Naruto: I, Shikotsumyaku, Byakugan Princess

Having mastered the Sage Mode of the Toad Clan, Hairi's mission at Mount Myōboku was completely completed.

After Fukasaku served her plate after plate of stir-fried dishes featuring the specialties of Mount Myoboku, she politely declined his kind invitation and chose to return to her loyal home, Konoha.

"Ugh~ This is it." Orochimaru vomited out a scroll with the word 'Immortal' written on the seal.

"Can you change it? Don't be so vulgar."

With a look of disgust, Hui Li used water magic to wash the slime off the scroll, then took the sage scroll from the other person and began to read it.

Since the Sage Mode of Mount Myōboku is for frogs, it's barely usable, but it's not a perfect fit for her body. She wants to see how the Sage Mode of Ryūchi Cave works, as well as Orochimaru's Cursed Seal system, is, and if there's anything she can learn from it.

She unrolled the scroll and saw that it contained a great deal of sage techniques that Mount Myōboku had not taught her.

"Does vitality originate from natural energy?"

Hui Li looked at Orochimaru in surprise, only to find that he nodded as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"Hiss~ This is the result of my research on all the Sage Technique scrolls recorded in Ryuchi Cave, as well as an experimental subject who was born with Sage Technique power!"

When she mentioned research, a hint of pride and confidence shone in her golden eyes.

Upon seeing this, Gray Glass unrolled the scroll and continued to examine it, and sure enough, he found a large amount of experimental data and symbols following this conclusion.

These experiments might seem very confusing to those who don't understand them, but they are extremely clear and credible to Hai Ri, who is proficient in Yin Release, Yang Release, and medical ninjutsu.

In Orochimaru's research, the human soul and spirit essentially originate from the life force within the body, but are also higher than life force, which is why the classic theory of yin arising from yang was born.

The study of immortal arts goes a step further on this basis.

The soul originates from life force, and the body also originates from life force. So where did humanity's original life force originate?
The answer is simple: it's natural energy.

Natural energy, as the fundamental energy for the operation of the world, is the source of all energy in this world and is the original force. The power of life is also born from it.

Orochimaru believed that life originated in the distant past, from inorganic matter through spontaneous chemical reactions to form small organic molecules, such as amino acids, lipids, and sugars. Then, these small organic molecules aggregated to form large organic molecules, and finally, these large organic molecules assembled to form the most primitive life.

The final step in the formation of primitive life, organic macromolecules, relied on absorbing ubiquitous natural energy. After this life appeared, single-celled, multicellular, and countless organisms began to evolve, eventually forming the world we know today.

All life unconsciously swallows and digests natural energy, but this passive digestion is so minute that it is difficult to observe even with the highest magnification microscope, let alone with the naked eye. Therefore, Orochimaru had no way to prove this theory; it was all just conjecture and hypothesis.

Ryuchi Cave, Mount Myōboku, and all the methods that utilize natural energy—though they are very mystical, with terms like "harmony between man and nature" and "energy activation"—Orochimaru has roughly deduced the essence of Sage Mode.

Life force originates from natural energy. The two types of energy are essentially the same, but there are some differences after transformation.

The reason why the spirit can perceive and absorb natural energy when it enters the state of oneness with nature is because human spiritual power originates from life but is higher than life. If one can control life, one can certainly control the same kind of natural energy to a certain extent.

Energy activation is even simpler. Life itself has the ability to absorb and transform natural energy. This activation is simply a matter of catalyzing the maximization of energy through specific meridian circulation methods.

"The logic is consistent, and the probability of the hypothesis being true is very high!"

After reading the entire scroll, Hui Li expressed her approval of Orochimaru's research findings.

"I've already put it into practical use!"

Orochimaru, head held high, was thoroughly pleased by Hai Li's praise; sometimes, the source of the praise is more important than its content. Hai Li, with her formidable strength and expertise as both a researcher and a medical ninja, was truly delighted by such praise from a technical expert, feeling a deep sense of satisfaction.

"Heaven and Earth Curse Seal?"

"Uh...yeah."

Orochimaru, who wanted to show off, was momentarily speechless at Hairi's unusual intelligence network, but still explained his research findings with a boastful tone:
“I have a subordinate named Shigeo.”

He was born with the ability to absorb a large amount of natural energy, but because his absorption capacity was too strong, his mental power could not control the natural energy, and he was even affected by the powerful natural energy. After becoming an immortal, he was prone to becoming irritable and losing his rationality.

Most of my research findings came from him, and the rest came from the treasures of Ryuchi Cave. Speaking of which, many of the magical techniques recorded in Ryuchi Cave are quite interesting.

"tell me the story."

With her head down, Hui Li had already flipped to the very bottom of the scroll, where the natural energy activation route of Ryuchi Cave had been drawn, and it looked like the route of some kind of qigong.

Snakes have very limited physical capabilities; their energy pathways are entirely absent in their limbs. In the human body, this translates to the brain and spine being the entire energy source.

Because of the vast difference between human and toad bodies, it is even more difficult to learn than the Sage Techniques of the toad clan, and very few people are suitable for it. It is estimated that only Orochimaru and Kabuto, who have undergone human body modification, could possibly learn it.

"Natural energy has existed for a very long time. In the ancient times before chakra and ninjas appeared, there were many creatures in the ninja world that relied on natural energy. These unusual creatures were called gods, monsters, ghosts, and so on by the people of that time..."

Orochimaru's voice involuntarily became hoarse, but it couldn't return to its former sound. Instead, it sounded like a little girl in school telling her roommate a ghost story in a low voice.

hum!
The air suddenly became heavy and silent. Snake-scale-like patterns appeared on Hui Li's profile, and purple eyeshadow extended outwards from the corners of her eyes, making her look eerie and beautiful.

"grim Reaper?"

"Yes, that's right!"

Orochimaru licked his lips, looking with envy and jealousy at the freak who had mastered the Sage Mode of Ryuchi Cave in the blink of an eye. The Sage Mode that he had never been able to master in his entire life was as easy as eating and drinking in the hands of this person.

"Humans are not without power to fight back against these extraordinary beings. There are also special groups among them who can manipulate natural energy. Jugo's ancestors, the ancestors of the Uzumaki clan, the priestesses with long-standing traditions, and the monks of the Fire Temple are all immortals who once slew demons and monsters!"

"And what about the vortex?"

While experiencing the new Sage Mode, Hui Li's eyes revealed a hint of surprise. The Uzumaki clan and the Senju clan are both descendants of Ashura, so how could they be related to Sages?

Orochimaru nodded solemnly:
"Their ancestors were the legendary Onmyoji, who specialized in using sealing power to imprison harmful monsters. The demon known as the Grim Reaper was one of them."

"That's really surprising."

Upon hearing this news, Hui Li finally understood why the Senju and Uzumaki clans, both descendants of Ashura, had such vastly different bloodline limits. The Senju clan inherited all of Ashura's abilities—Sage Body, Wood Release, and Sage Mode—but the Uzumaki clan, aside from a similar Sage Body, had abilities like Kagura's Mind's Eye and Adamantine Sealing Chains that were completely unrelated to Ashura's.

Neither Hashirama nor Naruto, who were reincarnations of Ashura, demonstrated this power.

If the records Orochimaru saw are true, then everything matches up.

The vitality and chakra clearly originated from Ashura, but the Uzumaki clan also has some bloodline from ancient Onmyoji. It is possible that Ashura's wife was an Onmyoji, which is the origin of Kagura's Mind's Eye and Vajra Chains.

Think about it: the former is responsible for sensing and investigating the whereabouts of demons, while the latter is responsible for capturing them. Add to that the various Bagua and Four Symbols seals passed down from the Uzumaki clan, and this is indeed the configuration of an ancient Onmyoji.

Mount Myōboku and Ryūchi Cave are clearly gathering places for powerful yokai.

hiss!
With all the information gathered, the missing piece was filled in. Hui Li scratched his head, feeling that many of his doubts had been resolved.

The sealing techniques in the ninja world are exceptionally powerful. Faced with the S-rank Four Symbols Seal and Eight Trigrams Seal, even the tailed beasts can only surrender obediently. Yawatari studied the Eight Trigrams Seal for a long time and could indeed use it without any problem, but he just couldn't figure out the underlying principles.

Now, Gray Glass has finally figured out the problem.

The original sealing power is the 'natural system' native to the ninja world, not the chakra system brought by the Otsutsuki clan. Through a certain theory of the natural system, a portion of the natural energy of heaven and earth can be mobilized through the technique, and then combined with the chakra system to form a powerful sealing technique.

The sealing technique combines the advantages of two systems, and the Sage Mode developed by the Six Paths Brothers is itself a dual system. With this highly compatible dual system skill, it is like adding wings to a tiger. It was precisely because of Six Paths: Chibaku Tensei that Princess Kaguya of Otsutsuki suffered a major setback.

Everything is connected!

Hui Li's eyes were filled with an inscrutable excitement. Sometimes, what you fear most is not that the enemy is powerful, but that you don't know why the enemy is powerful.

The Sage of Six Paths is likely an enemy, not a friend, as he is spying from the shadows. By figuring out his methods beforehand, she won't be completely clueless when they meet again, unlike Princess Kaguya who lost in a daze.

"What...what's wrong?"

Seeing Hui Li's unusually excited expression, Orochimaru licked his lips, feeling utterly at a loss. She had only been chatting with Hui Li about secrets and gossip, but the way Hui Li seemed to be trying to fuse her bloodline limit was astonishing.

"You've been a great help, Orochimaru-kun!"

Patting Orochimaru on the shoulder, Hui Li looked at the bewildered Orochimaru and found him pleasing to the eye no matter how he looked at him.

In the past life, the snake was the prototype of the dragon. The snake also represents power and status. Some people like to wear gold snake ornaments, which means that those who own snakes can get promoted, make money, have a smooth career, and be successful in their official career.

She used to dismiss it, thinking it was just superstition and not worth believing, but now every time she meets Orochimaru, something good happens, as if this superstition is being perfectly proven.

It seems that Orochimaru should be taken on the trip to the moon. We can use Orochimaru's wealth and luck to dispel the Great Toad Sage's bad omen and fight metaphysics with metaphysics.

"Hiss~ As long as it helps you."

Orochimaru gasped, feeling as if his shoulders were about to fall apart. If it weren't for the human body modification, he would definitely have suffered broken bones and torn muscles.

What a monster!

"that……"

Taking advantage of Hui Li's good mood, Orochimaru pondered for a moment, then asked with anticipation, "How is your bloodline limit recruitment plan going? Are you confident of success?"

"At Mount Myōboku, I have already synthesized Explosion Release chakra, and I have collected four types of chains. I only need Storm Release to complete the chakra cycle and attempt to construct a bloodline limit network."

Hui Li was in a hurry to return from Mount Myōboku. Firstly, she didn't want to eat the insect feast of Fukasaku and the two clams, and secondly, she had completed her Explosion Release training and needed the final Storm Release fusion.

"I'll go now!"

Upon hearing that Hairi was only missing Storm Release, Orochimaru revealed a twisted smile, his voice seemingly trembling. The pinnacle of ninja way, which he had pursued all his life, was right before him; in his heart, there was even a thought that if he could hear the truth in the morning, he could die content in the evening.

"no need."

Her eyes emitted a blinding gray light, and with a faint smile, Hui Li's body suddenly became illusory. Before the afterimage she left behind had disappeared, her body reappeared out of thin air. Orochimaru only felt a blur before his eyes, and reality and illusion had merged into one.

tick tock...tick tock...

Drops of thick, dark red blood spilled down, instantly staining the exceptionally clean white tiles of the experimental department with a glaring scarlet hue.

"Cough cough..."

A bloody human head was placed in front of Orochimaru. The head had dark skin and white hair, and the expression showed no pain, but rather a sense of languor. The head coughed and looked around in confusion, looking incredibly lifelike.

That was none other than Darui, the Jonin leading the team from Kumogakure, known as the Raikage's right-hand man and a master of Storm Release.

Orochimaru was so horrified that he didn't even dare to stick out his tongue. Watching Darui disappear in an instant, he felt a chill run down his spine.

Known as the fastest ninja in the world, the Yellow Flash instantly defeated fifty Jonin in a major battle, thus becoming famous throughout the land.

Of course, as someone who experienced that war firsthand, Orochimaru knew that there was some exaggeration involved in this achievement.

For example, most of those fifty Jonin were Special Jonin, and they were promoted relatively easily during wartime, so their overall quality was questionable. But even so, this achievement was enough to shock the ninja world.

But compared to Hui Li's achievements, this is nothing.

Although he had never fought Darui, he knew how difficult it would be to deal with an elite Jonin from Kumogakure who possessed a bloodline limit. Yet, he was decapitated in an instant and didn't even realize what was happening until his death.

How incredibly fast!
After dispelling the Sage Chakra from Ryuchi Cave within his body, Hairi remained unfazed by Orochimaru's astonishment.

The Sage Mode of Mount Myōboku is extremely well-rounded, excelling in taijutsu, ninjutsu, and resilience. In contrast, the Sage Mode of Ryūchi Cave is speed-oriented, maximizing individual speed and reaction time, making it highly specialized.

On top of that, Hairi also used the Flying Thunder God Technique and a simplified version of Lightning Release Chakra Mode, it would be strange if Darui could even react.

"While it's still hot, let's use the Impure World Reincarnation!" (End of Chapter)