Chapter 337: Cursed Seal
The next day, in a clearing outside the Sound Village.
The sound of clashing weapons, 'Ping~ Ping~ Ping~', rang out continuously.
Masahiko was once again sparring with Hashirama. This time, the two were no longer bare-handed but wielding the most commonly used ninja weapon—the kunai.
Bang!
After a muffled thud, the two tacitly pulled apart.
"It seems it won't work. I didn't design this taijutsu with weapon usage in mind to begin with." Masahiko gently shook his head.
Not far away, Tobirama took a few steps forward. "This set of taijutsu of yours is already very good. When facing an opponent stronger than yourself, it can stall for enough time to wait for rescue. And when facing an opponent weaker than yourself, using this taijutsu allows you to win with a smaller cost, it just takes a bit longer. If time is tight, you can choose not to use it and win by force with strength and speed."
Masahiko sighed. It wasn't that he didn't know this, but this taijutsu...
The title of "Staller" was something he had painstakingly managed to shed!
"Alright, let's leave it at that for now. I'll see if I can find a way to add a few killer moves later." Masahiko was still somewhat unwilling to give up.
Hashirama also stepped forward, pieces of his face slowly flaking off. "Second Grandfather, since the taijutsu is successful, please don't summon me again."
This body of his was going to be 'used up' again.
The sacrifices used to summon him were, after all, just some chunin and genin. Even with Orochimaru's special treatment, they couldn't last too long. With Hashirama needing to spar with Masahiko, his body had already collapsed for the third time in a month.
Masahiko smiled. "Alright then, see you next time. Thanks for your help this time."
Although Orochimaru had plenty of test subjects, Masahiko felt no psychological pressure in using them as sacrifices, but the Hashirama cells Orochimaru possessed were not infinite.
"Then, goodbye, Second Grandfather," Hashirama smiled, his body slowly turning into a pile of dirt.
"What about you, Tobirama?" Masahiko turned his head and asked.
Tobirama hesitated for a moment. "This body of mine should be able to hold out for another two days. Second Grandfather, I want to make a trip back to Konoha."
Masahiko was stunned. "Didn't we agree that people of the past shouldn't interfere with current events?"
Tobirama shook his head. "I just want to go back and take a look, see Hiruzen, and see Kagami one more time. I won't openly interfere. Besides, even if the current me were to intervene, it probably wouldn't be of much use."
Masahiko pondered for a moment, then smiled and waved his hand. "Alright, going back to teach Hiruzen how to be a Hokage is good too. He only learned half of your methods; the other half went to Danzo. Now that Danzo is gone, he needs you, his teacher."
Tobirama nodded and disappeared from the spot.
Masahiko stood alone for a moment, shaking his head and chuckling. "At most, another eleven or twelve years..."
After saying this, his figure also disappeared from the area. When he reappeared, he was already inside the Sound Village, standing in front of his small wooden building.
Kimimaro and the other two were cultivating on their own. Seeing Masahiko return, they went to meet him.
"Great Elder, where are the two Lord Hokage?" Karin asked.
"They went where they belong," Masahiko replied. He smiled and said, "Kimimaro's illness is under control, so the purpose of our trip has been achieved. If nothing unexpected happens, we'll leave here tomorrow or the day after. Do you guys have anywhere you want to go?"
Kimimaro: "Wherever God goes, I go."
Haku: "No."
Karin: "Are we not going back to Konoha or the Land of Whirlpools?"
Masahiko shook his head. "The Land of Whirlpools is fine. As for Konoha, we won't go back for now. Let's wait a few more months and let them fight to their hearts' content first. We'll wander around, and in passing... I'll teach you a set of taijutsu."
Having developed a taijutsu, he naturally needed... test subjects.
Hearing this, Karin's eyes darted around. "Great Elder, let's go to the Land of Wind to take a look. It's quite close, and I've never seen a desert before!"
Masahiko was helpless. "What's so great about a desert? You guys should think about it some more. Tell me when you've decided. I'm going to find Orochimaru first."
Watching Masahiko leave, the three children looked at each other for a moment. Karin spoke with anticipation, "Kimimaro-kun, let's go to the desert, okay?"
"I will follow God's orders."
Karin puffed out her cheeks. "Haku, what about you?"
"I'm... fine with anything."
Karin: "..."
These two teammates were truly despair-inducing.
...
Masahiko skillfully opened the entrance to Orochimaru's laboratory and strode inside.
As he ventured deeper, Masahiko gradually heard quite a few faint, agonizing screams.
"Huh? Sounds like Three Hairs' voice is among them. What kind of experiment is Orochimaru running?" Masahiko muttered softly, quickening his pace.
Pushing open the heavy laboratory doors, Orochimaru's pale face appeared before Masahiko. Coupled with the continuous screams, it truly felt like a horror movie.
Masahiko gave Orochimaru an annoyed look. "Stop making yourself look more and more like a snake. Who are you trying to scare here? I remember you were quite handsome when you were young..."
"Senior, has your taijutsu development been successful?" Orochimaru didn't take the bait.
"I suppose you could call it a success." Masahiko didn't want to dwell on the topic. "You know Tobirama went to Konoha, right? Don't release his Edo Tensei just yet."
Orochimaru nodded, and Masahiko changed the subject. "These screams are...?"
"Senior, please follow me."
Masahiko frowned slightly and followed Orochimaru into another room.
The interior of the room was divided by several cylindrical glass enclosures. Behind each piece of glass, a child was 'writhing' in pain. Behind a few of the glass enclosures were stone statues with humanoid bodies but snake heads growing from their necks.
"Is this... senjutsu?" Masahiko turned his head and asked.
"Exactly. I am trying to grant them the power of senjutsu through a cursed seal."
Chinese characters flashed before Masahiko's eyes. "Witnessed and significantly changed the Naruto World side storyline: Orochimaru's Cursed Seal. Obtained 5(*8) Witness Points."
"An unexpected harvest." Masahiko pondered slightly.
In his memory, Orochimaru developed the cursed seal by studying Jugo's body, which was infused with senjutsu. But now that Orochimaru had learned senjutsu himself, he naturally didn't need to go through all that trouble. Furthermore, Jugo wasn't with him.
"Huh? Jugo should be in the Land of Whirlpools. I completely forgot about him." Masahiko scratched his head and turned to Orochimaru. "Why did you bring me here?"
"Senior, I have a favor to ask. I remember you have pharmaceutical skills. I need a medicine called the Mind Awakening Pill to accelerate their adaptation to senjutsu and reduce the risk of failure," Orochimaru stated.
Masahiko sighed slightly, revealing a look of unbearable pity. "If you had come to me earlier, I could have used Sealing Jutsu to help you. At the very least, no one would have died. These children are too young."
Orochimaru licked his lips. "They came here voluntarily. If they want power, they must pay the price."
Masahiko frowned slightly and shook his head helplessly. "Power, huh... Forget it. Prepare the medicinal herbs for me, and I will brew the medicine for them."
"I leave it in your hands then, Senior..."
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