Weakness Is Original Sin

In the underground laboratory, cold white wall lamps were embedded. Beneath them, a Frankenstein-like scientist, wrapped entirely in bandages, watched a test subject in a culture pod.

It was a humanoid creature. Except for its head, its body was a grotesque patchwork of animal torsos, its appearance extremely distorted.

The horrific state of the subject in the culture pod did not affect the bandaged scientist's thoughts; only madness flickered in his eyes.

At this moment, deliberately heavy footsteps sounded, and a figure appeared outside the door, kneeling on one knee.

"What is it?"

"Sir, those test subjects in the Land of Rivers have attracted the attention of Konoha ninjas. Should we retrieve them?"

Just then, the creature in the culture pod seemed unable to withstand the immense rejection reaction and exploded. A scarlet color instantly dyed the originally pale green nutrient solution.

Watching this scene, the bandaged scientist's eyes, which had been glowing red, darkened slightly. The air in the laboratory instantly turned cold.

A moment later, the bandaged scientist's voice slowly came through, "No need. Let 'Two' record the data from their battle with the Konoha ninjas. It can be considered making use of waste."

"Yes."

After his subordinate retreated, the bandaged scientist walked around the failed cultivation pod. As his gaze swept across the vast underground laboratory, he saw nearly fifty identical cultivation pods lined up.

Looking at the subjects within, a fanatical glint flashed in the bandaged scientist's eyes. "Genius is nothing. A genius forged through effort is the work of a god."

Senba looked at the notebook in his hand and then at Teacher Genma's unnatural expression. He pursed his lips, but ultimately couldn't hold back.

"Teacher, you're not going to tell me you can't understand the Fourth Hokage's notes, are you?"

"Cough cough," Genma Shiranui, having been ruthlessly exposed by his student, was about to struggle. He suddenly remembered that the Flying Thunder God Technique's formulas couldn't be figured out by simply being confused; if you don't understand it, you don't understand it.

"It can't be helped, Senba. The three of us were guided step-by-step by the Fourth Hokage. Although these notes were tailor-made for us, they are too profound."

Genma Shiranui's face flushed slightly as he spoke. Looking at Senba's somewhat disappointed expression, he continued, "When you are qualified to redeem this forbidden jutsu in the future, Senba, you can look at the Fourth Hokage's notes."

"However, Senba, it would be best if you could ask the elders of the clan if they can redeem the Second Hokage's notes from the Third Hokage first."

"The Fourth Hokage's notes are an improved and simplified version. They are actually more obscure for beginners. You should study this notebook first, then the Second Hokage's notes, and finally the Fourth Hokage's Flying Thunder God Technique."

Senba glanced at Teacher Genma with a peculiar expression. Did he underestimate his own status? The Second Hokage's relics were preserved more completely in the Senju Ancestral Home than in the Hokage building.

After finishing his explanation, Genma Shiranui watched Senba fiddling with the notebook. He thought for a moment before speaking, "Senba, aren't you not very good at Illusion Techniques? Tell me, and I'll guide you."

Senba hadn't expected that the excuse he casually made up would be remembered by Teacher Genma. In reality, with Grandma Momoka around, Illusion Techniques were where Senba improved the fastest, though he rarely used them.

However, to save Teacher Genma's face, and also for mutual verification, they began to discuss it by the campfire.

A C-rank Illusion Technique, "Fox Heart Technique," made the enemy feel like they were wandering in a maze, as if bewildered by a fox. It could be used on multiple people simultaneously.

This was a ninjutsu that Genma Shiranui taught Senba, mainly as a reward for Senba's rapid understanding of Illusion Techniques.

Senba happily added it to his ninjutsu library. This collecting habit was one manifestation of Senba's obsession with extraordinary power.

"Alright, Senba will be passing through the mission area tomorrow. We need to conserve our energy today. Tomorrow might be a tough fight. I'll take the watch for the remaining time."

Senba did not refuse Teacher Genma's kind offer and closed his eyes, entering a state of light sleep. In reality, his consciousness had gone to see Senba of the Forest.

"My dear clone, your main body has arrived."

"Bang!" "Bang!" "Bang!"

In a luxuriously decorated room, the Poison Ghost picked up a table and smashed it repeatedly onto the figure lying on the ground. "Drinking, chasing women, do you want to die? You finally got out of hell, can't you just live properly!"

"I'll make you drink! I'll make you drink!"

The room was in disarray. The geishas had long since fled, and the thugs who had rushed in were groaning outside. The Poison Ghost scattered gold and silver from his hand, and the manager immediately said, "Feel free to smash whatever you want, sir. As long as the money is enough, we can even burn it down."

"Enough, Poison Ghost! If you hit me again, I'm going to fight back!"

The Snake Ghost, lying on the ground, extended a pale hand and grabbed the corner of the table in the Poison Ghost's hand. His sharp nails dug deeply into the wood, and his snake-like eyes glared fiercely at the Poison Ghost.

Seemingly intimidated, the Poison Ghost slowly sighed and threw the battered table to the ground, his face devoid of emotion.

The next second, he drew the katana he carried and madly slashed at the Snake Ghost, cursing as he did. "You dare talk to me like that? Today, I'll teach you a good lesson."

"Big brother, I was wrong, I was wrong! Don't cut my face, it takes a long time to recover."

After half an hour of frenzied slashing, peace was finally restored to the room.

The Poison Ghost sat in the main seat, watching the Snake Ghost reassemble his right arm piece by piece. A flicker of pain crossed his eyes. If he had a choice, he wouldn't want this ability.

"Snake Ghost, I'm not joking. What we've done will sooner or later attract the encirclement of ninjas. We need to change our identities and leave here. We have enough money now."

"I've already made arrangements with a merchant named Gato in the Land of Waves. He will help us solve the identity issue. Afterward, we'll live as ordinary people and never get involved in the ninja world again."

Hearing this, the Snake Ghost's movements paused slightly. A hint of sadness flashed in his eyes, but his voice was filled with mockery.

"Ordinary people? Can we really become ordinary people? Strength Ghost's insatiable hunger, Snake Ghost's body that needs human blood to nourish, and you and me."

"Heh, big brother, do you hate me? If it weren't for me, we wouldn't have ended up like this. It's all my fault, my fault."

As the Snake Ghost's gaze became unfocused, he began to mutter to himself. His lips cracked, his arms lengthened, and his legs seemed on the verge of transformation. Just as he was about to change, a sweet scent wafted over, causing him to faint.

The Poison Ghost looked at the poisonous gas emanating from his own skin and didn't know what to say for a moment. Back then, the Snake Ghost had been noticed by the powerful due to his beauty.

If they hadn't killed that nobleman, the Snake Ghost's fate would have been unbearable to witness. Therefore, to have the strength to protect himself, becoming a ninja was necessary.

"One last big score, and then we leave here, leave here forever!"

Looking at the unconscious Snake Ghost, the Poison Ghost secretly made a decision. He would find a target in this pleasure district.