C6 The Deal Was Made

"I never imagined I'd be pushed to this extent by a mere kid. Mr. Neji, you continue to astonish me more and more."

Orochimaru's voice was now somewhat raspy. Mr. Neji's right index and middle fingers came together, materializing the Tailed Beast Ball card between them.

"Tailed Beast Ball!"

Mr. Neji flung the card from his hand. It twisted and shattered mid-air, forming a black Tailed Beast Ball the size of a fist. A heart-pounding Chakra radiated from the diminutive Tailed Beast Ball, causing Orochimaru's expression to shift. He bit into the skin of his thumbs, swiftly formed a seal, and struck the ground.

"Triple Rashomon!"

Red, green, and blue, three colossal Rashomon gates erupted from the earth, positioning themselves between Mr. Neji and Orochimaru. The next instant, the Tailed Beast Ball slammed into the red gate.

"Boom!"

A thunderous explosion consumed everything around, the resulting shockwave spreading far and wide, rivaling the force of a Massive Wind Style Breakthrough. The water on the ground vaporized instantly, and the soil was catapulted into the sky by the tremendous energy, only to disintegrate into dust.

Even Mr. Neji was startled by the sheer destructiveness of the blast, gaining a newfound respect for the power of the Tailed Beast Ball.

As the dust settled, the once towering Triple Rashomon was nowhere to be seen. Orochimaru stood there, dirt-streaked and panting, his eyes betraying a sense of wariness.

Mr. Neji pinched the air, and blue light points swiftly converged in his hand. In a flash, another Tailed Beast Ball card appeared in his grasp. Neji felt as though his body had been hollowed out in an instant, devoid of any Chakra.

"Truly worthy of Orochimaru, one of the legendary Sannin, to be able to summon three Rashomon gates from the depths. But that must have taken a toll on you, right? I wonder if you can manage to summon them again. After all, I've still got one more up my sleeve."

As he spoke, Neji flipped the card over, allowing Orochimaru a clear view of its face. A bead of cold sweat broke out on Orochimaru's cheek, his apprehension intensifying.

With a slight smile, Neji released the card, and it dispersed into the air.

"I propose a truce. There's no deep-seated hatred between us, no need for a fight to the death, right? Plus, I believe there's potential for collaboration. What do you say?"

"Collaborate? That's an intriguing proposition. Go on, how do you envision this cooperation?"

Neji's smile broadened as he glanced over at Kimimaro, who was some distance away, visibly shaken by the recent fierce battle, standing there, stunned.

"Unless I'm mistaken, Kimimaro suffers from a rare Bloodline Limit Disease, doesn't he? This disease, a consequence of the Kaguya Clan's Bloodline Limit, usually claims those afflicted before they reach twenty-five. Kimimaro is an exceptional talent; left unchecked, he might not see his twentieth birthday. But I have a method to cure his condition."

Orochimaru narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Neji as if trying to unravel him completely. After a moment, he allowed a smile to creep across his face.

"So, what's my part in this? I can't imagine Mr. Neji playing the philanthropist without reason."

"It's quite straightforward. Look after Haku for me, or rather, assist in his development."

"Haku, that boy?"

Orochimaru turned to where Haku was, faring even worse than Kimimaro. While Kimimaro managed to remain upright, Haku had collapsed to the ground.

Neji nodded and gestured to Haku, beckoning him closer.

"Yes, him. He's a survivor of the Snow Clan, endowed with the Ice Shield Bloodline Limit. I'd like you to help unlock his potential. Naturally, I'd prefer you refrain from using your... distasteful methods on him. How does this deal sound to you?"

"Hehehe, the Ice Shield Bloodline Limit? Sounds quite appealing. Very well, I accept this deal. However, I'm more intrigued by you, Mr. Neji. What secrets lie hidden within your youthful form? Truly mesmerizing!"

As he spoke, Orochimaru's tongue flicked across his lips with a hint of excitement. Neji felt a shiver run down his spine and involuntarily twitched the corner of his mouth.

"Lord Neji."

Just then, Haku's voice emerged from the side. Haku had been making his way over to Neji after catching a hand signal from him, and had overheard the entire exchange between Neji and Orochimaru.

Neji gave Haku a nod, resting his hand on Haku's shoulder, and offered a reassuring smile.

"Haku, you're not quite there yet. You need to grow stronger. Orochimaru may be vile, but he's an excellent teacher. Make sure you learn as much as you can."

Haku's lips quivered, his eyes brimming with unshed tears that reddened his gaze. He nodded emphatically.

"Yes! I'll do my best to be useful, I promise!"

"That's the spirit, keep it up!"

Neji smiled warmly, ruffling Haku's hair before turning back to Orochimaru.

"So, I'm entrusting Haku to you. If you can, I'd like you to teach him some medical techniques. Kimimaro's treatment will have to wait until his Bloodline Limit Disease manifests."

Orochimaru's mouth opened, and he slowly regurgitated a scroll, extending it towards Neji.

"Use this scroll to contact me. Should you need anything, I can also reach you through it."

Neji extended his hand above the scroll, casting a wary glance at Orochimaru's mouth before taking the scroll with a look of distaste.

"I hope this isn't covered in your saliva. That's revolting."

"Hehehehe... Well then, Mr. Neji, until next time."

Orochimaru stooped to scoop up Haku in his arms, then with a swift motion, he was beside Kimimaro, lifting him in the same manner. With another flash, he vanished from sight.

Neji shrugged, letting out a breath of relief.

"That was a narrow escape. He truly lives up to his reputation as one of the Legendary Sannin, nothing like Zabuza Momochi. But now..."

Neji's fingers worked deftly, blue light coalescing in his palm, quickly forming into a card.

Bloodline Limit Card: Ice Shield. Once crushed, it's consumed forever, bestowing the Bloodline Limit of the Ice Shield upon the user or another.

"The card on Haku's body turned out to be the Ice Shield, after all. Since he's not versed in any Ninjutsu, he's bound to possess the Bloodline Limit. It's just unfortunate he never got the chance to encounter Kimimaro..."

Neji shook his head, letting the card in his hand flutter away, and hastened to make his exit.

Kirigakure had only just been rocked by an uprising, and the disturbance Neji and Orochimaru had stirred up was significant. The shinobi of Kirigakure would likely be on their way shortly, which meant Neji needed to make a swift departure.