"Dra… dragon might? Impossible. How could this world still have…"
The voice of Manda carried unprecedented shock and disbelief. It stared fixedly at Sora.
"Who… who are you?"
Seeing this, Sora's azure-gold vertical pupils coldly gazed at Manda. He increased the dragon might again, and in a low voice that seemed to come from primordial chaos, carrying the pulse of bloodline, he shouted,
"Vile beast. Get lost."
This low shout was like thunder within the bloodline, exploding deep within Manda's soul.
The solidified dragon might struck Manda's spirit like a heavy hammer.
The fear originating from the depths of its bloodline was amplified infinitely. Manda's enormous serpentine pupils were filled with terror. It no longer cared about offerings or Orochimaru's orders.
"Orochimaru. This deal, this lord… I will not do it. You… you deal with this monster yourself."
Manda hissed in terror. Its massive body, without hesitation, abruptly shrank backward.
"Poof."
Amidst a large cloud of white smoke, Manda, without even waiting for Orochimaru's response, dispelled the summoning technique on its own and fled in disarray back to Ryūchi Cave.
The smile on Orochimaru's face completely stiffened. For the first time, he showed an expression nearing stupefaction.
What had he just seen?
The arrogant and powerful Manda he had summoned had actually… been scared away?
Merely because of that peculiar pressure emanating from Sora? Without even a fight?
This completely overturned his understanding.
Orochimaru believed he had witnessed countless Kekkei Genkai and secret techniques. He had even studied Tailed Beast chakra. But never had he seen a power like what Sora just displayed. Merely by aura, it scared off Manda from Ryūchi Cave.
'That pressure… it is definitely not an ordinary Kekkei Genkai. It even surpasses the oppressive feeling brought by Tailed Beast chakra. It is… an absolute disparity in life hierarchy?'
A storm of shock raged in Orochimaru's heart. The look he gave Sora was filled with unprecedented astonishment and inquiry.
He realized he had still vastly underestimated the secrets hidden within this twelve-year-old boy.
Seeing Manda scared away, Sora secretly sighed in relief internally. He turned to Orochimaru, whose expression was shifting uncertainly, and said coldly,
"Orochimaru. Your summon seems rather disobedient. Now, can we calmly discuss the deal?"
Orochimaru silently looked at Sora, his eyes complex.
He found that his 'interest' in Sora had not decreased because of this setback. Instead, it had multiplied exponentially.
A power that could scare away Manda.
This definitely touched upon some higher-level power mystery that he was not yet aware of.
However, he also clearly recognized that Sora before him was no longer someone he could casually manipulate.
The strength and that bizarre deterrent force Sora displayed were enough to make him pay an unbearable price.
Especially during this wartime period. As the frontline commander, if he fought Sora here to a stalemate here, regardless of the outcome, it would absolutely be a loss.
After all, he still harbored a sliver of desire for the Hokage position.
Furthermore, Sora still held a bargaining chip that interested him. The cells of the successful Wood Release host.
Weighing the pros and cons happened in an instant.
The uncomfortable smile reappeared on Orochimaru's face. Only this time, it had less condescension and more of an implication of equality.
"Hehehe… Of course, Sora-kun." Orochimaru spread his hands, indicating he meant no hostility.
"You have surprised me once again. It seems our transaction indeed needs to be established on an 'equal' basis."
"Then, as you said, use the 'Wood Release cells' in your possession to exchange for the technical data on 'artificial Tailed Beasts' that I hold. A very fair trade."
Sora inwardly sneered. He did not believe Orochimaru would just give up his covetousness.
This guy now chose to trade because he felt the cost of forcing a fight was too high. It was better to first obtain the readily accessible benefit and plan from a long-term perspective.
However, this suited Sora's intention.
"Data." Sora said concisely.
Orochimaru did not delay. He took out a scroll from his robe and threw it to Sora.
"This contains the basic theory of artificial Tailed Beasts, the core sealing formulae, and some experimental data. Deeper applications and subsequent development require your own research."
"Of course, if you are willing to share new 'discoveries' in the future, we can engage in deeper… cooperation."
Sora was somewhat surprised. He did not expect Orochimaru to have the 'artificial Tailed Beasts' data on him. He took the scroll and quickly scanned it, confirming the content was not fabricated and indeed involved the core of 'artificial Tailed Beasts'.
"Good."
Sora threw the cell container in his hand to Orochimaru.
Orochimaru carefully caught it. Sensing the faint yet unique life fluctuation inside the container, a satisfied look appeared on his face.
Although not as exciting as Sora's own body, Wood Release cells were also research material he had long dreamed of.
Orochimaru put away the container and looked meaningfully at Sora.
"Pleasure doing business, Sora-kun."
"I look forward to… our next meeting. I believe you will bring me new surprises then."
Sora expressionlessly dismissed his semi-beast transformation, but still maintained the Gate of Limit state. He said plainly,
"I hope next time we meet, we can still trade 'pleasantly' like this. Farewell, Orochimaru."
Having said that, he did not linger. His figure flashed, transforming into a streak of green light, swiftly disappearing deep into the dense forest.
Looking in the direction Sora disappeared, the smile on Orochimaru's face gradually faded. A cold yet excited gleam flickered in his golden vertical pupils.
"Mysterious form… dragon might that scared away Manda… and that vigorous vitality… Sora-kun, I must obtain the secrets on your body."
…
Far from the transaction site, Sora finally completely released the Eight Gates state. Feeling the slight fatigue transmitted from his body, he let out a long, relieved sigh.
'I finally managed to bluff my way through…'
Recalling the scene of Manda being scared away just now, Sora still found it somewhat unbelievable. The hierarchical suppression of the Azure Dragon Fruit was actually so effective in the Naruto world. This was an unexpected benefit.
'Orochimaru's final words clearly show his intentions are unchanged. However, in the short term, he probably won't act against me easily again. The strength displayed this time is enough to make him hesitate due to the risk.'
'His current strength probably hasn't reached its peak yet. At the very least, life-saving trump cards like the Eight Branches Technique aren't developed, or aren't perfected. Otherwise, given his personality, he might not have given up so easily just now.'
Sora recalled the nearly unkillable 'Eight Branches Technique' used by Orochimaru in the original story. That thing was indeed extremely troublesome without rule-based sealing abilities like Itachi's Totsuka Blade.
Fortunately, Orochimaru did not use the Eight Branches Technique. Otherwise, Sora would have had to perform a full Beast Transformation. But that would have caused too big a commotion and would completely expose all his trump cards, which did not fit his current style of hiding his strength.
This transaction, although somewhat risky, had a relatively satisfactory outcome. He successfully obtained the 'artificial Tailed Beasts' technology.