Starting as a pirate, he rose to become the strongest Shinigami in Soul Society.

Chapter 334 The past predicament, the arrival of Zoro and others.

For the next two weeks, Bane followed Orochimaru to learn the basics of these ninjutsu and build a foundation.

Orochimaru probably felt that he and Bane were not on the same track at all. His track was to cause trouble in the ninja world, take revenge on Konoha, find ways to acquire more ninjutsu knowledge, explore the truth, develop bloodline limits, and research things like immortality.

He believed that beings like the Spirit Lord, whose lifespan was so long that it was almost impossible to see, had no competitive relationship with him. Perhaps one day the Spirit Lord would lose interest in these things and return to the Pure Land to sleep for hundreds or thousands of years.

Therefore, he held nothing back from Benn, and there was no such thing as teaching a disciple to the point of starving the master; he taught very seriously.

At the same time, Orochimaru also harbored some other thoughts. Based on the exchanges over the past few days, he felt that the Spirit Lord was likely a big shot in the Pure Land, similar to the Grim Reaper. However, since the Spirit Lord had his own will, perhaps building a good relationship with him could help him in his future research into forbidden techniques such as immortality?

Putting all that aside, he was also very interested in the power that the Spirit Lord possessed, which suggests that the Spirit Lord was not a stingy person.

By diligently teaching the Spirit Lord and pleasing this powerful figure, I might be able to learn something new from him in the future.

Anyway, the current situation is that Orochimaru is having a great time teaching, and Bane is also learning a lot.

"The outward manifestation of spiritual power, the kind of power you're curious about, I call it 'domineering aura.' Domineering aura is also the development of one's own body, not dependent on external natural energy. It is..." Bane leaned back on the couch, speaking calmly and confidently.

Beneath the bed, besides the White Snake Sage's futon, there was another one, and Orochimaru was sitting on this futon, listening attentively to Bane's story.

In his spare time, Bane would also give Orochimaru some feedback, such as teaching him Haki. This kind of power, unless one has a special talent, is something that is accumulated little by little through hard work. Regardless of whether Orochimaru has a special talent, Bane did not think that he could turn the world upside down just because he obtained the power of Haki, so he taught him these things without any worries.

Orochimaru was quite interested in this new power, which was different from ninjutsu and completely unrelated to sage techniques. Every time Bane was going to give a lecture, he would carefully take out a small notebook and write down everything in detail for future reference and study.

As Bane recounted these events, chakra energy continuously gathered within his body.

Just as he had predicted, the amount of chakra he could contain was virtually limitless, with no upper limit whatsoever.

Given enough time, becoming a tailed beast would be a piece of cake for him.

Moreover, after passing the basic stage, Bane has also begun to try his hand at cultivating immortal arts in the past two days.

The knowledge of immortal arts in Longdi Cave is very comprehensive. Ultimately, immortal arts are actually just two elements: one is to absorb natural energy to strengthen oneself. This is what the White Snake Immortal and the others have always been doing. The main reason they have been able to live for so long is because of the support of natural energy.

Another element is combining the natural energy absorbed by Sage Techniques with chakra to release a stronger ninjutsu, also known as "Sage Art".

Bane hasn't even mastered many ninjutsu yet; he's still in the foundational stage, so there's no need to consider combining sage chakra with sage techniques to create sage art.

His main focus is on absorbing natural energy and mastering the power of this immortal technique.

Normally, absorbing natural energy can very likely lead to a loss of one's will, causing one to merge with nature and eventually turn into stone.

This is also the most dangerous place in the cultivation of immortal arts. In the words of the White Snake Immortal, natural energy is very violent. You think you can open a small opening and slowly adapt, but it doesn't think that way. As soon as you come into contact with natural energy, it will surge into your body.

Therefore, the important thing in cultivating immortal arts is not how to absorb energy. You don't even need to absorb it. As long as you open your body, the energy will naturally flow into it.

The important thing is to control this rhythm and not let the violent natural energy instantly erode you and turn you into stone.

No one knows what Shikkotsu Forest is like. After all, there is only one Slug Sage in Shikkotsu Forest. There are no other "little sages". The Slug Sage is a collective entity. She can split into countless little slugs. She is the entire Shikkotsu Forest.

The sage techniques of Mount Myōboku involve using toad oil to subtly connect with natural energy, allowing practitioners to become familiar with it before beginning formal training.

It is a relatively stable way of cultivation, but even so, it is difficult for a strong person like Jiraiya to fully master the Sage Art. Ultimately, it is because the natural energy is too violent. As long as you ask for this energy, it will give it to you, and forcefully give it to you, until you are petrified and become one with it.

The cultivation of immortal arts in Ryuchi Cave is much more brutal than that in Mount Myōboku. There's absolutely no toad oil or anything like that. They just tell you how to absorb natural energy, and you have to experience it for yourself. If you can withstand the assimilation of the violent natural energy, then you're qualified to become an 'immortal'. If you can't, you die.

Orochimaru almost lost his life here, and afterwards he didn't dare to use the Ryuchi Cave method to train anymore, so he went to figure out the curse seal on his own.

Bane was somewhat apprehensive about this method of training, but ultimately couldn't suppress his curiosity about the power and gave it a try.

He felt that since he possessed the power of darkness that could devour everything, if the natural energy was too violent, he could use the power of darkness to devour the natural energy within his body, similar to the auxiliary function of toad oil, to regulate the amount of natural energy and perhaps reduce the risk.

Upon trying it, he discovered that his cultivation of immortal arts was completely different from that of the White Snake Sage, Orochimaru, and others.

Just like he had boasted to Orochimaru and the others before, that he was born with this dark natural energy and that he himself represented nature, the natural energy that was extremely turbulent to others was very docile in his body.

Bane deduced that the natural energy source must have considered him, a natural-type ability user, as one of its own.

We are all one, so how can there be any talk of assimilation?

Once he realized this, Bane's absorption of natural energy and his cultivation of immortal arts were like a rocket launch, completely unstoppable.

As mentioned before, when cultivating immortal arts, absorption is not the key; controlling the amount is. As long as you ask for it, the energy will naturally pour into your body without restraint, without you having to absorb it at all.

Bane no longer needs to worry about being assimilated, so he is currently absorbing surging natural energy into his body 24 hours a day.

The White Snake Immortal's progress over a month couldn't match his progress in a single day.

This extraordinary performance prompted the old white snake to exclaim, "Truly worthy of being a true dragon's body!"

Orochimaru was so envious he almost cried.

Compared to chakra, a power derived from the combination of spiritual and physical energy, the natural energy brought by Sage Mode provides a terrifying boost to Bane.

Whether it was due to his unique physical condition or the devouring nature of the Dark-Dark Fruit, the surging natural energy was absorbed and digested after entering his body, subtly enhancing his physical attributes.

This caused Bane, who had already reached the limit by enhancing his physical fitness through eating various special ingredients, to begin to sublimate again.

Physical strength, resilience, resistance to various elements, and overall quality are all constantly being enhanced by absorbing natural energy. The speed is not fast, but it is sustainable and continuous, with some growth every day!

It's as if every cell is cheering and jumping for joy, being filled with natural energy.

Moreover, perhaps because his body's adaptation to natural energy was constantly improving, his mastery of dark power was becoming more and more proficient, as if that natural energy was beginning to replace the faucet of 'physical strength'.

Unleashing the power of darkness is no longer entirely limited by physical strength; natural energy begins to replace physical strength, or rather, a new outlet has been opened!

Not a single mistake, not a single poem, not a single post, not a single piece of content, not a single look!

He can manipulate dark elements with physical strength, and he can also manipulate dark elements with natural energy!

While explaining the concepts of Haki to Orochimaru, Bane was also pondering his own current situation.

After a long time, he once again fell into the same predicament as before. Back then, he was a student who was not proficient in anything and had too many skills. In the end, he relied on martial arts and used his fists to integrate all his skills, which finally allowed him to truly step into the ranks of top experts.

Nowadays, although there's not much to say about the skills involved—whether it's ninjutsu or sage techniques—it's ultimately just a matter of technique.

At his current level, the essence of his power no longer lies in techniques, but in energy.

Chakra, natural energy, soul power, and dark elements—this is Bane's current predicament.

He felt that if he wanted to go further and climb to a higher level, the next thing he needed to do was to integrate all the fancy energies in his body into "one".

It merged into a single, pure power within him!

He had the idea and the approach, but he hadn't yet reached a conclusion on how to take that step, and he couldn't even find a clue.

As Bane pondered these things, reciting his domineering knowledge, Princess Ichikishima respectfully greeted him from outside the cave, "Spirit Lord?"

Hearing the voice, Orochimaru frowned slightly in annoyance, but given the situation in Ryuchi Cave, he couldn't show it and silently closed his notebook.

Bane then looked towards Princess Ichikishima and asked, "What is it?"

"Princess Tsutsu reports that a group of people have come looking for us outside Ryuchi Cave. They should be the subordinates you instructed a few days ago. What do you think?" Princess Ichikishima asked softly.

"Is that so?" Bane raised an eyebrow. "Judging by the time, they should be here soon. Let Princess Tsuru bring them in to see me."

Meanwhile, outside Ryuchi Cave, Zoro crossed his arms, surveying the desolate mountain, and remarked, "This doesn't feel quite what I imagined. The Three Great Holy Lands."

"Judging from what Bane said before, he had already taken over this place. I wonder how he did it?" Fubuki said with a hint of curiosity.

Not far away, Tsurutsuhime was also observing these guys, but her gaze was basically focused on only one person, and that was the weakest one among them, namely Nami.

Whether it was her imagination or not, Tuanjinji always felt that the woman exuded a terrifying pressure no less than that of a Spirit Lord.

This kind of aura is not an aura of strength, but rather the pressure exerted by a superior life form on a subordinate life form in an ecological niche.

Especially for snakes, it's quite terrifying, as if they've encountered a natural enemy.

"Why do I keep feeling like that guy is looking at me strangely?" Nami asked Ain, who was standing next to her, with some confusion.

"It's not a strange look, it seems like they're afraid of you," Ain whispered after observing for a moment.

"Huh? Am I that scary?" Nami complained, somewhat annoyed.

(End of this chapter)