Using Ninjutsu, creating hand signs isn't required. At its core, Ninjutsu is just a change in the nature of Chakra.
The use of hand signs is simply a helpful tool during the process of learning and mastering the use of Ninjutsu.
However, most ninjas, including Orochimaru, haven't reached the level of innate understanding like Ootsuki. To unleash enough power, they must diligently form seals.
Even Senju Tobirama, a master of Water Ninjutsu, only shortened the common five seals to two when performing 'Water Wall'.
This set of hand-sign-free casting, developed with great effort, greatly limits the power and range of Ninjutsu. Orochimaru had long discarded it, but now it's perfect for use as a testing tool.
The Slug Sage is immense and can easily make a common Ninjutsu incredibly powerful.
And based on the experiment, this gem works as a Ninjutsu inheritance stone.
"The last one was broken, so I'll give this one to you."
The Slug Sage took a gem from the starry sky of the dome and placed it in Orochimaru's palm. "Experiencing the release of Ninjutsu seems to consume natural energy. My mental power dropped too quickly, causing it to break. Ordinary ninjas shouldn't have this problem."
"Thank you." Orochimaru put the black gem into a scroll.
While this item isn't very valuable to the Slug Sage, judging by its attitude, it's not something he can have as much of as he wants. It needs to be used carefully.
Actually, besides kekkei genkai and Yin-Yang Release, ordinary Ninjutsu isn't worth his effort to learn. Right now, figuring out the Slug Clone Technique is the highest priority.
"Orochimaru, wait a moment."
Seeing Orochimaru about to withdraw and focus on researching the clone technique, the Slug Sage called out to him.
"You told me before that you were running out of experimental materials?"
"That's right. We can still do a few more, but clearly, I can't complete the surgery for you."
Orochimaru smiled. "What comes next will have to wait until I've figured out the clone technique. Then I can return to the ninja world to collect them."
"There's no need to go to such trouble."
The Slug Sage gently shook its head. "You can tell me the specific materials needed and ask little Tsunade to help."
"Tsunade? This... that's a possible solution."
A sharp glint flashed in Orochimaru's eyes.
As a contractor of Ryūchi Cave, he had long suspected that the Sacred Forest might have something similar, allowing the Slug Sage to perform inverse summoning.
And collecting materials through Tsunade would undoubtedly increase the chances of success.
But Orochimaru had no intention of wholeheartedly helping the Slug Sage from the start. His sole purpose was the clone technique.
In the Sacred Forest, he would naturally focus all his energy on learning the clone technique. Once he mastered it and returned to the ninja world, he would continue with his own endeavors.
After all, these long-lived beings have a different perception of time. A few years or even a decade or two is nothing. During that time, he would surely be able to resolve his own condition.
But the Slug Sage wasn't foolish either. It seemed to have thought of Tsunade from the beginning.
And only after teaching him the clone technique did it bring this up… The Slug Sage showed great sincerity and didn't simply treat him as a tool, which made it harder to refuse.
"Having Tsunade collect the experimental materials is indeed feasible."
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes. "It just so happens I have something I need to ask her to do."
"In that case..."
The Slug Sage's aura briefly flared, and a cloud of smoke suddenly appeared before it.
"Great Slug, don't summon me so suddenly. Luckily, I'm not performing surgery right now."
Tsunade, holding a playing card, looked up at the Slug Sage's enormous body and complained, "Next time, tell me in advance."
"Little Tsunade, when do you ever perform a treatment without needing my help? I summoned you because I knew you weren't doing surgery."
The Slug Sage gently shook its body and said softly, "And I asked you to come this time because there's something very important. Look behind you."
Before Tsunade could turn around, a familiar sinister laugh reached her ears. "Tsunade, it's been a while."
"Orochimaru!?" Tsunade's face changed slightly. She quickly turned to look, and a large shadow fell over her.
Looking up at the monster, which was no less imposing than a tailed beast, Tsunade was astonished. "Wha... well, how did you become like this?"
Orochimaru coiled his body, his hands supporting the ground, and lowered himself slightly, smiling. "A little Ninjutsu accident."
"No wonder you didn't go straight back to the village."
Tsunade frowned, clearly understanding what a commotion he would cause in Konoha looking like this.
"But why didn't you send a message back to the village? Jiraiya is going crazy looking for you all over the ninja world."
"Jiraiya... When you go back, quickly tell him to stop this foolishness." Orochimaru smiled as he saw Tsunade's angry expression. "Don't get angry so quickly, listen to me first..."
He described the Six Paths of Pain and the abilities of the Sage's Eyes in detail, emphasizing how he had to flee from the three powerful dōjutsu, without hiding anything.
"That child from back then actually grew to this extent..."
Tsunade's eyelids twitched, her expression extremely shocked. "Jiraiya did something foolish."
As a former comrade, Tsunade was naturally aware of the Akatsuki's teachings for those three years.
"You don't have to think of it that way. There are no eternal enemies between villages."
Orochimaru was quite open-minded, as if he weren't the one being chased and fleeing.
"Tell the old man to be careful. Nagato has been dormant, but he's clearly the mastermind behind Kusagakure. We can't confront them directly yet."
"I understand."
In the face of major issues, Tsunade would naturally be decisive. "I'll inform the old man about this as soon as possible."
With that said, she looked towards the Slug Sage and was about to release the Summoning Technique.
"Wait, there's one more thing I need you to do."
Orochimaru stopped Tsunade and took out a prepared list from his scroll. "Collect the materials according to this list. I need them to recover my body."
Tsunade took the list and her eyebrows immediately shot up. "So many things, how much will that cost? I probably can't afford it, and the village isn't that wealthy either."
She was knowledgeable and very sensitive to money. At a glance, she understood the cost implied by the list.
"You don't have to pay for it, and neither does the village."
Orochimaru pulled a scroll from his mouth and tossed it to Tsunade. "There's one hundred million ryo here. It should be enough for now."
"One hundred million ryo?"
Tsunade's eyes widened. Her hand moved with lightning speed, almost too fast for the eye to follow, and caught the scroll.
"How do you have so much money?"
Orochimaru looked down at Tsunade and chuckled. "If you had put your mind to it and designed a few more proper surgeries, you could have earned it."
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