Naruto: I, who fooled the ninja world, was hailed as a savior.

Chapter 123 Soul!

The dimly lit underground laboratory was filled with the lingering stench of disinfectant mixed with the stench of blood.

The only source of light came from the flickering candle on the workbench, casting Orochimaru's slender figure on the wall like a writhing snake.

"Devouring souls... an unknown power..."

Orochimaru's fingertips repeatedly caressed the ancient scroll containing secrets, his vertical pupils filled with fanaticism and focus, fixed on the few lines describing Hollows.

Undoubtedly, the new creature 'Void' depicted in the scroll, with its cruel picture of the survival of the fittest and souls devouring each other in pursuit of evolution, acted as a key to unlocking his understanding and thinking.

It offers an evolutionary path that differs from the existing rules of the ninja world, namely, achieving soul evolution by consuming the souls of one's own kind.

"These unique creatures called 'Hollows' must possess powers different from those of ninjas." Orochimaru licked his lips with his long, thin tongue. "What could they be?"

Hyuga Kumokawa knew Orochimaru far too well.

For Orochimaru, who yearns to grasp all truth, such a completely unfamiliar yet feasible path is an irresistible temptation.

Moreover, this new approach of devouring souls to strengthen one's own soul also happens to compensate for the soul-damaging defect of "reincarnation," giving him even less reason to hesitate.

During this period, Orochimaru seemed to be possessed, constantly trying to develop this unprecedented jutsu framework.

And now, he has finally made some progress!

Orochimaru carefully put away the scroll in his hand, turned around, and with a fanatical expression, twirled his snake tail as he walked into his laboratory.

On the restraint table in the center of the laboratory, a ninja was firmly bound by specially made metal shackles, the light shining on his lifeless face.

He was not unconscious, but had been injected with a powerful nerve suppressant and muscle relaxant, leaving him in a state of extreme wakefulness but unable to move even a finger—a state of "paralysis".

Only his eyes trembled and rolled with fear, and he made unintelligible gasps in his throat.

This is the "material" that Orochimaru carefully prepared.

A rogue ninja skilled in illusion techniques.

First, let's clarify one point: the so-called spiritual energy, when combined with chakra, becomes Yin Release chakra.

Yin Release is one of the seven chakra nature transformations. It is based on the spiritual energy that governs imagination and has the characteristic of "creating material forms from nothing".

The Nara clan's shadow techniques and the Yamanaka clan's mind techniques are essentially the use of so-called Yin Release chakra to achieve physical interference by materializing spiritual energy.

Therefore, whether one is skilled in illusion or has strong resistance, it to some extent represents the strength of one's spiritual energy and mastery of Yin Escape, which is the strength of one's own "soul".

Orochimaru himself was a ninja with extremely high mastery of genjutsu, so he naturally understood that the souls of genjutsu ninjas were best suited for devouring.

If Orochimaru hadn't used "Reanimation Jutsu" multiple times later, and hadn't used the cursed seal to split countless soul fragments, he wouldn't have been caught in a genjutsu by Itachi Uchiha at a glance.

Orochimaru has not yet undergone reincarnation, and his soul is still very powerful, which is why he is so confident.

"Don't be afraid."

Orochimaru looked down at the ninja on the restraint platform, a sickly smile on his face, and said softly, "You will witness the birth of truth, and you should feel honored for it."

After saying that, he raised his hands and formed a complex mudra.

The foundation of this technique is, without a doubt, the resurrection of the undead.

It involves the process of completely separating one's soul and transferring it into a new physical vessel. Therefore, Orochimaru has an unparalleled profound understanding of the process of soul separation, the connection between the soul and the body, and how to stabilize the soul in a new vessel.

This is the basis for his ability to "perceive" and "manipulate" souls.

"bring it on!"

Orochimaru's immense spiritual energy, like tentacles, pierced the ninja's brain with unseen precision, forcibly establishing a spiritual link and anchoring it into the target.

The ninja's body trembled violently, his previously fearful gaze instantly lost focus, and his heart was overwhelmed by an even deeper fear.

He could clearly "feel" that a cold, slippery, and malicious soul was invading the deepest part of his brain.

If we follow the "Reanimation Jutsu" process, Orochimaru can now transfer souls.

However, what he needs to do now is something completely different.

"..."

Orochimaru took a deep breath, his expression becoming solemn and serious, and his hands began to form different hand seals.

If the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, were here, he would definitely feel a strong sense of familiarity.

That's right, Orochimaru is using "Impure World Reincarnation" now.

This ninjutsu was developed by the Second Hokage and Orochimaru attempted to perfect it, proving that the souls of the Pure Land could be summoned back to the mortal world and bound within the bodies of the sacrifices.

This gave Orochimaru a crucial element.

Souls are not untouchable; the Impure World Reincarnation technique can forcibly summon, bind, and even drive them.

Based on summoning, binding, and driving, by shaping Yin Release chakra into different structures, it is possible to "strip" and "absorb" it!
hum!
The air seemed to begin to twist and swirl around Orochimaru's chest.

The pure Yin Release chakra underwent a transformation, and a visible chakra vortex gradually appeared.

This vortex was not a physical entity, yet it exuded a chilling suction force, its interior deep and cold, as if even light would be swallowed up by it.

This is precisely what he constructed by imitating the "void" in the scroll.

It is not a physical entity but a purely energy structure that "strips away" and "absorbs" the soul!
With the Hollow Void completed, Orochimaru's eyes flashed with a fierce light. He quickly formed hand seals again and said in a deep voice, "Secret Technique: Soul Devouring!"

In an instant, an invisible suction force targeting the soul erupted.

Through the previously established mental link, this suction force transformed into countless chains with barbs, penetrating the ninja's body and hooking his soul.

This time, it was modified from the "Dead Demon Seal".

"what!!"

A piercing scream, exceeding the limits of human endurance, instantly shattered the deathly silence of the laboratory!
The ninja's eyes were wide open, bloodshot, and almost bursting, even overpowering the strong nerve suppressants and muscle relaxants. His body convulsed and spasmed unconsciously on the restraint platform.

This pain does not originate from the body, but from the extreme torture of having the soul forcibly torn apart and ripped outward!
Soon, under the tearing action of the "pseudo-void," an almost invisible illusory spirit was forcibly peeled away bit by bit.

The human faces, clearly defined by their spirits, were filled with struggle and resistance, yet they were firmly locked onto and pulled by the "pseudo-void," unable to avoid being dragged into the vortex in front of Orochimaru!

(End of this chapter)