Dead Demon Consuming Seal

This was probably a question even his teacher, Orochimaru, could not answer.

Thinking that, Uchiha Yuan asked,

"Teacher, what is Sage Art? Is it ninjutsu? Or some technique used by those legendary sages?"

Orochimaru examined the runes with manic fascination and explained casually,

"Sage Art may be difficult to understand from the name alone. Yuan-kun, as you know, Chakra can be obtained by refining the body's spiritual energy and physical energy, but Chakra is not limited to that one type."

"There is also Sage Art Chakra that exists in the natural environment. Techniques performed using Sage Art Chakra are called Sage Art."

"The runes on your arm are one way Sage Art can be used."

"Let me think... Hmm! They can enhance the duration and power of Sealing Techniques. That old Harusame actually found another path in Sealing Techniques. It is indeed quite meaningful to me."

After hearing Orochimaru's explanation, Uchiha Yuan was stunned.

At this point in time, Orochimaru's Living Corpse Reincarnation and Curse Mark were likely still not fully developed.

Could the Sage Art runes created by the Hidden Mist Village's only Sealing Master have inspired Orochimaru?

The world really was fucking wondrous!

"Teacher, does that mean I nearly died during the mission?"

Uchiha Yuan deliberately brought up the mission.

Orochimaru had promised that, whether the mission succeeded or failed, he would let him choose one Forbidden Jutsu.

He was reminding his teacher that he had nearly kicked the bucket on that mission, so he should not pretend not to see it.

Hearing this, Orochimaru nodded.

"Indeed. Under normal circumstances, if a human body rashly absorbs Sage Art Chakra, it will turn into a stone statue. As for the runes on your left arm, feel them yourself."

The muscles where the runes had been on his left arm were hard as stone, as though they had partially petrified.

Compared to when he had first discovered them, the runes had grown a full size larger.

If left unattended, his entire body would turn to stone.

Yet the Demonic Statue Fragment had an appetite for that Sage Art Chakra but could not devour it, which was truly uncomfortable.

"Yuan-kun, if you leave it alone, you will die!"

Orochimaru's expression became subtle.

Uchiha Yuan hurriedly asked, "Teacher, you'll save me, right?"

After a long silence, seeing Uchiha Yuan grow anxious,

Orochimaru finally smiled soundlessly.

"You are my disciple. In terms of talent, you are not even inferior to the Fourth Hokage."

"How could I watch a genius like Yuan-kun die?"

Being praised by a snake-like creature such as Orochimaru made goosebumps rise all over Uchiha Yuan's body.

"Perfect. I am very interested in these runes. Removing them will also save your life, Yuan-kun."

What Orochimaru meant was clear: he would save his life, and the runes would belong to him.

This was another transaction.

After confirming with Orochimaru that the removal process would not cause bleeding and would merely be unbearably painful,

Uchiha Yuan nodded and agreed to the deal.

Orochimaru took out a scroll, drew a formula on Uchiha Yuan's left arm, and drew out the runes.

A quarter of an hour later, all the runes on his left arm had been removed, but the partial petrification had not improved.

Worse still, one of the runes had been located right on the back of his hand.

The partial petrification left the four fingers of his left hand, aside from his thumb, unable to move flexibly.

This meant that for the short term, he would be unable to perform ninjutsu that required Hand Seals.

"The remaining Sage Art Chakra will slowly dissipate. Once that happens, your left arm will naturally recover, Yuan-kun."

"Being unable to perform ninjutsu may not necessarily be a bad thing."

Orochimaru casually said as he examined the Sealing Scroll.

"Teacher, what do you mean?"

His teacher rarely spoke nonsense.

"Hmm, how should I put this?"

"Yuan-kun, you must know that geniuses are often envied. If they are mediocre people, you may disdain them. But if they are people in high positions, you must deal with them carefully."

"From my life experience, hiding your talents and showing loyalty are suitable choices for you."

Uchiha Yuan suddenly felt that his teacher sounded rather embarrassingly edgy saying such things.

But wasn't he hinting at the Konoha Higher-Ups!?

After all, Orochimaru had once said that his talent for learning the Spiritualisation Technique far surpassed Dan Katō's.

Three hours of having his soul leave his body, along with genjutsu capable of controlling the five senses...

Without a Sealing Master, how many shinobi could he silently wipe out?

Its practical combat effect might not be inferior to Minato Namikaze's feat during the Third Shinobi World War, when he instantly killed fifty shinobi.

And as a member of the Uchiha Clan, a Chunin who could achieve such a level...

Would the Konoha Higher-Ups choose to win over an Uchiha like him? Or...

Uchiha Yuan's Adam's apple bobbed.

Orochimaru had served the Konoha Higher-Ups for more than a decade. His implication could not have been clearer.

"Enough, Yuan-kun. Even if you do not understand now, you will have chances to understand in the future."

"Also, since you are already here, I might as well give you the reward for this mission."

"What ninjutsu do you want?"

Uchiha Yuan inwardly shook his head.

First, his teacher hinted that the Konoha Higher-Ups were untrustworthy, then immediately offered him ninjutsu.

Indeed, Orochimaru had once said that regardless of the mission's success or failure, either he or the Konoha Higher-Ups would give him an opportunity to learn ninjutsu.

But with Orochimaru being this proactive, it was difficult not to suspect that he had other motives.

Uchiha Yuan could not be bothered to think about Orochimaru's purpose. Once he obtained the Yin Nine-Tails, even if Orochimaru had some scheme, could he withstand a Nine-Tails Gundam and a body full of Forbidden Jutsu?

"Then I won't stand on ceremony, Teacher. Please give me the Dead Demon Consuming Seal."

Orochimaru raised his head to examine his disciple. His cold vertical pupils shifted like a snake appraising its prey.

"Interesting. Yuan-kun, do you like Forbidden Jutsu that much?"

Uchiha Yuan scratched his head and smiled sheepishly.

"Actually, Teacher, I want to gain a deeper understanding of all the Sealing Techniques of the Uzumaki Clan."

"When I encounter powerful sealing shinobi in the future, my chances of surviving will be greater."

"Unlike this time, if I had not accidentally been swallowed and then spat out by the Three-Tails, I really would have died."

"But if I can only choose one ninjutsu, then I will start my in-depth study with the strongest one, the Dead Demon Consuming Seal."

Hearing such words from his disciple, who had always cherished his life, Orochimaru was unusually surprised.

At the same time, he thought of a possibility.

The Dead Demon Consuming Seal sealed the opponent's soul at the cost of the caster's own soul.

His student's soul was as strong as a tailed beast. But could it resist the Death God?

If it could, perhaps he could perform this Forbidden Jutsu without paying any price?

At that thought, Orochimaru felt sincere curiosity arise within him.

His student's reasons were no longer important. If he truly was a genius capable of contending even with the Death God, how interesting would that be?

He formed Hand Seals, summoned Scale Pill, and instructed it to bring the Forbidden Jutsu scroll.

When he handed it to Uchiha Yuan, Orochimaru rasped,

"Yuan-kun, this ninjutsu is very dangerous. Be careful."

"Also, this is a secret between master and disciple. No one else needs to know."

Uchiha Yuan nodded, memorized the contents of the scroll in front of Orochimaru, and handed it back.

The Mad Snake smiled soundlessly.

"Yuan-kun, I am very curious what effect your powerful soul will have when learning this technique. If there is anything you do not understand, feel free to tell me. I will do my best to explain it. Perhaps you will become the finest student I have ever had."