"Miss Raiko, are you interested in my techniques as well?" Orochimaru was surprised by Raiko's request.
For someone who was once one of the three great sages of the ninja world to be interested in his techniques was unexpected.
Raiko glanced at Orochimaru and said calmly, "Anything that can enhance power and strength interests me."
In her past life, Raiko wouldn't have cared for Orochimaru's techniques. After all, no technology could compare to her thousand-year-old sage serpent body.
But now, even the smallest gain was valuable. Anything that could accelerate her growth was worth acquiring.
"Very well, Miss Raiko, please follow me."
Orochimaru led Raiko through his laboratory.
In a room filled with rows of large glass tanks, Orochimaru explained, "Miss Raiko, these are my cloned subordinates. They possess the abilities of the Kaguya clan."
"However, for some reason, they can't fully utilize the power of the original bodies."
Orochimaru looked at Raiko, hoping to hear her insights.
He had detailed his scientific techniques to see if this great sage could help improve them.
Raiko saw through Orochimaru's thoughts immediately but didn't say anything. She walked to the tanks and placed her hand on one.
After a few minutes, Raiko spoke, "The accelerated growth period is too short. While they have the intelligence of children, their souls are too weak, not even comparable to beasts. Naturally, they can't possess strong chakra."
"However, with some sacrificial techniques, they could be useful as suicide squads."
"This is a forbidden technique for flesh fusion, allowing these clones to function as giant summoning beasts."
Raiko picked up a piece of rock from the wall and held it in her hand.
"Sage Art: Inorganic Reincarnation!"
With the sage technique, the rock rapidly transformed into a 20-centimeter-wide, one-meter-long piece of white paper.
Words appeared on the paper, describing a forbidden technique called 'Flesh Fusion.'
Once the forbidden technique was written, the paper folded itself into a scroll and floated to Orochimaru.
Is this the power of sage techniques?
Seeing Raiko's casual display of creation, Orochimaru was both excited and envious.
It made him crave the power of sage techniques even more.
Orochimaru took the scroll and respectfully said, "Thank you, Miss Raiko."
Raiko waved her hand, "Continue."
"Yes." Orochimaru led Raiko to observe other parts of the laboratory.
After visiting several labs, Orochimaru brought Raiko to the last one.
"Miss Raiko, this is the embryonic fusion laboratory."
Raiko raised an eyebrow. "Embryonic fusion?"
Orochimaru nodded, "By cultivating embryos using target cells and then fusing them with one's cells, we can create individuals with dual bloodline abilities."
"In theory, this technique could combine the bloodlines of the Senju, Uchiha, and other clans, creating a new embryo that develops into a complete individual."
"Such an individual would possess all the bloodline abilities, with limitless potential, making them an ideal vessel for reincarnation."
"Unfortunately, my current technology isn't advanced enough to achieve this."
Bloodline fusion?
Raiko was intrigued. If Orochimaru's words were true, she could design a vessel with immense potential that perfectly suited her needs.
This would save her the trouble of searching for other reincarnation vessels.
Moreover, Raiko had just thought of an interesting idea.
"Give me all the related data."
Orochimaru was thrilled to hear this. "Yes, Miss Raiko."
...
Nightfall.
Under a large tree in the Forest of Death, a campfire burned brightly.
"Damn Aburame brat, don't let me catch you, or you'll regret it," Ringo Ameyuri muttered irritably, carving a stick with her blade.
In principle, one shouldn't light a fire at night in the Forest of Death as it attracts other teams.
However, since their Earth Scroll was stolen by the Aburame kid, the Mist team needed to take at least two more scrolls to complete their mission and reach the Central Tower.
For the powerful Mist team, lighting a fire was a good way to lure their prey.
Haku and Chojuro were hiding nearby, leaving Ringo Ameyuri by the fire.
Whoosh!
A masked figure appeared near Ringo Ameyuri.
After celebrating with Sakura and Kiba back in Konoha, Shishou had returned to the Forest of Death to find Ringo Ameyuri.
"Who's there?"
Ringo Ameyuri hurled her lightning-infused stick towards the masked figure.
Catching the stick effortlessly, Shishou approached Ringo Ameyuri.
Seeing her attack caught so easily, Ringo Ameyuri frowned, drawing her twin blades and charging with a flash of lightning.
In response, Shishou formed a single hand sign.
"Sage Art: Earth Prison Defense Barrier!"
A four-meter-diameter half-sphere of earth enclosed Shishou.
This was a sage-modified version of the Earth Release: Earth Prison Dome, with enhanced defense that ordinary lightning techniques couldn't penetrate.
Shishou used the Earth Prison to cover himself and then used the Flying Thunder God technique to move to a shadowy area outside.
He wanted Ringo Ameyuri to use her technique from earlier so he could observe it closely.
"This isn't an ordinary Earth Release," Ringo Ameyuri muttered, seeing her lightning strikes fail.
Crossing her twin blades, her aura surged after three seconds.
"Lightning Release: Lightning Strike!"
A silver-white lightning slash erupted from Ringo Ameyuri's blades, shattering Shishou's Earth Prison.
"It really does contain sage chakra. How does she do it?"
Seeing his shattered Earth Prison, Shishou confirmed his suspicions.
He appeared before Ringo Ameyuri and asked directly, "Did Mei Terumi teach you this technique?"
_____________________
POWER STONE!!!!
__________________
This fanfiction is complete on my P@treon. If you want to read it, you can find it at p@treon.com/Betek.
_____________________