Shikotsumyaku

"Mm! My training has finally shown some results during this time." Kenichi Amamiya revealed a simple, honest smile. He did not expect to be able to hide it from his teacher already.

And training could not stop. Only by becoming stronger could he gain a voice in the future. Kenichi Amamiya very much wanted to study the Rinnegan and the bloodline of the Otsutsuki Clan.

Oh, right, and the God Tree. That thing also fascinated Kenichi Amamiya.

"I originally thought you might never have any hope of becoming a Jonin in this lifetime, but if you can now reach close to Chunin level, you still have some chance." Orochimaru turned and led Kenichi Amamiya toward the laboratory.

He did not think much of the possibility that his disciple might become a Chunin. Unless Kenichi Amamiya possessed the strength to become a Jonin, Orochimaru would not pay him much attention.

After all, to Orochimaru, Jonin were merely the starting point. Becoming a Jonin only meant one had the potential to become strong. Above Jonin were Elite Jonin, then Sannin like themselves, and ninja at the level of Kage.

Orochimaru's gaze carried a hint of fanaticism. Above Kage-level Experts were Combat Power that surpassed the Kage, and the lofty Ninja God.

"Sensei, regarding... that experiment, I have some ideas." Kenichi Amamiya leaned closer and spoke to Orochimaru in a low voice. Orochimaru glanced around, then waved his hand.

Kenichi Amamiya understood what his teacher meant and did not continue speaking.

Although no one was around, his teacher clearly did not intend to discuss the experiment here. Kenichi Amamiya said no more and followed his teacher to their Test Base.

"Go on. What are your thoughts?" Orochimaru sat down in a chair, holding a Petri Dish as he examined it and waited for Kenichi Amamiya's answer.

"Sensei, this is what I was thinking. When we previously experimented on mice, I noticed something." Kenichi Amamiya explained his "research findings" as briefly as possible before presenting a new concept.

Orochimaru had been somewhat distracted at first, but as he listened, his interest grew, and he sat up straighter.

"This Rejection you mentioned is quite interesting." Orochimaru gave Kenichi Amamiya an approving look. Though his disciple had little talent on the path of a ninja, he truly had insight when it came to science.

Moreover, Orochimaru had already discovered some similar phenomena concerning the Rejection his disciple described, especially in the method of immortality he was currently researching.

"So according to you, we can first conduct Rejection tests, find candidates more compatible with the First Hokage's Cells, and then figure out how to suppress the Rejection Reaction?" Orochimaru looked at Kenichi Amamiya with great interest.

Kenichi Amamiya nodded.

"And, Sensei, doing this would reduce the consumption of test subjects while also lowering the chance of being discovered." Every word Kenichi Amamiya spoke was for Orochimaru's benefit. Only that could increase the chances of persuading him.

"I'll consider it." Orochimaru neither agreed nor refused outright, but based on Kenichi Amamiya's understanding of his teacher, he knew Orochimaru had been Moved.

This was probably related to the fact that Orochimaru had yet to give up on becoming the Fourth Hokage. But once the Fourth Hokage was chosen, his teacher would likely act with even fewer reservations.

"Kenichi, your suggestion this time was very good. Is there any reward you want?" Orochimaru asked Kenichi Amamiya with a smile, curiosity and scrutiny mingling in his eyes.

Orochimaru was quite satisfied with this disciple of his. Kenichi was a capable helper in scientific matters, and Orochimaru was not stingy with rewards.

"Sensei, I want to study Kekkei Genkai." Kenichi Amamiya pondered for a moment before giving his answer.

He did not need ninjutsu. As long as he wanted to learn it, Orochimaru would teach him, along with experience and techniques for fighting other ninja.

As for the Forbidden Jutsu Scroll he wanted most, he probably had no way of getting his hands on it. Although Hiruzen Sarutobi was old now, his strength had not declined by much. He was an extremely powerful ninja.

It had to be said that although Hiruzen Sarutobi was often mocked, he was indeed a figure worthy of being called a heroic ninja. If he had not become Hokage, he might have been even better.

Even his teacher would find dealing with Hiruzen Sarutobi troublesome, unless Orochimaru completely mastered the Impure World Reincarnation. But that was a matter for later.

So Kenichi Amamiya settled for the next best thing and chose Kekkei Genkai.

"Oh? The Hyuga Clan? Or the Uchiha Clan?" Orochimaru smiled in satisfaction upon hearing that answer. His disciple really was much like him.

"Neither, Sensei. I heard that Kirigakure has a very powerful Kekkei Genkai, one that seems to belong to the Kaguya Clan." Kenichi Amamiya had no particular interest in the Sharingan or Byakugan.

But he was very interested in the Kaguya Clan's Shikotsumyaku.

Orochimaru narrowed his eyes. The Kekkei Genkai of Kirigakure's Kaguya Clan? Was that not the Shikotsumyaku? Still, it was indeed rather interesting, and Orochimaru had heard of their exploits.

"This will have to wait." Orochimaru did not agree immediately. He was also interested in studying the Shikotsumyaku. More accurately, Orochimaru was interested in every ninjutsu and Kekkei Genkai in this world.

However, Kirigakure had Kage-level Experts, after all. Capturing a test subject would not be so easy.

"Mm!" Kenichi Amamiya knew it would take time, and he was not in a hurry. He remembered that Orochimaru had Kimimaro, but he truly did not know when they had met.

In any case, Kenichi Amamiya was not worried. Though he and Orochimaru were teacher and student, considering what had happened to another junior disciple, Anko Mitarashi, Kenichi Amamiya knew that even if Orochimaru defected, he would not be in too much danger.

Then again, it was hard to say. Anko Mitarashi did not understand experiments very well, whereas Kenichi Amamiya could be considered the second-in-command in this laboratory. He would bear some responsibility, one way or another.

"Then later, I'll give you three test subjects. Use them to test the Rejection you mentioned, then submit a written report to me." Orochimaru said calmly.

Kenichi Amamiya licked his lips, then smiled and nodded.

As long as he continued working under Orochimaru, it would be inevitable for his hands to be stained with blood. There was no helping it. Kenichi Amamiya had long since prepared himself for that.

"Understood, Sensei."

The previous chapter was revised slightly. The task is an elective task; its rewards are calculated separately after completion and do not affect the use of the research objective.