For the entire afternoon, Orochimaru stayed at Ryun's house listening to him explain the causal relationships between the Sharingan, the Rinnegan, and the Ten-Tails.
This conversation broadened his horizons, and it also made him recognize a different Ninja World.
Of course, it wasn't only Orochimaru whose horizons were broadened. Kushina and her daughter, who were listening to the story on the side, were also amazed by the wonders of the Ninja World. At the same time, Ryun's vast knowledge made the two women feel a sense of shared pride.
"Dad, I only have a one tomoe Sharingan even now, have I embarrassed you?" Nanaise suddenly said somewhat apologetically.
Ryun smiled and reached out to pull her into his embrace.
"Back when your mother was pregnant with you, I only had the Mangekyō Sharingan... So your path does not lie with your eyes. Sage Arts and the Sage Body are your domain, especially the Sage Arts..."
Ryun could clearly sense the vigorous vitality within Nanaise's body. Natural Energy had perfectly integrated into her form. Nanaise might become the first female sage in the ninja world in the future.
Her power is genuine sage power. With every move she makes, she can even mobilize the power of heaven and earth within a small area. This is already completely different from so-called Senjutsu Chakra.
The sage path Nanaise cultivates leans more towards the kind of Human Sage from Chinese legends, not the animal-like pseudo-sages of the Three Great Sage Regions.
After awakening his Rinnegan, Ryun intends to attempt to create a completely new method of cultivation, one suitable for humans to practice.
His daughter's sage method is not complete. He needs to find that path to ascension for his daughter.
"Of course, with your dad protecting you, it's fine if Nanaise is a bit weak..." Ryun teased, rubbing his daughter's head.
'Dad is looking down on me. No, I must work hard to make dad see me in a new light!' Nanaise puffed out her cheeks slightly, determined in her heart to train hard and strive to earn her father's admiration.
Seeing the sky gradually darken, Orochimaru prepared to take his leave.
"Wait, Sensei, I still have a matter to ask of you." Ryun spoke up to stop him.
"What else is there? I still need to go select a suitable pair of eyes for Nagato..."
"Then I will go to the laboratory with you. I plan to awaken Mother."
As soon as Ryun said this, expressions of surprise appeared on the faces of Orochimaru, Kushina, and even Nanaise.
'Grandmother... she really is still alive...'
Night fell.
Orochimaru followed Ryun to the largest biological research laboratory in Otogakure.
Inside the cryo-chamber of this laboratory, the bodies of Asuka, Uchiha Shisui, Uchiha Itachi, and Ōtsutsuki Toneri were stored.
"Prioritize reactivating my mother's bodily functions. Also, I need to use these three corpses, thaw them out as well..." Ryun reached out and touched Asuka's cheek.
"Asuka's body requires a complete blood transfusion. I need to first find a matching blood type..." Orochimaru said with a serious expression.
"No need for such trouble. Use my blood."
"!!!"
Orochimaru was greatly surprised upon hearing this. He instinctively advised, "All the blood in Asuka's body needs to be replaced. For one person alone, it might be very taxing..."
His words were already very tactful. After all, one person's blood needs to be shared between two people. This could be a significant physical burden for Ryun.
"You underestimate me..." Ryun replied with a smile.
The greatest strength of the Sage Body is its regenerative and recovery power. A mere single person's worth of blood volume is something Ryun can recover from after just a few more meals...
"Alright..."
Seeing that he couldn't persuade him, Orochimaru simply stopped insisting.
"Kabuto, prepare the low-temperature nutrient solution. I need to thaw their bodies completely first..." Orochimaru instructed Kabuto Yakushi, who was outside the cryo-chamber.
"Yes."
"Let's take these bodies outside first..."
"I'll handle it." Ryun volunteered. With a activation of his Kamui pupil technique, the bodies of Uchiha Shisui, Ōtsutsuki Toneri, and Uchiha Itachi were instantly sucked into the Kamui dimension.
Finally, he lifted the crystal coffin containing Asuka and walked out of the cryo-chamber under Orochimaru's astonished gaze.
"Sirs, the low-temperature nutrient solution is ready. We can begin thawing at any time."
Kabuto Yakushi spoke respectfully. Behind him was a large tank of light green liquid.
Ryun nodded, then personally pushed open the crystal coffin.
Kabuto Yakushi initially moved forward to help place the body into the nutrient solution, but as soon as he got close, he saw a pair of captivating purple eyes coldly staring at him.
When the twelve black tomoe all focused on him, Kabuto Yakushi instantly felt a chill run down his spine. He was so frightened that he stumbled backward several steps, and cold sweat broke out all over his body.
"I will handle it myself."
Ryun spoke expressionlessly. Then, ignoring the pale-faced Kabuto Yakushi on the floor, he picked up the stiff Asuka and gently placed her into the nutrient solution.
"Heh, Kabuto is a rather timid child. Please bear with him..." Orochimaru rarely spoke up for his research assistant.
"Sound Shadow-sama, the two individuals from the Akatsuki organization have arrived..." A voice of an Anbu operative sounded outside the laboratory.
"Let them in." Orochimaru replied casually, examining the Sharingan in his hand.
A moment later, Konan and Nagato walked straight into the laboratory.
"Ryun-kun. You are here too." Konan greeted him in surprise.
"The leader is here too..." Nagato frowned slightly. He couldn't sense Ryun's presence at all.
"Yes... I am here." Ryun actively responded.
"You must think this is ridiculous..."
"These eyes truly aren't mine. Uchiha Madara chose me. I am merely a suitable container for nurturing the Rinnegan..." Nagato said with a self-deprecating smile.
"I am not one for finding things ridiculous... The important thing is that you are still alive. Dwelling on these matters is pointless."
Ryun spoke with a calm expression, then even offered a rare word of comfort.
"Seeing the world with a new pair of eyes might not be a bad thing. Stay in Otogakure properly from now on. Consider it a clean break from the past."
Nagato fell silent for a moment upon hearing this. Finally, he nodded lightly. "You are right. The world seen through the Rinnegan is too dark..."
"..."
An awkward expression involuntarily appeared on Konan's face. Ryun's eyes were currently Rinnegan. If he misunderstood Nagato's words, it wouldn't be good...
However, Ryun obviously wouldn't care about such a thing. He didn't pay much attention to Nagato, his eyes remaining fixed on his mother the entire time.
Only then did Konan notice that the face of the purple-haired female corpse in the glass tank bore some resemblance to Ryun's face.
'Could that be...' A possibility occurred to Konan, and her pupils constricted slightly.
"Kabuto, the task of transplanting the eyes for Nagato is yours." Orochimaru said, handing a pair of Sharingan to him.
Kabuto Yakushi was very skilled at performing such surgical procedures. Orochimaru never doubted his capabilities.
"Yes."
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