Chapter 53: Explosive Tags, From Beginner To Expert
"I see that all the materials for the thermobaric bomb design are here, so we can at least make thermobaric explosives. The problem is the ratio of these materials."
Kenichi Amamiya frowned as he studied the blueprints spread across the laboratory table.
This blueprint was the manufacturing design for a thermobaric bomb that he had obtained earlier. It contained all the key steps and components, but one crucial detail was missing.
The exact proportions of the thermobaric mixture were not labeled anywhere.
Kenichi rubbed his chin. He had only ever seen thermobaric bombs in movies and television in his previous life. He had never actually handled one himself.
Even so, he knew just how terrifying their power was, especially against underground structures and anyone hiding inside them.
He strongly suspected that the constant experience of jungle tunnel warfare had traumatized those Western armies so badly that they developed this kind of weapon out of sheer frustration.
Regardless of how they came about, the destructive power of thermobaric weapons was undeniable. In his previous world, as far as conventional weapons went, they were among the strongest that were not nuclear.
"But is the missing ratio because we are supposed to factor in chakra?" Kenichi muttered to himself.
What is the biggest difference between the ninja world and his previous life?
Naturally, it was chakra.
In Kenichi's opinion, chakra was an extremely high level form of energy.
Just look at the countless incredible ninjutsu techniques. Firestorms, mud dragons, lightning armor. The very existence of chakra was what made this world so absurdly spectacular.
Then there were the eyes.
In his previous life, there was no way to explain something like the Rinnegan or the Sharingan. Here, however, eye techniques could literally drag meteorites out of the sky.
If that was not cheating by the laws of physics, nothing was.
So when he first received these designs for a thermobaric weapon, Kenichi had immediately started wondering:
Could chakra be integrated into a thermobaric device?
If he pulled that off, then in the future, could he even embed ocular power into such a weapon?
What kind of monstrous thing would that create?
The thought made Kenichi genuinely curious.
The only problem was that right now, he had no idea how to combine chakra with a thermobaric warhead. So, for the time being, he decided to look for inspiration in something that already existed in this world.
"I remember there should be a book called Exploding Tags, From Beginner To Expert around here."
Kenichi jogged out into the adjacent document room, quickly skimmed along the neatly arranged scrolls and books, and soon pulled out a thick volume.
Explosive tags.
There was no need to explain what they were. In essence, they were Fire Style ninjutsu sealed into strips of special paper so they could be carried and used easily.
There was nothing particularly difficult about controlling them either.
Beyond those, there were sealing talismans for tailed beasts, and even talismans related to sage techniques. All of that proved one thing very clearly.
In the ninja world, it was possible to seal ninjutsu, sealing arts, and even Sage techniques into paper.
So Kenichi's plan was simple.
First, study in detail how explosive tags were constructed.
Then, using that as a foundation, attempt to develop his own chakra based thermobaric explosive by analogy.
In another part of the base, Orochimaru watched his disciple running around busily and took a slow sip of tea.
This disciple's temperament was not bad at all.
At the very least, once he realized that he appeared to be in a "weakened" state, he had not even considered betraying him or making a move. Instead, he had thrown himself back into his research.
Of course, Orochimaru was not actually weak.
After Kenichi left earlier, he had immediately sealed the laboratory, then performed Living Corpse Reincarnation.
At the very beginning, he had indeed felt a clear weakness in his soul, but that sensation was much lighter now. His strength had almost fully recovered.
If Kenichi did try anything reckless, he would crush him without hesitation.
"The Akatsuki, hm? The Rinnegan is said to be the eye of a sage, with extremely powerful abilities," Orochimaru murmured, idly turning the ring on his finger.
But as his gaze lowered to this new body, a flicker of annoyance crossed his face.
His experiments on immortal rebirth had run into a problem.
For some unknown reason, during the transfer ceremony, the host body had suddenly trembled all over at a critical moment.
The experimental requirements were very strict. Even though it had been only a slight shiver, it still disrupted the flow of the technique and affected his own reincarnation.
Now, Orochimaru discovered that he seemed to be influenced by remnants of the host's memories.
Even though he had nearly erased them completely, some insignificant fragments had resurfaced after that involuntary tremor.
Fortunately, it did not interfere with his ability to disguise himself as he had before. Meeting his disciple while wearing this face had simply been another part of the test.
Now that the test was over, he could return to his usual appearance.
Before long, Orochimaru's features shifted again. His face and figure reverted to the familiar form he preferred, only a little shorter than before, though not enough for anyone but a close observer to notice.
"Orochimaru, welcome to the Akatsuki."
A strange voice suddenly echoed through the room.
The next instant, Orochimaru's vision went black. When it cleared, he found himself standing in a completely different place.
He slowly turned his head, looking around.
The surroundings were extremely dark, and it was immediately obvious that this was not his physical body, but some kind of projected form.
"Leader Pain, what is this technique?"
Kenichi Amamiya had been dragged into the same space at the same time. Even though he had seen scenes like this in the original Naruto timeline, experiencing it firsthand was something else entirely.
"These are the techniques we use for meetings within the Akatsuki," Pain explained calmly. "Since this is your first time attending, we did not inform you in advance. In the future, you will be notified before we bring you in."
In reality, he had pulled them in without warning this time specifically to demonstrate his power, as a subtle form of intimidation.
After all, this was the first time these two Konoha rogue ninjas were officially participating in an Akatsuki meeting, even if recruiting them had been his own idea.
"Oh? So it really is the Rinnegan."
Orochimaru's gaze settled on the orange haired man at the center. Even in the darkness, his eyes stood out clearly.
Those rippling, concentric rings were impossible to forget.
"From now on, refer to each other by your ring names when communicating within the organization," Pain continued, ignoring Orochimaru's comment. He had more than enough confidence in his own strength.
"Got it, Pain," Kenichi said with an easy smile.
Then he turned his head toward another presence in the darkness.
"Big Sister Konan, could you make my clothes a bit more stylish? Preferably a trench coat."
Kenichi grinned as he spoke, clearly not treating this as a solemn occasion at all.
Nagato, controlling Pain's body, drew in a long, silent breath.
Why do I suddenly feel like kicking the wearer of the jade ring straight out?
Konan did not immediately reply. She simply watched him for a heartbeat, her paper like chakra presence as still as the darkness around them.
Orochimaru folded his arms and remained quiet, observing the exchange from the side.
"…The uniforms in the organization are all the same," Konan finally said after a brief pause. "The only difference is the size."
This was her first time encountering a new recruit who cared this much about fashion.
What use was looking cool?
Did it increase your combat power?
Konan truly could not understand.
"Ah, I just think we could add something to personalize them, like…" Kenichi began with a mischievous smile, then deliberately glanced at Pain from the corner of his eye.
"Enough, Jade."
Nagato's patience finally snapped.
Kenichi shrugged and mimed zipping his mouth shut, signaling that he would behave.
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