Chapter 10: Does Brother Snake have any instructions for me?

According to his status panel, his total chakra reserves have surpassed the SSS-rank threshold, reaching SSS+.

SSS-rank chakra is the level possessed by most Tailed Beasts. SSS+ chakra, in terms of total volume, is comparable to that of the Eight-Tails or Nine-Tails. However, SSS+ is not the system's limit; he can still continue to increase his chakra capacity.

Previously, although his total chakra and physical strength were at the Tailed Beast level, he suffered from certain shortcomings, namely, his lack of mastery in ninjutsu development. This issue, of course, had been resolved quite well. Through half a month of frantically grinding missions, most of his ninjutsu had reached A-rank. Moreover, he had unlocked the Rumble-Rumble Fruit’s development to A-rank, activating most of its abilities. The powers granted by the Rumble-Rumble Fruit provided a comprehensive supplement and enhancement to his ninjutsu, making Uzumaki Sixia even more eager to frantically grind missions to grow stronger.

As he pounded on Kakuzu's door, he pondered to himself: "Set a small goal: reach the realm of the Ten-Tails as soon as possible! Achieve a level comparable to the Ten-Tails in terms of chakra volume, physical strength, and ninjutsu power."

When Kakuzu performed missions, he did so with earnest professionalism. When Uzumaki Sixia performed missions, he approached them with the mindset of a student frantically grinding through practice problems from his past life. This resulted in a situation where, by the time Kakuzu was physically and mentally exhausted, Uzumaki Sixia would think, "We've barely even started; how can little Kakuzu be done already?"

Just then, a man with a pale complexion, shoulder-length black hair, and eerie, demonic eyes arrived at the place where Uzumaki Sixia and his companions were resting. The man was an old acquaintance of Sixia: Orochimaru.

Orochimaru was a ninja with extremely clear goals and plans. If other ninjas appeared in this place, it might be a coincidence, but if he was here, it was certainly for a specific purpose. Seeing Orochimaru, Uzumaki Sixia spoke nonchalantly: "What are you doing here?"

To most ninjas, Orochimaru was a dangerous individual. But to Orochimaru, Uzumaki Sixia was likely the dangerous one. Orochimaru flicked his long, slender tongue with a sinister expression: "I’ve come to discuss a business deal with you."

Upon hearing this, Uzumaki Sixia’s face changed in an instant. The indifference he had shown just moments ago vanished, replaced by a warm, beaming smile. "Brother Orochimaru! You're like a brother to me; what kind of business do you have in mind? Did you run into some thorny trouble that needs me to handle it?"

Seeing this sudden transformation, Orochimaru’s facial muscles twitched. Sixia had just been looking at him like a stranger, and now he was suddenly so enthusiastic. In response to Sixia’s words, Orochimaru shook his head. "No mission. I want to buy her."

Orochimaru raised a hand and pointed at Karin, who had appeared behind Sixia at some point. Karin had heard the commotion outside and come to check on the situation. She never expected that while sleeping at an inn, disaster would strike from the sky. Orochimaru was here to buy her? Karin felt incredibly nervous for a moment.

During the time she had spent following Sixia and Kakuzu to grind missions, Karin had seen plenty of Sixia’s true colors. To call him money-grubbing and someone who valued wealth over his own life would not be an exaggeration. Facing the deal proposed by Orochimaru, Karin was afraid that Sixia might agree. After spending this time together, she realized she couldn't leave Sixia—nor did she want to!

Karin had no idea that her worries were entirely unnecessary. Sixia’s frantic mission grinding wasn't for the sake of the reward, but to grow stronger!

Sure enough, upon realizing Orochimaru’s intent, Uzumaki Sixia performed another textbook-level change of expression. He rolled his eyes, turned around, and couldn't be bothered to look at Orochimaru anymore. "Not interested."

He had thought Orochimaru had a mission for him, but it turned out the man was there to buy his mascot. Although Karin hadn't fully matured yet, she could use the Mind's Eye of the Kagura to scout the surroundings, making her a decent assistant. Besides, grinding missions with a hundred-year-old geezer like Kakuzu was extremely boring. When it came to current events or interesting gossip, there was inevitably a generation gap. Having a young girl around added much more enjoyment; how could he possibly sell Karin?

However, after being rejected, Orochimaru did not give up immediately. He remained where he was, seemingly having further plans. He began to consider whether he should try to take Karin by force. Sensing Orochimaru’s slightly dangerous gaze, a smile appeared on Uzumaki Sixia’s face. Since obtaining the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, he hadn't encountered a single opponent worth fighting. As one of the legendary Sannin, Orochimaru was certainly quite capable!

However, Uzumaki Sixia suddenly remembered something very important! When he took on his first long-term employment mission, he had received an extremely generous reward! That bounty had left him wanting more. The way he looked at Orochimaru became dangerous. Could he trick Orochimaru into giving him a long-term employment mission as well?

Just as Orochimaru was losing his patience and preparing to strike, Uzumaki Sixia held up a hand to stop him. "Wait a second!"

Orochimaru paused, and Karin grew nervous once more. She blinked her pitiful, teary eyes at Uzumaki Sixia, wondering if he had changed his mind. When Sixia had flatly rejected Orochimaru earlier, Karin’s heart had settled, but now that he had stopped him, her heart was back in her throat. She stammered softly, "Are... are you going to sell me?" Small pearls of tears were already welling up in her beautiful red eyes.

Seeing her pitiful appearance, Sixia found it quite amusing. He couldn't help but reach out and flick her on the forehead. "What are you thinking? How could I ever sell you?"

Karin felt a bit relieved upon hearing this, and she felt quite touched. But thinking back to Sixia’s typical behavior, she asked weakly, "What if they offer more money?"

Sixia was stunned by the question. He gave it some serious thought and replied quite earnestly, "Although my principles and bottom lines have always been quite flexible, this matter is non-negotiable." If it were anything else, of course, they could negotiate if the price was right. But selling Karin wouldn't bring him any real benefits. Money? He was the number one workaholic in the ninja world and was practically as wealthy as a nation; he wasn't short on cash.

Opposite him, Orochimaru had initially thought Sixia had changed his mind and wanted to sell him the girl. Now, it seemed Uzumaki Sixia was just playing with him. However, after some consideration, Orochimaru gave up on the idea of attacking directly. When Sixia had devoured the modified Rumble-Rumble Fruit, it had caused a massive anomaly. Orochimaru had been watching from the shadows and had observed the changes in Sixia. Sixia’s strength was immense; it would be better to hire him to capture other subjects than to steal one from him.

Uzumaki Sixia’s principles were flexible, and Orochimaru’s mindset was equally adaptable. Orochimaru smiled and said to Uzumaki Sixia, "How about I hire you to go to other ninja villages and capture some children with Kekkei Genkai? I’ll pay you 200,000 ryo for each target that meets the requirements!"

In Orochimaru’s mind, Sixia would certainly not refuse this mission. Given how greedy he was, there was no reason for him to decline.

[Long-term employment mission discovered!]
[Employer: Orochimaru]
[Mission Objective: Orochimaru is hiring you to capture children with Kekkei Genkai.]
[Mission Reward: 200,000 ryo per target.]
[Mission Rank: B-rank]
[System Reward: 200 employment points per target]

Uzumaki Sixia looked at the system prompt and clicked his tongue. Two hundred employment points each? This guy Orochimaru was really willing to spend big! But most of the children he captured ended up in miserable states.

"That is indeed a very tempting mission! However, I refuse!" Sixia stated. "I won't do such immoral things." Although Sixia didn't have much of a moral bottom line, he disdained the act of trafficking children just to grind for rewards. He didn't continue speaking; he was afraid that if he kept talking, his mouth might slip and he’d add, "unless you pay more." But even if the price were higher, he wouldn't accept this kind of mission.

Orochimaru stared at Sixia for a moment. After hesitating, he decided not to fight him to snatch the girl, and instead turned to leave.

*Whoosh—*

However, just as Orochimaru turned, Sixia used the Body Flicker Technique to appear right behind him. Orochimaru’s lips curled into a smile. "Something the matter?"

Sixia nodded seriously and began to pitch himself. "Lord Orochimaru, speaking of experimental subjects, what do you think of me? Strictly speaking, I perfectly meet the requirements to be one of your subjects!"

Orochimaru: "..."

Hearing this, Orochimaru felt a flicker of annoyance. Did he look like an idiot? To say such things to him... Or perhaps, Uzumaki Sixia’s brain really was wired abnormally, and one couldn't use normal logic to judge this ninja?

Sixia’s voice interrupted his thoughts. "Lord Orochimaru, I am also a descendant of the Uzumaki clan. My constitution is quite unique, and I possess a certain level of self-healing and recovery abilities. In any case, I am definitely of significant research value, right?"

A wicked smile spread across Orochimaru’s lips. Compared to researching the traits of Uzumaki Sixia, he was even more curious about the workings of his bizarre brain. While there were many people with strange mentalities in the ninja world, he had only encountered two ninjas who were both mentally abnormal and exceptionally powerful. One was the Uzumaki Sixia before him, and the other was Jiraiya, whom he detested.

As Sixia continued to market himself to Orochimaru, Karin could only cover her face. She couldn't bear to watch—she really couldn't bear to watch.