Chapter 89 [Impure World Reincarnation] Afterlife? Soul Society!
Orochimaru has been studying the forbidden technique, Impure World Reincarnation (Reanimation/Edo Tensei) , for a long time!
However, since acquiring the Sage body refinement method, most of his focus has shifted toward training, and his research on Impure World Reincarnation has nearly come to a standstill.
As a result, the current Ninja World still doesn't possess a complete or perfected version of Impure World Reincarnation.
That's right, the version recorded in Konoha's archives is incomplete and has many unresolved flaws!
It is unclear whether the Second Hokage deliberately refrained from leaving a complete version out of fear for the technique, or whether his research was also incomplete.
However, thinking about what Impure World Reincarnation involves, Ishihara couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement.
Although he already has the Sage body refinement method, even fully transforming into a Sage Body doesn't grant immortality—only long lifespan.
Therefore, he has been exploring the next step of the Sage Body.
His interest in researching Bloodline Limits and forbidden techniques stems from his long-term goal of studying the Ten-Tails, as well as seeking alternative methods for immortality.
Recently, while reviewing Konoha's forbidden techniques, he had a sudden flash of inspiration.
Reaper Death Seal!
When using this technique, one can summon the Shinigami!
He wasn't sure if this so-called Shinigami was an actual deity, but he knew one thing—the Shinigami has definitely existed for a very long time!
Ishihara had no desire to become such a grotesque Shinigami, though!
Instead, he wanted to become the kind of Shinigami from Bleach, a being from the Soul Society!
He even aspired to become the Soul King!
However, the power systems of Shinigamis and ninjas are entirely different.
He would need to develop spiritual pressure, or at least a form of energy that could substitute for it.
This was not something that could be achieved overnight.
There were many aspects that needed careful research.
One of these aspects involved the Afterlife (Spirit World/Soul Society) and the souls of the deceased!
In Ishihara's vision, the Afterworld (Pure Land) would be his version of the Soul Society!
Thus, this opportunity with Impure World Reincarnation was especially valuable to him.
He quickly opened the scroll and began reading. After a while, he raised his head and let out a long breath.
The technique of Impure World Reincarnation was even more complex than he had imagined.
First, Impure World Reincarnation is a summoning technique!
And it summons the souls of the dead from the Afterworld!
However, summoning techniques rely on signing a blood contract with a summoned creature to establish a coordinate anchor.
In contrast, Impure World Reincarnation uses the genetic material of the deceased to establish the coordinate anchor!
But these are the dead, not living summon creatures!
Even if Ishihara were to start researching from scratch, he wasn't sure how much time it would take.
The fact that the Second Hokage managed to complete such a summoning contract is simply astonishing.
Even more complex is the step that gives the souls physical bodies—this involves the sacrifice!
This step touches upon the use of Yin-Yang Release techniques.
"The Second Hokage must have conducted extensive research into Yin-Yang Release to have developed so many forbidden techniques."
Ishihara couldn't help but feel some admiration for the Second Hokage.
Although his strength may not have matched that of the First Hokage or Madara, his theoretical knowledge was likely superior to both.
"Let's give it a try and break it down!"
Ishihara took a deep breath, then suddenly disappeared from his spot.
Danzo was stunned. Before he could react, Ishihara reappeared.
Danzo's eyes widened in shock.
Ishihara had clearly mastered a space-time ninjutsu!
***
Kirigakure.
A temporary base by the lake.
Ishihara was training when his Wood Clone returned.
"There's something you need to handle, main body."
After saying this, the Wood Clone dispersed.
A flood of memories rushed into his mind, causing even Ishihara to feel a dull headache.
"That went more smoothly than I expected?"
After reviewing the clone's experiences, Ishihara was somewhat surprised, but his attention was quickly drawn back to the Impure World Reincarnation technique.
He created another Wood Clone and sent it back.
Then, he approached the Anbu stationed at Kirigakure and said, "I need a death row prisoner, the stronger, the better!"
"Understood!"
The Anbu, not daring to neglect Ishihara's request, quickly complied.
Soon, they brought him a robust death row prisoner, who had clearly been immobilized and sealed by the Anbu, unable to move.
Ishihara thanked them, then dragged the prisoner into the experimental room. From a nearby shelf, he took out a scroll and unrolled it.
Suddenly, a corpse appeared in front of him.
It was the body of a Hozuki clan elder that he had previously researched.
Ishihara carefully cut off a piece of relatively intact tissue and moved to the open area of the lab, preparing to perform the Impure World Reincarnation technique.
He drew the technique formula!
He placed the genetic material!
Finally, he used the living prisoner as a sacrifice!
He linked the life forces, connecting the genetic material with the living sacrifice.
Byakugan activated!
Transparent World activated!
After completing all the preparations, Ishihara took a deep breath and lightly pressed his hands onto the formula.
"Impure World Reincarnation!"
Buzz—
The formula rapidly began to concentrate around the sacrifice.
At the same time, a mysterious wave of energy spread outward.
"This wave is very similar to that of a summoning technique!"
However, Ishihara was now vastly different from when he first performed a summoning technique.
Empowered by the Impure World Reincarnation technique, his senses expanded as if they stretched across a vast distance.
Then, he saw it—a gray, hazy world.
"So this is the Afterworld (Pure Land)?!"
Ishihara felt a rush of excitement as he sensed a unique presence.
The waves generated by the Impure World Reincarnation technique had a clear target and quickly found the corresponding soul in the Afterworld.
Then, the summoning contract activated, and the soul was summoned!
Rustle, rustle...
As the soul entered the sacrifice's body, the mysterious Yin-Yang Release technique reappeared, and countless pieces of paper began to converge, gradually forming the deceased's original appearance!
Yin-Yang Release creates life!
This thought flashed through Ishihara's mind as he continued to observe.
Until finally, the soul was fully revived!
The Impure World Reincarnation technique was complete!
Every detail of the process had been observed and absorbed by Ishihara.
[You have observed and experienced the Impure World Reincarnation technique. You have had an epiphany. You have developed a secret technique: Impure World Reincarnation.]
[Impure World Reincarnation: Upon mastering, you can summon the souls of the dead from other worlds. The souls are under your control, and their strength varies based on the sacrifice.]
"It's very similar to Orochimaru's first resurrection of the First Hokage using Impure World Reincarnation."
After processing the information in his mind, Ishihara fell into deep thought.
He didn't rush to improve the technique.
Instead, he carefully recalled the fleeting glimpse he had of the world of the dead, the Afterworld!
This was the Soul Society he had envisioned.
But now, he faced a significant challenge.
"How can I enter the Afterworld?"
"Do I have to die first?"
"That's not a good idea."
After frowning and pondering for a moment, Ishihara's eyes lit up.
He had thought of a technique that might help him.
The Spirit Transformation Technique!