Sage Cursed Seal

"Truly a masterstroke, isn't it?"

Hōzuki Mangetsu looked at the post-operative Chukichi in astonishment, letting out a series of exclamations.

Following the surgery, Chukichi had transformed into an entirely different person; the once short and stout man had become tall and lean, and his round face had shifted into a long one.

Even if he were to enter the village, as long as he didn't reveal his signature jutsu, no one would ever be able to recognize him.

However, Chukichi was still under anesthesia and remained unaware of his current appearance.

"This is science!"

Amachi laughed smugly.

Back in the day, he had been one of Orochimaru's most capable assistants, and half of the human modification surgeries performed at the base had been his handiwork.

Very good!

Hōzuki Mangetsu nodded.

With this, Chukichi's identity was effectively shielded; even if he walked openly through Kirigakure, no one would suspect a thing.

"That's not all!"

Amachi pushed up his glasses and said, "I also modified his physical resilience and strength, and added an underwater respiratory system. As he stands now, he is fully capable of amphibious combat."

He had already received the first installment of funding sent by Hōzuki Mangetsu, so naturally, he would return the favor.

Chukichi's modification had cost him quite a bit of effort.

In truth, Amachi was just as much of a research fanatic as Orochimaru; aside from experiments and research, he had no interest in anything else.

Now that Orochimaru had abandoned Amachi, it provided the perfect opportunity for Hōzuki Mangetsu, who was currently lacking a medical talent among his subordinates.

"This is the Cursed Seal data you required."

Amachi produced a scroll and handed it to Hōzuki Mangetsu.

He had participated in Orochimaru's Cursed Seal research and possessed the majority of the experimental data, though he remained ignorant of the core principles behind the seals.

Since Orochimaru was heartless, Amachi felt no loyalty in return.

Using this secret to extract research funding from Hōzuki Mangetsu was a fair trade.

Opening the scroll and seeing the experimental data within, a smile appeared on Hōzuki Mangetsu's face.

As a transmigrator, he possessed a profound understanding of Orochimaru's Cursed Seal jutsu.

It was an energy carrier developed by Orochimaru in his search for a vessel suitable for Sage Mode cultivation. It was synthesized from Jugo's bodily fluids, mixed with Orochimaru's Chakra and sealing techniques.

Jugo was born with the innate ability to cultivate Sage Mode, but unfortunately, he would often go berserk after absorbing too much natural energy.

This was the very reason he had voluntarily sought out Orochimaru.

One had to admit, Orochimaru was an absolute genius in the field of research.

After failing to learn Sage Mode himself, he had relied on Jugo's body and his own vast knowledge to develop a semi-finished product of Sage Mode—the Cursed Seal jutsu.

In reality, the Cursed Seal transformation was a weakened version of Sage Mode. While it couldn't compare to the original, its power was not to be underestimated.

Orochimaru had conducted experiments for a long time before developing relatively stable Cursed Seals—the Heaven Cursed Seal and the Earth Cursed Seal.

Possessing this semi-finished Sage Mode could instantly increase a person's strength many times over.

Now...

A smile curled the corner of Hōzuki Mangetsu's mouth.

With this jutsu, he could fully arm his subordinates. Although it placed a heavy burden on the body, it was undeniably a powerful "cheat" for the early stages of the Naruto era.

Cursed Seal complete!

Hōzuki Mangetsu wiped the sweat from his brow, looking at his masterpiece with satisfaction as a smile played on his lips.

As a transmigrator, he had long known the composition of the Cursed Seal, and now that he had obtained Amachi's research data, he only needed to follow the map to find the treasure.

Bodily fluids, medicine, Chakra, and sealing formulas—when these three were fused in specific proportions, the result was the Cursed Seal jutsu.

After the research was finished, Hōzuki Mangetsu's first test subject was the unconscious Chukichi before him.

The experiment went smoothly; Chukichi had completed the fusion of the Cursed Seal while in his stupor.

The Hōzuki Mangetsu version of the Cursed Seal jutsu was officially born.

"You truly managed to recreate it?"

Amachi felt his scalp tingle as he looked at the Cursed Seal-marked Chukichi on the operating table.

He had always believed that Orochimaru stood at the pinnacle of the research field, but he hadn't expected this Hōzuki Mangetsu to be just as formidable.

As Orochimaru's former right-hand man, Amachi naturally knew the process of Orochimaru's research, but because he didn't understand the core elements, he had never been able to grasp the mysteries of the Cursed Seal.

Over the years, he had secretly conducted experiments, hoping to recreate Orochimaru's Cursed Seal jutsu, but every attempt had ended in failure.

Although he had given the experimental data to Hōzuki Mangetsu, he fundamentally didn't believe that Hōzuki Mangetsu could succeed.

Yet, the facts were a slap in the face; Hōzuki Mangetsu had managed to reverse-engineer Orochimaru's Cursed Seal jutsu based solely on his notes.

Is he a genius?

Amachi stared blankly at Hōzuki Mangetsu, a complex array of emotions flashing through his eyes.

The abilities displayed by Hōzuki Mangetsu had shocked Amachi, and he had already begun to seriously consider how he might cooperate with Hōzuki Mangetsu.

After all, having been abandoned by Orochimaru, he needed to find a new backer. Although Hōzuki Mangetsu was young, he had demonstrated formidable strength, and for a moment, Amachi felt tempted.

"The technique is quite good, it is just a pity that it carries a significant risk."

Amachi adjusted his glasses and spoke in a measured, unhurried tone.

Is that so?

Hōzuki Mangetsu looked at Amachi with dissatisfaction.

He had calculated everything according to the experimental data, so how could there be any anomalies?

Amachi smiled faintly and said, "The reason Orochimaru dared to plant the Heaven Cursed Seal on his subordinates is that his strength was sufficient; even if a subordinate transformed via the Cursed Seal, they would still be no match for him. However..."

He cast a sidelong glance at Hōzuki Mangetsu and said chillingly, "Although you are a capable ninja, the strength of this test subject before you is by no means inferior to your own. Once he obtains the power of the Cursed Seal, why would he be willing to obey your commands?"

Hōzuki Mangetsu was taken aback; this was indeed a problem.

Orochimaru had painstakingly cultivated Sasuke and given him the Heaven Cursed Seal, only to be destroyed by him in the end.

He was not yet on par with Orochimaru, and it was better to be cautious now than regretful later; this was a matter that could not be ignored.

If a rebellious turncoat like Sasuke were to emerge later, Hōzuki Mangetsu would be in a miserable state.

"How does Mr. Amachi suggest we handle this?"

Hōzuki Mangetsu humbly sought advice.

After all, the man before him had been able to become Orochimaru's right-hand man, so he naturally possessed some genuine skill.

The title of "Mr." brought a smile to Amachi's face.

It was, after all, a good start.

"Actually, we can add a bit of Illusionary Technique to it."

Amachi said in his measured, unhurried tone.

Illusionary Technique?

Hōzuki Mangetsu was stunned.

Could Illusionary Technique be added to a Cursed Seal? This was the first time he had ever heard of such a thing.

"Illusionary Technique is a special type of ninjutsu, or perhaps it does not belong to ninjutsu at all, but is a unique art in its own right."

Amachi adjusted his glasses and spoke eloquently: "Speaking of Illusionary Technique, one must mention Chakra, that mysterious substance. According to the legends passed down, Chakra is a new energy created by the combination of spiritual energy and physical energy. People can consume Chakra to output ninjutsu, thereby harming others and protecting themselves. In short, Chakra is used for combat. Later, the ninja world seemed to accept this, but after years of my research, I have reached a conclusion: Chakra is actually a bridge that connects people to one another."