The dim underground base fell into silence.
Orochimaru pondered for a moment, then smiled and said, "Masahiko-kun, let's not talk about the organization behind you for now. Let's discuss the current transaction."
"Of course, Lord Orochimaru."
Masahiko remained respectful.
Orochimaru said, "I can give you the research related to life and soul, but what will you give me in exchange?"
"The research on Shikotsumyaku, some knowledge I possess, and a suitable plan for you."
Masahiko replied.
Orochimaru licked his lips and nodded, "Deal! But if your things fail to pique my interest, then I apologize."
"You will definitely be satisfied."
Masahiko replied.
Without Orochimaru's command, Yakushi Kabuto bowed slightly and then left the darkroom.
Only the two of them remained in the room.
"Soul, Chakra, and a vessel—these form a person. The core is the soul and Chakra. Many plans are similar in that they maintain the soul and Chakra while changing the vessel..."
Masahiko paused here slightly, then said, "The difference lies in the choice of vessel."
"Such vagueness makes it hard for me to believe your sincerity."
Orochimaru's voice was hoarse.
Masahiko, however, was not in a hurry, and slowly said:
"Your plan leans towards invading others, but even the strongest individual cannot completely erase the residual souls of others. So... your current plan probably requires changing vessels periodically, right?"
Orochimaru licked the corner of his mouth with his tongue, like a venomous snake eyeing its prey.
Yes.
His current research results were not perfect.
Only Kabuto knew this.
"In that case..."
Masahiko's lips curled slightly, "Why not create another yourself?"
After a moment of silence.
"A crazy idea."
Orochimaru's hoarse laughter echoed in the darkroom.
"As for Kimimaro, Shikotsumyaku..."
Masahiko took out a scroll and said, "The answers are all here."
Orochimaru was a little surprised and took the scroll from his hand.
Upon opening it, he raised an eyebrow.
The content surprised him greatly.
"I know the Hyuga Clan is connected to the Kaguya Clan, but the fusion of their powers might return to the origin... it's just a conjecture after all."
Even so.
Orochimaru's expression and eyes clearly showed he was tempted.
Masahiko smiled, "It's a conjecture, but there's also corroboration. I can't tell you the specifics, after all... you're not one of us."
"That's truly a pity."
Orochimaru chuckled, but didn't offer to join.
He pondered for a moment and said, "It's worth a try."
"Then, I sincerely invite you to join my Hyuga Overthrow Plan."
Masahiko extended his hand.
Orochimaru asked, "Do you represent yourself, or your organization?"
"Just you and me. After all, if there are too many people, there won't be enough to go around."
Masahiko's tone was full of ambition.
"Is that so? Then, happy cooperation."
In the darkroom, Orochimaru's slightly sinister laughter echoed... In the evening, within the Hyuga Clan compound.
Neji, as usual, trained while using Chakra to temper the Chakra pathways and acupoints throughout his body.
The Byakugan could see others' meridians, and it could also see his own.
He punched while guiding Chakra... Whoosh!
A wisp of air shot out from an acupoint.
He succeeded!
Neji was overjoyed.
Teacher Masahiko was right. Besides training the Byakugan and Gentle Fist, the Hyuga Clan's Gentle Fist also needed to use the Byakugan to develop one's own Chakra pathways and acupoints!
He imagined... if he could make every acupoint in his body spew out Chakra, then—
Wouldn't that be the 'Rotation' that his father once mentioned?
That was a secret Gentle Fist technique that only the Main Family could master!
Neji clenched his fists.
As Teacher Masahiko said, Hyuga Ichizoku could create these techniques. He already had a reference target, so why couldn't he develop and create them himself?
"Main Family!"
Neji wanted to laugh aloud, but he dared not expose his resentment, nor his joy.
However.
What he knew was—
At this moment, he saw the direction of his future.
Fate had been torn apart!
"Father, your suffering in life will end in this generation!"
Neji's resolve was firm... The next morning, at dawn.
Masahiko took advantage of his morning run to the outskirts to retrieve everything his Shadow Clone had sent back.
Orochimaru's notes were extensive, and much of the knowledge was obscure and difficult to understand, requiring verification and study in conjunction with Orochimaru's notes from the Root Organization.
There was no rush for that.
The kekkei sickness of Shikotsumyaku was quite distant from him.
One thing was relatively close to him—
The research on life and Chakra was helpful for his mastery of Chakra.
Chakra is refined from a mixture of mental and physical energy.
Physical energy can be enhanced through various 'body activation' techniques, but mental energy is difficult to strengthen through Ninjutsu.
Orochimaru's research notes on the Fushi Tensei contained research on mental techniques.
Although incomplete, it was enough for him to gain something.
The morning was as usual.
The difference was that Kurama Yakumo came to class alone.
Today, her mental state was completely different, with a broad smile on her face.
The first class was Taijutsu.
Seeing Kurama Yakumo dressed in a Ninja outfit, everyone was a little confused and looked up at Yagyū Masahiko.
Ino quietly asked, "Yakumo, are you going to try fighting today?"
"Mm!"
Yakumo nodded.
She smiled and said, "I also want to become a Ninja, not just watch everyone else work hard."
Everyone looked at Masahiko.
Although they were students, they knew more or less about Yakumo's situation.
Masahiko smiled and said, "No worries."
His gaze swept around, finally settling on Naruto.
"Naruto, you fight Yakumo. However, Yakumo's situation is special, so I allow her to use Genjutsu below C-rank. Is that okay?"
"Huh?"
Naruto was bewildered.
He was just a bit dense, not stupid... Yakumo bowed deeply: "Please, Naruto!"
"Alright."
Naruto hesitated for a moment, then nodded slightly.
Everyone moved to the sides.
After forming the Seal of Confrontation—
Naruto formed hand signs and charged towards Yakumo with a strange cry.
The next second... Clone Jutsu!
After being interfered with by Orochimaru's technique, Naruto's Clone Jutsu was even more disastrous.
But it must be said, the visual effect was quite explosive.
Various strangely shaped Naruto clones appeared, some rolling, some jumping, not looking like humans.
But Naruto's main body weaved through the crowd, quickly approaching Yakumo.
However.
Just as he was about to get close... Kurama Yakumo formed a hand sign with one hand, and as Chakra burst forth, she threw several shuriken with her other hand.
She immediately pinpointed Naruto in the crowd!
As Naruto burst out of the crowd, he met Kurama Yakumo's eyes.
Fox's Heart Technique!
When the Genjutsu activated, everything before Naruto's eyes changed—
Shadows of Kurama Yakumo formed everywhere, leaving him confused for a moment.
The next second.
Whoosh!
With a soft sound.
Masahiko instantly appeared beside Naruto, and as Chakra burst forth, it formed a reverse water vortex, sweeping all the shuriken into his palm.
Seeing such Ninjutsu, everyone was deeply shocked.
What shocked everyone even more was—
Kurama Yakumo was actually able to form a hand sign with one hand to release Genjutsu, and simultaneously throw so many shuriken while releasing Genjutsu.
Wasn't she physically weak?
How could she complete such a transformation overnight!
Only Naruto, after Masahiko dispelled the Genjutsu, was still in a daze, looking around blankly, not knowing what had happened.
"Just now..."
"Naruto, I remember the Genjutsu class taught how to identify and dispel Genjutsu, right?"
"Huh? I was under Genjutsu?"