A Gift for Orochimaru

"I've learned some of the principles behind Natural Energy, but to truly complete Sage Mode, I'll still need to visit one of the so-called Three Sage Regions."

Guo Wang's words made everyone present curl their lips. The contract scrolls of the Three Sage Regions had always been kept in Konoha. As Senju Tobirama's disciples, they had all attempted Sage Mode training, but without exception, they had failed.

Instead, Sarutobi Hiruzen's two disciples, Orochimaru and Jiraiya, had unexpectedly shown talent for it.

Yet the one who ultimately succeeded was Jiraiya, the dead last.

Although Orochimaru could sense Natural Energy and form Ryūchi Cave's Mark, he had failed to gain the White Snake Sage's approval. He too had failed.

"You're quite the odd one. After becoming crippled, you can sense Natural Energy instead."

The threshold for Sage Mode had stumped everyone in the room. Even Sarutobi Hiruzen, with his all-attribute Chakra constitution, simply could not do it. It was a matter of talent.

"Later, Minato can try training in my Ninjutsu. In theory, his talent should allow him to master it."

Guo Wang relied on the power of the Mangekyo to forcefully use it, but Minato, who had already mastered Sage Mode and Wind Release, was the only shinobi in the current Shinobi World who met the prerequisites for training in Vacuum Infinite Sword.

After saying that, amid Sarutobi Hiruzen's thanks, Guo Wang signaled for White Cat to put away the Scroll of Seals.

Just then, he spotted an inconspicuous technique in the corner.

Spirit Transformation Technique!

A Ninjutsu that separated Mental Energy from physical energy and materialized the Mental Energy into a "spirit body" for battle. Its effects had already surpassed the concept of ordinary Ninjutsu. When the spirit body possessed another person, it could either control them in combat or directly cause their body to collapse from within, killing them. It was a terrifying long-range assassination technique.

"This world actually has a Ninjutsu for the Primordial Spirit leaving the body."

Guo Wang was overjoyed. His greatest strength was his spiritual power, which far surpassed the shinobi of this world. But fully using it under the rules of the Shinobi World was extremely difficult. The Mangekyo's Dojutsu Power had only developed a portion of his Primordial Spirit, while this Spirit Transformation Technique was the key to unlocking his greatest power.

Unfortunately, the Scroll of Seals contained only an introduction to the technique, not a detailed method of training.

"That kid Dan Katō wasn't completely blinded by love after all."

After searching Danzo's memories, Guo Wang gained a partial understanding of Tsunade's former boyfriend, a young man who had once held great hopes of becoming Hokage.

Come to think of it, Guo Wang was partly responsible for Dan's death.

Back then, he had fanned the flames and sent Dan to the most dangerous battlefield. There, Dan encountered a Jinchuriki and was blasted into a bloody mess in a direct confrontation, dying a gruesome death.

"As long as I have this technique, even in Konoha, I'll be confident in killing Sarutobi."

Thinking silently to himself, Guo Wang rose to leave the Hokage Building.

"Danzo..."

The old man sitting in the center suddenly called out to him.

"...Congratulations on your upcoming marriage."

Just as Guo Wang wondered what Sarutobi Hiruzen wanted, the man suddenly said that. Smoking his pipe with narrowed eyes and a smile, he involuntarily brought scenes of their youth into Guo Wang's mind.

Guo Wang did not reply. He pushed open the door and left.

Root!

The moment Guo Wang entered with Aburame Torune and the others, he smelled a heavy stench of blood.

Hiss! Hiss! Hiss!

The hoarse sound of tongues flicking made their scalps crawl. Even Root's battle-hardened elites could not help trembling all over in this environment.

"Why were you gone so long? Is the old man starting to distrust you?"

A pale youth in an immaculate kimono slowly stepped out of the darkness, though his hands and the corners of his mouth were stained with blood. A thin purple-black snake coiled around his right hand before shooting out and snapping the neck of an Anbu lying on the ground pretending to be dead.

"No. I just went through the Scroll of Seals again and wasted some time."

Although Danzo's memories contained it as well, Guo Wang trusted what he had seen with his own eyes more. Besides, he had gained quite a bit and obtained what he wanted.

"Oh? Did that scroll gain anything new?"

With the guarantees of Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzō, Orochimaru had also read the complete contents of that massive scroll. Many of his experimental projects had been developed based on its forbidden techniques. Thus, at the mention of the Scroll of Seals, his dark golden vertical pupils lit up.

"Yes. It now includes my Vacuum Infinite Sword."

"You actually completed that technique."

As partners, though they were at odds on the surface and at heart, Guo Wang's Ninjutsu development still relied heavily on Orochimaru's assistance.

Vacuum Infinite Sword had been proposed by Guo Wang. After a series of experiments and demonstrations, Orochimaru had worked out its principles and hand seals, but he was limited by his extraction and condensation of Natural Energy and could not truly perform it.

"You underestimate the Mangekyo too much."

Without needing Guo Wang's signal, Aburame Torune had already instructed Root's members to begin clearing the corpses from the base.

Destroying evidence was their specialty.

"What about the results I wanted?"

"The part about taking over ordinary people's bodies has been completed, but if the target is a Kekkei Genkai shinobi, there is still a chance of failure."

Although he greatly coveted the Mangekyo in Guo Wang's eyes, Orochimaru knew the power of Vacuum Infinite Sword and did not act rashly. Besides, he was very satisfied with the current situation. With this uncle backing him, he could basically devote himself wholeheartedly to exploring the path of science.

"Is that so? As expected, I still need assistance from the Land of Water."

Thinking of the lead in Danzo's memories, Guo Wang pondered for a while before finally making up his mind.

"Before long, the front with Kirigakure may grow more intense. I'll find a way to send you there to oversee the battle."

"Can I refuse? Besides Living Corpse Reincarnation, I still have other projects."

Orochimaru frowned, somewhat dissatisfied. He did not like killing people; he simply enjoyed exploring the mysteries of life.

He was truly growing tired of war. It had wasted far too many precious materials.

"Suit yourself. It depends on whether you still want Wood Release."

Guo Wang had always been approachable toward high-caliber talent and never forced demands upon them.

"Tch. Fine, but I want Wood Release to come with me."

Guo Wang saw through Orochimaru's tactic of advancing first and retreating afterward at a glance. After frowning and thinking for a moment, he gave his answer.

"I'll have Torune lead a team of Root operatives in Kirigakure. Wood Release will be among them."

If Yamato were left by Orochimaru's side, the one who returned might still be alive, but all sorts of life substances would definitely have been harvested from beginning to end.

"Enough to make the old man furious."

Guo Wang took out two sealed test tubes and tossed them to Orochimaru.

"Whose blood?"

"The Raikage's and the Chinoike Clan's."

"Not bad gifts. If you could get the life substance of that Magnet Release user from Kumogakure, it would be even better. With your strength, it should be effortless."

Unlike the widespread Storm Release and Explosion Release, Magnet Release was exceedingly rare throughout the Shinobi World. The Fourth Kazekage Rasa and the Raikage's Toroi were the only two Kekkei Genkai shinobi in the Shinobi World with Magnet Release.

"Help me use Impure World Reincarnation on someone. You have his life substance in your laboratory."