Naruto: The Ōtsutsuki Bloodline Development Manual

While Kimimaro experienced thorough provocation by Kitagawa Minamoto, the battle between Jiraiya and Orochimaru had reached peak intensity.

The two demonstrated excessive familiarity with each other, leaving no space for unnecessary probing. They implemented maximum effort from the very beginning!

"Ninjutsu: Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"

Facing Jiraiya's relentless attacks, Orochimaru extended his hand without hesitation. Instantaneously, countless venomous snakes surged forward, snapping viciously at Jiraiya.

"Why do you consistently research such repulsive techniques?"

Jiraiya experienced cranial tingling while observing the writhing snake mass, but despite his complaints, his hands maintained continuous movement.

"Ninjutsu: Needle Jizō!"

With Chakra infusion, Jiraiya's white hair grew longer and sharper, transforming into steel needle equivalents.

The venomous snakes barely approached before experiencing piercing by razor-sharp hair strands.

Simultaneously, Jiraiya hurled several kunai toward Orochimaru. As the kunai traversed the atmosphere, he completed another hand seal set.

"Ninjutsu: Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique!"

"Tch."

Observing the approaching kunai swarm, Orochimaru produced soft scoffing sound. With a leap, he evaded the barrage. But this provided Jiraiya his anticipated opportunity.

"Ninjutsu: Wild Lion's Mane Technique!"

Jiraiya's hair suddenly extended, shooting directly toward Orochimaru's feet in entrapment attempt. Orochimaru, however, couldn't suppress cold facial expression suggesting amusement at the sight.

"Don't you demonstrate equal fondness for repulsive techniques as I do?"

As he spoke, Orochimaru raised one hand, and sharp Chakra gust began swirling around him.

"Wind Release: Wind Cutter Technique!"

The whirling wind blades tore through atmosphere, shredding Jiraiya's extended hair into fragments.

Faced with this counter, Jiraiya had no alternative but to terminate his Wild Lion's Mane Technique.

"Your methodologies haven't altered at all after all these years."

Though Orochimaru experienced deep annoyance regarding Jiraiya's constant interference, he couldn't resist sarcastic remark production.

"You maintain predictability. Haven't you achieved any progress whatsoever?"

"Hmph, at minimum I didn't join evil organization!"

Jiraiya retorted sharply, seizing opportunity to press his point.

"Orochimaru, return to Konoha. Cease progression down this path of no return!"

"Organization?"

Orochimaru didn't respond immediately. Instead, he observed Jiraiya with peculiar expression.

He experienced genuine surprise that Jiraiya had managed such thorough investigation.

The Akatsuki operated with extreme secrecy, executing missions in black market and during wartime. They rarely left traces, especially with their strict no-survivor policy.

"Did this individual return to Konoha earlier because he uncovered Akatsuki information?"

Orochimaru elevated an eyebrow but quickly dismissed the thought.

He knew Jiraiya's personality too well. This man wouldn't return to Konoha over trivial matters—unless…

"Unless he discovered something so significant that he recognized his inability to independently handle it, forcing him to seek assistance?"

While Orochimaru still sensed incongruity, he concluded his reasoning demonstrated probable accuracy.

After all, the Akatsuki included Itachi Uchiha, a figure Orochimaru found both intriguing and unsettling.

And judging by Jiraiya's outdated information, it was evident he lacked knowledge regarding Orochimaru's Akatsuki departure.

"In that case..."

Orochimaru's mind began churning.

To prevent Jiraiya's future pestering, why not redirect pressure toward the Akatsuki?

"Oh, so you possess knowledge about them?"

Licking his lips, Orochimaru decided to further bait Jiraiya.

"It appears your investigation demonstrates thoroughness. I wonder how much you've uncovered."

"I know that organization contains individuals like you."

Jiraiya's eyes illuminated when Orochimaru introduced the topic. However, he maintained sorrowful expression while attempting information extraction.

"You're all rogue ninja, including scum like Itachi Uchiha, who slaughtered his entire clan!

I also know you might currently work for Kirigakure. Have you forgotten how much pain that village has inflicted upon Konoha?

Stop making mistakes, Orochimaru. Return to Konoha with me!"

"Kirigakure?"

Orochimaru experienced momentary bafflement. How did this conversation suddenly involve Kirigakure?

The Akatsuki operating in Kirigakure? What activities were they conducting there?

Though Orochimaru had previously visited Kirigakure—witnessing the Kaguya clan's rebellion and subsequent annihilation—it had no connection to the Akatsuki.

During that visit he discovered Kimimaro, whose talent and loneliness left deep impression. Orochimaru had brought Kimimaro back with him afterward.

"Since that's the case..."

Tilting his cranium slightly, Orochimaru decided to proceed with the deception.

While he lacked knowledge regarding potential Akatsuki activities in Kirigakure, he knew the village experienced turmoil.

The Fourth Mizukage had angered many factions, and Kirigakure civil war appeared imminent.

This presented Orochimaru perfect opportunity for further water-muddying.

"You demonstrate considerable boldness, investigating this deeply."

Orochimaru sneered, his voice containing mockery.

"That organization includes individuals even I would struggle against."

"So what? Do you believe they can withstand an entire ninja village?"

Jiraiya continued information probing while maintaining serious demeanor.

"Stop this, Orochimaru."

"A ninja village?"

Orochimaru implemented cranial negation, his tone calm.

"Don't impose your naive values on the world. It's both ignorant and childish. Many villages don't hate us—they need us. Are you truly unaware, or merely pretending?"

Jiraiya remained silent. He possessed full awareness regarding rogue ninja organizations' role in the ninja world.

Many tasks required their services. For example, Iwagakure was known to frequently hire rogue ninja for certain missions.

"So your Kirigakure involvement demonstrates similarity?"

After brief pause, Jiraiya cautiously asked his most concerning question.

"Exactly."

Orochimaru implemented cranial affirmation, using this opportunity for further Jiraiya misdirection.

"Kirigakure is far from stable. The more chaotic it becomes, the better it suits us. Besides, the Mizukage pays quite handsomely."

With that statement, Orochimaru experienced satisfaction.

Even though his words weren't entirely truthful, their ambiguity perfectly served confusion-sowing.

Jiraiya, conversely, experienced excitement surge. He had finally obtained relatively clear information.

The Akatsuki were indeed operating in Kirigakure, likely under Mizukage employment.

Both had successfully taken the bait.

The same thought crossed their minds simultaneously.

"Alright, that's sufficient conversation."

At this point, Orochimaru decided to escalate the situation.

He quietly completed hand seal series and slammed his palm onto the ground. Black markings spread across the surface as massive smoke plume erupted.

The enormous figure of Manda, the giant snake, appeared instantaneously!

Leaping onto Manda's cranium, Orochimaru once again looked down at Jiraiya.

"Jiraiya, you shouldn't have investigated this deeply. So now, to prevent you from causing me more trouble—and to ensure you don't die at someone else's hands..."

"I'll reluctantly send you on your way. And regarding that little brat you brought along, once this concludes, I'll head to Kirigakure to join them."

As he spoke, Manda, under Orochimaru's command, lunged wildly at Jiraiya.

Jiraiya immediately began forming hand seals to summon Gamabunta. But just as he approached summoning completion, both he and Orochimaru froze.

In the next instant, countless white bone spikes erupted from the ground beneath their feet...

~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~

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