Soft Body Modification

Outside the Records Room on the first basement level of Konoha Hospital.

After explaining his reason to the guard, Kirito smoothly entered the Records Room. He then picked up the cleaning tools inside and began tidying up.

Of course, he was not honestly there just to clean. He immediately used the Shadow Clone Jutsu, spending a small amount of Chakra to create more than a dozen shadow clones that would last only an hour. Half helped with the cleaning, while the other half helped him search the Records Room for treasure, seeing whether they could find any valuable information.

Unfortunately, Konoha's confidentiality measures were excellent. Most of the documents kept in the Records Room were medical records. The only things Kirito found somewhat valuable were records of failed projects.

These records documented the various failed experiments conducted by the hospital's researchers.

Some concerned failed attempts to develop medicine that increased Chakra reserves.

Some involved failed research into cell fusion.

Some recorded failed attempts at developing artificial organs.

Because they had failed, they were considered shameful. In the end, they were tossed here like worthless trash to gather dust, waiting for the day someone discovered or destroyed them.

The hospital staff treated them as junk, but to Kirito, they were priceless treasures.

He had been studying biology for the past two years and had experienced countless failures, but he understood that even failed experiments had value. At the very least, they removed many obstacles on the path to success.

Success was never that easy.

Kirito eagerly held these records of failure in his hands and read them, absorbing the words into his mind at a rapid pace.

With so many failures to nourish him, he could certainly take another great step toward success.

However, there were simply too many documents. Even though they occupied only a small portion of all the materials in the Records Room, Kirito could not possibly pack them all away and store them in his mind within a short time.

But that was fine. There was plenty of time.

Kirito was confident he could pack up every one of these treasures.

With such a kind person as Ciyun around, he would have plenty of chances to come here and study in the future.

Meanwhile, Kirito was also using a miniature shadow clone to examine the compensation Orochimaru had given him.

Orochimaru's things were generally harmful, so Kirito did not dare touch them with his real body.

Following the principle of not wasting Chakra, he used just a tiny amount to create a miniature shadow clone to handle Orochimaru's compensation.

"Soft Body Modification Experiment? What a piece of trash."

After reading the contents of the scroll, Kirito said with a look of disdain.

Soft Body Modification was a secret technique unique to Orochimaru, developed by him personally. Once mastered, it could greatly enhance the body's flexibility and elasticity, allowing it to stretch and bend freely.

In the anime, the reason Orochimaru could extend his neck and limbs over ten meters and crawl rapidly across the ground like a snake was all thanks to this secret technique.

Kirito also remembered that in the original story, Kensumi, who appeared during the first Chunin Exams, had learned this technique, though his performance had been mediocre.

Overall, this technique offered a fairly substantial increase in strength. It could allow taijutsu-type ninja to develop an unusual style of taijutsu with it, and it could also let someone squeeze through narrow cracks to escape or infiltrate.

Even so, Kirito still did not think highly of this secret technique.

The reason was that it required cutting into one's own body. One careless mistake could lead to failure and leave the user crippled.

Clearly, this secret technique was bait.

If he wanted to learn it, he could only go to Orochimaru. Only Orochimaru, the one who had succeeded, had enough confidence to complete the modification of a human body.

But if he did that, he would become Orochimaru's possession.

Kirito knew exactly what kind of person Orochimaru was.

He might not be a bastard yet, but that was hard to say for the future. In the original story, once Orochimaru developed the desire for immortality, he rapidly fell into depravity and ultimately became a complete scumbag, a cold-blooded animal who viewed other lives as worthless weeds. Even if he was redeemed later on, that stain could never be washed away.

If a special talent like him, someone with the gift for Sage Transformation, fell into Orochimaru's hands, the consequences would be unthinkable.

"Still, Soft Body Modification alone shouldn't be enough for someone to stretch their arms and neck over ten meters. Now that I think about it, this secret technique might be connected to the Akimichi Clan's secret techniques. The training methods recorded here clearly require Yang-natured Chakra."

Kirito recalled several scenes of Orochimaru using Soft Body Modification and began to think deeply about the secret technique.

Before long, he became interested in it again.

If his guess was correct, Orochimaru had created this secret technique by improving upon the Akimichi Clan's Expansion Jutsu.

As for how Orochimaru had obtained the Akimichi Clan's secret technique, it most likely came from his good teacher.

The Sarutobi Clan and the Ino-Shika-Cho clans were practically joined at the hip.

And the Sarutobi Clan stood above the Ino-Shika-Cho clans, so it was hardly strange for them to possess the Akimichi Clan's secret techniques.

Operating on his own body was certainly not advisable, but if he could use this to reverse-engineer part of the Akimichi Clan's secret technique inheritance, then this compensation was quite decent.

The Akimichi Clan's Expansion Jutsu required Yang-natured Chakra, and it was quite powerful, providing an astonishing enhancement to Strength.

Kirito happened to lack offensive methods that used Yang-natured Chakra.

Even if he could not use it himself, he could reward it to his subordinates in the future.

After reading the scroll's contents, Kirito closed his eyes and rapidly reviewed them dozens of times. Once he confirmed that he had completely memorized everything on the scroll, he decisively used Sealing Jutsu: Reverse Four Symbols Seal (watered-down version) on it.

As space twisted, the scroll Orochimaru had given Kirito disappeared.

At the same time, deep beneath Konoha, in the Root Leader's office at Root Headquarters, Orochimaru, who had been having a very pleasant conversation with Danzo, suddenly froze. A surprised expression appeared on his face.

"What is it, Orochimaru?"

Danzo immediately noticed the change in Orochimaru's expression and asked warily.

Although he had great confidence in Root Headquarters' defenses, he had never believed that meant he could rest easy. He now suspected that Orochimaru had discovered an enemy he was unaware of.

Of Hiruzen's three disciples, Orochimaru was the one he admired most. Not only was he exceptionally talented and powerful, but he was also ruthless and merciless toward enemies. He was an outstanding researcher as well, making him highly suited for Root.

"Nothing. I merely discovered an interesting little fish."

Orochimaru stuck out his tongue, licked his lips, and smiled excitedly.

"Is that so? Can you tell me the name of this interesting little fish?"

Danzo said, narrowing his eyes as a cold glint flashed through them.

He understood Orochimaru fairly well. Once Orochimaru discovered something interesting, he would certainly do everything in his power to obtain it.

For that reason, Orochimaru might do some unpleasant things.

Danzo hated surprises most of all. He did not want Orochimaru causing trouble in the village right now.

"Don't worry. I won't touch this little fish for the time being. It won't affect your plans."

Orochimaru sneered.

No one but him was allowed to touch the talented little brat he had taken an interest in.

It is difficult for a new author to get started. I hope all readers will visit often and help increase the follow rate. After reading, please vote for and support this book. If you can spare some monthly votes or tips, Haruko would be immensely grateful. Being a new author with a new book is too difficult.