After the Earth Curse Mark was placed on Anko, her appetite increased day by Tenten.
If it weren't for the Curse Mark, this little foodie would definitely grow up to be chubby and fair-skinned in no time.
Of course, her training intensity gradually increased. Although her talent was average, her willpower was very strong.
With such great stamina, the most suitable Taijutsu for her is naturally Tsunade's Chakra-Enhanced Strength.
As for the Eight Gates, Orochimaru had also studied this suicidal Taijutsu, but opening it always came at the cost of a life.
Orochimaru's Mirror Clone can be used, but each use takes a life, so he will only use them as a last resort.
Moreover, it often requires absorbing the opponent's kinetic energy. If the Eight Gates are used, combined with one's own abilities, it's unknown how much power one could unleash.
So far, the battles Orochimaru has encountered haven't brought him to that point yet; perhaps the Eight-Tails and Nine-Tails could.
"Teacher, the task is complete!"
Anko's voice interrupted Orochimaru's thoughts. He looked up and saw that the fish in front of Anko had been healed.
Since taking Anko as his disciple, Orochimaru has taught her Medical Ninjutsu, partly to teach her another skill and partly to improve her control over Chakra.
To learn the Senju Clan's Chakra-Enhanced Strength, the first requirement is precise control over Chakra.
Concentrating Chakra throughout the body, covering the entire body with Chakra, and then unleashing it in an instant—this attack method is known as "Chakra-Enhanced Strength."
To achieve this, precise control of Chakra is essential, and on the other hand, there must be a source of Chakra supply such as the Yin Seal.
Although the Anko Yin Seal, it already has the Earth Curse Mark as its foundation.
As long as you master the techniques and combine them with your Chakra, it's not a problem to unleash a few Chakra-Enhanced Strength attacks. However, if you want to maintain Chakra-Enhanced Strength throughout the entire attack, you must release the Earth Curse Mark.
This method was also something Orochimaru got from Tsunade, because she made a slip of the tongue while drunk.
"Let's take another fish and continue the experiment!"
Orochimaru took a grass carp weighing three to five pounds from the fish basket, and then told Anko to throw the one she was holding back into the river.
During this period, Orochimaru would go fishing at a Xiao He near Konoha whenever he had free time, and Anko would happily follow behind him.
She wasn't there to fish, of course; she was there to treat the fish that Orochimaru had caught.
Whenever a fish is brought ashore, it inevitably involves Anko and dissecting the fish. If Orochimaru fails to catch a fish for a long time, the original fish may be repeatedly dissected and stitched up.
There's no other way; Anko has plenty of Chakra and energy right now, so we have to deplete her Chakra through this training method to improve her control over Chakra.
Learning Chakra-Enhanced Strength was an unavoidable step for Anko, and she had no complaints, fulfilling her duties responsibly in every task.
"Take a rest if you're tired, and I'll grill some fish for you later."
Watching the little guy intently stitching up the grass carp in front of him, even though it wasn't being tested on humans, this kind of surgery was still very demanding.
"Hmm! I'm not tired!"
Anko smiled radiantly, her little face covered in sweat. Orochimaru took out a tissue and wiped it off for her, making Red Anko blush with embarrassment.
While Konoha was diligently teaching Orochimaru in Anko, his Orochimaru form outside also placed the Earth Curse Mark on Guren.
This time, no plot was triggered, which was not unexpected.
Not to mention that Guren originally had no Curse Mark, whether or not the plot can be triggered is also up to fate, since there was only one person the first time.
How are you feeling?
Orochimaru gently patted Guren's head. After these days of travel, Anko had gotten quite tanned, but her spirits had been completely renewed.
The two were on their way back to the Land of Rice Fields. In the past six months, they had visited not only Iwagakure in the Land of Earth, but also Sunagakure in the Land of Wind.
This is why Guren got a tan, but all that traveling around has its benefits.
Orochimaru has already planted many loyal agents in each of the hidden villages. Although some are just peripheral members, he can still control the general direction of the actions of each hidden village.
This process also honed Guren's character, and her strength has reached the level of Chunin. If combined with her Kekkei Genkai, she Chunin among the Chunin.
With the example of Anko, Orochimaru successfully placed the Earth Curse Mark on Guren.
With the blessing of the Earth Curse Mark, the range of Guren's Crystal Release Escape will be even greater; this is a change in quantity.
Orochimaru's demands went far beyond that; even the largest Crystal Release technique was useless if it couldn't harm anyone.
If the problem of suppressing sound waves cannot be solved in a short time, then we should work on improving the quality of the crystal.
There is no absolute restraint in this world; fire can extinguish water, and water can extinguish fire.
In Orochimaru's vision, the elemental clone ability similar to that of Konan and Gaara was what he desired.
Of course, this ability is not limited to clones; the main body can transform into elements.
If this step can be achieved, then Guren's future will be elevated to a new level.
"I'm much better now, but I'm still a little weak."
Upon discovering that Guren was already panting heavily after only traveling a short distance, Orochimaru simply controlled her and launched her into the air.
Rehabilitation training should be done in moderation; there's a long road ahead, so there's no need to rush.
"Sir, are we heading back to Rice Field Ninja Village?"
Despite her suspicions, Guren still asked the question, which was the first time she had ever spoken up.
There are simply too many memories in the Land of Rice Fields, and whether one wants to recall them or not, one must eventually face them.
"Yes! We're not leaving this time. Rice Field Ninja Village will be our future base."
Upon hearing this, Guren seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. She knew Orochimaru's strength and methods, and there was no way she could be safe if she went back to Kusagakure this time.
Guren harbors little affection for the country that once housed her family and caused their deaths.
Along the way, she saw many people displaced by war and encountered children even worse off than herself.
But it's difficult to make others truly understand suffering if it hasn't happened to you personally; otherwise, Pain wouldn't have made others feel his pain.
The human world is not Pure Land; everyone has their own suffering!
If she hadn't met Orochimaru, she'd probably be living in dire straits right now. She's just sticking together with Orochimaru for warmth.
"The Land of Rice Fields will never face war again, and even the other Five Great Nations will not dare to underestimate this country!"
As if knowing what Guren was thinking, Orochimaru immediately reassured her.
"Yes! I believe you, sir!"
As she spoke, Guren gave Orochimaru a bright smile; she trusted Orochimaru completely.
Orochimaru's goal is her goal, and even if Orochimaru can't achieve it, she will do everything in her power to fulfill Orochimaru's wish.
All of this is the result of Orochimaru's training over this period of time. He taught her Ninjutsu and gave her Curse Mark, completely winning over Guren's loyalty.
In Orochimaru's view, if he were to use the Loyalty Mark on those close to him, Orochimaru would be a failure. Orochimaru believed that he still possessed that much personal charisma.
Three days later, Orochimaru and Guren returned to Rice Field Ninja Village.
Looking down at the small village, Orochimaru's lips curled into a slight smile.
"How many flights of stairs do I have to carry this bag of rice up?! Two flights of stairs do I have to carry this bag of rice up?! I gave you too much rice! I washed this bag of rice!"