[Uchiha Clan Grounds]
[Orochimaru's Laboratory]
Kato Dan was using the Spirit Transformation Technique with his eyes closed. A little girl stood next to him. It was Kurama Yakumo, and her eyes were also closed.
She was using the Spirit Transformation Technique too, but she already had a soul clone, Ido, outside. Right now this meant her own consciousness was steering Ido.
She let Ido follow Kato Dan's soul, passing layer after layer of walls until they reached the prison below.
Most of the people locked up here were from the Sarutobi clan, the ones picked out last time by using Minato's malicious sensory ability.
Now they were perfect as test subjects.
In a world no ordinary person could see, Kato Dan demonstrated to Ido how to invade an enemy's body, how to kill them.
"To kill someone there are two methods. One is to forcibly take control of the enemy's body."
"The other is to directly scatter the opponent's soul."
"A clash between souls is extremely dangerous. In comparison, the first method is less risky. If the control fails, we can still escape from the other person's body."
"The second method is very perilous. If we slip even a little, our own soul could be damaged."
"Soul damage might cause unconsciousness and sleep, memory loss, or loss of emotion. In severe cases, you might never wake up again, or die."
"But Yakumo, you have more of an advantage than others, because Ido is your second soul. You have room for error."
"If Ido gets hurt, it won't drag down your real self."
"Now I'll demonstrate. Follow along and do it together."
"Yes, teacher."
Inside a cell, two people suddenly began to move uncontrollably, waving their arms and legs.
Then they staggered to the wall and slammed into it with force, over and over, until blood splattered and they stopped making any sound.
The Sarutobi clan members beside them screamed in terror.
Because they had no idea what was happening to their clansmen.
The next moment, the two stiffened, their eyes going blank, and they fell straight to the ground. Then came the next one.
Although Ido had been able to do this kind of thing before, this was the first time killing in such a systematic and efficient way.
The six people in this cell all died one after another within a few seconds.
Jirobo and Kidomaru from the Sound Village opened the cell door.
Kidomaru spat out spider threads and bound the bodies together.
Jirobo helped carry the corpses, and they hauled them out.
Right now Orochimaru was improving the Cursed Seal, and the Sound Four had been used as test subjects in the lab all this time.
Kato Dan and Kurama Yakumo in the laboratory opened their eyes as well.
"Not bad. Your talent is better than mine. Becoming more proficient is only a matter of time."
"Remember, if you encounter someone with an exceptionally strong soul, give up controlling Ido."
"Because even if Ido is killed, it can be reborn from your body. But if your own soul is damaged, your life will be in danger."
"Yes! Thank you for your instruction, Teacher Dan!"
Kato Dan hadn't expected the Kurama clan to be so suited for the Spirit Transformation Technique, and their version was even safer than his.
"For illusions, I'll have Shisui teach you."
"The ninja world is about to go to war. Your Ido can cast large-scale environmental illusions, which are extremely advantageous on the battlefield."
Although Kurama Yakumo was still young, capable people did more. With a chance to train like this, she wasn't going to waste it.
Yakumo's original goal was to revive the Kurama clan, and now she was full of fighting spirit.
"I'll keep working hard, Teacher Dan. I will definitely restore the Kurama clan!"
Kato Dan gave a slight nod, "Having confidence is good, but don't go around bragging about things you haven't achieved yet. That only lets others see your weaknesses."
Kurama Yakumo nodded thoughtfully and memorized his words.
———
[In the next Laboratory]
Hotaru had taken off her clothes and lay on the operating table.
Anko formed a hand seal, extending the Tsuchigumo clan secret seal along Hotaru's back.
"You're considered lucky. You can increase your secret seal step by step. I had mine carved on all at once."
"It almost killed me."
There was some envy in Anko's tone.
The Tsuchigumo secret seal on Hotaru's back was originally the core that attracted natural energy.
Now they only needed to gradually expand and strengthen it based on what was already there. In the future, Hotaru would be able to freely absorb natural energy and train in Sage Arts.
Hotaru only felt a burning sensation on her back, but she could still bear it.
Hearing this, she was surprised, "Then Teacher Anko, did you also have to take everything off?"
A flush rose on Anko's face. She remembered the feeling of Orochimaru's fingers sliding across her skin.
"Yes. The secret seal has to be drawn all at once."
Hotaru was embarrassed enough being naked in front of Anko, and when she heard this she spoke in a gossipy tone.
"Then… then how did it feel to take everything off in front of Lord Orochimaru."
Anko heard the teasing in Hotaru's voice. She grew flustered and annoyed, pressing her hand harder into Hotaru's back.
"You little brat, how dare you make fun of me."
"Ah!"
Hotaru cried out in pain.
"Teacher Anko, I'm sorry, I'm sorry."
Hotaru hurried to beg for mercy.
After the markings were completed each day, Hotaru had to forcibly absorb natural energy to mix it with Sage Chakra and deepen the carving of the seal.
Because the Tsuchigumo secret seal was carved into Hotaru's back, and Orochimaru's research happened to be going in the same direction, he checked again and found that Hotaru's Tsuchigumo secret seal was a very complete set of markings that didn't need any modifications.
But it could be expanded on its existing foundation.
Hotaru was still young, so gradually expanding it bit by bit wouldn't carry the risks of receiving a Cursed Seal.
Orochimaru was busy, so he simply handed the job to Anko.
It gave Anko training, and she could conveniently teach Hotaru as well.
Ordinary shinobi graduated from the academy and after a few missions their jonin instructor pretty much stopped managing them.
Civilians used their achievements to trade for new jutsu in the village, or slowly saved money to hire someone to teach them.
Someone like Hotaru, who only had herself left at home, was lucky the Uchiha clan had taken her in. Otherwise she wouldn't have this kind of treatment.
Anko had been training Hotaru for a while, and they got along quite well.
Especially when it came to ninjutsu talent, Hotaru learned extremely fast.
This forced Anko to practice more herself every day besides absorbing natural energy, creating Sage Chakra, and carving the seal.
After all, getting worn out was nothing, but losing face was serious.
The two of them had grown much closer.
After fooling around a bit, Hotaru's marking for the day was finished.
While Hotaru was getting dressed, Anko said, "It won't be long before war breaks out. This time you'll stay with me and see what a shinobi world war is like."
Hotaru was startled, "The Fourth Great Ninja War is about to start?"
They had studied the previous wars back in the academy. She never thought that their generation wouldn't have been out of school for long before another war started.
Anko looked relaxed. After all, the foundation behind Orochimaru was deep, and she had only seen a small part of it.
"Konoha is not weak. You don't need to worry. Otherwise we wouldn't even have the chance to go observe."
Hotaru fell silent in thought.
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