Night had fallen within the Training Space.
[Human Puppet: Skilled (Incomplete)]
After repeated attempts failed to raise his proficiency with the Human Puppet technique any further, Masahiko regretfully decided to temporarily abandon this line of training.
'I'm missing the critical components: Chakra and Soul manipulation.'
Sasori of the Red Sand's Human Puppet technology allowed one to completely transform their own body into a puppet, concentrating their life force and chakra into a single core of flesh and blood. Yesterday, Sasori had shared knowledge regarding this exact subject. However, the domain of the soul and life force was the most dangerous of fields. The Training Space couldn't simulate it yet, and testing it blindly in the real world carried far too much risk.
He decided to shelve it for now and seek "help" from the real-world Orochimaru.
'Still,' he mused, 'the current Human Puppet technology is already applicable in many other areas. Prosthetics and puppet endoskeletons are just the basics.'
Masahiko set aside the arduous puppet training and resumed his practice of Fūinjutsu.
Meanwhile, in a remote mountain village.
In a secluded corner of the wilderness, Karin stared at the panda—the Iron Eater Beast—standing before her. She read the letter attached to it and swallowed nervously.
After a moment, she took a deep breath and formed hand seals.
In an instant, a puff of smoke erupted from the sealing scroll. A mysterious ninja wearing a black robe and a fox mask appeared. Appearing alongside him was a vial containing Masahiko's own blood.
The figure picked up the sealing scroll. "Well done."
"My Lord, I succeeded!" Karin cried out, unable to contain her excitement.
The Black-Robed Man chuckled softly. "I told you, you possess high potential. And I promised to help you become a powerful ninja. So... have a little confidence, Karin."
"Yes!" Karin raised her head high.
"These are books related to medical ninjutsu and general ninja arts. The knowledge within will help you control the power inside you." The Black-Robed Man tossed the items to her before turning to leave the desolate mountain range.
...
The vast wilderness was silent and bleak.
Most of the blood and the sealing scroll had already been transported back via the Summoning Jutsu; he only needed to wait until the next day for his main body to summon them back. This was the purpose of bringing the blood along—a logistical anchor.
Masahiko traveled north. Once he was out of range, he dispelled the Transformation Jutsu on his person and sped toward Orochimaru's base.
Inside the base within the Land of Grass.
Having completed another round of research, Orochimaru sat in his chair, lost in thought. Beside him, Kabuto Yakushi took a deep breath and spoke.
"Lord Orochimaru, according to my verification, the Kaguya Clan's genetic disease is indeed quite common among their bloodline. We truly cannot rule out this possibility."
"Hmph."
Orochimaru tapped his finger lightly against the desk.
The Cursed Seal could allow a subject to improve by leaps and bounds, granting them incredibly powerful strength. But as Masahiko had pointed out, it was also a potent, unstable variable. In Kimimaro's current condition, implanting the Cursed Seal might not yield the best results; instead, it could accelerate the threat of his bloodline disease.
He pondered for a long time before speaking. "Then let us suspend the procedure."
"Understood. Then, regarding Kimimaro..."
"I will comfort him," Orochimaru said with a light, chilling chuckle.
He was about to continue his train of thought when his eyes suddenly narrowed. "We have a guest."
"Should I withdraw?"
"No need," Orochimaru smiled. "It is Masahiko-kun."
Moments later, a slightly altered Masahiko, wearing a mask, walked in from the outside.
"Orochimaru-sama, it has been a few days."
"Masahiko-kun. To what do I owe this sudden visit?" Orochimaru asked.
"I had a thought, so I came to discuss it with you, Orochimaru-sama. Or rather... to propose a trade."
"Oh?" The corners of Orochimaru's mouth quirked up. "Let's hear it. I will decide afterward if it is worth trading."
"I have a solution to Kimimaro's problem," Masahiko replied.
Hearing this, Orochimaru paused in thought for a moment, then shook his head. "I do not believe you."
He had researched Kekkei Genkai for years. The reason bloodline diseases were so difficult to cure was that they stemmed from the Kekkei Genkai itself. When Masahiko had warned him previously, he had believed it eighty or ninety percent in his heart. If Kimimaro truly developed this disease, Orochimaru did not believe there was a cure.
"In the conventional sense, it is indeed insoluble. But my method is different," Masahiko smiled. "It is a path leading toward eternity."
"Leading toward eternity?"
Orochimaru couldn't help but let out a few low, sinister laughs. He looked sharply at Masahiko. "Masahiko-kun, if I wasn't certain you had no connection to a certain individual, I would think you were him in disguise."
"Are you referring to Sasori of the Red Sand?" Masahiko asked in return.
Orochimaru was somewhat surprised, then nodded slightly. "Precisely. You actually know of Sasori?"
"Of course. As a fellow seeker of eternity, I naturally keep tabs on such things. Including you... I have also looked into your research," Masahiko answered smoothly.
Orochimaru thought for a moment, a look of understanding dawning on his face. "Masahiko-kun, by this... are you implying you want my research notes?"
"It would be a mutually beneficial trade," Masahiko said without attempting to hide his intentions.
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes. "The value of research in this field is incredibly high. You cannot afford the price."
"No matter. I do not require all of it. I only need the research data regarding 'Life' and 'Soul.' I have already conducted some exploration in these fields myself," Masahiko replied, unruffled. "Different people obtain different results; only through exchange and study can we ascend to higher realms."
Although he hadn't deeply researched life and souls personally, the exchange with Sasori that day contained a significant amount of implied knowledge in those areas.
"How could you possibly have knowledge in that field?" Kabuto couldn't help but ask in astonishment.
Masahiko smiled enigmatically. "Naturally, it is because... what I represent is not just myself."
"Oh?" Orochimaru squinted.
"We have discovered that the soul does not completely rely on flesh and blood. It can be transferred using chakra and biological matter as a vessel." Masahiko looked at Orochimaru with profound meaning as he spoke.
Orochimaru heard the depth in those words. Yet, at the same time, he was reluctant to believe it—could this person truly know his secrets?
However, thinking about it carefully... Half a year ago, Masahiko was just a virtually unknown Chūnin. Now, he had grown into a formidable powerhouse. Furthermore, some of the knowledge he possessed was indeed not something accessible to someone of Masahiko's previous station, nor could it be explained by simple personal research.
If there was an organization behind him, it would actually be more believable.
"Orochimaru-sama, you are also on the path pursuing eternal life. Then... you should understand just how fragile a body of flesh and blood is, correct?"
Masahiko sighed dramatically. "In the face of true power, humans are as insignificant as ants. Those who trample them might not even notice them. Just like my parents... they died in the Nine-Tails' Attack, yet all that remains is a mere stroke of ink on the Memorial Stone."
His voice dropped lower. "If there were a technology that allowed humans to achieve immortality in a special way... I wonder if you would be interested."
"It sounds as though you all are researching such technology?" Orochimaru asked thoughtfully.
"Yes, and we have already made some headway," Masahiko smiled. "This is only a part of our research. There are other studies that even you would likely find hard to imagine."
"Masahiko-kun, I detest bluffing without power to back it up. It only makes me bored with your stupidity," Orochimaru's voice turned cold.
Masahiko countered calmly, "Then, do you know... what exactly is the power of that Cursed Seal you planted on Anko?"
"Hm?" Orochimaru's gaze intensified. He sat up straighter but did not answer.
"It seems you know a little, but certainly not as comprehensively as we do." Masahiko stared into Orochimaru's snake-like eyes and smiled. "You didn't pass the test, did you?"
"You actually know about that!"
Orochimaru's expression turned grave; he could no longer sit still. This meant... the other party truly knew top-secret information!
He pondered for a long time, remaining silent.
'This kind of organization...'
Orochimaru looked up. "What is your objective?"
"Similar to yours. However, eternal life is merely the first step in breaking free from the cage of the flesh. Beyond that, there are even higher forms of life."