Chapter 108: A Transaction of Flesh and Power
The air in the small room, still thick with the residual terror from Kabuto's ordeal, grew cold and sharp as Ren made his demand. Orochimaru's reptilian eyes narrowed, all traces of his previous placating demeanor vanishing.
"Borrow someone?" Orochimaru's voice was a low, dangerous hiss. "What person could you possibly need from me? I was under the impression my resources were of little interest to you beyond the laboratory."
"On the contrary," Ren replied, his tone cool and unfazed by the sudden shift in atmosphere. "There are three specific individuals I require."
"Three? Do enlighten me." The words were polite, but the intent behind them was a threat.
"Guren. Yukimaru. And... Jūgo." Ren listed the names with deliberate calm, watching Orochimaru's face closely. "Just those three. What do you say?"
Orochimaru's expression darkened, his features tightening into a mask of cold suspicion. "Guren... Jūgo?" he repeated, the names slithering off his tongue. "How is it you know of them? Their existence is not common knowledge."
"That's my concern, not yours," Ren stated flatly, refusing to be drawn into an explanation. "Your Cursed Seal research is complete. These three are now... surplus to requirements. They're of little further use to you. The question is simple: will you hand them over or not?"
"You know of the Cursed Seal as well?" Orochimaru's voice dropped to a whisper, laced with undisguised killing intent. The air grew heavy. Kabuto, still pale and shaken, took a subtle step back, readying himself. Orochimaru's mind raced. *First the Hashirama cells, now this. The Cursed Seal subjects. This is no coincidence. There is a leak. A traitor in my inner circle. Or... is his intelligence network far more extensive than I imagined?*
"Hehehe~~ I see the gears turning, Orochimaru," Ren said, a smirk playing on his lips. He could feel the murderous aura washing over him, but he didn't even flinch. "You're wondering which of your precious followers betrayed you. Don't waste your energy. The information did not come from your camp. Believe that or not, it makes no difference to me. I know what I know." ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ nοvelfire.net
He leaned forward, his own gaze turning hard and uncompromising. "But understand this: your secrets are safe with me. Our common enemy is Akatsuki. It would be the height of stupidity for me to create another powerful enemy, especially one that gives the Five Great Nations so much trouble. I have no interest in undermining you. I simply want those three people. They are useless to you. Rather than letting them rot in your dungeons, give them to me. And I won't make it a one-sided transaction."
Ren's hand moved to a pouch at his side. He withdrew a single, exquisite vial filled with a luminous, azure liquid that seemed to hum with contained energy. He uncorked it.
Instantly, a wave of pure, vibrant life force flooded the room. It was palpable, a sensation of overwhelming vitality that made the air itself seem to thrum. Orochimaru's golden eyes widened, his predatory focus snapping from Ren to the vial. All thoughts of traitors and leaks were momentarily forgotten. Raw, avaricious hunger shone in his gaze.
"This," Ren said, his voice cutting through the thick silence, "is the product of the Garel ore. Refined. Synthesized. I call it 'Pulse'." He recorked the vial, cutting off the exhilarating sensation. "This is what I went to the Land of Wind to secure. Impressive, isn't it? Give me those three, and this vial is yours."
"Pulse..." Orochimaru breathed the name, his tongue flicking out to wet his lips. The calculated killer was gone, replaced by the obsessed scientist. The offer was too tantalizing to refuse. Guren, a failed experiment with crystal release. Yukimaru, a key that no longer fit any lock. Jūgo, a violent and unstable source he had already milked dry. They were indeed worthless to him now. But this 'Pulse'... this was new. This was power. This was a mystery to be dissected.
His internal calculus was swift. The value of three obsolete assets versus a sample of this incredible substance. The need to maintain the alliance, however fragile, against Akatsuki. It was not even a contest.
The killing intent bled away, replaced once more by that familiar, grotesque smile. "Hehehe~~ You make a compelling argument, Ren-kun. Those individuals are, as you say, of little consequence. And I did promise you access to all my resources. If you want them, they are yours. Though I should warn you," he added, a sly note entering his voice, "they are not... easily tamed. Especially Jūgo."
"That is my problem to solve, not yours," Ren interrupted, waving a dismissive hand. "Do we have a deal?"
"Soga! We do." Orochimaru's decision was made. "They are currently held at separate secure facilities. It will take some time to have them brought here. I will issue the orders tomorrow."
"No," Ren stated firmly. "I will retrieve them myself. I don't want them delivered. I will go to them."
Orochimaru's eyebrows rose in mild surprise. "Is that so? Very well. When you wish to depart, I will provide you with a guide who knows the locations."
"Tomorrow. I leave tomorrow." Ren had other preparations to make first.
"Tomorrow it is." Orochimaru's eyes were once again locked on the vial in Ren's hand. The unspoken demand hung in the air between them.
Ren gave a short, humorless laugh. He understood the game. He tossed the vial to Orochimaru. "A down payment."
Orochimaru caught it with snakelike speed. He didn't even bother with a pretense of thanks. He clutched the vial, his expression one of frenzied anticipation. "Then, if there is nothing else... I have experiments to attend to." Without another word, he turned and swept out of the room, already consumed by his new prize.
Kabuto, after casting one last, fearful glance at Ren, hurried after his master.
Alone again, Ren allowed a satisfied smile to touch his lips. The transaction was complete. He had acquired the keys to his next move, and it had only cost him a single vial of the least valuable currency he possessed: a product of the system.
The pieces were moving into place.
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