Bleach x Naruto: Shinigami in Konoha

Originally, Sasuke hadn't planned on killing the four Oto-nin. After all, they might prove useful during the Chunin Exams later.

But they had been too arrogant, provoking him again and again. Sasuke couldn't help but beat them down—perhaps a little too hard.

The tornado-shaped flame barrier continued to shrink. The four Oto-nin inside were now forced together due to the narrowing space. They had no choice but to activate the Four Violet Flames Formation, encasing themselves within to try and withstand the encroaching wall of fire.

"Better luck in your next life. Try not to talk so much next time," Sasuke murmured coldly as he sheathed his blade, turning away from the barrier without checking if they heard him. He was already planning to regroup with Itachi and the others.

But not far away, a sudden chill crept down Sasuke's spine. He halted and turned. From the other side of the flame tornado, a massive, scorched-patterned giant serpent erupted from underground. It collapsed in a heap, jaw agape—and from within, the four Oto-nin tumbled out, coughing and covered in soot.

Yet the ominous chill wasn't from the snake—it came from the man standing beside it.

Pale skin, long black hair, golden slit pupils, violet eyeshadow extending to the bridge of his nose, and blue magatama earrings. There was no mistaking the aura of one of the Legendary Sannin—Orochimaru.

At the same time, Sasuke also caught sight of a familiar face—Uchiha Setsuna, the man who had tried to assassinate him six years ago and frame Danzo. Now he stood alive and well, the arm that Itachi had obliterated apparently healed, though wrapped in bandages.

"Lord Orochimaru, we failed... Please punish us..." the four Oto-nin said shakily, kneeling before him.

Orochimaru's voice rasped, "If I went through the trouble of saving you, I don't intend to punish you. I still have uses for you."

Internally, Orochimaru was stunned. He'd seen Sasuke back when he was still a Leaf shinobi, but had never thought much of him. At that time, Sasuke had just been a student in the Academy. Orochimaru had always considered Itachi's younger brother a mediocre figure. But now, the strength and ingenuity Sasuke displayed had caught him completely off guard.

Even so, Orochimaru's interest remained fixed on Itachi. Ever since observing Itachi's prowess firsthand, Orochimaru had developed a deep obsession with those eyes—the Sharingan, especially the Mangekyō Sharingan.

The Oto-nin exhaled in relief, murmuring, "Yes, Lord Orochimaru."

"Orochimaru, this brat is mine," Setsuna said coldly, glaring at Sasuke with unmasked hatred. "Don't let your people interfere."

"Hehehe... by all means," Orochimaru chuckled. "The person I'm truly looking for is further ahead." His summoned serpent had already pinpointed the location of his target.

Sasuke assessed the pressure emanating from the two. Uchiha Setsuna likely wasn't a threat anymore. But Orochimaru was another matter entirely. Sasuke estimated that only after completing his Bankai would he be able to counter Orochimaru effectively.

Still, he wasn't worried. Even if he couldn't win outright, he could stall them long enough until Itachi arrived. That would be enough.

"Orochimaru, how about a deal?" Sasuke called out, pulling a black-covered journal from his pouch and tossing it toward Orochimaru.

"I've got something you'll want to see."

Orochimaru's snake-like eyes glittered with interest as he effortlessly caught the book. He wasn't concerned about tricks; illusions and direct attacks were rarely effective against him.

Setsuna sneered. "You believe anything a brat says? He almost killed your subordinates a moment ago."

Orochimaru ignored him and flipped open the journal. The moment his eyes skimmed the first page, his expression transformed—an ecstatic, manic look overtook his face.

"This kind of research... it's perfect for Living Corpse Reincarnation! You can craft a new body from scratch and configure its attributes... This is genius! With this kind of knowledge, immortality isn't just possible—it's inevitable!"

He hurriedly flipped the page, but the next ones were blank. Not a single word.

Orochimaru's glee evaporated, replaced with frustration—like a dying man discovering that his oasis was only a mirage.

"Well?" Sasuke asked calmly. "You should be able to tell how valuable that document is. Agree to my terms, and I'll give you the rest."

The journal contained partial blueprints of the artificial Gigai skeleton—mainly outlining its functionality, and only a fragment of its creation method. Sasuke was certain that with Orochimaru's intellect, he would recognize its significance.

"Hehehe... since when do equals need to negotiate?" Orochimaru's voice was filled with amused malice. "You should just hand over the rest—willingly."

Suddenly, a swarm of vipers burst from Orochimaru's right sleeve, surging toward Sasuke's face with deadly fangs bared. Orochimaru's real prize—Itachi's eyes—was already within reach, but Sasuke's body might also be worth dissecting.

"Damn you!" Uchiha Setsuna's face darkened. He had just told Orochimaru not to act, yet the Sannin had ignored him completely. Setsuna knew he couldn't challenge Orochimaru—this was his domain, after all.

So he redirected his rage at Sasuke.

"Die!!"

Setsuna formed hand seals, conjuring a blazing orb of fire and launching it toward Sasuke.

"Hadō #81: Dankū!"

A colossal transparent barrier shimmered into existence, intercepting both attacks in an instant—the snakes and the fireball struck it and fizzled harmlessly away.

"Hmph... seems like it's not just the tech you hold. Even your body is of research value," Orochimaru said, his tone calmer now. "Come with me. I'll give you strength—far beyond what Konoha offers—in exchange for the rest of that data."

Orochimaru had initially reacted in fury to the incomplete pages, but now regained control. He didn't believe the research had originated with Sasuke. More likely, he thought, the boy had stumbled upon it. In his mind, there was only one true genius capable of such work: Tobirama Senju, his own teacher's brother.

"Orochimaru, have you forgotten?" Setsuna interjected sharply. "He's still Konoha's shinobi. What if he reveals your location?"