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“Orochimaru-sama, can this place really heal your arms?” Kabuto Yakushi asked, light glinting off his glasses as he looked up at Orochimaru.
“Of course. If Shin is willing, he can heal anything.” Orochimaru’s face was confident.
This confidence stemmed from his faith in Shin.
The Reaper Death Seal was originally an Uzumaki Clan sealing technique; Shin Uzumaki should have a way to break it.
Kabuto’s eyes flickered, but he said nothing, only following closely behind Orochimaru like a loyal subordinate.
After the Konoha Crush plan, Orochimaru had fled back to Otogakure. He had tried every conceivable method to restore his arms, but all had failed.
With no other options, Orochimaru had come to the Land of Whirlpools to seek Shin’s help.
Losing the use of his arms was a devastating blow to his combat strength. After all, performing Ninjutsu required hand seals. Without hands, how could he form them?
A ninja unable to form hand seals was practically useless—their combat power severely diminished. Orochimaru’s current strength was likely not much greater than Kabuto Yakushi’s.
Of course, Kabuto wouldn’t dare attack Orochimaru. He was afraid—Kabuto held Orochimaru in deep awe.
——
The moment Orochimaru and Kabuto set foot in the Land of Whirlpools, Shin knew. The entire Land of Whirlpools was constantly within his sensory range.
“I suspected Orochimaru would come. And now, he’s finally here. Hinata, you continue guiding Hanabi’s training.” Shin said to Hinata nearby.
“Okay.”
Hinata nodded in agreement. These past few days, Hinata had been watching Shin teach Hanabi and had gained some insight into guiding her.
Shin flickered and reappeared before Orochimaru and Kabuto, who had just arrived in the Land of Whirlpools.
Seeing Shin appear instantly, without any warning, Orochimaru was momentarily stunned, then a smile spread across his face.
“Shin, it’s been a while.”
“No one visits a temple without a reason. Orochimaru, you’re here for something, aren’t you? Because of your hands?”
Shin had guessed long ago that Orochimaru would seek either him or Tsunade. But regardless of who he sought, he would have to come to the Land of Whirlpools.
Kabuto Yakushi sized up Shin, then lowered his head. He knew he had no right to speak here—he just needed to listen obediently.
“You’re as perceptive as ever, Shin. I did come to ask for your help.” Orochimaru maintained his smile. he was, after all, asking for a favor.
“Asking for my help isn’t impossible. The souls of your arms are sealed, but that’s not a problem for me. However, what’s in it for me?” Shin wasn’t running a charity.
Just because Orochimaru asked for help didn’t mean he would provide it—Unless Orochimaru could offer something that interested him, Shin would send him away.
In fact, Shin was already planning to send Orochimaru away. The reason was simple: Shin didn’t particularly need anything.
If he truly wanted something, Shin could obtain it himself.
If he couldn’t get it, Orochimaru certainly couldn’t provide it either.
Orochimaru fell into deep thought. He knew seeking Shin Uzumaki’s help wouldn’t be easy.
“What do you want, Shin? Name your price. I’ll do my best to meet your demands.”
Orochimaru said seriously. His arms had to be restored; otherwise, his combat strength would be reduced by at least half.
“Save your breath. I have no requests—Leave. Now. Before I… ‘escort’ you out.” Shin waved his hand dismissively.
If Shin “Escorted” them, it would likely involve a Shinra Tensei that would blast them back to whence they came, leaving nothing but paste behind.
Seeing Shin’s impatient expression, Orochimaru frowned. If it were anyone else, he could use force or coercion. But this was Shin Uzumaki. If he tried, he’d be signing his own death warrant.
This was why Orochimaru hadn’t brought Kimimaro.
If Kimimaro were here, he might attack Shin Uzumaki out of loyalty to Orochimaru. But the outcome would be certain death for them both.
“It seems Shin doesn’t want to help. Then I can only look for other methods. Goodbye.”
Orochimaru didn’t press further. He knew pestering Shin would be futile and might even anger him—leading to worse consequences.
Orochimaru left with Kabuto Yakushi. Having hit a wall with Shin, he had to find another solution.
After watching them leave—Shin turned and went back. Honestly, if Orochimaru possessed something that interested him, Shin wouldn’t mind helping.
Unfortunately, Orochimaru had nothing Shin wanted. Or rather, Shin’s standards were too high—Orochimaru’s possessions didn’t impress him.
Including the forbidden jutsu, Living Corpse Reincarnation. Shin looked down on that too.
The jutsu had significant flaws.
Each reincarnation damaged the user’s soul—To successfully occupy another’s body, one had to battle their soul for control.
Only the victor could command the vessel. If Orochimaru continued using this jutsu, he would likely end up destroying himself.
Of course, whether Orochimaru destroyed himself or not was none of Shin’s concern.
——
After returning, Shin continued guiding Hanabi’s training.
Hanabi had been quite diligent lately, perhaps motivated by her desire to defeat him. Though impossible, it was a good goal. Having such an objective was beneficial for Hanabi.
“Shin-sama, what were you doing earlier?”
When Shin returned, he found Karin also there, holding a fruit platter.
Hanabi looked at the fruit platter, already drooling, but Karin wouldn’t let Hanabi eat any, which made Hanabi quite angry.
“Nothing much. Just a couple of guys came to the Land of Whirlpools; I sent them away,” Shin said after sitting down.
Seeing Shin sit, Karin immediately sat beside him and diligently offered him the fruit platter.
“I prepared this for you, Shin-sama. Try some,” Karin said, looking at Shin with an expectant gaze.
Shin wouldn’t refuse such a kind gesture. He picked up a piece of unidentifiable fruit with a toothpick.
Yes, unidentifiable. It was a fruit native to the Land of Whirlpools, not found elsewhere. It tasted good and wasn’t poisonous, but its name was unknown.
“Big Sis!” Hanabi called out to Hinata.
“Hanabi, what is it?” Hinata asked Hanabi, puzzled.
“I think Big Sis needs to be more proactive. Otherwise… Karin, that simp, is going to win him over—” Hanabi whispered into Hinata’s ear.
Hinata’s face instantly turned red. She understood Hanabi’s meaning, but… where did Hanabi learn the term ‘simp’? That’s too rude! She’d have to correct her sister’s language later
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