A few days later, Amegakure converted a spacious underground laboratory into an underground archive for storing thousands of jutsu scrolls.
This archive contained techniques gathered from all over the world. Ryun, as the Shadow, was the first non staff member allowed to browse its contents.
He stayed quietly underground for half a month. To expedite his study of the vast collection, he even created ten shadow clones to help him research the secret scrolls within the archive.
Soon, aside from the most numerous but less significant ninjutsu, he had carefully read through all the other secret techniques and forbidden arts. During this time, he would personally verify some methods that interested him, refining them based on his own experience.
With the full cooperation of his shadow clones, he spent half a month absorbing a sea of knowledge into his mind. His spirit slightly fatigued, he went home to rest for a day, even taking a long nap for half a day.
As soon as he recovered, he summoned his trusted aides and granted them access to the archive, allowing them to browse the myriad techniques within.
The members of the Akatsuki, along with Orochimaru, Minato, Sasuke, and others, were very interested. After all, this was an excellent opportunity to enhance their own strength. Among the thousands of techniques in the archive, there were bound to be some that suited their abilities.
Ryun gave them a chance to grow stronger freely. This was a gift. Under the old village system, browsing all of a village's techniques was a privilege reserved only for the Kage. Those who received this treatment now were all immensely grateful to him. Therefore, everyone was very focused while studying the techniques.
After absorbing a large amount of knowledge useful for creating immortal cultivation techniques, Ryun proactively sought out his teacher and assigned him a task that left him quite surprised.
"Find some younger death row inmates? For human experimentation?"
Upon hearing this task, Orochimaru's curiosity immediately began to bubble over.
Ryun knew he would insist on getting to the bottom of it, so he simply told him his purpose.
"To use living people for scientific technique testing..."
Orochimaru seemed very surprised by this.
"If you want to research sage techniques, aren't my Cursed Seals better than sage arts... Once one masters the Cursed Seal, anyone can enter Sage Mode..."
Orochimaru had already researched the Cursed Seal thoroughly, conducting much human experimentation in the process. He had even planned to inform Ryun about this ability, intending todo the Cursed Seal among the capable subordinates of the Akatsuki and others...
"If it were just about Sage Mode, why would I need to exert so much effort? What I want to create is an immortal cultivation technique that can be passed down for generations, not a method for mass producing those pseudo sages who are only powerful for a short time."
As soon as Ryun said this, Orochimaru's eyes widened instantly. "You mean... that kind of true cultivation for immortality?"
There are many 'sages' in the ninja world, but very few 'immortals' who can truly achieve longevity. In this world, only the beings within the Three Great Sage Regions can do this.
Even if humans learn their sage arts, they can only obtain a temporary power boost (the so called Sage Mode). This is because their sage arts are not suitable for humans.
Take the Great Slug Sage of the Shikkotsu Forest. Its sage art was self awakened. Beings like it are truly blessed by heaven, almost born with innate sage arts.
The sage art of Ryūchi Cave comes from a true dragon. He isn't sure where the toad sage art of Mount Myōboku comes from, but it was likely naturally awakened by their ancestors. After all, no sage would be so idle as to pass sage arts to a toad...
The sage art of Ryūchi Cave suits the snake clan. The sage art of Mount Myōboku suits the toad clan. The sage art of the Shikkotsu Forest not only suits slugs but is especially suitable for insect clans. The methods of the Three Great Sage Regions themselves have no relation to humans. It is humans who forcibly tried to adapt their cultivation methods, leading to the existence of 'Sage Mode'.
It was only due to Ryun's extraordinary talent, gaining insights into the golden core (inner core) method from the snake clan's sage arts, that he achieved a different kind of immortal cultivation success.
But this achievement alone is far from enough. Ryun not only wants to cultivate immortality himself, he also wants to pass the immortal arts to his family, to his friends, so everyone can cultivate together, achieve longevity together.
Snakes, toads, slugs, and the Ōtsutsuki can live for thousands, even tens of thousands of years. Why can't humans? Ryun believes the humans on this planet merely lack a proper immortal cultivation method.
"Yes, a true sage method suited to humans themselves. I already have the foundation in my mind, only the final step of verification and summarization remains." Ryun said with a confident expression.
In truth, with his current strength, he can easily adapt the cultivation methods of other races, even if the sage arts of the Three Sage Regions aren't suited for humans.
The reason he still wants to create a human immortal method is, first, to benefit future generations, and second, to consolidate himself anew, solidify his sage foundation, to pursue higher realms and power.
"I see. Then I will take care of this matter immediately." Orochimaru nodded seriously, planning to put other tasks on hold and prioritize Ryun's important matter.
"Alright. Remember to find those who deserve death. The prisons of various countries should have many. Have them send the people over. Both men and women are needed..." Ryun instructed with a slightly grave tone.
He felt he still needed to remind this teacher. It wouldn't be good if Orochimaru, for convenience's sake, captured ordinary people from surrounding towns to make up the numbers...
"The materials I used for researching the 'Cursed Seal' were all death row inmates. After all, I am the founding Heaven Shadow. I naturally cherish my reputation..." Orochimaru glanced at him, speaking with slight dissatisfaction.
He was no longer that insane 'venomous snake' from before. People change.
As a retired Heaven Shadow, his heart still holds concern for the people of the world. Among his many laboratories, several research projects are related to benefiting humanity. When the future ninja world's technology explodes, his contributions will undoubtedly be significant. Then, everyone will remember his good deeds, and the name Orochimaru will surely be passed down through the ages.
"Ah... Tomorrow is Nagato's wedding day. We'll have a good drink then. I won't invite you to eat together today..." Ryun changed the subject while retrieving a spirit herb from his Kamui dimension.
"This is a Soul Communicating Spirit Herb from the Shikkotsu Forest. Consuming it can greatly enhance one's spiritual energy. It's said it might also have the effect of strengthening the soul... I have no use for this thing, so I offer it to you, teacher..."
Ryun placed the herb on the table, then, before Orochimaru could speak, vanished from the spot in a spiral.
"Enhance spiritual energy, strengthen the soul body? That would be a perfect match for the 'Living Corpse Reincarnation Technique'... But you won't let me seek vessels for reincarnation..." Orochimaru held the spirit herb, sighing quietly to himself.
"Wait... Giving me this herb, is it a hint that I can use this forbidden technique?" Orochimaru suddenly thought of this possibility, an evil smile involuntarily appearing at the corner of his mouth.
Unlike in the original story, Orochimaru has not yet performed the Living Corpse Reincarnation to take over another's body. However, his current body is beginning to age, and the desire to use that forbidden technique is growing stronger and stronger.
Of course, if Ryun can completely perfect the immortal cultivation method, then Orochimaru won't need to rely on Living Corpse Reincarnation to achieve longevity.
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