Experiment One

File: 027

Name: Kurama Murakumo

Age: 17

Strength: Chunin

Specialty: Genjutsu

Kekkei Genkai: Yin Release, Genjutsu Type (Latent)

Effect: Possesses the ability to affect a person's Five Senses. The effects vary depending on the degree of Kekkei Genkai awakening.

Notes: It is said that every few generations, the Kurama Clan produces a Kekkei Genkai awakener whose abilities surpass those of their peers.

Experiment: Induce the Test Subject's Kekkei Genkai awakening

File: 028

Name: Kurama Unkai

Age: 15

Strength: Chunin

Information: None

Technology Development Department.

The Kurama Clan Elder arrived with the two people listed in the files. He wore casual clothing bearing the Kurama Clan Crest, and deep furrows crossed his face, making him appear even older than the Third Hokage.

There was anticipation in his eyes.

Several months had passed since the Kurama Clan approached Orochimaru of the Technology Development Department. During that time, in addition to the funds spent on equipment and research, the Kurama Clan had provided all available Kekkei Genkai-related materials that did not involve clan secrets, as Orochimaru had requested.

They had even allowed Orochimaru to draw blood from two clan members who had awakened their Kekkei Genkai and cooperate in multiple examinations. It could be said that the Kurama Clan had never refused anything they could cooperate with.

They had thought it would take at least one or two years to see results, but to their surprise, Orochimaru had notified them of progress after only a few months.

Of course, when Orochimaru informed them, he had merely said that he had developed a drug and technique specifically intended to activate a Kekkei Genkai. Whether it would succeed still depended on the experiment.

Yet the entire Kurama Clan could not help but feel a faint sense of anticipation! They hoped it would succeed.

The two boys brought by the Kurama Clan Elder looked somewhat alike, and their files also stated that they were blood relatives.

Though the two boys appeared calm at the moment, their eyes and bodies still betrayed their tension and fear of the unknown.

Although the Wood Release experiments remained top secret, ninja clans like the Kurama Clan had still caught vague rumors.

After all, the remaining members of the Senju Clan had disappeared in large numbers within a short period. Claiming they had died on missions could only fool ordinary villagers and ninja.

Thus, the Kurama Clan knew very well how dangerous Kekkei Genkai awakening could be. If the Uchiha Clan had not succeeded, they would never have wanted to participate in such an experiment.

Kurama Murakumo did not want to, either.

But his father, the Kurama Clan Head, along with most of the clan elders, desperately wished to restore the Kurama Clan's former strength.

"Orochimaru-sama!" the Kurama Clan representatives respectfully greeted Orochimaru.

"Are these the Test Subjects you selected?" Orochimaru's golden eyes fell upon the two boys.

Kurama Murakumo and his brother immediately sensed that some terrifying beast had fixed its gaze upon them. Their entire bodies went numb, their blood froze, and they stood rooted to the spot, too afraid to speak.

"Yes. Murakumo and Unkai are the Clan Head's sons. They possess exceptional Genjutsu talent among their generation and are the most likely to awaken their Kekkei Genkai." The Kurama Clan Elder nodded lightly.

"You signed the liability agreement, correct? This is a voluntary experiment, and the consequences carry a certain degree of danger. In severe cases, it could end both of their ninja careers—or even result in death," Orochimaru reminded him.

"The Kurama Clan understands." The Kurama Clan Elder looked at the Murakumo brothers and tightened his grip on their hands. Then he raised his head to meet Orochimaru's gaze and answered firmly.

"Then let's begin." Orochimaru turned and walked ahead.

After hesitating briefly, the Kurama Clan Elder steeled himself once more. He strode forward resolutely, leading Kurama Murakumo and his brother after Orochimaru.

Due to Orochimaru's habits, the Technology Development Department's core divisions had all been built underground. The lights and passageways along the way made the Murakumo brothers increasingly uneasy.

The four stopped before a door marked Kekkei Genkai Laboratory. Orochimaru opened it and led the three members of the Kurama Clan inside.

The room was spacious and filled with precision Instruments. A bed stood in the center, surrounded by dense cables and equipment that were difficult to understand, yet neatly arranged.

A somewhat short figure stood before the Instruments, operating something. Beside him were two equally busy Shadow Clones.

"Orochimaru Sensei." Seeing the newcomers, Kagetsu put down the vial in his hand and greeted him.

"Are the preparations complete?" Orochimaru walked over to Kagetsu and asked.

"Everything is ready." Kagetsu nodded.

"Then begin." Orochimaru gestured for one of the Kurama Clan members to lie on the bed in the center of the room.

While Kurama Unkai was still hesitating, Kurama Murakumo had already stepped forward on his own initiative. He removed his shoes and sat on the bed, then lay down as Orochimaru instructed beneath the gazes of those watching him with calmness, concern, or mixed emotions.

A layer of black shadow instantly bound the reclining Kurama Murakumo like glue. Segments of Sealing Technique runes crept upward from around the bed, centered on Murakumo, before vanishing into the middle of his back.

A heavy hemispherical iron helmet was pushed over from the head of the bed, covering half of Kurama Murakumo's head and blocking his sight. Then a cold drug was poured into his mouth through the corner of his lips.

Kurama Murakumo felt that he had completely lost control of his body, and all before him was pitch-black. Yet under such circumstances, his mind became increasingly active.

It was a very strange state.

Kurama Murakumo felt as though he was neither awake nor asleep. His body was incomparably heavy and unable to move, yet his mind was overly active, weaving for him a hazy, indistinct dream that somehow felt immensely important.

"This is!"

The Kurama Clan Elder sensed the familiar Chakra fluctuations emanating from the bed, and a flash of delight crossed his eyes.

That was Yin Release Power!

Under the influence of Yin Release Chakra, Kurama Murakumo's dream had even lightly affected his spiritual will.

That was the power of Genjutsu!

Even Genjutsu cast unconsciously could affect the mind of someone like him, who was equally skilled in Genjutsu. Even if Murakumo failed to awaken his Kekkei Genkai, once he mastered this power, he could still become a strong ninja.

"It really affected my Five Senses? What an interesting Kekkei Genkai." Orochimaru licked the corner of his lips. A powerful desire for research spilled across his face as he stared intently at Kurama Murakumo, whose mental energy and Yin Release Chakra were being continuously squeezed by the drug, stimulating his Kekkei Genkai from its frozen dormancy into gradual activity.

"The experiment needs to stop, Orochimaru Sensei. Otherwise, both his body and mind will completely collapse." Looking at the real-time data on Kurama Murakumo detected by the Instruments, Kagetsu spoke.

"Did it fail?" Orochimaru felt somewhat regretful upon hearing that. However, after glancing at the Kurama Clan Elder, he restrained the research desire rising within him. Together with Kagetsu, he activated the previously inscribed Sealing Technique, cutting off Kurama Murakumo's overly active Yin Release Chakra.