stiffen, as if countless invisible chains stretched out from the void, binding him tightly from head to toe. Not only his body, but even the surging chakra within him instantly froze, his meridians seemed to be frozen, and he could no longer mobilize any power.

The "Shadow Snake Hand" abruptly stopped in mid-air, unable to advance any further, less than a foot from the shadowy figure's neck.

"What... kind of technique is this?"

Orochimaru's pupils trembled violently, his hoarse voice filled with undisguised horror. He tried desperately to move his eyes to look at the face beneath the hood, but his neck felt like rusty iron, completely out of his control. He could only vaguely sense a strangely familiar aura emanating from the other person.

Familiarity is natural.

because……

The shadowy figure was none other than Uchiha Madara. He had recently visited Kirigakure, where he gave the Third Mizukage several instructions before returning to the Land of Fire to personally oversee the entire plan. However, he happened to discover Orochimaru and Mikami Yu engaged in a transaction.

Madara Uchiha had some reservations about Orochimaru, who had already defected from Konoha.

However, he doesn't intend to reveal his identity yet, so he wore a mask beforehand. When he used the "Demonic Illusion: Lanka Technique" earlier, he also intentionally concealed the fact that he possesses the Sharingan. Therefore, Orochimaru, who was experiencing this technique for the first time, didn't recognize him.

"I will come back to find you."

Madara Uchiha took a step back, his figure becoming elusive, and soon disappeared from sight.

Only then did Orochimaru break free from his restraints, staggering back two steps, panting heavily, with fine beads of cold sweat on his forehead.

"This guy..."

Who exactly is this person?!

When did this unidentified monster appear in the ninja world?!

but……

"interesting."

Orochimaru stuck out his tongue and licked his slightly chapped lips, a complex and unfathomable light flashing in his eyes. To him, all unknown things were worth exploring, and the shadowy figure from before was no exception. If he could personally uncover the identity of that figure… it would surely be a very interesting thing.

……

Inside the command post at the Zhuohua Town base.