I, Uchiha: Split Konoha

Chapter 79 The Art of Reincarnation

In the dimly lit study, Orochimaru wore an extremely morbid and terrifying smile, his snake-like eyes filled with endless greed, as if his soul was no longer alone.

"Hehe, this forbidden technique was developed by the Second Hokage based on the Kato clan's S-rank secret technique 'Spirit Transformation Technique'. It doesn't have a name yet, but I, Orochimaru, would like to call it 'Reanimation Jutsu'."

As Orochimaru recounted the origin of this ninjutsu with a sickly expression, Uchiha Yoru gradually suppressed his shock and began to ponder it silently.

In the original manga, during the Chunin Exams, when Orochimaru and the Third Hokage were fighting within the barrier, Orochimaru tore off his mask in front of the Third Hokage, revealing a woman's face. At that moment, the Third Hokage exclaimed in shock, "Have you mastered that forbidden technique?" (See the anime and manga for details.)

This suggests that the forbidden technique had a prototype, albeit a semi-finished product. Orochimaru spent several years developing this ninjutsu to its full potential.

At this moment, Orochimaru seemed to be on his home turf, with an excited, almost sickly smile on his face, and his hoarse voice filled with excitement.

"Do you know who the Second Hokage developed this ninjutsu for?" Orochimaru couldn't hide the excitement in his eyes as he said this, and excitedly replied, "The First Hokage! The First Hokage, Hashirama Senju. This ninjutsu was developed by the Second Hokage specifically for the First Hokage."

"Shortly after the First Hokage returned from his battle with your Uchiha ancestors at the Valley of the End, the Second Hokage took over. A few years later, the First Hokage died of illness. From this, we can see that the First Hokage must have suffered a very serious injury or his life force was severely depleted. At this time, the Second Hokage had to think of other methods."

"The Second Hokage was truly a genius. He actually came up with this method to prolong life. If this ninjutsu is successful, then one can transfer their soul into the body of a young ninja and prolong life again and again, thus achieving immortality."

At this moment, Orochimaru seemed to have found the true meaning of life, and he was so excited that he forgot himself. Seeing this, Uchiha Yoru pretended to frown and shake his head.

"Orochimaru-sensei, this ninjutsu is not yet perfected. The data clearly records the results of the experiment. When the soul transfer completely takes over another person's body, there will be a violent backlash. This does not seem to be just a physical discomfort, but rather that it has come into contact with something taboo, such as the soul."

However, upon hearing this, Orochimaru was not disappointed at all. Instead, he laughed excitedly and said, "Hehe, the Spirit Transformation Technique allows the soul to leave the body, travel across distances and kill enemies, and also control the other person's body and enter their mental world."

"But the drawback of this ninjutsu is that if the physical body is injured, the soul will also be injured. Even after the original body dies, the soul cannot remain in another person's body. As long as we solve these two problems..."

"How can we ensure that the first soul will not be controlled by the original body after it leaves the body? How can the second soul completely occupy someone else's body without being affected by the original body, and even avoid the backlash you mentioned?"

For someone like Orochimaru, creating something from scratch is always challenging, let alone the fact that his predecessors already had this prototype. He only needs to continue his research.

"Heh, it's obvious that the Second Hokage didn't complete this ninjutsu back then, otherwise the First Hokage wouldn't have perished, and the Fourth Shinobi World War wouldn't have happened."

At this moment, Orochimaru was completely absorbed in this immortality ninjutsu, and according to his experience, it was entirely feasible. Looking at Uchiha Yoru, he seemed afraid that the other party would think it was impossible, and couldn't wait to tell him his idea.

"Night Lord, since the 'Spirit Transformation Technique' can separate the soul from the body and even control another person's body, it proves that this ninjutsu is feasible. As long as we overcome these difficulties, immortality is within our grasp, for both of us!"

At this moment, Orochimaru stared at Uchiha Yoru with a fanatical and morbid gaze. This thought in his heart was completely stirred up, and it overwhelmed all his composure. He had always suppressed this idea before, mainly because he was afraid that this idea would be a lonely path. But now he seemed to have discovered that someone might be able to walk with him.

"Night Lord! What do you think of this ninjutsu?"

At this moment, Orochimaru couldn't wait to know what his disciple was thinking. Although the two were master and disciple, they were more like assistants. Yoru was his assistant in Konoha.

Seeing the slightly manic look in Orochimaru's eyes, Uchiha Yoru knew that Orochimaru had become obsessed with this ninjutsu and was fully prepared to embark on this path that was difficult for the world to understand.

"Orochimaru-sensei, the lifespan of a ninja is too short. Even the First Hokage, the god of ninjas, could not escape birth, aging, sickness and death."

Although it wasn't explicitly stated, Orochimaru couldn't help but laugh at the resolute tone in Uchiha Yoru's words.

Orochimaru's hoarse, unique laughter echoed continuously in the dimly lit study. At this moment, Orochimaru looked at Uchiha Yoru in front of him. It seemed that the relationship between the two was no longer that of master and disciple, but that of like-minded companions on the path to immortality.

"However, Orochimaru-sensei, I have seen in the records of this forbidden technique that there have been many human experiments, all of which have caused problems with the soul. One is how to break free from the constraints of the original body, and how to ensure that the soul that breaks free after the original body is injured is not affected. The second is how to resist or even avoid the backlash from another body."

Uchiha Yoru was able to pinpoint the key issues after only one glance, demonstrating his genuine interest in the forbidden technique's information. Upon hearing this, Orochimaru chuckled hoarsely, "Yoru-kun, don't rush. All research comes from countless failures."

Difficulties? Orochimaru was never afraid of them; what he feared was wandering aimlessly without direction.

Uchiha Yoru admired Orochimaru's persistence. He knew that although the ninjutsu was eventually successful, it had taken Orochimaru several years of his life, and in the end, the ninjutsu was still not perfect, as it still had flaws.

"Orochimaru-sensei, I have an idea that might be worth trying to resolve the backlash from the soul to the body."

After a moment of deep thought, Uchiha Yoru offered his idea. Orochimaru, upon hearing it, immediately revealed his signature smile. "Hehe, Yoru-kun, your thinking is always so novel. I'm really looking forward to the surprises you'll bring me."

"Orochimaru-sensei, if other people's bodies can cause backlash from the soul, what about your own body?"

At this moment, Uchiha Yoru revealed a confident smile, staring at Orochimaru in disbelief, muttering to himself, "My own body? My own!"

In an instant, Orochimaru slowly revealed a perverted smile. "Heh, I understand! Night Lord, you really have brought me a surprise. Since other people's bodies cannot avoid the backlash from the soul, you can cultivate your own body by using your own young cells to grow a body, while preserving countless of your own young cells and keeping these cells in a dormant state."

At this moment, Orochimaru seemed to have his mind opened, and his hoarse laughter echoed throughout the study. Orochimaru had never been so out of control before; this was the first time in his life, and also the happiest he had ever been—he felt even more excited than when he became Hokage.

Hopefully, the editor will give us some good news this afternoon.

(End of this chapter)