Inside a dimly-lit research lab.
Orochimaru, still in his white serpent form, loomed coiled above the unconscious White Zetsu.
In his serpentine eyes, flickering glints of light flashed continuously.
He couldn't care less about the Hokage title.
The only reason he wanted that position was because he believed no one else was worthy of it except himself!
Now that Kei Yamanaka had displayed power superior to his own, what's wrong with stepping down from the contest for the Hokage seat?
Likewise, he didn't mind being defeated either.
Failure had never been scary; nobody could remain victorious forever.
Even Hashirama Senju, known as the Ninja God, had often suffered losses at the hands of the Uchiha Clan when he was younger.
What truly concerned him was...
the secrets hidden within Kei Yamanaka himself.
One's energy is limited—it's impossible to master everything perfectly.
Exceptional chakra control, seemingly bottomless chakra reserves...
Unpredictable genjutsu, casually deployed clan secret techniques, and previously reported water release abilities. Not to mention the Flying Thunder God Technique he'd kept concealed all along, and the Wood Release he had never revealed until now...
Added on top were those bizarre humanoid creatures pulled out effortlessly by him—clearly numerous in supply—as well as the unexpected information accidentally revealed by those strange beings...
Madara Uchiha had actually remained alive until recently.
And more importantly, aside from possessing the Mangekyo Sharingan, his opponent also wielded the power of Wood Release!
The person who killed Madara Uchiha looked exactly like Tobirama Senju, the Second Hokage?
Hmph~
How many people in the ninja world can use the Flying Thunder God Technique? And how many possess both strength rivaling Madara and exceptional mastery over Water Release?
Could there really be any doubt about who that person is?
Defeating and killing Madara Uchiha using solely the Flying Thunder God Technique and Water Release, without ever employing any Wood Release during the entire battle—
Was it because he was confident enough to handle an aging, weakened Madara, or did Kei Yamanaka gain something from that battle?
Surely not… Could that guy actually be a peerless genius?
That he somehow learned Wood Release simply by watching it once?
"He's utterly unconcerned about me uncovering his secrets... such arrogance." Orochimaru chuckled, his voice low and raspy.
*Kehehe~*
The strong rule the weak's fate.
But strength and weakness are never set in stone forever!
Understand him, surpass him, defeat him, control him!
Even though it may seem rather difficult, the more challenging the task, the greater the fun, isn't it?
————————————
[Earth Release: Rock Fist Technique], [Earth Release: Added-Weight Rock Technique], [Water Release: Great Water Arm Technique]!
Crash! Bang! Smash—crack! Crash! Smash!
"Master, I'll never do it again! If I ever respond to Orochimaru's Summoning Jutsu again, I'll turn into a frog!"
Manda curled into a trembling ball, shrieking in terror while shamelessly begging for mercy.
"Human! You deserve to die! I shall devour you!"
Shinta, a massive snake covered in crimson scales, came rushing over, drawn by Manda's screams. Fueled by hatred toward humans, she instinctively attacked Kei Yamanaka.
As expected, she quickly joined the ranks of the beaten.
Unlike Manda, who just shrank into a trembling ball with no resistance at all.
Despite enduring intense pain, it kept struggling desperately to fight back, showing surprising resilience and pride!
Pound! Crack! Smash!
A moment later.
"Master, if you need anything in the future, just give me a command! Come on! I, Shinta, am the most obedient one around. If you say east, I won't even glance west!"
Shinta's body had lost over half its scales. Blood streamed from his mouth, and both venomous fangs had been snapped clean off, yet he grinned with exaggerated flattery.
"Master, whenever you need help, call me! My combat experience is extensive. I'm definitely better than this idiot Shinta!"
Manda licked his lips trying to please, acting like the simple, honest type.
"You wish! Back in my day, I served under the Third Kazekage! I've seen more battles than you clowns can imagine!"
"And what good did it do? If you were actually useful, why would the Third Kazekage abandon you?"
"Manda! If I weren't hurting all over right now, I'd kill you myself!"
"Shinta! Don't get too cocky! Right now, I'm in much better shape than you are!"
Both Manda and Shinta let out warning hisses, their expressions instantly shifting like they were ready to brawl at any second.
"Shut up! Take me to see the White Snake Sage—now!"
Kei Yamanaka glared coldly at the two giant snakes putting on a show, unwilling to waste another word on them.
"Master! Little snake will take you there personally!"
"No, no! Master, my head's broad and comfortable—perfect for riding!"
They locked eyes, heads bumping briefly, then struck combat-ready poses again.
"Damn it! Keep talking and I'll hit both of you with Wood Release!"
A moment later.
Both massive snake heads pressed tightly together, their bodies coiled tightly, like tangled ropes.
Identical groveling grins plastered across their faces, they awkwardly slithered forward through the wide labyrinthine cavern.
Perched atop the makeshift platform formed by their pressed-together heads, Kei wore a look of speechless resignation, letting the two carry him along.
Inwardly, he mused over the results of testing the [Milk of the Grave] skill effect earlier.
Though the venoms of Manda and Shinta differed slightly in effect, their strengths were roughly equal.
This highly potent, natural energy-rich toxin had incredible corrosive power.
For someone lightly poisoned, a single full-strength punch from Tsunade would be enough to purge entirely.
For moderate poisoning, two or three punches were needed; severe cases required five or more.
Beyond that? A normal person would be dead in an instant—no point in even talking about a cure.
"It'll definitely have to be gradual treatment, spreading out the damage. Otherwise, instead of curing the poison, we'll beat the guy to death first!"
Kei muttered to himself.
He was pretty satisfied with how effective the Purple-Rank skill [Milk of the Grave]'s detoxifying ability was. No matter what kind of poison, it could neutralize it.
That alone made it insanely powerful!
Glancing at the reward granted by the system after altering Orochimaru's fate,
And noticing the blue-hued personal fortune aura surrounding himself because of the [Fortune Player] skill effect,
A faint smile tugged at Kei's lips.
Sure enough, if you're looking for big rewards, you've still gotta lean on those main characters from the original story.
"System, use up all my Keyword Draw opportunities."
[Congratulations, Host! You obtained the White-Rank Skill 'Food Love,' the Green-Rank Skill 'Thug Rush Punch,' and the Purple-Tier Trait 'Borrowing an Account to Log In.']
[Food Love (White-Tier)]: It may look like a romantic affair, but it's actually a matter of life and death. The user becomes infatuated with the creature they view as food—the longer they interact, the stronger their hunger and deeper their affection, without ever harming their beloved "meal." However, should the "meal" attempt to flee or resist, love quickly transforms into deadly hunger—ending up straight in your stomach.
[Thug Rush Punch (Green-Tier)]: As your Taijutsu skill increases, your movements grow more fluid and captivating. Slightly enhances Taijutsu proficiency, physical strength, flexibility, reflexes, and allure. Also slightly accelerates strength development and Taijutsu mastery.
[Borrowing an Account to Log In (Purple-Tier)]: Establishes a connection to the soul of someone who ascended to the Pure Land, tapping into their peak power. Once a Borrowing an Account to Log In contract is formed with the deceased, you may temporarily use their strength. Each time you utilize borrowed power, you siphon off a trace amount of residual energy, subtly strengthening your abilities. Note: The maximum power you can borrow is capped by your own physical strength, and maintaining this state drains significant stamina—activation fails if reserves are too low.
"Wait... I'm in love with a *cow*?!"
Kei Yamanaka blinked at the absurdity—his favorite meat was beef, after all.
This isn't normal... people aren't meant to feel this way...
Tell me I'm not the only one thinking this is messed up.
This trait...
Whatever. I'll just hand this one off to someone else.
I'll figure out who to pawn this curse off on later.
[Thug Rush Punch]... Obito Rush Punch? Seriously?
The effect's decent enough, but the part where improved Taijutsu leads to a slimmer body feels a bit sketchy.
Kei wouldn't use it himself anyway.
He already had plenty of vitality thanks to his Sage Transformation. What he really needed was to focus on his Lightning Release Chakra Mode and the Eight Gates.
Enough already! More than enough!
Still, this trait pairs perfectly with [Older Sister's Comeback]. If both traits appear on the same... guy...
Too hot to handle!
Shaking his head, Kei shoved those wild thoughts aside and turned his gaze toward the final Purple-tier trait he'd just obtained.
Took long enough, geez!
Finally pulled another Purple!
"Borrowing an Account to Log In… Well, I do have a Sage Transformation. What if I experience Hashirama Senju's peak condition? Unleash Sage Art Wood Release: True Several Thousand Hands – Summit Enlightened Thousand-Armed Cannon! Experience full-power Wood Release ahead of time. Can't blame a guy for wanting that, right?"
"Er… Me and Lord Madara? Practically 'ride-or-die' partners. Maybe he wouldn't mind letting me borrow his power for a sec."
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