Orochimaru Technology

Sage Jutsu emphasized talent.

Even if he possessed heaven-defying talent and Sage Jutsu chakra perception, without Kage-level chakra reserves and the corresponding control, the backlash would most likely assimilate him into stone, trees, water, or other natural objects.

As for becoming a Jinchuriki, setting aside whether an ordinary ninja's physique could withstand the erosion of Tailed Beast chakra, Sealing Techniques alone were enough to stump him.

The Shinobi World had monopolized even elemental ninjutsu to such an extent. One could only imagine how difficult it was to obtain the even rarer and more precious Sealing Techniques.

Even the giants among the Five Great Ninja Villages did not possess a complete set of Sealing Techniques capable of sealing Tailed Beasts. The Uzumaki Clan had controlled the Shinobi World's strongest Sealing Techniques, and the reason they had been wiped out was likely because they possessed treasures others coveted.

Therefore, without strength above the jonin level, one should not even dream of obtaining advanced Sealing Techniques, unless one was reincarnated into the Uzumaki Clan.

"Looks like Orochimaru's core technology really is the truth for ordinary people."

Umino Sasuke could not help but sigh. In a Shinobi World ruled by bloodlines, Orochimaru was the one who truly stood shoulder to shoulder with gods in a mortal body.

He should follow Orochimaru's example and make use of chakra's various miraculous effects. Even if he only produced what Orochimaru considered scraps, it should be enough to break free of his current predicament. At the very least, becoming a jonin should not be difficult.

As for developing a second chakra nature, once he returned to the Ninja Army Garrison and resumed his post, he would see whether he could exchange Mission Merit Points for the relevant materials. His top priority was to build the laboratory first.

However, Umino Sasuke did not immediately unseal the Sealing Scrolls and begin improving the underground laboratory. Instead, he first returned to his patrol outpost.

With Aburame Shibi's Kikaichū guarding the outskirts of the defense zone, Tejudo and the Three Youngsters had not encountered any accidents. They were merely complaining that Soldier Pills were hard to swallow and missing his cooking.

When they saw Umino Sasuke return, they greeted him jubilantly and immediately took the initiative to set up the pot and prepare a meal. Even Inuzuka Ryo stopped holding back and joined in.

"Captain, hurry up and catch some fish. I can handle things here."

Tejudo urged Umino Sasuke to hurry and go fishing. It was not because Tejudo himself could not catch fish, but because the Land of Rivers' unique Golden Mandarin Fish was a prized species with an exceptionally delicious taste and had nearly been fished to extinction.

Yet Umino Sasuke could catch this prized fish almost every time. If Tejudo went himself, he could only catch ordinary freshwater fish, and they were often small ones at that.

"You're the only one not lifting a finger, just barking orders."

Umino Sasuke pretended to kick Tejudo in the ass. He was also quite helpless toward this man's habit of using his position as vice-captain to bully the two newcomers in the workplace.

Inuzuka Ryo was better off, since he came from a ninja clan and Tejudo did not dare go too far. But with Xiao Xiao, the little sister he admired, Tejudo acted like a complete bureaucratic vice-captain.

After showing off his Tool Manipulation during the ambush on the Sand ninja, Tejudo had become even more unbearably arrogant. Even Inuzuka Ryo seemed inclined to follow his lead.

Tejudo was simply born with the knack for being a scheming leader.

However, Umino Sasuke did not interfere too much. Big fish ate little fish, and little fish ate shrimp. As long as he, the big fish, could keep Tejudo, the little fish, in line, and as long as that little fish did not cause trouble, he would turn a blind eye.

As for Tejudo ordering around his captain today, he would treat it as indulging the man's momentary vanity. After all, he had just used several million ryo worth of the man's bladed tools that morning.

Once this period was over, he would let Tejudo know what it meant for a captain's authority to be sacred and inviolable.

Tap, tap, tap...

Chakra spread across the soles of his feet as Umino Sasuke stepped onto the river's surface and activated the Sonic Radar Technique.

"Without the assistance of the Water Bat Summoning Beast, my perception has dropped by more than tenfold."

Umino Sasuke extended his perception beneath the river, but he could only sense less than ten meters underwater.

With the Water Bat Summoning Beast's assistance, as long as no living creature possessing chakra blocked the way, his perception could basically penetrate straight through.

In a medium like river water, the range of perception was nowhere near the three kilometers it had in the air because penetrating it consumed a great deal of sonic power, but it could still reach nearly a hundred meters.

Originally, he had planned to contract another Water Bat while he was at the laboratory. But then he considered that Aburame Shibi might release Kikaichū into the inner area of the defense zone. If they discovered any clues and followed the Water Bat to its nest, they might enter his laboratory.

Although Water Bats were the natural enemies of Kikaichū, Aburame Shibi was unlikely to expend great effort sending Kikaichū to explore a Water Bat nest out of mere curiosity. But what if he did? It was better not to give Aburame Shibi such ideas in the first place.

For now, with Kikaichū watching the outskirts of his defense zone, danger was basically unlikely. It would not be too late to contract another one after Aburame Shibi stopped sending Kikaichū over.

"Captain, why are you being so slow today? Didn't you usually get it done in no time?"

Tejudo had finished the preparations, but no Golden Mandarin Fish had appeared for a long time, so he urged him again. Perhaps because he was feeling especially pleased with himself today, he pushed his luck, and there was even a hint of complaint in his words. He was the sort who would climb onto the roof if not disciplined for three days, having completely forgotten the terror of being dominated by his captain in the past—a weight his young body could hardly bear.

Umino Sasuke said nothing and continued searching for fish. Unfortunately, Golden Mandarin Fish usually lived in deep water, and with his current sensing depth, finding one would likely take quite a bit more time.

Not wanting to arouse Tejudo and the Three Youngsters' suspicions, nor wanting to waste more time, Umino Sasuke could only speed things up. His hands rapidly formed seals. "Water Release: Water Prison Technique!"

He pressed both hands directly into the river and continued channeling chakra.

"Rotate!"

"Revolving Water Prison!"

At once.

A whirlpool appeared in the river, growing larger and larger as it churned up vast amounts of water and shattered the stillness beneath the surface.

"Found you."

After a round of sensing, he finally locked onto that familiar figure.

Umino Sasuke immediately drew a kunai and hurled it.

It pierced straight through the Golden Mandarin Fish's head.

Soon, a golden fish as thick as a water bucket floated to the surface.

Umino Sasuke picked up the Golden Mandarin Fish and raced toward the shore. Having gone most of the day without food, he was getting hungry as well.

This was not their first time cooking and eating on the battlefield, so everyone was highly experienced. After a burst of activity, they finally enjoyed a fine meal.

Perhaps because they had fought a major battle today, or perhaps because they were truly hungry, coupled with the fact that today's Golden Mandarin Fish was especially large, all four ate to their hearts' content. The only pity was the lack of alcohol; otherwise, it would have been even more pleasant.

However, with the Ninja Regulations in place, cooking and eating could be justified, but drinking would make them a textbook example if they were caught. Ordinary ninjas without connections faced relatively harsh punishments.

As for ninja clan disciples, as long as it did not affect the mission, secretly having a little to drink was generally fine. Even if they were caught, they usually only received a verbal reprimand.