Chapter 227: Edo Auntie Snake
"Interesting..."
The information was from Kabuto, who was relaying Orochimaru's thoughts. As Kinoshita Genichi read the content, a phrase couldn't help but surface in his mind: Appearance is born from the mind.
For Genichi, his inherent, or perhaps subconscious, understanding from his "past life" was this:
The body is material, while the soul is non-material—a collection of consciousness, cognition, emotion, and memory, existing in dependence on the material body.
But, setting aside this subconscious knowledge and looking purely at the shinobi world's chakra system, certain patterns emerged.
When a body is lost, the soul can still exist, entering the so-called "Pure Land."
When the soul is lost, the body dies immediately. Its cells rapidly lose activity, and life ceases.
Then there were the Tailed Beasts, special life forms aggregated from chakra, which could revive even after death...
"Yin Release, which represents spiritual power, is used to create form. Yang Release, which represents physical power, is used to infuse that form with life."
"Does 'form'... include the soul?"
Tap, tap, tap...
Genichi's fingers tapped on the desk as he fell deep in thought.
Orochimaru believed that the soul possessed the same genes as the body.
Even... that the body's genes originated from the soul.
Genichi looked at his own Primordial Spirit.
The Primordial Spirit looked back at him.
Even without a body, the soul could possess the same powers as the body, including Kekkei Genkai.
But that didn't prove anything.
Kekkei Genkai itself is a chakra nature transformation. It's not that the body has the Kekkei Genkai first; rather, chakra fuses to form a new nature, which then changes the body's genes.
Simultaneously, the soul also undergoes an evolution.
Genichi was absolutely certain of this point.
So, what was the true essence of the soul?
Genichi looked back at the scroll's contents: "Will, cognition, memory, emotion... genes, the source of life."
"Genes..."
Genichi picked up the Curse Mark scroll again and began to read it carefully.
A long time later, he looked up. "The soul and body share one set of genes..."
"Chakra acts as the carrier for genes, as well as the carrier for will, cognition, memory, and emotion. When a body is formed, the soul naturally coalesces."
"This must be why Orochimaru could revive from the Curse Mark of Heaven even after being sealed by Itachi Uchiha's Totsuka Blade."
"The Curse Mark contains Orochimaru's chakra, and that chakra carries his genetic information, his will, his cognition, his memory, and his emotions."
"But... being sealed by the Totsuka Blade should mean the soul itself is sealed."
Genichi frowned as he thought.
He recalled another theory: soul splitting.
"It can't be soul splitting..."
Genichi quickly refuted this unreliable theory.
In the original timeline, during the Konoha Crush, the Third Hokage sealed Orochimaru's hands. That is, he severed the parts of his soul corresponding to his hands. Even Living Corpse Reincarnation couldn't heal it.
In the end, he had to unseal and retrieve that part of his soul to recover.
"So, my idea isn't correct either. The Curse Mark and Living Corpse Reincarnation aren't enough to recreate a soul."
"Otherwise, he could have just used Living Corpse Reincarnation to restore his hands."
So, that brought up the question.
How did the Orochimaru who was sealed by the Totsuka Blade manage to revive using the Curse Mark?
"Is the problem... with the Totsuka Blade itself?"
Genichi re-organized his thoughts.
The Totsuka Blade is a sealing sword that can permanently seal someone in a drunken, illusory dream world.
A genjutsu-type seal. It might not be able to completely isolate and seal away the soul in the same way the Reaper Death Seal does.
Genichi suddenly smiled. "I should try to summon Auntie Snake with Edo Tensei. That should test my theory."
No sooner said than done.
Genichi immediately put away the scrolls, got up, left the data room, and went to retrieve a White Zetsu.
This White Zetsu was not a clone, but one he had forced out of his own body long ago. It was frequently used for experiments; now, it was being recycled.
He immobilized the White Zetsu with a binding jutsu, and Genichi clapped his hands together.
Edo Tensei!
As the sealing formula spread, the White Zetsu was enveloped in the white light of a soul, and then dust and debris reformed it.
"Just as I thought!"
Seeing the jutsu succeed, Genichi understood.
Soon, the sacrificial body was reshaped, and Orochimaru opened his eyes.
He looked down at his new form, then looked up and smiled. "I knew it. I would be revived in this way."
Genichi teased, "Senpai, you should be glad Tsunade isn't here, or she'd beat you to a pulp."
Orochimaru spread his hands and smiled. "In this state, I don't really mind."
"But, speaking of which, was Uchiha Madara dealt with?"
Genichi raised an eyebrow. "You have that much faith in me?"
Orochimaru stepped forward with a grin. "Of course."
Genichi shook his head. "Then I have to disappoint you, Senpai."
"Uchiha Tekka was indeed sealed by me. But Uchiha Madara was fully revived by Nagato using the Rinnegan."
"And, Nagato's eyes... they did indeed belong to Madara."
Orochimaru was first shocked, then his eyes filled with excitement. He subconsciously licked his lips. "Just as I thought."
"It seems Kabuto is with you, then."
"However, to be able to be an opponent for a Madara who possesses the Rinnegan, Genichi-kun... your strength is far beyond my expectations."
"So, you revived me in this way... there must be something else you need?"
Genichi nodded. "To verify an idea. About the soul."
Orochimaru understood instantly. "It seems Kabuto is with you."
Genichi told the truth. "He's a great talent. Worth training."
"But don't worry, I'm not stealing your subordinate, Senpai."
"Just... borrowing him for a while."
Orochimaru seemed thoughtful, then said, "Is this soul problem about the Living Corpse Reincarnation?"
Genichi shook his head. "No, it's about the soul itself."
"According to your notes, it seems as long as you have the genes, consciousness, cognition, and memory, you can rebuild a soul?"
Orochimaru nodded. "Theoretically, yes. But I haven't fully researched the soul either."
"It's just that, based on various forbidden jutsu and experiments, the soul possesses... 'uniqueness'."
Genichi mused, "Like how no two leaves are exactly the same."
Orochimaru praised, "A perfect analogy."
"Even if you clone a body with identical genes, and even if you implant identical memories, you can never create the exact same person."
"This is why I believe the soul is what defines a person. And the core of that... is the genes."
"Of course, this is just my current hypothesis."
"The human body hides too many secrets. And the soul is an even more untouchable domain."
"Even the Living Corpse Reincarnation still has many imperfections."
Living Corpse Reincarnation could seize all the host's abilities, and retain them even in the next transfer. The key to this was the gene.
But, even now, Orochimaru had not completely solved the problem of tissue rejection.
Genichi sighed in empathy. "Indeed."
The body could be dissected and studied. But the soul...
However, Orochimaru's understanding of the soul might not be entirely correct, but some parts of it definitely were.
Orochimaru asked, "Genichi-kun, are you researching Yin-Yang Release?"
"I am."
Genichi nodded. "Yin-Yang Release, or just Yin and Yang... it's the absolute core, but it's also the most difficult and profound."
"Senpai, you cloned the Eight-Tails' horn before. You must have also tried to clone an entire Tailed Beast, right?"
Orochimaru smiled. "Indeed I did."
"But Tailed Beasts are very different. You must have seen some of the data Kabuto has."
"The theory that the 'soul and body share one set of genes'... that initially came from studying the Eight-Tails."
"A life form that's an aggregate of chakra... its soul and body seem indistinguishable. It's a very profound state."
Genichi immediately thought of the Nine-Tails.
If he were to release the Yin-Nine-Tails that he had sealed, that half would immediately possess a physical body.
And yet, when the Reaper Death Seal was used to split it, it was targeting the soul.
When a human's soul is extracted, the body dies.
When the Nine-Tails' soul was extracted, it split in two. Each half gained an independent consciousness, an independent body, and half the chakra.
So, just from the standpoint of Yin-Yang Release...
Genichi felt that the gap between himself and the Sage of Six Paths was still immense.
This was despite the fact that he could currently, completely overwhelm a Madara who possessed the Rinnegan.
Even if Madara had both Rinnegan, the result wouldn't change.
Therefore, the "Six Paths" level, with the Sage of Six Paths as the benchmark, was not something one could reach just by having a pair of Rinnegan.
...
Gathering his thoughts, Genichi continued his discussion with Orochimaru.
When their two intellects collided, many problems could be solved, many new problems were born, and even more interesting ideas came to light.
...
Meanwhile.
News of the great battle in Konoha was spreading rapidly across the shinobi world.
The commotion had simply been too large.
And Konoha had never been short of spies from other villages, nor of people watching it.
This was especially true since Konoha had warned the other villages about Madara's revival just days before.
Of course, this time Konoha also sent a simple situation report to the other villages.
They revealed some intel, especially to their allies, along with a bounty for Uchiha Madara.
The first to receive the intel was Sunagakure.
One letter was sent actively by Tsunade. The other was sent by Karura, with Tsunade's permission, back to her village.
After reading both letters, Pakura's heart was already pounding. She immediately convened a high-level meeting.
She couldn't bear this pressure alone.
Soon, Chiyo and the other Suna elders, having read the intel, all felt their heads buzzing.
Uchiha Madara was fully revived. He had displayed astonishing power and nearly destroyed Konoha. (Although no villagers were harmed due of advance preparations.)
But Konoha was in ruins. And the terrifying chakra fluctuations felt even inside the shelters...
All of this secondary intel was enough to prove one thing.
If this had happened in Sunagakure... the entire village...
At this moment, even those who had previously opposed sending their Jinchūriki to Konoha couldn't help but feel relieved.
"If this is the case, does the Jinchūriki have to stay in Konoha indefinitely?" Chiyo asked, getting to the core of the issue.
Pakura said grimly, "Uchiha Madara intends to collect all the Tailed Beasts. Whether it's the One-Tail or the Nine-Tails, they are still his targets."
"Konoha is not absolutely safe, either. After Madara captures the other Tailed Beasts, he will definitely attack Konoha again."
"Therefore, we must stand with Konoha. We must ally with them to fight Uchiha Madara."
"This is to protect our own interests!"
Ebizō said, "The previous intel said Madara was collecting the Tailed Beasts in order to revive himself. Since he's already been revived, what's his purpose now?"
Pakura said, "For peace."
Chiyo and the others were all stunned.
One of the Suna elders gritted his teeth. "Is... is this a joke?"
Pakura said flatly, "It's the peace that Uchiha Madara believes in. But it is absolutely not the peace that any of you here want."
Chiyo said, "In that case, it seems we have no choice but to cooperate fully with Konoha."
Ebizō said, "It's the best choice for now. And if it's as Karura said, and Gaara can become that 'perfect Jinchūriki', it will be very beneficial for the village."
The other Suna elders all voiced their agreement.
Pakura was very satisfied. "Then we will issue the bounty in coordination with Konoha."
"In addition, strengthen our intelligence sharing with Konoha, especially regarding Uchiha Madara and the Akatsuki."
...
Compared to Sunagakure, Iwagakure, Kumogakure, and Kirigakure all received the intel much later.
But their reaction was flat.
They were, in fact, more concerned with the situation in the Land of Rain.
Iwagakure and Kumogakure, in particular, both dispatched shinobi to investigate.
...
At the Mountain's Graveyard, White Zetsu's movements were fast.
Madara obtained some tissue cells from the former One-Tail Jinchūriki. Then, using a White Zetsu as a sacrifice, he performed the Edo Tensei.
Although it was the original, flawed version, for Madara, it was enough.
He just needed the One-Tail's chakra to avoid hindering the capture and sealing of the other Tailed Beasts.
Unlike in the original timeline where Nagato needed help, Madara controlled the Gedo Statue with ease. He activated the Nine Phantoms Sealing, and in an instant, the (not-so-large amount of) Tailed Beast chakra within the reanimated Bunpuku was completely extracted.
Looking up as the Gedo Statue slowly opened one eye, Tobi shouted, "It worked! This way, it won't affect the sealing of the other Tailed Beasts!"
"So, which Tailed Beast should we start with?"
Madara leaped down from the Gedo Statue's head. Black Zetsu immediately said, "I believe we must be fully prepared before we act this time."
"Konoha already knows our goal. Right now, they just don't want to conflict with the other villages and benefit us, which is why Kinoshita Genichi hasn't made a move."
"Once we move on the other Tailed Beasts, if we don't finish it quickly, I'm afraid Genichi will find an opportunity to interfere."
Aloe Zetsu also chimed in, "We must be wary of this Genichi. He brings too many... surprises."
"Those eyes of his... he should have one more dōjutsu. It seems he didn't even use it yesterday."
"I suspect he wasn't showing his full strength."
Madara said flatly, "He's waiting for me to attack the other villages."
"But, I will grant his wish. He just better not regret it when the time comes."
As he finished, a faint smile appeared on Madara's lips.
He now truly regarded Genichi as a serious opponent.
Therefore, he agreed with Black Zetsu.
To be absolutely certain, they would gather intel first. Then, in one go, they would capture all the Tailed Beasts except the Nine-Tails at the fastest possible speed.
Black Zetsu reminded him, "We should probably reanimate the Gold and Silver Brothers first, before Konoha gets to them."
"You are not the only one who has mastered that jutsu."
Madara said, "Let's try now and find out."
So, another White Zetsu was brought over. Madara formed the seals for Edo Tensei... but it failed.
Madara smiled. "It failed. It seems someone has already beaten me to it."
Hashirama!
Madara's gaze turned toward Konoha, emotions surging in his chest.
Tobi said, "We're already looking for the bodies of the Gold and Silver Brothers. But after so many years, there's probably nothing left but bones, right?"
Ignoring Tobi, Madara returned to his stone throne and sat down, his eyes half-closed. "You all... proceed with the plan."
...
Konoha, Underground Research Base.
Shizune poked her head out of the rest area. "Genichi?"
"Eh? Lord... Orochimaru?"
Shizune froze when she saw Orochimaru.
Genichi turned his head. "Shizune? What is it?"
Shizune quickly said, "It's... it's already dinnertime!"
So soon?
Genichi hadn't realized an entire day had passed. He smiled, then turned back to Orochimaru. "Senpai, I'll see you next time, then."
With that, Genichi snapped his fingers. The Edo Tensei was immediately released.
Orochimaru was startled, then smiled. "In that case, I'll be waiting."
As his voice fell, Orochimaru's soul ascended.
Genichi casually incinerated the sacrificial body with a fireball and walked home with Shizune.
On the way, Shizune couldn't help but ask, "Why did you revive Lord Orochimaru, just to release the jutsu?"
Genichi smiled. "Because for him, this isn't a very good way to be revived."
Shizune's eyes widened. "Are you... going to use the Rinnegan?"
Genichi chuckled. "Don't worry. I'm not that generous."
Shizune patted her chest, visibly relieved.
...
After dinner, Genichi didn't go for a walk with Tsunade and the others. He dove back into the research base.
This time, he opened a private lab and had White Zetsu "A-Dai" bring in a cage of small white mice.
These were "White Zetsu Rats," specially cultivated for experiments, bred to be implanted with various cells.
He grabbed a Zetsu-rat and placed it on the experiment table. Genichi poked it with a finger. A chakra scalpel had already severed its spinal cord, and the rat died quickly.
But Genichi immediately used a "Soul Restriction Jutsu" to trap the rat's soul.
He waited a moment, confirming that all cellular activity in the rat's body had ceased. Only then did he attempt to use Yang Release to revive it.
That is, to use his Yang Release nature transformation, converting his chakra into life force, to reactivate the rat's cells.
The essence of life is activity. It is change.
Five minutes passed. Genichi declared the first attempt a failure. He handed the thoroughly dead rat to A-Dai for "recycling."
(That is, to be decomposed and become nutrients.)
Genichi continued his experiment.
(End of Chapter)
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