Cursed Seal Research Concludes
Land of Fire
As night fell, a dozen or so tents on the hillside of Qingcha Town seemed to house quite a few people.
"Lord Hokage! Of the eighty-three people, after counting, twelve survived."
Even the Anbu Guard Iron was somewhat shocked by the high number of casualties in the experiment, and he stammered as he reported to Naraku in a deep voice.
"Twelve people, alright. Tie, you lead your squad and use the Awakening Heart Pill and the Four Black Mist Formation to push their status to Cursed Seal Level 2."
"Yes, sir!"
Tie replied and strode out.
Naraku outside the tent, gazing at the moonlight. He had been away from Konoha for a day. Although he had entrusted Namikaze Minato with his duties, he still felt that something might go wrong in Konoha without his presence.
"Naraku, are you experimenting with Ninjutsu or executing death row inmates? This... this Ninjutsu has an incredibly high mortality rate..."
Uchiha Inabi also heard the report from the Anbu and was surprised by the deaths of so many death row inmates.
"These people have committed capital crimes and deserve to die. Let's just consider it an execution. The Ninjutsu I'm experimenting with is based on Natural Energy, and there are several versions of it."
The initial Cursed Seal Ninjutsu had a success rate of about 50% and could greatly enhance a ninja's abilities. Those who failed to use this Cursed Seal technique mostly had physical reasons.
The second method being tested now is the Heaven and Earth Cursed Seal. Previous experiments had a success rate of ten percent. Compared to the first method, this one is the most powerful and places higher demands on the ninja's physical condition. However, having strong willpower or potential can increase the success rate of the technique.
Naraku offered a deep explanation.
Cursed Seal: These are the original threshold names for Cursed Seal Orochimaru, including the Ordinary Cursed Seal, the Earth Cursed Seal, and the Heaven Cursed Seal. Orochimaru added some technology using Jugo Enzyme.
Now, thanks to the infusion of Natural Energy from Jugo Enzyme, the Cursed Seal has been simplified into two types: a regular Cursed Seal and a Heaven and Earth Cursed Seal.
The Heaven and Earth Cursed Seal requires a high level of talent from the recipient and involves artificially altering the recipient's appearance, such as by adding wings, a tail, or Third Eye. It is one of Orochimaru's research achievements.
Naraku only wants Natural Energy; he has no interest in anything else. However, while Jugo Enzyme can absorb Natural Energy, it will inevitably cause mutations in the human body, which is currently a headache for Naraku.
"Cursed Seal, huh? I can see that it can indeed greatly enhance one's abilities."
Inabi noticed the survivor, whose body was covered in black markings and whose Chakra reserves piqued Inabi's curiosity.
"Inabi, the Cursed Seal has a high survival rate for some people, and with the assistance of excellent medical-nin, the actual danger is limited. I'm just testing and verifying the data, and I already have a good understanding of the situation."
Naraku patiently explained to Inabi, "Once the Cursed Seal Ninjutsu is thoroughly researched, if its danger can be reduced, it will be an excellent way for Naraku to control his subordinates, and also an excellent way to enhance their power."
And, regarding the methods of cultivating immortality, Naraku wanted to become an immortal comparable to those of the Three Sacred Lands. The immortals of the Three Sacred Lands all had clans and numerous subordinates, Naraku felt that he needed to have one as well.
While Naraku and Inabi chatted, the Anbu guards faithfully carried out Naraku's mission.
Time passed quickly, and many of those who had successfully Heaven Cursed Seal emerged from the wooden tubs. These successful recipients seemed extremely excited because they had gained power.
Those who become death row inmates are all bloodthirsty or cunning people, each stained with blood. Now that they have powerful forces, they quickly riot.
"Thank you for the power you have given me! I will use this power to kill you all!"
A recipient of a highly successful Cursed Seal, with grayish-black skin, protruding tiger teeth, and a long tail running down his back, clasped his hands together in his second state and unleashed an incredibly powerful Fire Style Ninjutsu towards the Naraku tent.
"Dark Release: Absorption Hole!"
Naraku stretched out his left hand and absorbed Chakra.
"Indeed, without proper methods, absorbing Natural Energy is tantamount to suicide."
After absorbing the flames through Naraku's Dark Release: Inhaling Maw, he clearly felt his heart agitated, filled with a violent and destructive desire.
Naraku stopped after absorbing a small amount of the Cursed Seal Fire Style.
Water Style: Water Wave!
Uchiha Inabi forward and used a Water Release Ninjutsu to neutralize the Fire Style.
The guards brought by Naraku, having exhausted their Chakra by using the Four Black Mist Formation and the Black Sealing Formation, were being relentlessly pushed back by the Chakra Cursed Seal, finding themselves in dire straits.
As for the three Genin disciples from the Yuho City in the Inabi Belt, they were already injured and in great danger.
Seeing the situation, Uchiha Inabi activated her Sharingan, rushed forward, and joined the battle.
Inabi acted decisively and quickly subdued the several rioting death row inmates who were nearly apprehended.
"Your previous promises stand, but you dared to attack me, committing another capital offense. Remain in custody."
Naraku the same old trick: these death row inmates, given enough power, would inevitably riot and would have no chance of leaving the prison.
With the addition of Inabi, all the rioting death row inmates were quickly subdued. Although several inmates had grown wings due to the Cursed Seal, they were not yet familiar with the wings and could not fly, so they were forcefully suppressed by Inabi.
Seeing that all the death row inmates in the arena had been subdued, Inabi clapped her hands and returned to Naraku's side.
Naraku unfazed by the death row inmates' riot. He stood calmly in front of the tent, arms crossed, watching Inabi approach, and said softly:
"Inabi, take these people back to Yuho City. Doesn't the Baogui need a source of Chakra? Bring these people over, and I'll send you eight more from Konoha. With twenty people of decent Chakra, reviving that so-called Ancestor should be about right."
Naraku the Konoha prison resulted in four people with disordered Chakra: two died from chakra explosions, and two recovered and stabilized. Adding these to the previous six, that makes a total of eight.
Upon hearing Naraku's words, Inabi carefully examined the death row inmates with her crimson eyes. She nodded repeatedly at what the Jonin Baogui had said about the resurrected progenitor and the necessary Chakra source.
"The amount of Chakra they increased through the Cursed Seal technique is not much different from mine. These people should be enough."
Naraku shook his head slightly upon hearing this and said:
"These people have Chakra and strength, but they lack Ninjutsu and other skills, so they are naturally no match for you."
As for resurrecting the Founder of the Artisan Ninjas, I think these people aren't enough. The Inabi and regenerative ninjutsu consume terrifying amounts of Chakra, not to mention the resurrection that Baogui spoke of.
Listen to me, take these people to Yuho City, and then bring eight more from Konoha to revive the Founder of the Artisan Ninjas. It's better to be prepared than not."
If Naraku remembers correctly, the Founder of the Artisan Ninjas was resurrected using the Chakra of the One-Tail Tailed Beast, and the amount of Chakra required was truly considerable.
Inabi pondered for a moment, remembering that her clan leader, Naraku, was skilled in Medical Ninjutsu. Since the clan Naraku said so, there must be a reason, so she nodded and replied:
"I see."
"Yes, I'll have the Jian Squad accompany you. Also, the Ninjutsu training of the Yuho City disciples you're leading is too poor. Teach them more Ninjutsu and practical combat training."
Naraku couldn't help but point at the ninjas of the Yuho City. It had been more than ten years since the founding of Konoha in 41 years.
The Yuho City was initially under Naraku's control for about a year or two, during which he recruited traitors and established Ninja Academy, Ninja Tool Workshop, Ninja Hospital, Security Department, Anbu, among other things.
In just over a year, the number of ninjas in the Yuho City tribe quickly grew from dozens to over a hundred, and then to nearly a thousand.
When the ninja force had nearly a thousand members, Naraku handed it over to Uchiha Seki and Uchiha Hyaku, who have been in charge for eight or nine years now, with veteran ninjas mentoring new ones.
Logically speaking, ninjas, especially Inabi students, should be quite skilled, but tonight's performance made Naraku frown.
Upon hearing Naraku's words, Inabi chuckled sheepishly and said:
"They just graduated and are still learning. They're quite promising, and I'll train them to become excellent ninjas..."