Chapter 37
Chapter 37
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: [Undisclosed]
Chapter Title: Bluffing Orochimaru
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Right now, Uzumaki Menma standing outside the pit had a face under his mask like that old subway grandpa glued to his phone.
He had just wanted to bluff Orochimaru a little, but Orochimaru had actually deduced from his own knowledge that "Asura" came from the future.
This realization suddenly hit Menma: at this point, Orochimaru hadn't undergone Living Corpse Reincarnation yet.
Menma vaguely recalled that Orochimaru had done it at least five times—at the Chunin Exams, he'd already gone through it at least twice.
That woman's body had been perfectly compatible with Orochimaru's soul, letting him unleash his full strength. Even after Sarutobi Hiruzen sealed his arms, Orochimaru had been somewhat reluctant to abandon it.
'Guess I was the one being a bit hasty.' After sorting through his memories, Menma decided to roll with Orochimaru's speculation and let him fill in the blanks himself.
"Oh? Then tell me—why don't I kill you?" Menma's tone was laced with interest.
Orochimaru felt like he'd pierced the other's secret. His pupils contracted slightly, but the corners of his mouth curved into a sinister arc.
He slowly straightened up. Despite the churning blood in his chest making his breathing ragged, he let out a soft hiss, his voice slithering like a venomous serpent.
"You know about Living Corpse Reincarnation, so you must also know about my contract with Ryuchi Cave and my curse seal technique. Ordinary means can't kill me!"
"Mm, go on." Menma kept walking.
"Cough cough..." Orochimaru coughed twice. Because of his injuries, he could feel his life force draining away rapidly.
"You're familiar with my abilities and well-versed in my research. That means one of my lines of study must hold something you need—or rather, some research of mine bore fruit in the future!" As Orochimaru thought of his various experiments, one of which might touch on the ultimate secret of immortality, he grew even more fervent.
"Tsk..." A soft click echoed from beneath Menma's mask.
"You got some of it right, but some wrong too." Menma stopped and looked down at Orochimaru in the pit. "Still, guessing this much is impressive enough."
"Then let's cooperate!" Orochimaru's tongue flicked out to lick the blood from his lips, his tone burning hotter.
"I know your ambitions are huge, but with strength like this, it's not easy to make me work for you." Orochimaru regained his confidence, lifting his head and letting his hair fall messily across his face.
"Cooperate, huh?" Menma's brows lifted slightly under his mask as he feigned contemplation.
"Someone like you, coming back from the future—what danger could possibly scare you?" Orochimaru chuckled mockingly.
He didn't care if the other wanted to change something or conquer the shinobi world. What mattered was the "future intelligence" this guy possessed. If he could get his hands on it, his research would be more targeted, progressing much faster.
"Whatever you want from me, or whatever you want me to research—I can provide it. Of course, all on the basis of equivalent exchange." Orochimaru knew his edge lay in forbidden techniques, so he was convinced he'd gained the upper hand in these negotiations.
But he had no idea he'd played right into Menma's hands.
Since he couldn't make Orochimaru pledge loyalty, cooperation was just another way to exploit him.
That said, he couldn't let Orochimaru think he held the advantage.
"Heh heh, you think you've got the upper hand in this deal?" Menma's light, teasing tone drifted into Orochimaru's ears. "Living Corpse Reincarnation might keep you young, but your power will be forever capped at this level. Hell, it'll even weaken you in certain areas."
Hearing the other's description of Living Corpse Reincarnation's flaws, Orochimaru's pupils shrank sharply, his expression turning deadly serious.
He hadn't performed it yet, but he knew it had potential defects—plenty of them, in fact. He'd already confirmed two: the target's body had to be highly compatible with his soul, and he might not be able to use it again for years afterward.
So then...
"Is it something to do with the soul?" Orochimaru guessed the technique's gravest flaw just from Asura's description.