Ninja World: I, Kisame Hoshigaki, am no longer human!

"What you are feeling is my Sage Chakra."

Kisame said with a smile, and instructed Yekura, "Go back and get used to it for a while. Don't worry about it during this time. Try activating it when you're ready and see how it works."

His plan was to first test it on Yekura. If the cursed seal worked well, then he could select more promising talents in Kirigakure and inject them with the cursed seal one by one.

By then, Kisame will be able to possess a powerful cursed seal army.

195. The Daily Inspection of the Water Shadow

Kisame had long heard that Konoha had sent many ninjas to Mount Myōboku to learn Sage Mode, in an attempt to create a Sage Force.

However, no matter how much Mount Myōboku helps Konoha, the strict requirements for cultivating Sage Mode mean that only a very small number of people will eventually return after completing their studies.

But the cursed seal is different.

Although it can only be considered a basic version of Sage Mode, with only a fraction of the power, it has the advantage of being highly versatile. Even ninjas of average talent can use the power of the cursed seal.

In the original work, Orochimaru developed many cursed seals based on Sage Mode and used them on his disciples or subordinates. Among them, the two most powerful ones were undoubtedly the Heaven Cursed Seal and the Earth Cursed Seal.

But in Kisame's eyes, these two curse seals were only half-baked.

As a true sage, with his profound understanding of Sage Mode and his immense chakra, the cursed seal he developed was far superior to Orochimaru's version.

Kisame named it the Kun Curse Seal.

He has already compiled a list that includes Mei Terumi, Ringo Ameyuri, Yamato, Kimimaro, and Haku. These geniuses from Kirigakure are the second batch of candidates for the Kun Curse Seal after Pakura.

In the future, as Kirigakure gives birth to, cultivates, or absorbs more geniuses, this list will continue to expand until Kisame builds a powerful Sage Mode force capable of sweeping across the ninja world.

By then, he might not even need to lift a finger; the entire Hidden Leaf Village and the Akatsuki organization would be wiped out by this force.

Huh?

Just as Kisame was envisioning the future, he suddenly noticed that Yekura seemed somewhat disappointed.

"What's wrong? Is the curse mark making you feel unwell?" he asked.

"No, please don't misunderstand, Lord Kisame."

Ye Cang quickly said that, and then made an excuse and hurriedly left.

Kisame sighed.

He wasn't the clueless, honest man he was in his previous life. He was aware of Ye Cang's feelings, but he hadn't yet figured out the best way to respond.

Forget it, let's put this matter out of our minds for now.

Kisame stood up and headed towards the Kirigakure Science Club.

Six months ago, after he appointed Orochimaru as the head of the Science Department, the latter moved the entire department building next to the prison in Kirigakure.

The building's basement level houses a laboratory that connects directly to the adjacent prison via a tunnel, facilitating the reception of death row inmates at any time.

After Kisame arrived here, he walked through the dark and cold underground passage and heard the screams of prisoners from afar, which sent chills down his spine.

He walked through the corridor and into the laboratory, where he saw Snake Princess, wearing a white lab coat and gold-rimmed glasses. She had just finished processing a test subject and was carefully washing her hands by the sink.

"who?"

Several ninjas from the Science Department noticed strangers approaching and looked towards the door, shouting sternly. However, when they realized that the visitor was none other than the Fifth Mizukage, they immediately became terrified and bowed deeply in apology.

"Alright, you can all leave now. I need to be alone with Snake Princess for a while."

Kisame waved his hand and said calmly.

"Yes."

Upon hearing this, the group respectfully withdrew.

However, after leaving the laboratory, they exchanged glances, then secretly looked back at Kisame and Hebihime, whispering amongst themselves as they walked away.

In the eyes of the ninjas in the Science Department, Snake Princess was not only a knowledgeable and imaginative genius scientist, but also a beautiful, charming, noble and elegant woman.

This mysterious woman, in the six months since she arrived at the Department of Science, has won over everyone with her knowledge and charm, and many people secretly admire and fall in love with her.

However, there have always been rumors that the Snake Princess was the woman of the Fifth Mizukage, Kisame, so no matter how bold these people were, no one dared to make a move on her.

Kisame's ears twitched slightly, and he heard all the whispers of the departing crowd.

"Looks like you're quite popular."

He casually remarked, glancing at the equipment in the lab as he walked towards the Snake Princess.

Orochimaru truly possesses a powerful personal charisma. Although he transformed into Snake Princess, his charm did not diminish at all; on the contrary, it increased. He could easily win over a group of loyal subordinates who were willing to give everything for him, even their lives.

"Lord Kisame, please don't tease me. It's been a long time, and I'm so glad to see you back safe and sound."

The snake princess's eyes flashed, and she gave Kisame a half-crouching bow, revealing a charming smile.

That smile is 100% effective on other men. However, it has no effect on Kisame, who knows the true nature of the Snake Princess.

What have you been busy with lately? Any new research findings?

Kisame didn't waste any words with Hebi, and went straight to asking the question, looking like a leader inspecting his subordinate's work.

"You've come at the perfect time. Please allow me to introduce you to my progress in gene technology."

Shebi made a gesture of invitation, leading Kisame to a row of giant glass containers, each taller than a person and filled with green nutrient solution. Floating inside were several babies, all curled up, seemingly fast asleep.

Shebi explained to Kisame that these babies were not stolen from elsewhere, but clones created asexually using her own cells through biotechnology.

Her purpose in creating so many clones was to test the latest genetic modification technology on them.

Simply put, over the past six months, Snake Queen has been conducting experiments on a large number of death row inmates, gradually reaching the threshold of genetic modification technology.

This is a technology that can modify ordinary people at the genetic level to gain other abilities. It is more advanced than forcibly implanting other people's cells (such as Hashirama cells), and can be said to truly inherit other people's abilities into one's own bloodline.

That's really serious.

Once she succeeds in her research, ordinary people can also obtain various superior genes through modification, such as longevity genes, intelligence genes, and even bloodline limit genes.

The Snake Princess excitedly stated that this was a technology that could benefit the Hidden Mist Village and millions of people in the Land of Water, and that it could be used to create a beautiful new world where everyone is like a dragon.

However, Snake Queen also admitted that this technology is still in its early stages and there is still a long way to go.

Even with an optimistic estimate, it will take at least ten years, or even longer, to resolve all the problems and hidden dangers, and truly move out of the laboratory to benefit the general public.

"This is a great undertaking."

After listening, Kisame highly praised what Hebi was doing and encouraged her to continue her efforts. He assured her that Kirigakure and he, as the Mizukage, would provide her with all the support they could.

"Lord Kisame, I will definitely not let you down."

The Snake Princess made her promise with a burning gaze.

She was once Orochimaru, full of ambition and obsessed with the pursuit of power, but after experiencing the harsh blows of fate, she seemed to have changed her mindset and gained a profound understanding.

Now, she no longer desperately pursues that elusive immortality, but focuses on the present, trying to use her knowledge and skills to do things that can make the world a better place.

It can also be seen as a form of repentance and atonement for the evil deeds committed in the past.

"By the way, Lord Kisame, did you succeed in your secluded training this time?"

After reporting her work to Kisame, Hebi suddenly asked a question, looking very expectant.

Six months ago, she shared her insights on cultivating the Eight-Headed Serpent Technique with Kisame and helped him improve his evolution plan. Now that Kisame has returned, we wonder what the results have been.

Upon hearing this, Kisame shook his head and said with a gloomy expression:

"Unfortunately, I failed. Moreover, after failing to evolve, I suffered a backlash from my own chakra, resulting in a significant reduction in my strength. You should have noticed that by now, right?"

"How...how could this be..."

Upon hearing this, Snake Princess looked surprised, seemingly unable to believe that Kisame would fail.

But in reality, she had already sensed it earlier: Kisame's chakra, while still enormous, was indeed much weaker than before.

"You keep working. I'm a little tired, I'll go back and rest first."

Kisame seemed a little tired. He gave Hebi a few simple instructions and then turned and left the laboratory.

The Snake Princess stood still, watching Kisame's figure gradually disappear into the distance, until his footsteps completely vanished in the underground passage.

For a moment, her eyes flickered, and it was unclear what she was thinking.

Kisame returned to the ground, a slow smile curving his lips.

The things he said to the Snake Princess were a bait to catch her.

He wanted to see if the Snake Princess, knowing his strength had been greatly diminished, would become restless and unruly again. If she started causing trouble, Kisame would not hesitate to strike and eliminate her.

After all, he has now successfully evolved and no longer needs the Snake Queen's help. Rather than keeping this unstable factor around, it's better to discard him after he's done his work and eliminate any future trouble.

Of course, Kisame wasn't the kind of cold-blooded person, so he gave Boa Hancock, or rather Orochimaru, a chance.

It all depends on whether the other party can seize the opportunity.

After inspecting the Science Department, Kisame went to the last place—the Medical Department.

It wasn't that he distrusted or was dissatisfied with Tsunade; on the contrary, he highly regarded her abilities and character, and believed that under her leadership, the medical department of Kirigakure would grow rapidly.

So instead of going to Tsunade's office to find her, he asked two nurses and found Nohara Rin in a hospital room.

Rin Nohara was sitting by the hospital bed, checking on a patient's post-operative recovery. She was so focused on asking the patient various questions and taking notes that she didn't notice Kisame's arrival.

"Lord Mizukage."

The patient was the first to spot Kisame, and with a look of panic, tried to get up from the bed. Upon hearing this, Nohara Rin turned around, saw Kisame, and also hurriedly stood up in alarm.

"No need to get up, just rest well."

Kisame made a downward gesture, indicating that the patient did not need to bow to him. Then he looked at Nohara Rin and said to her, "Come with me."

Then he left the ward.

Lin followed him nervously and anxiously.

The two arrived at a temporarily vacant hospital room, one after the other. After Lin entered the room, Kisame snapped his fingers, and the door clicked shut and locked.

"Lord Mizukage, may I ask what brings you here?"

Facing the powerful Kisame, Lin asked cautiously, her voice stammering.

Am I that scary?