"Is this... the creation of Yin-Yang Release?"
In the laboratory of the Technology Development Department, Orochimaru held a pitch-black rod in his hand, carefully examining its structure with his own chakra.
Beside him, instruments displayed various test reports and experimental records related to the black rod.
Orochimaru struck a kunai with the rod. The well-crafted kunai broke cleanly in two with a single hit.
Its hardness and toughness far surpassed that of ordinary metals.
And according to the reports, being used as a weapon was only one of its functions.
A gleam of deeper curiosity flashed through Orochimaru's eyes.
This creation of Yin-Yang Release stirred his deep fascination and obsession with ninjutsu.
"Chakra interference, chakra receiver, weapon..." Orochimaru murmured.
Even a Jinchūriki, once pierced by this rod, would be paralyzed as if under a sealing technique—unable to move, completely at the mercy of others.
This was even more domineering than Spirit Suppression Stones, capable of threatening both tailed beasts and powerful shinobi.
At the very least, its power level was on par with Sage Techniques.
"The creation of the Spirit Suppression Stone was based in part on the structure of the black rod," Kagetsu explained from the side.
Spirit Suppression Stones could be considered a mass-produced variant of black rods with a different function, still a product of Yin-Yang Release.
Of course, in terms of power, they might not be equal to the black rods.
But one advantage was that their creation wasn't as demanding in terms of materials and conditions.
There was also potential to simplify the process and reduce manufacturing difficulty.
"Do you plan to use it on a puppet, or a corpse?" Orochimaru suddenly asked.
He had read the records on the Black Rod experiments.
Even though Kagetsu hadn't explicitly stated it, Orochimaru's own expertise allowed him to deduce the possibilities from the existing data.
By inserting this black rod into a corpse and using it correctly, the body could be made to "live" again—able to speak, move, and even fight using ninjutsu.
Of course, doing so would disturb the peace of the dead and desecrate their bodies—but such concerns meant little to Orochimaru.
What truly surprised him was that Kagetsu, of all people, was conducting such an experiment.
"I used a clone without consciousness," Kagetsu replied.
"And then what? Are you planning to build a clone army?" Orochimaru speculated about the purpose behind the experiments.
"I won't deny, having such an army would definitely minimize ninja casualties. But the cost would be enormous."
"There's no need for that," Kagetsu shook his head. Not everyone was from the Uzumaki clan, with their terrifyingly massive chakra reserves.
Aside from certain individuals born with rare constitutions or exceptional talent, most ninja still relied on close-quarters combat using physical weapons.
More powerful ninjutsu techniques required careful planning.
After all, every ninja had to manage and distribute their chakra wisely during battle.
Even a jonin couldn't afford to waste chakra recklessly.
Expecting them to support a clone from a distance in combat would be pointless.
Even if they tried, the actual power that clone could unleash on the battlefield would be questionable.
More likely, the moment the distance widened even a little, the chakra strain would cause the clone to collapse mid-battle.
Instead of researching this, wouldn't it be more efficient to send clones directly into battle?
But that would raise another problem—if the clones have consciousness, are they considered real life forms?
Would they be entitled to the rights of a ninja?
There were plenty of ways to strengthen the village's military force. This method was simply too impractical.
"You're right," Orochimaru immediately understood Kagetsu's point and nodded in agreement.
Just the research on Scientific Ninja Tools and the Gelel Stone was already enough to significantly boost the village's theoretical combat strength.
The energy and strength consumed in the three Great Ninja Wars could be replenished quickly through these two projects.
And if Konoha could recover faster than the other Great Ninja Villages, it would naturally be more confident and prepared when facing future crises.
"So, you're planning to study this power?" Orochimaru set down the black rod in his hand, tilted his head slightly, and looked at Kagetsu with a slight frown.
"I remember—you've already researched Nagato's eyes, haven't you? You even transplanted them into yourself and experienced their power firsthand."
If it were the old him, he definitely would've pursued the ultimate Yin-Yang Release, even knowing that such a pursuit was almost like chasing an illusion or a fragile dream.
But now, his entire focus had shifted—to the Hōgyoku and the soul. He had found another promising path!
In his long life ahead, and through all the beings he would eventually encounter, he would gain access to that power sooner or later.
Chakra… it was still the power of a ninja.
In the end, it belonged within the limits of humanity.
Senjutsu and the power of the Hōgyoku—those held greater potential. Those were truly worth pursuing.
Right now, Orochimaru no longer feared so-called death.
Because the death of the physical body didn't mean the end of his soul or consciousness.
Even after death, his soul would not enter the Pure Land!
He could still think, still learn, still do everything he wanted to—just like the living.
Just like the Third Raikage in Hueco Mundo!
No, perhaps even better than him!
At the very least, Orochimaru had grasped the power to travel back and forth between Hueco Mundo—the Pure Land—and the world of the living.
It was only a bit troublesome, nothing more. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ NoveI[F]ire.net
If the destruction of the body didn't mean the destruction of the soul and mind, then death became far less terrifying.
Orochimaru even began to feel that the physical body might one day become a shackle to him.
Once free of its constraints, his soul form could adapt even better to the power of the Hōgyoku.
Its growth potential and ultimate limits might be far greater.
Although the soul might eventually mutate and become grotesque, someone like Orochimaru—who once willingly twisted his very soul into the form of a snake—cared more about practicality than appearance.
At the very least, he was quite satisfied with how his soul looked in Hueco Mundo.
Take Tsunade for example—her physical body had already reached the peak of what a mortal could achieve.
But if her soul form were awakened, she would still have great room for growth in strength.
Maybe one day, they could become what people referred to as "Shinigami."
To hunt souls, to govern souls, to devour souls—isn't that the power and right of a death god?
"It's precisely because I've experienced that kind of power," Kagetsu said, "that I was able to create the Spirit Suppression Stones so easily."
He had to admit, his research into the God Tree and the Rinnegan, and the experience he gained from it, had played an extraordinary role in deepening his understanding and mastery of Yin-Yang Release.
He certainly wouldn't say he had mastered the power of all things in the universe, but with his understanding of that power, he used technology to invent some things that others found unbelievable.
In doing so, the so-called barriers no longer existed.
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